Be aware of kidnapers 

Riya Rizal
Cincinnati, Ohio

Playing outside in the summer is fun but, you should always have an adult or a person that has access to a phone to call someone. Kidnappers are people who take someone away against their will. They threaten, try to take you away by force, or lie about something to manipulate you.

On July 2, 2021 a six-year-old girl was kidnapped while riding her bike out in her neighborhood.  One of the girls’ neighbors on ABC News said, “A man grabbed her by the collar and threw her bike, threw her in the passenger seat.” And they immediately called 911. The girl was found in a car parked in front of a house by police officers and was quickly rescued.

If you ever see someone being taken away by force, get an adult. However, many people know that taking a child away by force may attract attention, so instead they bribe children with toys, animals, or sweets. If someone is trying to give you something in their vehicle and ask you to come with them, never go with them, either yell for help or run away. A lot of people try to kidnap kids by pretending they’re selling ice cream in an ice cream truck.

In 2013, Joselyn Rojas was abducted and many people joined in the search to find her, including two boys named Temar Boggs and Chris Garcia. The two boys were riding their bikes and were next to a maroon car and spotted Joselyn inside, and they began following the car. In an article on Facebook it says, “The boys followed the car for about 15 minutes as the driver repeatedly turned though the neighborhood streets.” Joselyn was quickly found and was saved.

You may be wondering why people get kidnapped, one reason people get kidnapped is for the money. They get the money by threatening to hurt the person who is kidnapped. The family will pay the money and the kidnapper will release the victim. Another reason people get kidnapped is for sexual uses. They can be sold for money or used for the kidnappers’ own interests.

Children are easy targets, but many young girls are also targets for kidnapping. This is because they are smaller and seem like weaker targets. You should always have an adult around if you are going somewhere, especially around the time when children go to school, come back from school, or after dinner because those are the times where children are usually kidnapped. 

Calling the police when you are being kidnapped is important because they can help protect you and take you to safety. Calling 911 can give police the information they need to get you to safety. Getting help as soon as possible can get you rescued safely. If you cannot call the police yourself, try to call a trusted person who can call them for you. Women and children should protect themselves in case they are in danger. Carrying a safety item, like a whistle or a small alarm, can help get people’s attention and get help quickly. Knowing what to do can help people be safe and be protected from danger.

Someone might secretly add drugs or alcohol to a drink without the person knowing. Drink spiking can make you dizzy, confused, nauseated, make you lose your memory, and even go unconscious. Staying with trusted people, making sure no one touches their drink, and getting help if they don’t feel well can help a lot. Drink spiking is never the victim’s fault, and anyone who thinks their drink has been spiked should get help from someone they trust or tell the staff.

If someone is following you, stay calm and pay attention where you are. Try to find a busy area where there are a lot of other people, like a store or restaurant. Call a friend or family member and tell them what is happening and where you are. Don’t go to a place where there aren’t other people and try to stay safe. 

(Riya Rizal is a fifth-grade student. We believe that publishing articles like hers will encourage young writers and inspire other children to express themselves through writing.)