Girl, 13, Accosted At Library, Police Say

Officials Seek Man In Sexual Assault

A 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted Monday evening in a Silver Spring public library, Montgomery County police said yesterday.

The girl was doing her homework in White Oak Library and went to get a book from a shelf about 7:35 p.m., police said. A man approached her from behind and bumped into her, "at which time he exposed himself and proceeded to rub against the victim's lower back," according to a police statement. The girl immediately fled the area and informed a librarian.

The librarian then approached the man, who left abruptly, said Officer Melanie Hadley. Police have had no other recent reports of sexual assaults in libraries or near White Oak. "It does seem to be an isolated incident," Hadley said.

Barbara Norland, a library administrator who oversees the White Oak branch, said the incident took place in the children's room. Sexual assault in libraries is "not frequent," she said.

Police said the assailant was described as age 40 to 45 and of mixed ethnicity: black and white or black and Latino. He is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs 150 to 170 pounds and is balding, with very short brown and gray hair, the statement said.

On Monday, he wore a white T-shirt with "POLO" written in dark blue or black; dark blue or black basketball shorts; and black sandals, police said.

Hadley said police waited three days to release information about the assault because it took time to produce a composite drawing and to interview the girl and the librarian involved.

Police ask anyone with information to call 240-773-5436. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Solvers, which is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest or indictment for this crime, at 866-411-8477.