Detectives await test results after a bird, an alley and a Cobbs Creek home all become part of the investigation into the kidnapping of a five-year-old girl from her elementary school four weeks ago, police sources tell NBC10.
Three people at the Walton Avenue home, which is right off Cobbs Creek Parkway, were questioned Friday following an early morning search of the premises, police sources say.
One of those questioned was a 19-year-old woman. Police sources tell NBC10's Nefertiti Jaquez that woman may have been involved in Cullen Bryant Elementary School's after-school program -- the same school where the girl was abducted. All deny having any knowledge of the incident.
The search warrant was executed at the Cobbs Creek house after police took the girl to the West Philadelphia neighborhood Thursday with her mother after receiving several tip calls, sources say. Investigators walked the girl through the area and she apparently recognized an alley from the day she was abducted.
Sources tell NBC10 police are investigating whether the girl was taken to the home after being abducted last month. The home is located near a trail that leads straight to the Upper Darby playground where the girl was found.
During the search, police found a talking bird inside the home. The girl told investigators she remembered hearing a talking bird where she was held. Sources tell NBC10 investigators removed the bird from the home, but later returned it. It's unclear if there is a connection.
"I'm not in the position to call anyone a suspect, we're just following up on leads," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said. "And that's what we're going to continue to do until we find the person responsible for this crime."
The 5-year-old was abducted on Jan. 14 from the Cullen Bryant Elementary School on 60th Street and Cedar Avenue. Police say a woman wearing Muslim garb, and apparently pregnant, was seen on surveillance video taking the girl out of the school.
Police say the woman and another man allegedly took the girl to a home nearby, forced her to undress, blindfolded her and eventually dropped her off in an Upper Darby park on a cold night.
Hours later, she was found by a good Samaritan, shivering and wearing just a T-shirt. Captain John Darby with the Special Victims Unit said the girl endured an "unspeakable experience" during the kidnapping.
On Jan 15, police served search warrants at the homes of registered sex offenders living in Cobbs Creek. So far, police say no one has been taken into custody. The reward for the arrest of those responsible is currently at $105,000.
NBC10's Tim Furlong spoke with the girl's grandfather Friday morning. Abdur-Rashid says he believe there will be an arrest in the case soon. During an exclusive interview with NBC10's Daralene Jones last week, Rashid said the unsolved crime was a random act of violence.
"We believe it was a random act of a pervert sending someone who they had control over to go to a public school, kindergarten class, and take out a young girl who he could take out his perversion on, said Rashid. “We appreciate the fact that the police are leaving no stone unturned."
Police have received more than 200 tips in the case.
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