Observed a scary situation

[choirchic]

We must always remember that while Disney World is labeled as the "Happiest Place on Earth..."
It has NEVER been labeled as the "Safest Place on Earth..."
I think people forget this fact while they are there vacationing...
It is still a theme park with crowds of strangers and children should definitely be taught about this.

 

[kkproulx]

OK this really freaks me out reading all these happenings at Disney! It should remind EVERYONE that no matter where you are you are never really safe. I'm glad Disney kicked the 18 YO off the property, but I think something more should have happened. Obviously the intent was there, he admitted it. I'm glad he didn't touch your daughter and I hope that she is doing okay.

We had a little scare at the GF last year. DD was 5 at the time. She wanted to run in front of me to catch the elevator to push the button. She ran very fast and got there before me because I had to pick up the towels and our little items that we had at the pool. The elevator door was open when she got there, I was rounding the corner just as the elevator doors shut. Luckily no one was on the elevator with her but she went up to the third floor instead of the second floor and tried to get into somone's room thinking it was our room. She said that she knocked on the door and someone asked who it was and she said her name. The lady behind the door told her she was at the wrong room. There's another lucky moment with this occurrence! I was still at the bottom waiting for the elevator to open up when I heard DD crying and calling for me. I just told her to stand in front of the elevator until I figured out what floor she was on. I was very scared and she was very scared. We were lucky she didn't run into anyone crazy at that time. It really makes one realize what could go wrong! Even at Disney. I hope everyone keeps their children safe. These predators out there need to be caught and put away! I'm going to watch the video now. This just all rattles me!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Stories like this make me very sad about the world that we are living in. I know that we can't be too careful, but maybe he was just a kindly old man who has young granddaughters of his own.

Things like this make me very worried, because I love to chat with people, even children when I am at Disney world. One time I was in line by myself and two girls (probably 10-11ish) were in line in front of me. They were curious about my Pal Mickey, and I let them try him out and we played games with him together while we waited in line. These girls were really excited about pal mickey and were just so nice and they insisted that I ride with them. We were having a great time together and the three of us piled into one seat in the splash mountain log (since the girls were small and I'm pretty small we fit just fine). We had a lot of fun and I just thought of it as one of those magical disney moments when you share a great time together. I didn't think that it was something that could looked on as bad, or gotten me kicked out of the parks. The thought of harming a child makes me physically ill, I would rather die than have anyone think I could be capable of such a thing! I guess maybe in the future I should be careful about taking to children and families in the parks.

 

[WDSearcher]

Years ago I worked with this girl that told me a terrible story ~ Her brother and SIL took their 3ish year old daughter to Disney and they were looking at goodies at one of the carts...they turned for a minute and when they turned back the little girl was gone. They immediately informed a CM who sent out word all over the park...since there is only one way in MK the parents were told to go to the exit and look at the FACE if every child leaving...just the face. Sure enough..a couple of hours later a man was carrying their daughter out and he had already cut and dyed her hair and changed her clothes. Just terrible. Ever since I heard that story it scared me so much that my now eight year old has never been in a bathroom without me. Not even a school or Brownie field trip.

This is a long-running urban legend that has been debunked many many times over the years. This same story shows up constantly -- sometimes it was in a mall, sometimes at a theme park, sometimes at the county fair. This has NEVER happened at Disney. I'm sure it probably happened somewhere -- or that some of the story happened somewhere and was then embellished -- but this abduction never took place at a Disney park.

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/kidnap.asp

 

[GenieCat]

You beat me to it, WDSearcher! This type of behavior is another reason to not judge parents who keep children on a child leash. While bad things do happen anywhere, this sounds like the old Snopes myth.

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/kidnap.asp

Years ago I worked with this girl that told me a terrible story ~ ... a man was carrying their daughter out and he had already cut and dyed her hair and changed her clothes...

