Am I tripping to be freaked out by this???

Moms, please tell me if I’m crazy for feeling weirded out by this experience. On Monday, I took my 3 year old and almost 2 year old to a trampoline park. I was carrying my 3 year old and walking a few steps behind my 1 year old (but not holding her hand). We were in a really crowded area with a lot of parents and kids around. Then this probably 9 or 10 year old girl comes up to my 1 year old daughter and gives her a stuffed cat to hold. I think, oh, how sweet. Then this girl bends down, puts her face super close to my daughter’s (like close enough to kiss her), and says something like, “Here, if you come with me, I can get you a cat too” and then grabs her hand and just starts walking with her. (I don’t think the girl knew I was the mom since there were other parents right there too.) My mama bear instinct kicked in and I said loudly, “Hey that’s my daughter and you need to…” and before I finished my sentence, the girl ran away. I was going to tell her she needs to check with parents of little kids before running off with them and the parents need to be able to see their kids at all times. Now that I think about it more, I’m freaking out that this may have been a kidnapping attempt…kidnappers/traffickers using a child to lure another child away. The whole thing was just so weird. When I was that age, I knew better than to start walking away with little kids I didn’t know!! Like wtf?! Now I’m filled with anxiety and terrified to take my kids out in public by myself. Thoughts?? Someone please talk me down from this ledge and tell me my toddler didn’t almost get kidnapped this week! 😭

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Thankfully you were right there behind your baby girl bc that is extremely sketchy that she told her that. Perhaps it could’ve been innocent but I too would’ve been freaked out by what the little girl said and thinking it may have been some type of attempt. I understand you being upset but you were right there to protect your precious baby 💖

Absolutely not tripping. I also like to closely watch any interaction people have with my little girl becz the world is a cruel place. It could be innocent but I have experienced sufficient shit to be able to instantly think it’s something wrong. Being a mother to a girl I’m always on red alert when out and about and don’t trust anyone.

This is a common tactic used by traffickers. Children who are taught "stranger, danger" usually aren't suspicious of other children, which is why it works so well. I am so glad this turned out the way it did. 🙌🏾

Definitely something off there thank goodness you saw it! I was followed by a couple when I was with my son and I have been terrified to go out with him ever since, it’s not the same anymore. Scary world out there, you gotta be on your guard at all times

@Malic I’m so thankful I was right there too. I’m always on high alert when in public with both my kids. It’s stressful keeping tabs on them and trying to keep them close by!! There’s this open gym playtime we sometimes go to where like half the parents are buried in their phones the entire time. I’ve told my husband someone could legit walk in there, walk away with a kid, and some of the parents wouldn’t even notice for at least 10 minutes. Makes me sick just thinking about it 😭

@Simi I’m the same way about being on high alert in public. I don’t want to be paranoid, but now I’m reevaluating which places I can safely take both my kids to and keep a close eye on both of them. Needless to say, I won’t be going out with them today.

@Sadé What’s terrifying is my daughter has no concept of stranger danger. She’s not even 2 yet 😭 Now I’m wondering if I need to report this, but to whom and how?

Right! You could report it to your local police department or wherever it occurred. The FBI and Homeland Security also investigate child trafficking. They might appreciate the information. They monitor trends and tactics.

@Sam Omg that’s beyond terrifying!! That sounds like the (fortunately averted) start of a true crime tragedy 😭 I drove past a man in all black and a black ski mask walking in our neighborhood a few weeks ago (I live in a hot climate and it was over 100 degrees when this happened. I called the cops but I don’t think they found him). Now I’m terrified to go on a walk or to the neighborhood park alone with my kids. Sometimes I hate what this world has come to.

Definately worth reporting just incase I mean if it was trafficking there’s a risk the other child is being abused - better safe than sorry

@Charlotte Would I report it to the police? I’m in the US.

@Sadé Okay, thanks. I’ll look into that. If it was indeed a kidnapping scheme, then that poor girl 😭

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