Arrest made after teen girl lured by man who performed sexual act in front of her
Oniel Kennedy, 45, is accused of threatening to publish photos of the 14-year-old walking home and making her lift up her shirt before giving the teen $20.
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A man accused of luring a girl into a secluded area in Edenwald Thursday morning has been arrested.
Oniel Kennedy, 45, is in custody right now, police say. He's accused of performing a sexual act in front of a 14-year-old girl Thursday morning while she was on her way to school.
Police sources say Kennedy allegedly threatened to publish photos of the 14-year-old walking home, made the teen lift up her shirt and gave her $20.
A massive search was underway before police found Kennedy, dozens of officers were on scene investigating on the ground with an extra set of eyes in the sky.
This all happened Thursday at around 8:30 a.m. Police say the girl was passing through Seton Falls Park near East 233rd Street and Wilder Avenue. It's an area known to be used by kids as a shortcut to get to school. Police say she was lured into a secluded area there and that's when Kennedy is accused of performing the sexual act.
Officials say the teen is expected to be OK physically and she was not actually touched during the ordeal but was checked out by EMS on scene.
Kennedy is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, public lewdness, stalking and harassment.