 

[purvislets]

I was in line for the Dumbo ride and had been chatting with a mommy and her 1 1/2 year old while waiting. Nice lady! Her little girl threw her sip cup and the mommy turned her back just long enough to pick it up and again on the other side of the rope (older looking maybe a grandpa) said Hi to the little girl and asked if she wanted to ride with him. The little girl grabbed his hand and went right with him. The mother turned around and intervened but was very shaken that he would have attempted that. She said her daughter is not afraid of anyone and would go to anyone.
Now this guy may have been the nicest guy in the world but shame on him for even doing anything like that even if he was just joking. The sad part is you don't know if he was. Now mind you I knew who the little girl was with and I would have intervened myself before it went any further had mom not noticed but how scary. You don't know who is out there.
So I guess I just wanted to post not to scare people but to remind people to keep an eye on their little gems and to have the talk with their children about strangers. I just don't think we can do that enough.

Even at Disney- danger lurks...
We stayed at Pop a few years back when my daughters were 10 and 11. We went to the gift shop as a family, but the girls wanted to look in another section together. I figured (like the abover poster) that they were old enough to walk around the same store with us, just in a different section. After about 5 minutes I heard my husband starting a fight with someone. I ran around the corner to see my husband blocking the escape of an 18 year old guy. My 11 YO daughter was crying and she said the 18 YO guy had walked behind her and placed her into a corner by walking very close behind her. He didn't push her in the corner, but his much larger presence moved her there. (My 11 YO DD is EXTREMELY short) My 10 YO daughter went to get my husband and when my husband got there, the 18 YO guy was reaching out to touch under her skirt. She was frozen with fear in the corner.
Security came over to help out and the guy claimed to not understand the language (he was from Canada) and his Grandmother (who brought him on the trip as a graduation gift) had very broken english. After a 2+ hour private meeting between police and the 18YO, they came into another room to tell us that the guy finally admitted that he hadn't yet touched my daughter, but he very much wanted to, so he could "get off". We didn't file charges because of the location (we are in VT and the guy from Canada) and the police stated that he didn't actually touch my daughter before he was caught by my husband.
Disney kicked him and his grandmother off the property and they moved us to POR. My daughter was not physically hurt, but she was emotionally distraught, Disney moved us all and our bags, they had dinner arranged for us at POR, so we could just go to POR and then to bed. We learned that we never leave them alone!!! Just because we are on vacation, doesn't mean the predators aren't either!

Stories like these definitely serve as reminders that even though Disney is a nice place, it is not a safe place. My daughter is never out of my sight, or even allowed to walk around without holding my hand or being on one of those backpack leashes. I always thought they were cruel until I was at Disney with her and realized how easily she could get lost or be taken.

 

[Rileygirl]

That is a very scary story, who knows what might have happened?

I do want to say that my dad has altzimers, and in his moderate stage, he loves small children. If we go out anywhere, I have to keep an eagle eye on him because he will walk up to strange children and start talking to them.

One day, we were walking in the local mall, and I did not notice he had stopped walking. When I realized he was not beside me, I looked back, and he was hovering over a baby carriage a few steps back. Scared the 'heck' out of me. I rushed over, and fortunately the couple were very kind, I told them about his disease, that he just loved babies, and then apologized PROFUSELY. What REALLY scared me was he had his hand out like he wanted to pick up the baby - He has never done anything like that before.

Since then, I have not ventured back to the mall with him. We go on long walks in the park, or long drives, or we can still go out and eat. Its sad that his walls are closing in on him, but I just cant risk what he may or may not do, even when I am super viligant.

I wondered if the grandfather in question had some sort of disease. I know, even if he did, the caretaker should have been right there with them, and corrected the situation, or not put him in the environment at all. But I will say, having dealt with this horrible disease, that people with altzheirmers progression appears not to be in a linear fashion but with huge bumps and dips. Sometimes they just totally shock you with a huge deviation in behaviour.

 

[swald91]

Years ago I worked with this girl that told me a terrible story ~ Her brother and SIL took their 3ish year old daughter to Disney and they were looking at goodies at one of the carts...they turned for a minute and when they turned back the little girl was gone. They immediately informed a CM who sent out word all over the park...since there is only one way in MK the parents were told to go to the exit and look at the FACE if every child leaving...just the face. Sure enough..a couple of hours later a man was carrying their daughter out and he had already cut and dyed her hair and changed her clothes. Just terrible. Ever since I heard that story it scared me so much that my now eight year old has never been in a bathroom without me. Not even a school or Brownie field trip.

