Man Allegedly Exposes Himself Near School, Parents on Alert

By: Claire Kellett, Anchor/Reporter
IOWA CITY - Parents got an automated alert Wednesday telling them police are investigating a flasher who frightened two kids walking home from Roosevelt Elementary School in Iowa City. Police say the incident happened Monday afternoon, but the Iowa City school district and police learned about it Wednesday morning. Police believe a man exposed himself and was possibly masturbating outside when the 11-year-old girls walked by him. The alleged incident happened in the 700 block of West Benton Street, just a few blocks away from the school.

Busloads of students leave Roosevelt Elementary School in Iowa City weekday afternoons. 7-year-old Npatanishi Byrd uses a different mode of transportation, her own two feet. After Monday's report of a man exposing himself to students, this first grader will walk with a parent every single step of the way.

"I thought that's psycho. That's not cool. So now her mother really doesn't want her to walk to school by herself, period," says Antoine McKinnie's, Npatanishi's stepfather.

A recorded voicemail from the school district alerted parents of the police investigation around lunchtime Wednesday. Officers began the investigation that morning, interviewing both girls.

"The officer wanted to make sure he wasn't getting a "community story" so he interviewed them separately, and their stories were consistent," says Sergeant Troy Kelsay of the Iowa City Police Department.

The story is two girls, one in fifth grade, the other in sixth, were walking home on West Benton Street. The girls say an adult male watching them walk by exposed himself and was possibly masturbating. Police think the alleged incident was timed, but aren't sure if the man wanted the students to see him.

"There is nothing in the girls' account indicating the suspect called out to them or tried to attract their attention," says Sergeant Kelsay.

Details aside, the story has Todd Widmer thinking he'll likely accompany his girls to and from school even when they're old enough to walk alone.

"They are going to be sick and tired of me walking them back and forth all of their life," says Widmer.

Parents are being extra cautious. So are police. For now, patrols are up near Roosevelt Elementary School.

The suspect is described as a white male, possibly 30 to 40 years of age. The girls say he was dressed in all blue and was wearing a black baseball hat and dark sunglasses.

One of the girls told police she thinks she saw the same man again Tuesday afternoon. As of now, police are treating this as an isolated case.

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[MrWestcoastcpt]

well obviusly we got a flasher out her in linkin park hide ya kids hide ya wife and hide ya husband cuz they skeetin on everybody out hur

[rickskins24]

want sum candy

[breathlessswagg]

THIS IS NOT A FCKIN JOKE DHAT WAS MAH DAMN NEICE GOD DAMMITS

[wongsatorn13]

hehe, good thing i went to the elementary just west of that. i wouldn't of wanted to see that.

[The281bre]

wtf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! eww

[bonitafierce]

LMFAOOOOOOOOO @ mrwestcoastcpt

[MrKimas]

That dad looks like a kid :D

[Nibbler121]

@Whiteboy831 LOL!!!! errrrbody

[robinstord]

it was me.. i was just taking a morning trim.. sorry.

[awesomegirl4ever247]

@nicolascadena i thought he was her brother a guy at my school hes only13 hes already having sex :( hes really stupid too for doing that