Stranger Danger: What You Need to Know to Prevent Abductions
Stranger danger: What you need to know to prevent child abduction LAST UPDATE: 11/9/2006 4:20:20 PM Story by: Ruth Todd ruth@abc4.com Over 2,000 children are reported missing every day in our country. And many of them simply walk off with their kidnapper. While many parents talk to their kids about stranger danger, do you really know how your child would react? With parent’s permission and the help of Sandy Police, ABC 4 put a group of kids to the test, and captured their responses on camera.. "Hey. Could you come here for a minute? We're looking for our dog," says the police officer who posed as a stranger. What would your child do if they were approached by a stranger? "We are going to talk about stranger danger." Most of the children at Bell Canyon Montessori knew the answer when Sandy police officer Victor Quezada talked to them about stranger danger. "What if he pulls up and says you know what I lost my dog and that dog means everything to me in the world to me. Can you guys help me with this dog?" Children respond, "No." But will these kids act on what they already know? Stephen Brown, Samantha's father said, "Well, I would hope that she would yell and scream, run." Molly Hauptman, Julia's mom said, "In her mind, a stranger's just somebody that she hasn't met yet." For 3 year old Julia, stranger danger is a daily risk. Molly Hauptman said, "There is a registered sex offender in our neighborhood." So, with the help of two undercover Sandy Police Agents we put six kids including Julia to the test in a place they feel safe, their school. The stranger says to Julia, "Come on, let's go. He's the cutest puppy." Julia says, "Is he white?" Stranger says, "he is white, with curly hair." Julia fails the first test. But she immediately promises Officer Vic she's learned her lesson. But just five minutes later. Second stranger says to Julia, "Should we go outside and see what's out there?" Julia says, "Yeah," and walks outside with the stranger. And Julia wasn't the only one. All six children willingly walked out with the stranger. In most cases after just a few seconds. Josh Johnson, a Sandy Police Officer who played our stranger said, "Holy cow. I can't believe how many kids would just come with me. just blown away." Molly Hauptman, Julia's mom said, "She doesn't get the concept. And as much as I try and reinforce that there are strangers, she says 'nope, they were nice to me, Mom'." So, what can parents like molly do to make sure their kids are safe, especially when it seems that nothing they're doing is getting through? And what would happen if the kids were in a place where they're less comfortable? ABC 4 cameras captured what happens when they're approached by a stranger in a nearby park. "I know you, don't I? I know your mom. You don't recognize me? I work with your mom," says the stranger. What would your child do if a stranger came up to them like this? Sheila Arnett, Flint's mom said "I think he could be easily fooled." Kaylie Smith, Whitney's mom said, "I think that she'll go with them just to see what's going on." And Whitney’s mom predicted right. Stranger said to Whitney, "I was hoping I could lift you up and you could grab the ball out of the tree for me. You want to come do that for me real quick?" Whitney said, "Uh, yeah." Stranger said, "Okay, come on. It's just over here." And Whitney wasn't the only one willing to go. Amy Bryant with Sandy Police said, "You mention candy, or dogs, or anything like that and they just...they're willing to go, unfortunately." Only one out of the seven hesitated. Stranger said to Samantha, "Come give me a hand, okay?" Samantha said, "I can't right now." Another yelled. And a third, Nick, ran away. While most parents predicted what their kids would do, it's still hard to watch. Marilyn Dean, Avery's mom said, "pretty upset right now." Kaylie Smith, Whitney's mom said, "We've talked about it. And we have a password. And she didn't ask him. She would have been gone. I would have lost her. Sheila Arnett, Flint's mom said, "That's the scary part, that it could happen so quickly." Child Psychologist, Dr. Doug Goldsmith said, "I think we're putting a big burden on the children's shoulders." Goldsmith says for very young children, stranger danger might not always sink in. "They go well I had a picture of stranger. You’re not fitting this picture. And therefore you're an adult and you’re talking nicely to me and so I should come along with you." So what can you do to keep your kids safe? Doctor Goldsmith says spell out who they can talk to, like their teacher, pastor, or family friends. Role play with your children. Set a password and make sure your child knows they can only go with an adult who knows that word. And have a plan for the day, Dr. Goldsmith says, "Say here's what's happening today. You're going to school. Grandma's picking you up. I'm coming to grandma's house." And keep talking to your children about stranger danger. Never assume they've heard it too much. Whitney's mom said, "it breaks my heart. That's my little girl. I knew that she probably would go. But it's easy to say yeah my daughters' friendly and she probably will go, but to actually see her leave with a stranger. Yeah, brings it closer. Makes it real." For more information on Stranger Danger and some helpful tips log on to: The National Crime Prevention Council’s websites: http://www.ncpc.org/parents/Stranger_Awareness.php http://www.mcgruff.org/advice/stranger_danger.php http://www.ncpc.org/law/strangers1.php http://www.ncpc.org/law/strangers2.php Have your child take this Stranger Danger Quiz to find out if they really know what a stranger is: http://pediatrics.about.com/od/parentingquizzes/l/bl_strngdngr.htm NYU Child Study Center has some important information for parents about what their child’s age means when it comes to recognizing strangers: http://www.aboutourkids.org/aboutour/articles/stranger_danger.html http://www.abc4.com/local_news/featured_websites/story.aspx?content_id=9A5E6FE6-A876-4D91-8EAF-5B5D584D7918