Perspectives on a Child Found

children, current events, family, , 35 Comments

First of all, deep gratitude to the police for their work finding our missing teen. One week after she disappeared, she is home again.

Initially, the feeling was immense relief. The emotions we’d been holding in, along with our breaths, gushed out in sobs. But a tragedy like this does not unravel itself in a single moment. So many questions remain unanswered. There will forever be the before and after.

For now, we will tip toe over the shattered pieces. There is no peace of mind to be had yet. Therapeutic services for children who have gone through this are few and far between.

We know there was grooming involved. We know that she was picked up and transported out of town. We know that she was lavished with new clothes and money. It is clear that Emma believes this person to be her ally.

Emma’s parents had installed all the parental controls on her devices. She is a vulnerable young woman, and family acknowledged that by being extra careful. Despite all that, she found a way to bypass their watch through Snapchat. Predators are at the ready on all apps.

I don’t have any answers. Kids need to be kids. I guess we parents need to be aware that the dangers “out there” are real and present in our homes.

Unknown's avatar

Posted by

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

35 thoughts on “Perspectives on a Child Found”

    1. Thanks Susan. It turns out that a neighbour wrote down the license plate number and make of the car of the perpetrator. Thank goodness for quick thinking.

      Like

      Reply

  3. Of course, there are loose ends. But I’m so grateful she is found and home. As imperfect as life was for us as teenagers, the possibilities are so much more prevalent and imposing these days.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. VJ, I’m so thankful she has been found. I missed your previous post that she was missing. A very frightful situation considering the measures that were taken with the technology. I hope her transition home goes smoothly and that she comes to understand the danger she was in.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a reply to VJ Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.