Anything can happen anywhere.

I've heard of a similar situation at a store. It is SO scary. That's why I complained about my kids sitting alone by strangers on a flight-too many rows away from my sight. You never know!!!!!! I was slammed pretty good on another thread but you can't trust ANYONE!!!! Unfortunately...

 

[jblrn2b]

Thanks everyone for your posts how eye opening!!!! Pedaphiles lurk in places where they can get access to kids. I am surprised that a family let that poster go with a 7 yo. I have never even let my kids go with coaches and don't get me wrong you coaches out there. There are many great people who work with kids my husband has coached popwarner, lacrosse, soccer for 10+ years. But I have always thought it was my responsibility to take them to practices, stay with them in many situations and when they are old enough give them a little freedom with guidelines - blindly giving your kids to others leaves an opening. It is a shame that at the happiest place on earth people lurk.

Thanks to all of you for sharing.

 

[budbeerlady]

Not to hijack the thread but just a reminder since we are on the subject a bit... I watch DD like a hawk, even at other families homes we are constantly checking up on her and what she is doing. We have an open door policy. I don't care is there are 20 or 1 child in the room, if she is involved the door stays open! Make sure your child knows beyond a doubt that even if a family friend harms them YOU WILL NOT GET MAD AT YOUR CHILD!

We had discussed strangers and all the scenarios but we know a family friend who had an issue at their friends home. So stranger talk but include everyone in that discussion, not just the man looking for the dog but the older brother of a friend scenario also.

 

[mickeynuts]

CandleontheWater....I do not think you should avoid talking with families at Disney. I met many wonderful families in line and was even asked a number of times where I was from. That is part of the fun of Disney that it draws people from all over and it is fun to learn their story. I do think it is only appropriate to speak with a child at Disney if they are with their parents.
In your case...you may have no intention of hurting a child....but as a parent I would have been very upset if you would have gotten on a ride with my child. I as a mother HAVE TO assume that their may have been other intentions ( I would have never have left my kids in line alone in the first place). I do know that their are plenty of kind people out there that just love children....I am one of them. I am a teacher and I think kids are so neat. However, I will not start a conversation with a child unless a parent is there and I have spoke with them first.
Unfortunately parents have to always question why a person would have an interest in their child. Especially enough of an interest to ride with them on a ride. Again, I am not accusing you of anything just trying to justify why a parent may not like you doing such a thing.

 

[GovieMom]

A Disney "Fan"atic!

LOL, that's what I am in my real life!

 

[erinsn77]

WOW this is really scarey stuff especially since im taking my 2 girls on our very 1st trip to Disney this year!! My husband and I are going to sit down and have a long talk with them from now until time to go! and every morining before we go to the park.. IM very paranoid and my DD9 never understands why!! I will be reading her this thread when we get home this evening from work/school.. Thanks for posting this!!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

This type of behavior is another reason to not judge parents who keep children on a child leash.

My daughter is never out of my sight, or even allowed to walk around without holding my hand or being on one of those backpack leashes.

Thank you! My DS has a harness/leash and last time in WDW we were in Epcot - DS wanted to go left, the family was going right, so there was a minor tantrum involved (he was 21 months old). Here he is laying on the path in front of Mexico with his harness on and I'm standing over him mildly amused asking, "Are you done yet?" - because as all Mom's know, it was for show. Some young lady (19-23) walked by and murmured, "poor kid" and all I could think was "How about poor Mom?" But he won't be taken from me when he's on that leash. It may look mean or cruel but I am smart enough to know that my child will bolt or cut left and I've taken the precaution to stop that.

On a side note, at the Dollar Store last week I got my DS a pumpkin balloon, but the only ones left were displays - lady said go get one and we'll top it off with helium. So I untangle this balloon and hand it to DS while I retie the others. The balloon has a super long ribbon on it - 10 feet easy - so if he let it go it wasn't going anywhere out of reach. Some older gentleman walked up and said "You need to tie it around his wrist" and I said yes I know, but we're taking it to be filled in a second. He leans down and wraps the ribbon around DS's wrist and has him hold the end. I know he was trying to be nice and helpful but I couldn't help think - "Don't touch him. I don't need your help".

