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.

Bronx

Police in the Bronx have arrested 45-year-old O'Neal Kennedy, who is accused of luring a 14-year-old girl to a secluded area of Seton Falls Park and performing a sexual act in front of her. The incident took place as the girl was on her way to school, and authorities say she was not physically touched during the ordeal and was checked by emergency services at the scene.

Kennedy, who has a history of prior arrests for offenses including forcible touching and assault, now faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child, public lewdness, stalking, and harassment. Police conducted a large-scale search, including the use of drones, before apprehending the suspect. Local residents expressed concern about safety in the park, which is commonly used by children as a shortcut to school.

Arrest made after teen girl lured by man who performed sexual act

Local matters here on News 12 The Bronx, I'm Marcy Jones. We're following breaking news here on 12. Police have arrested the man who they believe stalked a 14-year-old girl in Edenwald yesterday, then performed a lewd act in front of her. News 12's Brittany Cadet joins us now from where it all happened. Brittany, what can you tell us? Marcy, police say they have 45-year-old O'Neal Kennedy in custody right now. He's accused of luring a girl to a secluded area here in the park and then performing a sexual act in front of her. Police say she's about 14 years old and this all happened yesterday morning while she was on her way to school. We're now learning Kennedy has a long record of run-ins with police and this isn't the first sexual act he's accused of committing. Police say he's been arrested at least seven other times for charges including forcible touching and assault. Kennedy is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, public lewdness, stalking and harassment. A massive search was underway here yesterday morning before police found him and dozens of officers were on scene investigating on the ground with an extra set of eyes in the sky. They launched those drones there. 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 this sexual act. Neighbors in the area are in complete shock that this happened. Definitely it's a concern because we've had, me and my friend, we've walked in this park before and we sometimes just see strange men just chilling, standing around trying to talk to us. So it is definitely a concern especially because it's like practically like the woods of the Bronx. Police say the 14 year old girl is expected to be okay physically. She was not physically touched in this ordeal and she was checked out by EMS here on scene. For now, we're here in Edenwald. On Brittany Cadet News 12, the Bronx.

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