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Child Safety Tips: Keeping Kids from Kidnappers

With last week’s kidnapping and murder of 7-year old Somer Thompson and other child abductions in the news recently, parents will be even more vigilant this Halloween. 

Clint Van Zandt, a former FBI profiler and hostage negotiator,urges parents to train children how to avoid dangerous situations.

Mr. Van Zandt makes a free DVD entitled “Protecting Children from Predators,” available at LiveSecure.org.  He has released the following 10 safety tips that every child should know:

1. Do not get into any car unless your parents personally tell you to do so.  Also, stay away from anyone who follows you on foot or in a car.  You do not need and should not go near a car to talk to the people inside.
2. Adults and other people who need help should not be asking a child for help; they should be asking other adlts.  Adults should not be asking you for directions or to look for a “lost puppy,” or telling you that your mother or father is in trouble and that they will take you to them.
3. Quickly get away from anyone who tries to take you somewhere.  Yell or scream, “This person is not my father (or mother).”
4. You should use the “buddy system” and never go places alone.  Always ask your parents’ permission to leve the yard/play area or to go over to someone’s home, and especially always ask permission before you go into someone’s home.
5. Never, never hitchhike!  Do not try to get a ride with people unless your parents have told you it’s okay to do so.
6. People should not ask you to keep a special secret.  If they do, tell your parents or teacher.  Also, tell anyone who wants to take your picture, “No,” and quickly tell your parents or teacher.
7. No one should touch you on the parts of the body covered by your bathing suit, nor should you touch anyone else in those areas.  You body is special and private.
8. You can be assertive and you have the right to say “No” to someone, including adults and even relatives or friends who try to take you somewhere against your will, touch you or make you feel uncomfortable in ANY WAY.
9. NOTE: Many parents use a special code word that only the child knows to convey a message should someone other than a parent ask a child to accompany them anywhere.
10. THE YELL:  Practice a “special” yell.  It is low, loud and long.  It tells the person trying to hurt the child, “I know what to do!  I’m not an easy victim!”  It tells everyone within the sound of the child’s voice, “I need help!”  It gets the child going, it breaks the “spell.”  A child should not panic and freeze, thereby becoming immobile in an emergency.  When you yelll you take a deep breath, thereby getting oxygen and energy to your brain and muscles.  Your own yell can give you courage and get your feet moving when you need to run away!”

To read Clint Van Zandt’s bus stop safety tips and other safety teaching for your children, visit LiveSecure.org and How to Protect Kids from Kidnappers and Predators.

         

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Kidnapped Baby Returned to Mom Second Time

Tennessee mother Maria Gurrola is celebrating the end of a nightmare which began September 29 at her home when she was attacked and stabbed, and her newborn son was abducted.

The baby was found Friday and returned briefly, but the nightmare continued when the infant was taken from her a second time.  The baby and his three siblings were taken into state custody after someone reported that a family member tried to sell the baby.

According to Nashville police, all four children were placed into foster care with the Department of Children’s Services, and then later returned because authorities did not believe the parents were involved in the kidnapping.

Maria Guroola is relieved to have her baby and children back.  She says she is physically recovering from the attack in which she was stabbed several times and had a collapsed lung.  The family is staying in Antioch, but she admits she wanted to return to Mexico to avoid going back to the home where the attack happened.

Police do not know why Gurrola and her baby were targeted.  The arrest warrant for Tammy Renee Silas, 39, of Ardmore, Alabama, indicated that Gurrola was targeted while she and a cousin were running errands and visiting a state food assistance office.  The break in the case came when a car that police said Silas rented was seen on a surveillance video following Gurrola before the attack.  Police obtained the car rental information which led them to her home where they found the baby unharmed.

Martin Rodriguez, Silas’ live-in boyfriend, reported to The Associated Press that Silas was unable to have children and had said she wanted to adopt.

An investigation has also been launched by The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation concerning the release of confidential juvenile court records to news media.  The illegal release of this information about the children’s placement in foster care could lead to official misconduct charges against recordkeepers.