It was a scary confrontation for two kids walking home from school.

Two Audubon Elementary School students were approached by a man with a knife on the 2300 block of East Van Buren, who demanded that they give him money. The kids saw him holding a small pocket knife, and ran away.

"I thank God because I hate to think of what could have been," the mother of one of the kids, who did not want to be identified, said. "I could be without my daughter today, and I really want these people caught because I don't feel like my children are safe or I am safe."

The suspect has been described as a 40-year-old Hispanic man, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-7 with a medium build, sporting a slight goatee. He was wearing a black beanie, and a white and black jacket at the time of the incident.

"Obviously, I'm going to try my best to be here every day to pick her up,” the mother said. “I honestly thought I would never have to worry about a fifth grader, but now as a parent...I am more concerned. I am going to be here as much as she needs me. I'm contemplating getting a cell phone for her so she can call me if need be."

Police say the suspect left the area in a white pick-up, in which he was a passenger. Another Hispanic man was driving the vehicle. The truck may have been pulling a black trailer.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police, or call Crime Stoppers at 634-STOP.