Five-year-old Kasey fell asleep, safely nestled with her mom and dad on the couch. She looked so peaceful, they left her sleeping there after the movie, and went to bed at the end of an uneventful Friday night—or so it seemed.
Around 3 a.m., with only the glow of the aquarium lighting the living room, Kasey, still dreaming, felt herself being scooped up into the arms of a man who whispered, "You're my guardian angel. Your mommy and daddy want you to come with me." Still drowsy with sleep Kasey thought he was her uncle.
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Three cheers!
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Carrying her out the front door, he crossed under the streetlight. Kasey was becoming more alert and the light revealed his face—she didn't know him.Her parent’s car was in the driveway, and she felt certain her parents would not stay at home, letting her go away with someone. Fear began to take over, then Yello Dyno's voice popped into her head, "Your heart is a bell. Run and Tell. If you don’t feel safe, you don't have to do it." Although the man carrying her looked like an OK person, her heart was telling her, No! She sprang into action, kicking and scratching to get away, and then she kicked him in the groin. He dropped her. She scrambled towards her house, and he attempted to block her as she darted passed him into her home.
Her parents were sound asleep in their bedroom at the back of the house. "I heard a scream and, as I opened my eyes, our daughter was soaring through the air over the baseboard of our sleigh bed, literally an impossible feat. She was in my arms panicked and screaming about a man taking her out the front door. I tried to comfort her, that it was just a nightmare, but she would have nothing to do with it. To calm her, my husband went into the living room to disprove her story. The front door was wide open, and a man's baseball cap and a pack of cigarettes were on the floor by the couch. Now we were alarmed. We called 911, and soon police arrived. Several detectives questioned Kasey. They came to us and said 'Kasey's telling the truth. Her story never wavered'."
The whirl of the police helicopter filled the night air, and patrol cars scoured the neighborhood. Kasey had seen a bike in their driveway, so officers followed the bike trail that went by their home. They didn’t find anyone.
On Monday, Kasey returned to school proudly announcing to her classmates, "Yello Dyno saved my life." All the children gathered around to hear her amazing story. "They all felt empowered by Kasey's success. Little ones really can help to protect themselves," reinforced Judy, the school counselor who taught Kasey the Yello Dyno lessons. "Personally it's been a difficult school year, but this makes it all worthwhile."
"She is bouncing back really fast," beamed Kasey's mom. "We're so fortunate Kasey is OK. I've talked with her many times about keeping safe, and having it taught at school has really helped save her life. She sings Yello Dyno's song, 'My Body's Mine!' in the shower. Our life is going back to normal."
This time, prevention and preparation met adversity, and this child saved herself. But, he is still out there, and I'm very concerned for other children. It's not likely he'll come back for Kasey. It's too risky for him. Better to look for another child. The bike in the driveway indicates that he probably had passed by the house on the bike trail on other occasions, and probably developed a fascination with Kasey. Considering the boldness of this man, it's unlikely that this was his first offense. Walking into someone's house and carrying a child out the front door is outrageously bold. He is very dangerous.
There are nine convicted sex offenders within a few blocks of Kasey's home—one lives only two doors down! He was interviewed by the police. Unfortunately, the detective on this case is overwhelmed with over sixty cases to handle. We have not heard whether DNA testing has been done on the hat and cigarettes found in Kasey's home. Her family lives only two blocks from Kasey's elementary school. The school has not notified parents nor has the media given any news coverage of this incident. Will they all wait until another child goes missing? Probably.
But, we aren't waiting and neither are you. Remember—what you do does matter. It’s children like Kasey—children like your children, your neighbors’ children or your grandchildren, nieces and nephews—real children who will benefit because you care, you stay involved, you take action.
From all of us at Yello Dyno, we extend our heartfelt Thank You to each of you. Take a moment to relish this success. You deserve it. You are the hero.
Yours for child safety,
Jan Wagner
Yello Dyno Founder
P.S. Kasey - the name has been changed to protect her and her family.
P.S.S. I will provide updates about this topic in my Yello Dyno blog, Around Jan's Kitchen Table, and I encourage all of you to continue sharing information and commentary on this and other important topics about the safety of our children. Bookmark Yello Dyno's web page SEX OFFENDERS - we will keep it up to date with articles, laws and links on this topic.
Educators, Non-profits, Churches and Law Enforcement: to have a Yello Dyno Curriculum sent to you for a thirty-day review, fill out this online form, or call me at 888-935-5639 ext. 100 or email me at Jan@YelloDyno.com
Comments? Ideas for future memos? Contact me: Jan@YelloDyno.com.
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