"Not all people are good:" Advice on talking to kids about child enticement, attempted abductions

NOW: “Not all people are good:“ Advice on talking to kids about child enticement, attempted abductions
NEXT:

SOUTH MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Police are investigating at least six child enticements and attempted abduction cases in our area.

The most recent happened in South Milwaukee in the 600 block of Pine Street. A 40-year-old man with short black hair and a salt and pepper beard approached an 11-year-old girl and told her that he was sent by her mother to be picked up. When she questioned him, he took off.

“I’m very surprised, it’s a quiet little neighborhood,” said Sue White, neighbor.

He was seen driving a grey Chevy four-door sedan with tinted windows. It had a large dent on the passenger side door and there is a black cross-shaped sticker on the trunk. The car also did not have plates at the time.

On Thursday, there was an attempted abduction in Kenosha. Last month, there was one in West Allis. In Racine, there were three separate child enticement incidents and investigators believe those are related.

With all these incidents, what do you say to your kids?

“Not all people are good people,” said Lynn Cook, a forensic interviewer with the Milwaukee Child Advocacy Center of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

Cook says abductions of children particularly by strangers are rare, and it’s important to have a bigger conversation.

"A vast majority of children are abused by known people and many times family members so I think it's important when we have a conversation about bad things that can happen that we do it in a general sense,” said Cook.

During the conversation, you can create a code word with your child.

“Let them know that they are only allowed to go with somebody that knows that code word,” Cook said.

Also, come up with a plan by identifying who your child can talk to at school and outside of the home if they have worry or concern. Cook also suggests not labeling a child’s clothing. 

“We should use it as an opportunity and talk to children about all forms of child abuse or all forms of things that are dangerous and not to isolate strangers in that conversation,” said Cook.

For more resources, click here. There are apps available like Bark and Famisafe that help monitor phone activities.

Share this article: