SAGINAW COUNTY, Mich. -- Merrill parents and school officials are on edge after a stranger driving a white minivan approached a 13-year-old boy attempting to lure him into his vehicle with candy.

Saginaw County deputies said the incident happened just before 4 p.m. Monday near Merrill Middle School.

The child escaped without injury and the school immediately sent out an alert to parents in the school district.

“This is something that is every parents worst nightmare,” said Merrill superintendent John Searles. “Our student did the right thing and just ran away.”

The suspect is described as an older white man in a baseball cap driving a white minivan.

In Lapeer, school officials are dealing with a similar situation.

The Lapeer County Sheriff’s Department said a child was approached by a stranger last week while on her way to the bus stop.

The man stopped and asked if the girl wanted a ride to school. Police said the child ran to a neighbor’s home and called police.

The man is described as a white male in his 50s, with long grey hair.

Police don’t believe these incidents are connected.