Investigation

Authorities in Hays are looking for a person of interest in connection to a recent stranger danger report. A woman told police she saw a man in a pick up truck approach two boys while waiting for a bus Friday morning. The incident occured near near 24th and Allen St. around 7 a.m. The woman said she saw the driver motion for the 10 and 13-year-old boys to come toward the truck. The witness said the man drove off when she approached the children. The suspect was described as a white man in his 40s, with long brown hair and wearing a hat. The pickup was described as dark green extended cab with a white tool box at the front of the bed. Anyone with information about this or other possibly related incidents please contact the Hays Police Department at 785-625-1011.

An autopsy is being conducted on Salina infant who died at a Wichita hospital this week.  That child's death is under investigation, but Salina police say they aren't investigating it as a crime. According to our news partners at The Salina Journal, police are still in the early stages of their investigation, but that the child suffered significant health problems. Police didn't go into details on the those health problems.  Police had previously confirmed the baby who died had some broken bones.

Free food and campaign politics. That's at the center of a new ethics investigation into a candidate who's running for a Wichita City Council seat. Four people are trying to replace former Council member Michael O'Donnell, who left District 4 to take a State Senate seat. Now a campaign flyer is causing some division between the candidates. The investigation involves a flyer from candidate Craig Gabel. He's passed it out door-to-door for his campaign, but on the back there is a coupon for a free $5.99 chicken fry dinner or half off a meal at Gabel's restaurant.

Wichita Police are searching for a suspect accused of robbing an east Wichita discount store. Officers were called to the Dollar General, 2020 E. 21st. St., around 10 p.m. Friday. Police said a man walked into the store around closing time, ordering the employees to open the safe. The man took cash after the first safe was opened, then ran away. The employees were not hurt during the crime. Police are also investigating a robbery that occurred at this location Sunday night.

The Exploited and Missing Children's Unit with the Wichita Police department is investigating a child endangerment case after two young children were found home alone overnight. A neighbor called police around 3:30 a.m. Friday, concerned that two children were inside a southeast Wichita home alone. Officers arrived to find a 2-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy, unsupervised. Lt. Doug Nolte, Wichita Police, said the children were released to family members. Authorities have been in contact with the children's parents.

A former Solomon teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with high school students is now in police custody. Amber Stroda, 28, turned herself in to authorities Wednesday morning, one day after a warrant was issued for her arrest. She is charged with three counts of feloniously engaging in consensual intercourse and three counts of feloniously engaging in sexual sodomy. The two alleged victims are Solomon high school students. Jim Runge, USD 393 superintendent, said Stroda was a third grade teacher and a high school dance sponsor.

The Wichita School District placed an elementary teacher on leave.  A district spokeswoman tells Eyewitness News that a report was made against a teacher at Gammon Elementary. The spokeswoman says the teacher will remain on leave while an investigation takes place.  She did not release specifics about allegations against the teacher. Stay with kwch.com for updates on this story when they are available.

"I was dumbfounded and just sat there like.. my purse is... my purse is gone!  The window's bashed out," said Charlene Burton.  She's one of the most recent victims of a crime Wichita Police say is on the rise, especially at city parks. But officers say there are ways to protect yourself. "It was right in this window right here," Burton said, showing where the thieves had damaged her SUV.  "And i'm guessing they used some kind of instrument because I don't think you can really punch these kinds of windows in. " Burton and her husband had everything right.

An autopsy is underway to determine the cause of death for a Dodge City toddler. Crews were called to a home in the 800 block of Johnson Thursday afternoon. They found a 21-month-old not breathing. The child was pronounced dead a short time later. The Dodge City Police department is investigating the case. No other information was available.

Police in Hays say they are investigating two unrelated sexual assaults. On Saturday, investigators say an 18-year-old woman reported being assaulted in the 2900 block of Canal. She told police she was followed for several blocks by two men, who then began to chase her. One man caught up with her and assaulted her, but the second man stopped him, and both men ran from the area. Early Sunday morning an 18-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted at an apartment near Fort Hays State University's campus.