A small-doll with dark-complexion in a noose was found hanging from a tree on the Redwood Middle School campus in Saratoga, officials said.
The first report was made after a staff member discovered a small doll with a dark complexion in a noose hanging from a tree in the Redwood Middle School quad area on Tuesday. School officials believe it happened over the weekend but wasn't noticed until Tuesday.
Similar incidents were reported at two nearby high schools over the weekend, Saratoga High and Prospect High School, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, who are investigating all three incidents. The incidents are being investigated as hate crimes.
"As diverse as we seem, there are people with different opinions, so this is definitely an example to that,” said one parent.
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A parent, who didn’t want to show her face said that she has students at two of the schools where the incidents happened.
“The truth is, after the first initial shock, we were like ‘hey it’s actually a reality check, why not is not happening here?'” she said.
The sheriff’s office issued a statement, urging the public to report any leads regarding who may have purchased several dolls recently, adding: “Hate has no place in Santa Clara County. The Sheriff’s Office with thoroughly investigate these incidents and request the prosecution of the offenders to the fullest extent of the law."
Some Prospect High School parents told NBC Bay Area Wednesday night that they weren’t notified of the incidents.
“It’s very, very sad and I wonder if the kids saw it. And if they talked about it in class and in school,” said Tracey Slezak, a parent at Prospect High School.
Meanwhile, parents demand to know what’s next and how will schools address crimes they say are making headlines almost daily now.
“There’s just so much division right now, Everywhere, when it comes to people's thoughts, religions and politics,” said Slezak.
Saratoga Union School District Superintendent Ken Geisick and school officials are asking parents to talk with their children to see if they know anything about the dolls.
Redwood Middle School is encouraging students to wear orange on Friday to show support for "United Against Hate Week," Geisick said.
The South Bay district encompasses parts of Saratoga, Monte Sereno, and Los Gatos and serves about 1,650 students.
Anyone with information about who may have purchased dark complexion dolls in the recent past is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Ramon Marquez at (408) 808-4559, or by email at ramon.marquez@shf.sccgov.org. Alternatively, anyone can contact the Sheriff's Office Investigative Services anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431.
Bay City News contributed to the report.
