Miami-Dade man stalked, tried to kidnap young girls outside public schools, cops say
A North Miami man was charged with stalking and trying to kidnap elementary and middle school girls over two months.
Jackson Etienne, 49, was arrested on Valentine’s Day and charged with kidnapping, molestation and eight counts of attempted kidnapping.
One girl told Miami-Dade Schools police that Etienne tried to kidnap her three different times from December to January, police said. The first time, Etienne “terrorized her to get in his car” while he drove slowly next to her.
The second time, the girl was walking near Sabal Palm Elementary School in Northeast Miami-Dade while Etienne drove next to her. He asked her to get in his car so he could give her a ride, and she again refused, police said.
The last time, Etienne was near the girl’s home when he pulled up next to her and her younger sister while they were walking from the Dollar Tree store. He slowed his car, rolled his window down and stared at her.
During the morning of Jan. 6 or 7, a second victim said Etienne tried to lure her into his car by waving $6 at her. They were behind John F. Kennedy Middle School in North Miami Beach, police said. She said Etienne again tried to pick her up on Jan. 17.
Another young girl was walking home from school when Etienne drove up next to her and offered her $40 to get in the car, police said. They were behind John F. Kennedy Middle, which is less than a mile from Sabal Palm.
A fourth girl said on Feb. 13 that Etienne waved her over to get into his car. After she said no, he followed her for about five minutes before he drove off, police said. They were near North Miami Middle School, which is about 3.5 miles from Sabal Palm.
The girl also said she saw him driving around her house earlier in the week. He told her to get inside, but she ran in the opposite direction. He followed. She ran into the middle school for safety.
“A predator has been taken off the streets and will be prevented from victimizing any more children,” said Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Edwin Lopez. “Whether incidents happen inside of our schools or outside of our campuses, as was the case here, Miami-Dade Schools Police detectives will take all measures necessary to protect our students from harm.”
This story was originally published February 26, 2020 at 6:33 PM.
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