The Day a Stranger Tried to Take My Child

Friends, I am so grateful for our network of moms because this story gives me the chills. On Tuesday after school (around 2:45 P.M.), I made the unfortunate mistake of taking all three of my wild children to the grocery store. We were at the critical point where we didn’t have milk or bread or any treats for rewarding good behavior, so off to HEB we went.  

I parked in my usual place at the edge of the parking lot, and I didn’t see anything or anyone unusual when I parked. My son and one of my twins had some sort of altercation in between me closing the door to get my purse and arriving on the opposite side of the car to get all three kids out, so one twin was screaming. I decided to hold that twin, and I grabbed my son’s and my other twin’s arms in my left hand and headed across the street.  

We got across the street safely, and my son bolted toward the HEB door while my loose twin wiggled her arm free. The twin I was still holding was fussing about something, so I turned to look at her and I lost my focus on my loose twin for JUST a split second.

I looked up, and from out of nowhere, a young, dirty couple was upon my daughter, touching her head and separating her from me and my other two kids. They were ushering her into the parking lot. As soon as they touched her, she started to SHRIEK. All of a sudden, she was yelling and I was yelling for her to get back to me, and the couple broke apart and walked off like nothing happenedwithout saying a word.

This would have been weird enough on its own, but I rushed my three into the store and toward the baskets, and I noticed the couple had followed me. By the grace of God, the kids were essentially pinned in between two rows of baskets because there was only one “driving cart” left, and it was surrounded by rows of regular carts. This allowed me time and protection to get all three kids safely into the cart (side note: I had to bribe my four-year-old son with Popsicles and gum to get him to agree to ride in the basket). I backed out of the long row of carts with all three kids, and this couple was still behind me. My “Mama-dar” was on high alert, so instead of starting my shopping, I headed toward the pharmacy where I knew there would be managers with access to a phone to all security. The couple followed me, and when they realized I was staying put until I have some assistance, they disappeared out the front of the store. The manager tried to go find them, but they were gone.

This freaked me out and made me SUPER thankful to have all my kids with me. I was thinking I would post this on my own blog to tell my friends, and that would be the end of it. Well, I was at dinner the other night and told my girlfriends about what happened and that I was going to blog about it…and my friend Elizabeth gave me the strangest look and said, “That just happened to me too!”

Elizabeth had been at the same HEB at the same time of day just the day before. Her situation happened where this couple, along with a third man, was walking into HEB with Elizabeth and her daughter from the parking lot. As they were walking through the doors, the woman started to walk backwards, pointing at Elizabeth’s daughter and saying, “She’s cute!” and “Look at her!” while pointing to the men and trying to touch the child. Elizabeth did the right thing and got super defensive, putting her daughter in the cart and moving away quickly. She told me that she still felt like they were around the store watching her the entire time she shopped—the eerie feeling of being watched lingered with her the whole time.

Like me, Elizabeth was grateful that all was well, but didn’t think to file a police report or really pursue things any further—that is, until we talked and agreed that this was NOT a coincidence.

Thanks to many great people, Dya Campos from HEB contacted me this morning to figure out how they can help. We are still in the process of figuring out who these people are, but we needed to warn other moms. What I learned from Dya, however, is that if you are in or around HEB and something happens that makes you uneasy, TELL THE MANAGER! HEB wants to keep all their shoppers safe, especially the littlest ones. You are not a pest; you are helping keep yourself and others safe.

Moms, summer is almost here. This means kids are going to be out and about more than ever and, sadly, the bad people know this. Here are some suggestions to help keep yourself and your kids safe:

  1. Remember to always be vigilant about observing your surroundings.  
  2. This totally applies to me and I need to get better about it for sure, but PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY! You are distracted by your phone and not watching your kids when you are texting, even if it is at the park or HEB. Text from your house.
  3. Strap your kids into the carts at HEB, Target, Walmart, etc. The straps will keep them safe from people grabbing them AND from them taking a nasty fall.
  4. Remind the other people who care for your kids about the dangers that are out there. This includes dads, grandparents, nannies, carpool, whoever. Everyone needs to stay alert.
  5. Report suspicious people. Program non-emergency police numbers in your phone—SAPD’s is (210) 207-7273.

Stay safe, fellow mamas, and if we all work together, this village can protect and nurture all our kids.

Alamo City Moms
Alamo City Moms is written by a collaborative and diverse group of mothers. We strive to provide moms with relevant, timely and fun information about all things mom here in the greater San Antonio area.

