When a child is abducted, his parents realize that their worst nightmare is becoming a reality. Bringing a kidnapped kid home safely is the main priority of the family, police, and concerned citizens. Over time, an abducted child’s appearance may change, but there are recognizable signs that the average person can identify. In cases like Jaycee Dugard, who was abducted at the age of 11 and only reunited with her family after 18 years, the abducted child may spend a good deal of time being sheltered away from society.
Sexual Abuse and Child Abduction
Many perpetrators physically or sexually abuse their victims, so any signs of sexual abuse should be an automatic trigger. Paul Elias, author of “Jaycee Lee Dugard’s Alleged Abductor had Rape Desire”, stated that Dugard’s abductor, Phillip Garrido, had a history of sexually abusing previous victims.
Social Life of Abducted Children
Although not always the case, sometimes an abducted child’s family life may not seem like it feels right. More often than not, according to Carol Orsag Madigan, author of Life’s Big Instruction Book, a single child with a single man who is passing as a father figure is the most common stranger-abductor relationship.
Besides an unusually family lifestyle, abducted kids rarely stay in one place, living a transient life, or in hidden areas, such as in the Dugard case. If they are enrolled in school, they most likely transfer often, and probably don’t participate in any after-school sports or activities.
Behavior and Appearance of Kids who are Abducted
Abducted children are taught to be someone else from the very beginning of their abduction, often leading them to become used to lying. Look for telltale signs of lies that involve family or parental relationships.
Dyed hair, confusions about their own name, overly compliant children, and children who fear authority figures are also all external signs that can be recognized by outsiders. According to Madigan, children who seem to know too much sexually for their own age, due to sexual abuse, is also an indicator worth taking a serious look at a child. This includes sexual overtones in their everyday play or pseudo mature behavior.
Although many of these behaviors and signs may not be recognizable by a passer-by, there is usually, but not always, someone who is close enough to the abducted child to recognize some of these symptoms.
Always look at flyers in stores that show missing children, and pay attention to Amber Alerts. First and foremost, never be wary to trust a personal instinct. If any warning signs are noticed, rather than taking personal action contact a local police department. For more information or to report a sighting online, visit the website for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
If a child or loved one is abducted, find information on Steps to Take if a Child is Abducted here.
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