The case of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway’s abduction and murder in Colorado made national headlines. And investigators are now reportedly looking into whether she may have been lured away by the offer of candy.
Making sure children don’t fall prey to that kind of ruse was part of a lesson delivered Wednesday at Chet F. Harritt Elementary School in Santee. Sheriff’s Search and Rescue K-9 Team Leader Pam Medhurst and her husband, Rich Medhurst, held a “Don’t Run Around, Stay Found” class for kindergarteners at the school.
Calling on her background in theater, Pam uses “Simon,” a bloodhound puppet to teach kids what they can do if they get lost and to avoid getting lost in the first place. She also touches on stranger danger and what kids can do if someone approaches them to help find a puppy, asks for direction or offers them a candy.
The lesson also includes a mock search demonstration. First, one of the students hid in the playground. Wishbone, the search and rescue dog, took a scent of his jacket and soon found his hiding place. After the class, the students received stickers and coloring books discussing stranger danger. They also got to pet Wishbone and took photos with Simon.
To learn more about a Stranger, Danger presentation or a Don’t Run Around, Stay Found class in Sheriff’s Department jurisdictions, you can contact your local crime prevention specialist.
Sheriff’s Department Safety Skills for Children (PDF)
