Tips for preventing child abduction

Earlier today, 47abc was alerted of two attempted abductions in Worcester County.  To help keep Delmarva's children safe we went to the streets to find out how parents and guardians keep their rugrats out of harms way.

Lashette Dennis, of Salisbury, says she took a sexual abuse class and learned about the buddy rule.

"One thing they taught me in the class was to always have your kids in two's."

And many parents we spoke with agreed that the buddy system is the golden rule.  It helps keep predators at bay when children have others with them.

Parents like Julie Wallace, who says she stresses the buddy rule with her son, but she also tries to make sure she keeps an open line of communication with him.

"I try to really have an open line of communication with my son… I think a lot of the times kids, if they are going to try to get into something a bit more troublesome, they're more bound to tell you a lie if you're not going to be more open."

And websites giving tips on keeping children safe agree with the premise.  Kids live safe says trust is a big part of why many children get kidnapped or run away from home.

Another good word to teach children is 'uncomfortable,' according to Dennis.  She tells her children if they are approached by a stranger and feel uncomfortable to find an adult. 

Meanwhile, Carolyn Cucina tells 47abc to begin yelling, but not the word help.

"Scream 'this is not my parent,' or 'fire,' not to scream 'help' because people won't respond to that."

Wallace says she tries to teach her son to not let his guard down.  Something she says can be a struggle at times. 

"Unfortunately a little of the don't trust any situation… If you're going to do something like that and you're going to be friendly that you can't approach people in a distance that they can grab you.  You have to keep a distance from them, and you have to provide yourself an escape plan."

Other tips we found include:

• Always know where your child or children are and who they are with.
• Never leave your children alone in a public place, car, or stroller.
• Never ask a stranger to hold your baby.
• Teach your child your telephone number, and how to contact you and a close friend.
• Have a neighborhood meeting so that children know safe houses in the neighborhood where they can run in the case of an emergency.

Worcester County Sheriff's Office tells 47abc that they are in search of a man, or men, in a brown pick-up truck, and a green ford explorer.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police.