A 35-year-old Pahoa man accused of trying to kidnap and sexually assault a school girl was released Wednesday night from police custody on the Big Island.

Officers were dispatched to a report of a girl being confronted about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday by a man in a restroom at Hilo Union Elementary School. The girl escaped, and the man was seen heading toward Haili Street on Kapiolani Street. Officers arrested the man a few hours later on Aupuni Street.

Police said traumatic events involving child victims often take longer to adjudicate because of concerns about subjecting the victim to further trauma during testimony or the victim being able to proceed with prosecution. Within a week, the girl would have to testify in open court, face the suspect, and be exposed to cross examination by a defense attorney. 

Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call Detective Daylan Asuncion of the Juvenile Aid Section at 961-8843 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.