DH was looking last night at GPS locators for kids....

D4D

 

[AuroraBeauty]

Not to hijack the thread but just a reminder since we are on the subject a bit... I watch DD like a hawk, even at other families homes we are constantly checking up on her and what she is doing. We have an open door policy. I don't care is there are 20 or 1 child in the room, if she is involved the door stays open! Make sure your child knows beyond a doubt that even if a family friend harms them YOU WILL NOT GET MAD AT YOUR CHILD!

We had discussed strangers and all the scenarios but we know a family friend who had an issue at their friends home. So stranger talk but include everyone in that discussion, not just the man looking for the dog but the older brother of a friend scenario also.

I couldn't agree more! The vast majority of crimes against children under the age of 12 are by a family member or someone within the 'sphere of knowledge' of the child or family.

But even with open doors, you don't always hear. Teaching children not to go with strangers is extremely important. But it is also imperative to teach children that no one should harm them. Sadly, I know more about this topic than any parent really should know.

Watch your children!

 

[DisneyTN]

This guy had no right to ask a random child to ride with him. Even if he was innocent Grandpa who wanted companionship, common sense should have alerted him that this doesn't look good, and certainly isn't going to go over well with Mommy & Daddy. I don't believe for one minute, this whole thing of "he's probably some innocent old guy who loves kids..."
I'm a guy who loves kids and have worked with church youth groups, etc. But I sure as heck don't go to themeparks asking other people's children to ride rides with me. Innocent or not, this does not sit well.

Thanks for posting this. Parents need to understand that some of the friendliest faces out there are the ones which pose the most harm to our children.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Okay, so I'm going out on a limb here. When do you think it's okay to let your kids out of your sight? I'm really trying to give my DD12 (almost 13) more freedom and I guess I just need to trust that everything will be okay. I did let her sit by herself in the lobby at ASMo in August, and I also let her sit by herself in the food court while me and my mom shopped in the boutique. I even sent her into the bathrooms at WDW by herself occassionally, or had her wait for me outside. My point is, I don't think it's ever going to be the right time, but I can't keep her within my eyesight forever, and I certainly don't want the first time she's by herself to be in high school, so for those of you with older children, how/when do you let go?

 

[MOREMICKEYFORME]

My oldest daughter is 16 now and we started letting her have freedom in smaller/ familiar places. Our local mall is small, so she started going there with a small group of friends knowing that they are to go to the bathrooms together. She has also gone to the movies with friends.I still have not let her go out alone, but then again- she is a teenager and won't do anything without her friends.
Disney is a HUGE and unfamiliar place for many people, I don't think this is the place to start experimenting with freedom. That's just my opinion, but if you read the earlier post of mine- you know why I am cautious.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Thank you for taking my post in the nature it was intended. I was afraid people would think I was being argumentative. I have, on many occasions, been tagged as a helicopter parent by many on these boards, so I definitely understand having issues with freedom for our children. I'm so sorry your family and your daughter had to go through such a horrible event. Thank God your younger daughter stepped in and let someone know.

I did let my DD go to the movies with a friend last year and it was soooo hard for me, but they each had a cell phone and were threatened with death if they didn't stay together. I guess the only thing that is going to make it easier is, if every time she's alone, out with friends, etc. she comes back safe. I understand there are no guarantees in life, and I don't want to give her freedom too soon, but I also don't want to make her cripple without me, if you know what I mean. I finally realized last year that my daughter had never crossed a street alone. That was a really wakeup call that maybe I had been too overprotective.

 

[budbeerlady]

PrincessKsmom, I dont know if you can be overprotective...LOL! I would put DD in bubblewrap 24/7 if I could!

I think you are doing the right thing by letting them slowly try public places with you in sight. They need some experience to know when to be concerned and when to pay attention. I know it wouldnt solve all of the issues but maybe a self defense class would help?