A sixth-grade student at Woodland Acres Middle School in Galena Park said they were followed while walking home on Monday. The student got home safely and told a parent, who contacted the school. The school informed other families, reminded them to review safety steps with their children, and added extra security. No physical or verbal contact was reported.
District And Police Response
In a message to families, Galena Park ISD said the student reported being followed at about 4:15 p.m. while walking away from campus. The district has assigned additional police patrols in the area for the next several days, according to Click2Houston. The district also encouraged parents to talk with their children about safety and to report anything unusual to school staff or law enforcement.
What The Student Reported
The student described the man as an older male with a goatee who was wearing blue skinny jeans and a black hoodie, and said he "appeared to be recording" as the student walked by. The student told officials the stranger followed until they reached the vicinity of their home about half a mile down Myrtle Lane. A school resource officer later filed an incident report and met with campus administrators, the parent, and the student to clarify details, as reported by FOX26 Houston.
Parents' Reaction And Past Alerts
The incident has left some parents on edge. "That’s pretty concerning and scary," parent Danielle Garza told Click2Houston. The outlet also reports that district records show two similar incidents in recent years, one in February 2025 and another in February 2023.
Safety Steps For Families
Galena Park ISD is urging parents to remind children to walk with friends, stay aware of their surroundings, and report suspicious activity to trusted adults or 911, per district guidance. Anyone with information about the incident or concerns about neighborhood safety is asked to contact Woodland Acres Middle School or reach the district through its main website at Galena Park ISD.
