Just One Word Saved This Child From Abduction

US mum has credited a secret code word with preventing her daughter’s potential kidnapping.

Brenda James says her 10-year-old daughter had been playing at a park in Arizona when she began the short walk home.

A white SUV pulled up alongside her and the male driver allegedly tried to get her into the vehicle.

“He told her that her brother had been in a serious accident and that she needed to come with him,” Ms James tells WAVY TV.

She says her daughter had a bad feeling and asked the driver for the code word she and her parents had come up with so she would know if a stranger was safe.

The man didn’t know it, so the girl ran home.

“She’s still really upset,” Ms James says. “She didn’t want to go to school today. She’s still really scared.”

The rattled mother says she and her daughter only came up with the code word a few months ago.

“I never thought it would be used and I’m very proud of her for remembering that,” she says.

“In case of an emergency we came up with a code word and this one time it saved my daughter’s life,” she adds.

Pinal County Sheriff’s officials posted a warning on their Facebook page, requesting parents use caution.

“Kudos to the parents of this child for having a code word and talking about to their children about stranger danger,” they said. “We hope by putting this out, it will encourage parents to have that conversation and create a plan with their children, so they know what to do if they are in that situation.”

Make sure you sit your children down and have a chat about a safe word they could use if anyone different attempts to pick them up!

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30 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 21 Dec 2022
    9:51 am
This just shows that things like this are sadly needed and every few months we just need to ask our kids what the code word is. Also they need to be told that we never share this word with others….even our best friends.

- - Ellen said
  - 13 Jan 2019
    7:48 am
What a clever girl remembering this code word !

- - ella12 said
  - 10 Jan 2019
    9:50 am
What an amazing little girl after being faced with a horrible situation.

- - mom320442 said
  - 07 Jan 2019
    6:44 pm
I’m so glad there was a happy ending to this story because its a terrifying thing to go through! I think its every parents worst nightmare!

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 28 Nov 2018
    6:36 pm
The code word is a clever idea. Good thinking.

- - mom111059 said
  - 21 Nov 2018
    12:04 pm
OMG I’m so glad this ended well. Good idea to have a code word.

- - ashna9 said
  - 20 Nov 2018
    9:53 pm
I have a code word with my kids too.

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 20 Nov 2018
    1:26 pm
That’s a fantastic idea- I think I will try to implement a code word too.

- - tessie said
  - 19 Nov 2018
    10:08 am
Such a brave little girl. I hope she never has to use it again though.

- - rovermum said
  - 19 Nov 2018
    10:02 am
What a fantastic idea. And for the young girl to use it… well done to Mum and daughter. It has clearly prevented a great tragedy.

- - mom70876 said
  - 17 Nov 2018
    9:02 pm
great idea to hav ea code word. Kudos to the kids.

- - rachel1970 said
  - 16 Nov 2018
    4:35 pm
Wow, scary stuff. What a great idea having a codeword.

- - cherz said
  - 16 Nov 2018
    3:02 pm
A good ending to one that could have had a very different one.

- - mom90758 said
  - 16 Nov 2018
    2:49 pm
Very clever of the girl to react like she did. And indeed very scary to hear he knew she had a brother.

- - mom93821 said
  - 16 Nov 2018
    10:07 am
Good on the family for coming up with a safe code word and for a good ending to this story. Hope the little one starts to feel safe again.

- - Ellen said
  - 16 Nov 2018
    7:47 am
Great idea ! My only fear would be that some of my kids would share this code with someone I don’t like to know this code.
- mom93821 replied
  
  17 Nov 2018 , 6:28 am
  It is such a good idea – just need to have rules around not sharing it.
- - Cookfromscratchmum said
  - 16 Nov 2018
    6:51 am
The secret code word is a great idea indeed what a scary story glad she’s ok

- - mom335904 said
  - 15 Nov 2018
    11:33 pm
I have heard of this and think it’s a brilliant idea will definately be doing this with my babies

- - mom7108 said
  - 15 Nov 2018
    10:25 pm
The fact he knew she had a brother – he either knew the family or he has been watching which is really creepy
- Ellen replied
  
  16 Nov 2018 , 7:44 am
  VERY CREEPY INDEED !
- - mom7108 said
  - 15 Nov 2018
    10:24 pm
Great idea. My 3 year old would happily ditch me for another family (she’s tried) so definitely need some strategies to keep her safe!