Police need help identifying man involved in sex act with juvenile at Kennywood

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — Police in West Mifflin are asking for the community's help in identifying a man involved in a sex act with a juvenile at an amusement park.

Channel 11 was first to confirm that the incident happened at iconic Kennywood Park.

According to a post on the department's website, the man is accused of committing a deviant sex act at Kennywood with the juvenile.

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Kennywood officials received a complaint, and once an investigation determined a criminal act had possibly occurred, they notified police.

West Mifflin police said a man exposed himself and put his genitalia on a 13-year-old girl's leg. The girl was waiting in line with a friend at the Log Jammer when she was assaulted. Surveillance video shows the man running away.

In a statement, park officials said:

Kennywood would like to express its sympathy toward the victim and her family for this unfortunate incident.

Kennywood has been working with West Mifflin Police since the initial reports on Monday evening and will continue to cooperate with the authorities to the best of our abilities. The primary focus of a Kennywood Ride Operator is on Ride Operations and ensuring the safety of guests as they get on and off each ride. West Mifflin Police have informed us that our Ride Operators and Public Safety Officers handled the incident and preliminary investigation appropriately. We will continue to work with WMPD however we can, and thank the public for their help in identifying the suspect in this matter.

Parents told Channel 11 they were startled by the assault.

"I'm horrified because I thought Kennywood would be a safe place," one parent said.

Another parent said that when she takes her children to Kennywood, she never lets them out of her sight.

"I don't let any of my kids go to the bathroom by themselves, and I feel if your kid is 8 or 10, they still shouldn't be going to the bathroom by themselves," Tanisha Wright said.

Police released surveillance video of the suspect and want as many people to see it as possible. They said it's important the man is identified as soon as possible so he can't do it again.

Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call the West Mifflin Police Department at 412-461-0600.

Cox Media Group