(Copyright 1999)
Bellman Communications
All Rights Reserved
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ABDUCTOR IS IN A VEHICLE:
To begin with, remember the third point in our THREE IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:
- Never get into a car or vehicle.
Often times an abductor will attempt to trick the child into coming near their vehicle.
One scam being used today is where a stranger approaches a child, usually in a public area, and tells the child that he just lost his little puppy. What child can resist helping to locate a cute lost puppy? Sometimes the stranger will offer some kind of reward if the child helps him find his pet. The stranger begins to gain the child's trust. Before you know it, your son or daughter is gone! This is a modern version of offering candy to a child. No matter what the situation or circumstance, your child MUST be told NEVER to accept gifts from strangers.
Another scam is where a stranger has a cute doggy on a leash. The stranger hands the leash with the dog on the other end to the child and asks the child if he or she would mind helping put the pet into the car. The abductor opens the car door, and both the dog and the child get into the car. You say, "My child would never do something as stupid as that." Don't be so sure! NEVER assume ANYTHING related to what your child will or won't do, especially if they are being tricked by a clever adult bent on making your child their next victim.
YOUR CHILD IS BEING FOLLOWED:
Your child can't outrun a car. If your child is being followed, they should immediately change directions. It's a lot easier for your child to run in the opposite direction then it is to turn the car around. It is extremely important that your child understand that in this serious situation, they need to IMMEDIATELY seek a PERSON IN AUTHORITY to help them.
If a store or business establishment is open, the child should run into the establishment, seek out the PERSON IN AUTHORITY and ask them to call 911.
If a child is near a friend or relative's house, and it appears someone is home, they should go there and seek IMMEDIATE assistance. |