Attempted Abduction

I wanted to expand on your recent article regarding the attempted abduction of the little girl in Spring Lake.

There is a Web site that will notify you by phone or e-mail if a convicted sexual predator or offender moves into your neighborhood. The website is: http://www.familywatchdog.us/

Citizens must also understand that not all sexual predators or offenders appear on the FDLE list. If a person is arrested but not convicted they will not appear on the list. There are also those sexual predators that will not appear on the list because they were convicted and released from sanctions before Oct. 1, 1997. This is the date that the state of Florida required that they register. If a predator committed his crime before Oct. 1, 1993 they were not required to register at all. That does not mean that these predators are safe to live by or will not offend again.

Parents, grandparents and neighbors need to watch out for each other in their neighborhoods. Keep an eye on a child that is walking or playing alone. Watch for suspicious people. You may not be able to stop abduction but you can report it and give the police detailed information on the vehicle and/or a physical description. Good rule of thumb, always know where your own children are at all times. Teach them what to do if they are ever approached by a stranger. The children, who have escaped an attempted abduction like the little girl in the story, knew what to do. I am so grateful the outcome was a positive one.

Linda Jacob-Lipan
Sebring