70 COMMENTS

  1. I’m a SA Grandma. I raised my kids here in San Antonio and always thought my overly cautious tendencies were maybe a bit extreme. Reading this reminded me of the reason I chose to keep my kids close, even when they disagreed. As moms we are responsible for the safety of our kids. That’s understood. As a grandma I feel responsible to help those young women (and men) who have their hands full when out in public with their children. It’s not easy to parent a child or children in our fast paced society. We older folks who’ve raised our kids can do plenty to keep all kids safe from evil people who prey on busy parents who look away for only a minute. If we all keep our eyes open, these predators won’t succeed and will be caught immediately. If we love kids, we’ll watch out for them. All of them.

  2. Kind of makes you think about carrying that concealed handgun, doesn’t it? Someone tried that with my kids, I couldn’t be capable of the restraint you just showed. I’d find out if they can outrun a bullet traveling at 650 feet per second! Glad everyone is safe. That’s major creepy!

    • My wife reposted this on FB, and I thought the same thing. It’d be a definite moment I’d consider unholstering. Probably end up on YouTube or something, but whatevs. Kids know Daddy’s job is to keep them “so safe”. Daddy’s gonna do that job, dangit.

  3. @BC Thanks again for the website info! I have sent out an email to “Yello Dyno” who specializes in protecting children from people who mean them harm like abductors. I have asked if their organization would consider coming to San Antonio for a prevention clinic for our youth because of the recent reports we have been having here. I know this kind of thing has been going on for years but it just appears to be increasing. It’s worth a shot!

  4. Can you please post a thorough description? It seems like that should be the FIRST thing you let people know.

  5. It’s been about 2 months since I’ve frequented the Target closest to me over on Loop 410 and Hwy 151 because of a similar incident. Only this one involves a man or a younger woman trailing you through the store and then signaling to an SUV circling the parking lot once you’re out of the store.

    I walked into Target and overheard a lady talking to the manager about this ordeal so I stayed vigilant. However, when I was done and was wheeling my cart with my 3 year old daughter toward the car, I noticed a young lady signal a black SUV across the parking lot and she made a gesture towards me. The truck starting coming my way very slowly and at that moment I got closer to my vehicle, I hit the panic button so the horn could start blaring.

    Sure enough, the SUV drove by quickly toward the Target entrance and scooped this lady up. I then called the manager from my own SUV after I got my daughter in and report the license plates to SAPD.

    I am not the first to encounter this at any of our area Target locations, Alamo Ranch included. This is becoming more common and during day time hours as well. Take pictures, or better yet, if your child is in the cart with you, pretend that you are distracted and start texting someone, your spouse, your parents or siblings and have them call the store you are at immediately!

    Do not tip off these people. Play into their game and act like you are distracted by placing that phone call or having someone do it for you so that they can provide management with your exact location while in the store.

    My sister and I have put this into plan with both our mother and in-laws since my entire ordeal. If this happens again and one of us is being trailed inside the store, we send off a group text alert letting them know what store, which aisle or area we are currently in, what we are wearing and what the perp looks like so that they can start calling the store to speak to a manager immediately to relay these details.

    These perps need to be caught while on the store’s premises!

  6. Wow this makes me think my encounter was a bit suspicious. I was at babies r us near 151 area and a man stopped us in a car repeatedly asking if we spoke Spanish. Clearly we Said no several times before he drove off. Afrer we left babies r us we went to target in same shopping center. A different man in a different car stopped us again asking if we spoke Spanish. I again had to say no a couple times before he drove off. I just thought it was very strange and thought I would share. This took place in the parking lot of each store.

  7. Did they not release video or descriptions of the suspects??!!! This is my HEB, but regardless of which one we need info to combat these type issues and scumbags like this!!!!

  8. Thank you @BC… You have lots of good resources to share. I will be researching today. I just wish San Antonio had something for us like what you suggested, “YellowDyno” , to educate our children and at affordable costs through safety clinics and workshops. I know it’s ultimately my job to teach them but it would be great to have more support from experts and police to actually show us through “stranger danger prevention” clinics. I wonder if HEB would be interested in providing something like this for our city since they have been targeted? That would be amazing! I would totally sign up my kids!

    • I looked into YellowDyno after an incident at my child’s school caused alarm and asked the school to bring this company in and offer the courses to families and that I’m sure parents would pay the fee for materials. They didn’t do it. But YellowDyno will come to San Antonio if we have a group. Maybe if enough parents are interested?? Their program looks great. Covers predators we both know and don’t know and how to handle them.

