WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Parents are being reminded to stay alert and take simple precautions to help keep their children safe after an eight-year-old girl was grabbed by a stranger in a west Wichita neighborhood on Saturday.
Joseph Schillaci, a personal protection expert, says abductions by strangers are rare, but that does not mean families should let their guard down. He says situational awareness is key and encourages parents to always know where their children are and what is happening around them.
Schillaci says if children are heading outside, parents should make sure they are not alone and are with someone they trust. He also recommends talking with kids about safety and reminding them to always tell a trusted adult where they are going.
“You should be aware all times of the day. Now, when you do go out in the nighttime, you become a little bit more vulnerable because of the darkness, but that doesn’t mean you should be any less aware of your surrounding during the day than at night,” Schillaci said. “It should be the same all the way across the board.”
Experts also suggest parents consider sharing locations with their children through phones or apps as an extra layer of protection. They say open communication and awareness can go a long way in helping prevent dangerous situations.