13 y.o. girl sexually assaulted in Rock Creek Park trail in Kensington earlier this evening (March9)

[Anonymous]

From MNCPPC Police :

Detectives Investigate a Sexual Assault on Rock Creek Trail, Kensington MD

Detectives from the Maryland-National Capital Park Police – Montgomery County Division are investigating a Sexual Assault that occurred on the Rock Creek Trail in Kensington, MD. The sexual assault occurred on the trail access located at Parkwood Drive and Clearbrook Lane.

On today’s date at approximately 6:45 p.m. a juvenile female was approached from behind, wrestled to the ground, and inappropriately touched. A witness exercising nearby heard the juvenile scream and went to investigate. The male subject observed the witness and ran away.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, medium complexion, 5’4” – 5’6” in height, skinny, late teens to midtwenties in age, round face, dark hair, dark clothing, and no mask.

Detectives are asking that anyone with information about this assault or the identity of the suspect to please contact the Criminal Investigations Unit at 301-929-2748. Tips may also be submitted online.


This happened in the section of Rock Creek Park in between Knowles Ave and Cedar Lane.

[Anonymous]

Ughhhh stories like this make me sick. Glad there was someone nearby with the wherewithal to check on the girl... these days a lot of people wouldn’t.

[Anonymous]

Wow, that’s terrible. I let my 13 year old walk/bike on her own so this is stressful to hear.

Hope the girl is okay. It’s a tough thing to go through as a young teen.

Thanks for posting OP, I hadn’t heard this and will be more aware.

[Anonymous]

No one in my house goes walking alone or without having a phone, mask, pepper spray on hand.

All this free ranging is very dangerous especially now.

[Anonymous]

My kids are young still, but wondering how you parents of kids old enough to wander on their own talk aobut this. Do you keep it abstract? Do you share news stories like this? Do you talk about what to do if someone approaches you or attacks you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one in my house goes walking alone or without having a phone, mask, pepper spray on hand.

All this free ranging is very dangerous especially now.

None of those things would help if someone attacks you from behind.

[Anonymous]

Yikes. It's dark at 6:45pm. Trails are unsafe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one in my house goes walking alone or without having a phone, mask, pepper spray on hand.

All this free ranging is very dangerous especially now.

None of those things would help if someone attacks you from behind.

Why "especially now"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one in my house goes walking alone or without having a phone, mask, pepper spray on hand.

All this free ranging is very dangerous especially now.

The chances a man would wrestle a pepper spray from a young girl and use it against her are high. Why would a 13 year old girl be in the park after dark??

[Anonymous]

That’s frightening. You can’t expect all 13 year olds to deal with an attacker, even if they have pepper spray, phone, whistle, etc...

[Anonymous]

I know this family and this happened close to the road. It's normally a really safe area. But a good reminder that this can happen anywhere, Very upsetting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one in my house goes walking alone or without having a phone, mask, pepper spray on hand.

All this free ranging is very dangerous especially now.

The chances a man would wrestle a pepper spray from a young girl and use it against her are high. Why would a 13 year old girl be in the park after dark??

Are you seriously victim-blaming here??

6:45 is not that late. Sunset is around 6:15, so maybe she was just heading home? It’s not like she was out at 11:44pm.

It is reasonable to expect that my 13 year old daughter will not be groped at 6:45 in the evening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are young still, but wondering how you parents of kids old enough to wander on their own talk aobut this. Do you keep it abstract? Do you share news stories like this? Do you talk about what to do if someone approaches you or attacks you?

This is why I don't let mine wander alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one in my house goes walking alone or without having a phone, mask, pepper spray on hand.

All this free ranging is very dangerous especially now.

The chances a man would wrestle a pepper spray from a young girl and use it against her are high. Why would a 13 year old girl be in the park after dark??

Are you seriously victim-blaming here??

6:45 is not that late. Sunset is around 6:15, so maybe she was just heading home? It’s not like she was out at 11:44pm.

It is reasonable to expect that my 13 year old daughter will not be groped at 6:45 in the evening.

Its reasonable to expect but its dark out and lots of crazies around. Thank goodness someone stepped in to help. During the day light in a crowded area yes, but not on the park trail in the dark.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry she had to learn that you can't be safely out after dark as a woman. My dh wonders why I don't go walking by myself when places or deserted or when it's dark. Poor girl, glad someone was walking by.