My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you all so, so much for you kind words and advice.

My daughter is in middle school and has a special talent - so we knew her educational trajectory from a very young age as did my family members. I'm sure they assumed she got into the school we applied for.

My child didn't even know who they were and she was scared by the whole experience. She's now constantly looking over her shoulder - we all are. I've scheduled a meeting with a therapist so she can discuss this matter. The teachers and everyone in our lives have agreed to be vigilant in looking out for her.

To be frank I'm having a hard time believing this is happening and still trying to wrap my head around it. I've contacted our attorney...just haven't quite found the strength to dial the police yet..

Don't forget to talk to the therapist yourself and to take care of yourself. ((((((hugs)))))

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depending on the age of the kid, you should have a "safe word" for emergency pick ups, something whacky like "hamster ball" that only your kid and another adult would know if you told them. That way, if there was truly an emergency, you had a way for them to know. Otherwise, definitely call the cops, school, and any other activities your kid is involved in.

The saying used to be "Stranger Danger". You know, look out for the creeper in the windowless white van handing out candy and puppies.

The reality is that kids are most often abducted and/or worse by adults they know well.

Lawyer in my office is a huge Star Wars fan. The family password is "Luke, I am your father...." (complete with heavy breathing)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depending on the age of the kid, you should have a "safe word" for emergency pick ups, something whacky like "hamster ball" that only your kid and another adult would know if you told them. That way, if there was truly an emergency, you had a way for them to know. Otherwise, definitely call the cops, school, and any other activities your kid is involved in.

The saying used to be "Stranger Danger". You know, look out for the creeper in the windowless white van handing out candy and puppies.

The reality is that kids are most often abducted and/or worse by adults they know well.

Lawyer in my office is a huge Star Wars fan. The family password is "Luke, I am your father...." (complete with heavy breathing)

Um, why do you know the safe word? And do you tell people about it IRL too? What a dumb thing for the dad to share. The point of a safe word (or phrase) is that it is secret!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depending on the age of the kid, you should have a "safe word" for emergency pick ups, something whacky like "hamster ball" that only your kid and another adult would know if you told them. That way, if there was truly an emergency, you had a way for them to know. Otherwise, definitely call the cops, school, and any other activities your kid is involved in.

The saying used to be "Stranger Danger". You know, look out for the creeper in the windowless white van handing out candy and puppies.

The reality is that kids are most often abducted and/or worse by adults they know well.

Lawyer in my office is a huge Star Wars fan. The family password is "Luke, I am your father...." (complete with heavy breathing)

Um, why do you know the safe word? And do you tell people about it IRL too? What a dumb thing for the dad to share. The point of a safe word (or phrase) is that it is secret!

Thank you for your concern, random stranger on the internet.

I picked the kids up after school when his wife had baby #4.

No, I don't tell people in real life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it's hard to call the cops on your own parents, but really, you need to. What an awful situation. Your kid is worth the protection they can help provide. Are they local to you?

They live in another state which is even more concerning. If they had picked her up..would they have taken them back to their residence?

Oh man, way more concerning. You must call the cops. Both where the school is and where they live. Yes, they would have taken her back there.

[Anonymous]

I agree, hard as it is to call the Police on your own parents, I think you have to- they tried to kidnap your child. An attorney's advice would be helpful as well but at minimum I would call the Police about this today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised the school didn't call the police FOR you! Definitely get this on record. I hate to say it, but they very well may do it again and in a less secure setting. I'm guessing the estrangement is fairly recent if they have a connection to your child and know her daily whereabouts. Make sure your daughter knows how to react if she sees them.

Because a grandparent who wasn't on the pick up list came by and asked for the child? The fact that the school said no is great, and they should be commended, but parents forget to put people on the pick up list or send a note all the time. If the school called the cops every time a family doesn't put grandma on the list, because they figure she's out of town, and then forgets to send a note.

OP, you need a restraining order. Call the police.

[Anonymous]

Is this a troll post? There was no school today anywhere around here, so it would have to have occurred last week. Isn't it a bit late to call the police?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this a troll post? There was no school today anywhere around here, so it would have to have occurred last week. Isn't it a bit late to call the police?

Yeah, you're right. The statute of limitations is only three days for attempted interstate kidnapping with a whole bunch of witnesses.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you call a lawyer FIRST and have THEM talk to the police. Who knows what your parents would say to them and the cops...well, unfortunately we are in a police state. Law-abiding citizens are becoming embroiled in situations that they should not due to trusting the police.

First lawyer, then police.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depending on the age of the kid, you should have a "safe word" for emergency pick ups, something whacky like "hamster ball" that only your kid and another adult would know if you told them. That way, if there was truly an emergency, you had a way for them to know. Otherwise, definitely call the cops, school, and any other activities your kid is involved in.

The saying used to be "Stranger Danger". You know, look out for the creeper in the windowless white van handing out candy and puppies.

The reality is that kids are most often abducted and/or worse by adults they know well.

Lawyer in my office is a huge Star Wars fan. The family password is "Luke, I am your father...." (complete with heavy breathing)

What's the point of having a safe word if your parents talk about it at the office?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a troll post? There was no school today anywhere around here, so it would have to have occurred last week. Isn't it a bit late to call the police?

Yeah, you're right. The statute of limitations is only three days for attempted interstate kidnapping with a whole bunch of witnesses.

Okay, fair enough. I am probably really naive, but I didn't think the police would respond so long after the event. No question that she should still contact them so it is not the record anyway.

[Anonymous]

*ON the record

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this a troll post? There was no school today anywhere around here, so it would have to have occurred last week. Isn't it a bit late to call the police?

My child had school today.

[Anonymous]

OP, we are in a similar circumstance. You must, now, have your lawyer arrange for you to make a police report. You must not delay any further. Please advise the school that you're doing so. If you don't do so promptly, you may be accused of inventing any future incidents.