Community Chat

[Shorty2U]

There have been 4 attempted child abductions in the county my children/grandchildren live in within the last month. They have been at various school districts from the city to the suburbs/country.

One of the recent incidents was a child at 1 of my granddaughters schools.

None of the children the perp has gone after have been injured or taken in spite of him grabbing 2 by the arm. They have all gotten away so far and the latest one kicked him. (thank GOD).

The reports for all of them pretty much mimic the same description of the vehicle and person and there is now a sketch going around of the alleged perp.

When I found out about it I was a nervous wreck as are my grand childrens parents. This is every parents (and grandparents) worst nightmare!

My grandchildren are always taken to and from school by their parent (s) and that's even though some are old enough to walk.

BUT there are a lot children being bused and or walking alone that have working parents who work later than my grand childrens parents, and so my grandchildrens parents have been giving some rides to friends that must walk.

Needless to say everyone is on edge and children are scared.

I know all of you women and men know how to teach the children in your lives about strangers but I cant stress enough that everyone should keep going over safety tips with the children in their lives.

This is a whole new world we live in. I just PRAY they catch this creep before he gets a child.

[NoelSeven]

Just an idea, but it would be nice to organize a group of moms or other trusted people who would volunteer to walk with the children who are unaccompanied walking home from school or the bus.

[Shorty2U]

That is a great idea Noel. I know since this is going onmany cut their work hours and or had relatives pick up their children. But how long can parents keep that up with people having to work? It seems people are banding together so hopefully they will start some kind of group watch also. A lot of kids take buses at my grand kids schools. Hopefully the bus drivers are on the alert also.

[Mominohio]

I agree with Noel, in times like these, I can't believe that anyone, even in small and quaint towns can let their children walk to school unattended.

I'm sure that people in this area are on edge, but if this is the same person, he appears desperate, and if authorities and parents are vigilant, he should be caught. He seems to be so driven, and that will be his downfall, hopefully.

All schools should have parent volunteers outside the school grounds watching and managing the kids getting unloaded and into the buildings. It would be helpful if the general population kept their eyes open, and reported anything that seemed suspicious.

Many years ago, I worked in retail store. There were a couple of young boys that rode their bikes to the store, and after they were there for awhile, an older man pulled up outside, talked to them and loaded their bikes in his trunk, them in the car (they went willingly) and drove away. I took down the license plate, car make and model and descriptions. I called the police and told them what I saw. I never heard anything about an abduction, or was ever contacted back, but I thought it just seemed odd, and felt it should be reported. I'd much rather look like a fool, than have a predator get away.

[Shorty2U]

mom in ohio -That was wonderful of you to do that! Everyone should be like you! Rather safe than sorry.

There was another incident today in the same county, but different area. And this time the color hair of the man was different. (Could he have dyed it?).

I hope they catch this guy soon. The children are terrified!

Also the police are now patrolling my grand childrens school and surrounding area. My daughter called to tell me. And many are offering to take other peoples children home. Their community is banding together. I hope that all the other communities in the same county are doing the same.

[Irshgrl31201]

OMG, how scary! I know this won't be effective for a person who just grabs kids off the street but my daughter and I had a password that we used. I wasn't with her dad and you just never know as he knew where she went to school and where she took dance.

I also drilled it into my daughters head that she should never get close to a stranger when she talks to them. We are the only species of animal on the planet that teaches our children (and we do it too) that we should not listen to our gut instincts and we do it out of civility. I told my daughter to never worry for one minute about appearing rude just to run. We could smooth that out later if we had too.

I hope parents there are really proactive about getting the word out. This is one thing that FB is fantastic about spreading around but I am sure there are lots of parents who aren't on social media.