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10-year-old escapes abduction attempt in Bellingham

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A 10-year-old girl escaped an apparent abduction attempt in Bellingham Tuesday afternoon, police said.

The child told officers she was walking from Parkview Elementary School at about 3:50 p.m. when a man standing by a parked van told her to "get into the van."  Police said she yelled "no," and ran off.

The man ran after her, then apparently returned to the van and drove off, the girl told police.

The man is Hispanic, in his 20s, with short, dark hair.  He was wearing a beanie, grey T-shirt, grey shoes and tan shorts.  The van is black, with a single window in the rear and tinted side windows.

Police asked anyone with information about the case to call Detective Jana Bouzek at 360-778-8826.