News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Deputies Looking for Possible Child Predator

Deputies Looking for Possible Child Predator

By Michael P. Neufeld
Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Running Springs, CA – An 11-year-old girl was approached by a man in a white pick-up truck near her Running Springs bus stop yesterday morning. The man reportedly asked the young student from Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School to "come here" but she ran to a nearby convenience store.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies learned about the incident yesterday afternoon after the student told her parents about what apparently happened near the corner of Highway 18 and Hunsaker Way while she was waiting her school bus.

The subject is described as a 20-30 year old white male (or possibly Hispanic male), wearing a navy blue beanie with a bill and a dirty white t-shirt. The vehicle was described as a beat-up and dirty white pick-up with a flat bed and various tie downs.

Running Springs (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

In a statement posted on RIMOFTHEWORLD.net by mtndeputy, the Sheriff's Department requests that individuals with information about the incident or have heard of similar incidents are urged to contact Deputy Miguel Placencia at (909) 336-0600.

mtndeputy also posted: "I want to reiterate that the subject asked the child to come to him in the vehicle. The child was uncomfortable enough that they ran away. The subject did not make any attempt to chase or follow her."

The media summary furnished by the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Station stated the young girl "did not recognize the male subject. After the encounter she ran to the gas station."

Deputies took the report Tuesday afternoon and posted the first information on RIMOFTHEWORLD.net at 10:26 a.m. today. (See Cautionary Information.)

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Patrol Unit (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Telling young people not to talk with strangers isn't enough any more, and authorities believe it's not realistic. Children should be taught the basic rules of safety when they're not near their parents or relatives.

The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children and MyChildSafety.net suggest the following ways to protect your children from "stranger danger":

Teaching stranger danger without frightening our children can be a task. We don't want them to feel the world they live in, is dangerous and that everyone is out to get them. Your child needs to feel safe in this world.

Explain to your children that strangers look like anyone else. Like your neighbor, like the man at the post office. Not all strangers are bad, but even the strangers that are mean won't look like monsters. That's why we need to be careful with EVERYONE.

Tell your child to trust their gut. Children are much more intuitive than adults. Tell your children that if they get a bad feeling, to walk away.

Use code words with your child. Have a word that only the two of you know for emergencies. Set up another code word so that anyone that is permitted to take your child or pick them up has to use the code word so that your child knows it's okay.

If your child walks home on their own from school, make sure they do it in pairs or groups. Never allow your child to walk home alone. Also make sure that your child always takes the same path or route home. Tell them they can not change their route or plans without calling to notify you first.

Our children need to know what acceptable behavior is and what is over the line. When they are interacting with strangers for example, they can take a lollipop if the stranger knows the code word. Even young children however do not understand about touching safety, and these are the children predators' target. Teach your child that they have private areas that no one is allowed to touch or see. Your child should also know that if this line gets crossed, it is NOT a secret. Parents need to know immediately.

Give your children tools such as whistles and cell phones if they are old enough. These should be stored in a location that is easy to grab when needed. Your child should blow the whistle if they are uncertain about something. Your child should also know exactly how to reach in you in case of emergency.

Animals and candy are two of the most common lure tactics predator's use. Tell your children not to talk to strangers with either of these things unless the stranger knows the code word.