SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Attempted student abduction at Michigan school bus stop

Police are investigating an attempted abduction of a girl from a school bus stop and a similar occurrence that took place days later. Both incidents involved a suspect trying to lure students into a minivan.

December 11, 2015
2 min to read


NORTON SHORES, Mich. — Police are investigating an attempted abduction of a student from a school bus stop on Tuesday as well as a similar suspicious occurrence that took place days later. Both incidents involved a suspect driving a white minivan.

The Norton Shores Police Department reports in a press release that investigators interviewed a 12-year-old student from Mona Shores Public Schools regarding a suspicious vehicle possibly related to a previous attempted abduction on Tuesday.

A suspicious incident occurred on Thursday in Norton Shores at 2:50 p.m. while the student was walking home from school. She reported that a subject was following her very slowly in a white minivan. The student said the van was very close behind her and when she turned around, the occupant of the van motioned from inside the vehicle for her to come back towards the van. The student immediately ran to her residence. The incident was reported at 6:40 p.m.

The van was reported to be a white minivan with rust on the hood. The student was unable to see into the van other than the arm motioning to her, and was unable to give a description of the driver.

On Tuesday, investigators interviewed another student, 15, who also attends a school in the Mona Shores Public Schools district, regarding a possible attempted abduction that day at 11 a.m. that also occurred in Norton Shores.

The student reported that a man tried to lure her into his vehicle at the bus stop. The student said that she was waiting at the bus stop when a man, who was described as African-American, in his 40s, mostly bald and with a scruffy beard and large build, wearing a dark T-shirt, and with a deep voice, pulled up to her in a white minivan with rust over the passenger side rear wheel. The subject asked for her to come over to the vehicle and she refused. He then told her if she did not get in the vehicle they would have a problem. The school bus then started to pull up and the van left the scene.

Authorities asked for anyone with information or similar sightings about the incident to obtain a license plate number if possible and call the Norton Shores Police Department or Silent Observer at 231-72-CRIME (722-7463).

The police department has also released this safety reminder video with tips for parents and students.

More Safety

Promotional graphic for a new Pro-Vision AI camera system. The image shows a monitor displaying camera views with AI object detection overlays, along with multiple cameras and recording hardware. Text reads "New Product," "Pro-Vision," and "Visibly Better." School Bus Fleet logo appears in the lower-right corner.
SafetyJune 11, 2026

Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System

The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.

Read More →
A New York school bus in the street.
Safetyby Elora HaynesJune 9, 2026

N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students

New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.

Read More →
Graphic for an opinion article on illegal school bus passing. A school bus with its stop arm extended is stopped as children cross the street, while a black SUV drives past. Headline reads, “America’s School Bus Blind Spot.” School Bus Fleet branding appears in the corner.
SafetyJune 8, 2026

America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse

Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of a school bus on a New York street and text reading "Legislative Roundup May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 29, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate

Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.

Read More →
hopskipdrive whitepaper
SponsoredMay 26, 2026

The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation

Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.

Read More →
Emergency response personnel assist participants evacuating through the rear emergency door of a yellow school bus during a hands-on safety training exercise at Prosper ISD. Smoke fills the bus interior as responders demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 21, 2026

Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas

Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
BusPatrol cameras on the side of a school bus.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsMay 6, 2026

Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards

After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.

Read More →
A group of people in business attire pose for a photo in front of a school bus, with text reading "Legislative Roundup: May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 6, 2026

School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes

From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
Graphic with part of a school bus and text reading "Fatal Accident in Brooklyn."
Safetyby StaffMay 5, 2026

9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection

A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A blue and white graphic with text reading "2026 Safety & Operations Report" with an image of the cover of the report.
Safetyby StaffMay 4, 2026

Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes

The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.

Read More →