Sketch shows man suspected of sexually assaulting child in SF

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco police have released a sketch of a man suspected of sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl in a playground restroom. Investigators released the sketch late Saturday night based on a description given by the victim. Authorities say the man tried to assault the child on Friday at Lafayette Park in the city's Pacific Heights neighborhood.

"It seems like the safest park I could ever imagine and it's actually not and I think parents take false comfort in that, and I think that's the risk," said parent Peter Christodoulo.

And it may have been the perfect opportunity for someone up to no good. ABC7 News was there as officers with the San Francisco Police Department went to the place they say a 7-year-old girl was attacked.

The call was blasted across police radio: "A 7-year-old old female was assaulted in the female restroom of Lafayette Park in the northern district."

"You hear about horror stories of that stuff but especially in this area you never thought that would happen," said Graham Belchers.

The room's beige colored walls and decorative tile are out of eyesight from the play area so popular with parents. San Francisco resident Marshall Butler saw cops spring into action.

"I got here around 4 or 4:15," he said. "And there were a couple squad cars parked down at that end of the park and there were police talking with folks that were here."

Physically, she's expected to make a full recovery. But the trauma of what happened may take a while.

"Don't assume anything, you can never be too safe," said parent Kate Belchers.

Christodoulo added, "You have to go follow them and you have to take that extra step and not keep them out of your sight."

Officers describe the suspect as a white man with brown hair between 30 and 40 years old, 5-feet 11-inches tall, with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing an orange hooded sweatshirt with gray and black letters on the front, blue jeans, and tennis shoes that were green, black, and white. He was last seen fleeing on foot towards Washington and Gough streets.