Banning Police Arrest Three Boys For Playground Rape

Banning police say a 13-year-old girl was walking through Roosevelt Williams Park at dusk when three boys grabbed her and began to fondle her.

They then forced her onto a playground set where one of the boys raped her while the other two held her down.

The girl identified her attackers as schoolmates at Nicolet Middle School.

Police say the suspects — each 13-years-old — confessed and were booked into Riverside County Juvenile Hall.

Their names have not been released because of their age.

Meanwhile, parents say they’re just learning of the attack — and they’re upset the school didn’t alert them sooner.

“I understand it didn’t happen on the campus, but close to the campus. Still, parents should have been notified,” said Estelle Lewis, a grandparent.

Banning Unified School District says because the rape was an off-campus police matter, they could not put out information any earlier.

“We really are held by the police investigation. They let us know what we’re allowed to put out there or not,” said Assistant Superintendent Craig Newman.

The district planned to send out an automated message to parents.

In the meantime, residents are trying to come to grips with what happened in the park.

“We just came to pray for her. For peace for her family, for comfort and all that she’s going through,” said Beaumont resident Steve Braun.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s office will reportedly look into the case to decide whether the boys can be tried as adults.