    • @Jody – the web address is http://www.yellodyno.com

      I was misspelling the name. It’s Yello Dyno. There’s a video on their website about how a child outsmarted an abductor by using their techniques. Hope this resource helps with research!!

  9. It would be great if an organization or a team of volunteers would come together and have a “Stranger Danger Safety Clinics” (or something to that effect)….This could be a “hands on” training for our children and parents to participate in together and have real life role play situations but under our supervision. I would love the opportunity for my children to learn how to protect themselves the best that they can. If there is something already out there like what I am suggesting….please share! We must fight back and send a clear message to “these” people that we will take a stand in protecting our children and our city!

    • I would like to add!!! If anyone is willing (on an organized day) to send a clear message to “these” abductors” by guarding/patrolling the parking lots at HEB’s around the city…..COUNT ME IN! #ActionSpeaksLouderThanWords #AwarenessForOthers #VoiceForOurCity

      • A public blogging of full detailed descriptions of these and any other perps is absolutely critical and will send a message that we are not afraid to give full physical descriptions and blast it out to the world. It’s one thing to describe what happened and our feelings about it but we can take more action if we are no-holds-barred about OUTING these people by giving full descriptions. The news story about this gave no descriptions either.

    • I may have missed it, but do you have a description of the couple? Hispanic, white, black, etc. age, tattoos, type of car driven?

  10. Watchful Texan, enough about “illegals.” Besides the fact that the term is offensive, YOU ARE MISSING THE ENTIRE POINT.

  11. Alamo City Moms Blog has a policy of respectful conversation on our page. Any comments that do not remain respectful will be removed.

  12. When I was young – maybe 12 – a young woman tried to kidnap me in Austin. She had a male accomplice who I never saw, but my Dad did. Luckily for me, he found us in the alley behind the place we were (a restaurant or something ;long time ago) when he realized I had been in the bathroom too long.

    3 years ago in an Heb in Marble Falls (about 2 hours North of San Antonio) I was in the bathroom with my kids and my daughter was holding my baby while I used the restroom. While I had my back turned washing my hands, a woman tried to take the baby right out of her arms. All of my kids were so shocked they didn’t say anything but my daughter was holding on to her brother when I turned around. I grabbed him and said something like “Let go.” she said she just wanted to “love on him”. I yelled “no! “ and she finally let go and left the bathroom. Never used the bathroom at all. I wasn’t sure if she was trying to abduct him or had poor social skills. I called the police later, but they were unable to identify the woman.

  13. Horrible world we live in now, praise God you and your children are fine. I also feel in a time like this, when you are solely trying to aware families of scary incidents such as yours..there should be no race remarks. For the (huhh how can I say this nicely) idiot who keeps insinuating it was illegal immigrants, please properly do your research and you’ll be shockingly surprised in the ethnicity crime rates in Texas. To all the other concerned parents focused on the correct issue at hand, I pray for you and your families constant safety in this corrupted world. God Bless-A Concerned “Latina” Mother!

  14. This evening I went to my HEB (near Sea World). I noticed a very obvious security presence patrolling the parking lot which I’ve never seen there before. I wonder if all HEB’s are aware of what’s been happening and are on high alert. Anxious to see this on the news soon! The word needs to get out there! I know I will be more vigilant when Ive got my kids with me.

  15. Did I miss the description of the perps? Do the perps look illegal? And if so from what country? Please give a description of the individuals so that we can be on the lookout.

    Let’s not assume only illegals commit crimes.

  16. Hi my niece posted on her wall today that she witness a child almost taken by a couple but they did not get her thanks to her quick thinking this little girl is home safe with her family my niece did say they caught the women but the man got away this was at HEB on E Basse Rd

  17. Stats from a recent conference I attended in SA at Grace Point Medical Center church.
    275 American children are abducted into human trafficking DAILY…. There was a recent bust of a HT home in elmendorf just outside San Antonio. Target age is now up to 21 years of age. For every 1 international victim in the USA there are TEN American victims!

    Visit the freedom youth project foundation at http://www.ThinkFreedomCampaign.org

    • The statistics you are citing are misleading. The US justice department had 115 child abductions by non family members last year. While a great many people and children may be trafficked in America, they are not usually kidnapped by strangers. Many are runaways or children the system has failed which is tragic but entirely different than kids being snatched and sold by strangers. It happens, we need to be vigilant and I am sorry to hear they are predators at the HEB in San Antonio but 275 children abducted daily into slavery is a lie. Maybe that many are trafficed but statistically they are NOT abducted by the hundreds daily; not even yearly and this sort of fear tactic and misinformation makes the entire movement lose credibility with people who actually take the time to do the research.

