An 11-year-old girl avoided being kidnapped in San Tan Valley, Arizona, thanks to a key word her parents had taught her in these emergency cases.
According to local media reports, the minor, whose name is not specified, was spending time with a friend near a park when a white van stopped near them. A man got out of the car and told the girl that her brother had suffered a serious accident, so she had to go with him.
Then, for the key word her parents had taught her in cases like this, when someone who is not part of the family had to go pick her up. The stranger could not say the word, so he had to leave.
The local sheriff’s office they are looking for the man, while the officers highlight the exemplary behavior of the girl’s parents for teaching her this simple way of protecting herself.
“We hope that when this news gets out other parents will be encouraged to have a similar conversation and create a plan with their children so they know what they do if they are in a similar situation,” said Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb.
