Infant Abduction:
"You only need a few people to affect a
kidnapping." From 1983 to 2013 there have been a total of 288 infant
abductions. Infants classifying from birth to six months have been taken from
healthcare facilities, mother's rooms, nursery, and even pediatrics. There are
many ways you can take extra precaution in making sure you and your child are
safe, as well as knowing the facts and helping others find their missing babies.
There was as study taken from 288 cases between 1983 to 2012
about what the “typical” infant abductor characteristics are like. Most infant kidnappers are females of
“childbearing” age, meaning as young as 12 and even as old as 53, and they are
usually overweight. They are usually
really good at lying and being deceptive to all of their family and friends,
often saying they lost a child or are unable to have one. Most abductors are in
fact married or have a companion and this fuels their desire for a child
because they want to provide their partner with a baby. These women are likely
to kidnap a child in the same area they live or work. They are also likely to
visit nurseries or maternity wards many times before the abduction actually
takes place so they can get familiar with the area and look for exit routes and
such. Women usually plan the abduction ahead of time, but do not target a
certain child. Most cases the abductor impersonates a nurse or health care
facilitator and becomes friendly with staff members, their work routines, and
sometimes even the victims parents.
Not all infant abductions take place in health care
facilities though; some abductors even go as far as taking the child from the
victim’s home. These kidnappers have some different characteristics, like they
are most likely single but claim to have partners. They meet their victim
sometimes at a heal care facility, but try to become friends with the parents
outside of the office. These women are a little more dangerous because they
have been known to plan the abduction and bring a weapon with them, although
the weapon is not used in all cases.
When going to the home they often impersonate a nurse or social service
professional.
There are special safety precautions newly expectant parents can take in
making sure they and their children are safe. First of all it is important to
before you go into labor you take time to go to the hospital and get to know
the staff and the layout of the rooms. You will feel much more comfortable
knowing the area and the people rather than going in blind and putting your
newborn and yourself into danger. Second, it is important to have a plan, think
of situations and what you can do to prevent and safely get out of the problem.
Rehearse possible scenarios in your mind, and you’ll be ready to act instantly
should you actually be attacked. Thirdly, as a new mom it is not a bad idea to
take into consideration bringing protection with you or taking classes to know
how to protect yourself. Knowing how to protect yourself is not a bad idea for
any one, new parent or not. Just by taking these safety precautions you are
preparing yourself for anything that could happen and feel safer because you
are able to protect yourself.
Shaina Ashley Kirkpatrick and Shausha Latine Henson were last seen with their mother on
April 4, 2001, en route to Sacramento, California. On April 29, 2001, the body
of their mother was found outside of Fernley, Nevada, while the whereabouts of
the two girls remain unknown.
On December 17, 1962, three-year-old
William "Billy" Jones, Jr. was last seen outside of his neighbor's
house in Vineland, New Jersey around 11:45 a.m. He was last seen wearing a
light blue or grayish snowsuit with a navy collar and silver buttons, a hat
that matched his snowsuit and tan high-top crepe-soled shoes with yellow laces.
He reportedly had a dime in his pocket that was given to him by his mother.
Bryan Dos Santos-Gomez was abducted
near his residence in Fort Myers, Florida, during the afternoon of December 1,
2006. An unknown adult female is alleged to be the abductor (see below). They
are believed to be traveling in a 1998 to 2003 black, two-door Ford Explorer
Sport with peeling window tint.
Lisa Irwin was last seen at her
residence, while in her crib, on October 3, 2011, at approximately 6:00 p.m.
She was wearing purple pants and a purple shirt with kittens on it.
Links:
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/2007/01/raw-data-kidnapping-statistics.html
By: Lily Rae