Protect Your Kids - A Child Abduction Warning from Minnesota

This is a real incident that happened this weekend (August 2013) at the Mall of America in Minnesota... but it could happen to anyone, any where at any time.  Life can change in an instant.

A friend of mine was at the Mall of America today with her 16 month old daughter.  A few steps from a busy store's exit, she paused and turned to the side to check out some merchandise, momentarily taking her hand off of the stroller she had been pushing.

That's it.  A split second.

When she turned back, a stranger had his hand on the handle of her stroller.  The entire incident, from beginning to end, happened in a flash.  A quick, innate reaction had the mom grab the handle of the stroller as the man, cognizant of being detected, slipped out the exit and away in the crowd.

And that's how it happens.  Darkness waiting for an opportunity.  Watching.  Planning.  Scouting, then stalking.  Striking.

Around 7% of child abductions happen in stores or malls.

Adam John Walsh (November 14, 1974 – July 27, 1981) was an American boy who was abducted from a Sears department store at the Hollywood Mall in Hollywood, Florida, on July 27, 1981, and later found murdered and decapitated. Walsh's death earned national publicity. His story was made into the 1983 television film Adam, seen by 38 million people in its original airing. Walsh's father, John Walsh, became an advocate for victims of violent crimes and the host of the television program America's Most Wanted.  (source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Adam_Walsh)

Not much has changed since that fateful day when Adam Walsh was abducted from a Florida mall.  Things could have ended tragically today at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.  Life gives you no second chance.  Safeguard your kids, as predators are waiting for you to take your eyes off of them.  Life can be forever altered in a split second.  Be vigilant.