A 13-year old boy escaped from a potential kidnapper this morning in Canyon Country.

The prospective victim was walking north on Camp Plenty Road near Soledad Canyon Road when he was approached by a male Hispanic in his late 30s who attempted to grab him.

The boy ran toward the Sierra Vista Junior High School, where he reported the attempted kidnapping.

The suspect fled the area in a compact car. Deputies are investigating the case; anyone with information is encouraged to call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121.

Sierra Vista Principal Mark Crawford sent an e-mail to parents of students at the school later in the morning:

“Early this morning, well before the beginning of school, there was an incident involving one of our students as he was walking to campus. The student was unharmed and is safe. The Sheriff Department was contacted immediately and they are currently investigating the incident. The student did the correct thing by running away from the situation and coming directly to school.

Safety of our students is the #1 priority here at Sierra Vista. With that in mind, please exercise the following safety tips for coming to and from school:

– When walking to school always have your student walk with a friend or group.

– When driving your student to school, make sure your drop off/pick up point is as close to campus as possible.

– And finally, try to make sure your drop off/pick up times are as close to the beginning or end of the school day as possible.

By working together and following these safety tips, we can best ensure the safest possible environment for our students.”