On July 11, 8 yr. old Leiby Kletzky was walking home from camp for the very first time. News reports indicated that little Leiby had begged his parents to walk home by himself. I'm sure 8 yr. old Leiby was excited about the opportunity to prove to his parents that he was a big boy, and could be trusted with this sense of independence. Unfortunately, his first walk of independence, turned out to be his last. Little Leiby encountered 35 yr. old Levi Aron, whom Leiby most likely perceived to be a trusting adult from the neighborhood. News reports indicated that Leiby asked Aron for assistance after he (Leiby) became lost. News reports state that instead of directly assisting the little boy, Aron allegedly later told police that he took Leiby with him to a wedding, then took him to his home (Aron) to watch television. Upon hearing news reports that the police were looking for Leiby, Aron alleges that he panicked, smothered Leiby then proceeded to chop up Leiby's body stuffing parts of the body into his freezer.
The incident of Leiby and other children being picked up by strangers is not the first, and unfortunately will not be the last. However what does become important is parents and guardians talking to children about "Stranger Danger" before it is too late. Parents please sit down with your children and talk to them about being safe and ways people may try to lure them away from home (i.e. toys, animals, candy) or the types of things strangers may say to them i.e. "Your mommy asked me to pick you up from school and bring you to my house".
By starting to have this conversation with your child(ren), you can continue the dialogue also talking to children about "Good Touch/Bad Touch", which would include when the person touching them inappropriately is not a stranger, but someone they know (i.e. family member, teacher, coach).
If you are not sure where to begin and need some additional help or resources, please respond to this article with your questions and comments or visit www.DreamBuildersUnited.com.
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