Baltimore Mother Says 'Real-Life Pennywise' Lurks in Storm Drain; County Posts Sign

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD. — A Baltimore County mother has told local television that a man living in a storm drain near her home has been bothering her children, a account the Daily Star has likened to the film IT. The comparison is the newspaper's own; the facts, as reported, are rather more earthly.

The mother, Unique Wiggins, told WJZ that she first dismissed her children's talk of a monster in the drain. Then, she says, her 21-year-old daughter telephoned in a panic on a Friday, saying a man in the sewer had told her she could not walk in that spot.

Ms. Wiggins says she went to look for herself and heard someone singing from below. She states that she called out to him, and that he replied that the children should leave him alone. She told the station the man later came out and ran after her children, and the family called 911.

According to Ms. Wiggins, officers told her that culverts and storm drains are public property, which limited what they could do. She said she wished for a no-trespassing sign and for the openings to be covered, adding that she does not feel protected.

Baltimore County Police told the New York Post that the man was arrested on July 26 and later released, and that a separate peace order was subsequently issued. Authorities said no manhole is involved, and a no-trespassing sign has since gone up at the nearby storm drain.

A police spokesperson said the county has worked to offer the man services and will continue outreach. County Housing and Development said everyone deserves safety and dignity, including people experiencing homelessness and behavioural health challenges. The Star reports that offers of social support were not taken up.