I am posting this here in order to urge people to act responsibly and for any parents, nannies and other caregivers to be extra cautious when out and about with their children.
On Friday, (6/15), a 4 year old girl was at the Lincoln Berkley Playground in Park Slope with her grandmother. While there, a man engaged her in a game of ball. As the grandmother became distracted and the child grew closer to him, he grabbed her and started to make his way out of the playground. The time was approximately 3pm. Luckily, the grandmother was able to scare him off.
Believe it or not, the grandmother did not report the incident to the police. Apparently the parents didn't either. As the story made it's way around the Slope, someone alerted the 78th precinct but there is not much they can do without a description of the man.
So, I urge anyone with information to contact the 78th precinct. Further, if you ever witness an abduction attempt, please exercise common sense and call the authorities to file a report. If you don't, you are putting other neighborhood children in grave danger.
NEW- Playground Warnings
And that is Why mil will never be alone with my dd.
ReplyDeleteDid you, OP, call the police? You must be able to describe him.
ReplyDeleteOP Here.
ReplyDeleteI was just one of many people who read about this on a parenting board. Someone on the board did indeed phone the information above in to the 78th precinct (like I stated), but the police said they need a description and someone who experienced the incident to file a report.
It is important to note that no one on the board witnessed the incident. We heard about it from someone who is friends with a friend of the grandmother and the child.
I know nothing other than what I already shared.
It concerns me that such an event took place and it was not reported by the child's family. I cannot imagine why that is the case.
Be safe, ladies! Watch your kids and your charges like a hawk!
OP, thank you for posting this issue here.
ReplyDeleteWe should all exercise common sense when watchin our children/charges - why would you allow a "random" man in a park with presumably no children with him, to engage in a game with your child? I would not, I may be erring on the side of caution but I prefer to be safe than sorry.
That's an excellent point. Adults without children are ot permitted in the playgrounds in NYC.
ReplyDeleteThis is very very scary. Unfortunately, there are people out there who are gullible enough to defend strangers who try to interact with or take photos of other people's children/charges. We all have to be vigilant no matter how sweet people act towards our children & charges.
ReplyDeleteI had a nanny who was so gullible, she let someone visit my children when I was at work. And this person who visited was the one person that I told the nanny to keep away from my children. I told her to be vigilant because I had reason to believe that this person was manipulative, unstable and could possibly harm my children. The nanny was stupid enough to let the person visit anyway. I fired her, and I am happily a SAHM.
ReplyDeleteTell us the rest of your story 9:16!!!
ReplyDelete9:16, sounds like an interesting cautionary tale-why so vague?
ReplyDelete9:16, please share your story! Was this an estranged family member with possible mental issues? What convinced the nanny to allow the person to visit, against your wishes? Please tell.
ReplyDelete9:16AM here. It was an old friend from years ago. she started freaking out when I got in a long term relationship, then started to harass me when I started having kids. There was never even a relationship to begin with, so I don't understand why she got all psycho on me. It totally freaked me out. Even though she hated my husband and children, she insisted on visiting, but I ignored the advances and stayed away from her. When my nanny started working, I told her about all my secruity concerns, but she probably thought that the story of the physho female stalker was just bogus. I even showed her a photo of this woman, and told her that she is not allowed into my house, and is not allowed near my children. I told her to be very careful aboout letting anyone onto our property, but all this was in vain when I got home, and found the stalker leaving. I was livid, and fired the nanny for being so gullible. I can't reveal too much, but thanks for your concern.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is scary. I hope you are OK.
ReplyDelete9:16AM here: She said she let her into the house because "somebody was buzzing non-stop at the door". The security instructions included "call me or my husband on our cell phones if anyone whom you are not expecting asks to be let into the house". Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI called all the local precincts and nobody knew what the hell I was talking about. The cops knew nothing about either abduction attempt.
ReplyDeleteEither this was a family custody thing or the cops aren't doing their jobs.
Hard to believe a pervert would grab a kid in a crowded Brooklyn Playground. These guys are usually cowards and covert.
Very sad.
ReplyDeleteI know that people don't want to overreact, but I have heard of two other incidents (one at PS 9 and one in Carroll Gardens in the last 2 weeks of attempted abductions. Where are the witnesses and the police reports? I don't know if the other 2 had police reports filed, but I think it's time that people stepped up and reported a description to see if this may be the same person. We really need to do something and mothers, fathers, grandparents and nannies need to step up (whether it's your child or not and report some descriptions).
ReplyDeletehis man, my friend said he was going to get his dog some water and the child followed. Period. This woman completely overreacted and caused this man alot of embarrassment and stress. He was was taken in for questioning at the precinct. Then the mother admitted that she was wrong. Too late, the misinformation train had left the station. Posting news and such is an amazing outlet, people need to confirm their facts before the witchhunt. Now this man, father and puppy owner (mind you the dog was purchased for his daughter) has the entire neighborhood looking at him like he is a preditor and criminal. Sad, very sad.
ReplyDeleteAudra, better safe than sorry. Sorry I agree with the woman. Next time tell the man to tell the kid to get lost. Save himself the trouble.
ReplyDelete