New Haven police searched the neighborhood for hours trying to find a man who sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl.
They are appealing for information from the public for information about the attack they said took place some time between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Hurlburt and Lamberton streets in the Hill section of the city.
"I think this man should be caught because he's ruined children's lives," said Maria Furlong, who lives in the area. She saw the cops circling the streets into the wee hours of the morning.
Police released no description of the assailant. One man at the intersection, Paul Kates, said, "It's sad because we don't have no protection for the young kids in the neighborhood, and I think we should have more officers out here."
But one of his friends put the responsibility for protecting children closer to home.
"The parents gotta keep a close eye on their kids," said Purnell Hellamns. "Because for that to happen and nobody saw anything says the kids were just out here playing, unattended."