  18. Maybe take pictures of them with your phone. That would be a good read to have your phone out! If you did happen to follow them to their car, take a picture of it and the license plate!

  19. This is terrifying, and while I am not yet a mom, I am an aunt to three little girls. My fiancé and I live in the area and I just told him about these occurrences (we also shop at the LH HEB) and he had a great idea. Not sure if someone has done it, but this kind of thing should be reported to KSAT12 or KNS5. If they look into it more and get it on the news it will force more police action and ensure that images of the potential kidnappers are plastered all over our televisions. I’m sure we all want the same thing, people like this off of our streets and away from innocents!

    • I agree. I’m certain HEB has cameras, put pictures up everywhere; the news, Facebook, newspapers, posted at the entrances of stores and billboards. I’m all for my tax dollars protecting our children.

  20. Thank you for blogging, but more importantly, notifying the store manager, and police. Since this also happened to your friend, this group is likely out there, still at it. Please please follow through with the manager, and police so that these individuals can be caught before any children are harmed. As others have said, there is probably plenty of security camera footage, especially near pharmacy. Thank you.

  21. HEB stores have and record the store areas, like front of store, front door, business office, RX. … the store should be able to look at video and PD should have been called…. 911 dialed….. store management notified. ..ASAP..

  22. Thank you so much for letting everyone know! It does happen. In the 1970s in a safe California suburban neighborhood, I was walking home from school with my older brother and sister. I was in Kindergarten. They were supposed to be walking with me but got in a mud ball fight or something and ran ahead. I was taken into a pedophile’s vehicle. He was sick and a pervert. After crying hysterically and trying to get out of the car several times, he finally let me out over 2 miles from my home. I was very young and very scared. I feel fortunate that I am here today. My parents did not want me to fear things, so we never really talked about things like your “circle of protection” and your “don’t knows, kinda knows, and safe people.”
    Please be vigilant with your kids–not paranoid, but present to where you are in their line of sight and they can see you too! Also remember that “kinda knows” sometimes abuse children they know through the family. Again, not paranoid, just present.

  23. A similar thing happened to me at the same HEB about 3 weeks ago. The couple that approached was definitely not young, but they were mostly likely in their 40s but looked very hardened. They were very unkempt looking and i don’t remember much bc it was all very quick and not much happened. The woman had curly hair and the man was just disheveled. They came up to me my cart as I was grabbing wipes at the front of the store to wipe down the cart. I was holding on to the cart with one hand and turned away from my daughter to reach for the wipes behind me. When I turned back around the man and woman were on either side of my cart remarking on how pretty my daughter was. She is very weary of strangers and yelled “No!”. They kind of popped up out of nowhere so I just made a comment about how she doesn’t like strangers and then pushed my cart away. Right after that I ran into my great aunt and started talking to her. I never would have thought about it again, until I read this story. Thanks for sharing!

  24. Why haven’t these people been arrested? Have we reached the point where vigilante action is required?

    • John, this is why the state allows us to carry concealed handguns now. We are allowed to use them if we feel our or someone else’s life is at risk. We don’t have to wound, we can immediately end the creep, and the law actually protects US. You should look into the legal way you can protect your family in Texas. By the way, nearly have the liscensed handgun owners I know are women. Why not?? You try to take the cub, you deserve to be eaten by momma bear!

  25. Will you please write a full detailed description of the people you witnessed with all the details you recall so we can be on the watch?

    As a side note, I have taught my son the special forces color codes of awareness (you can find online) and it is very fun to play when out and teaches them to be aware of surroundings. Also, the face remembrance game: look at someone for 10 seconds then recall from memory every detail they can about how they look. A fun game that can be a life saver.

  26. Such a scary situation. Unfortunately, San Antonio is becoming the capital of human trafficking. Keep your kids (no matter what age) close.

  27. That’s a terrifying experience! I’m happy you went into high alert so quickly and got to a manager and were able to get your daughter back safe and sound. Thank you for sharing your experience, it serves as a lesson to us all to stay on high alert always no matter how often we make our usual rounds.

  28. When I leave the store with my littles I (depending on the size of groceries in my cart) I ask for help out to my car. This way I can put them in their seats and my groceries are placed in my car. I feel it’s a bit safer that way. You can even ask for assistance at target.

  29. Have you talk to the manager to review the footage on the cameras? Perhaps the ones at the pharmacy, the entrance and parking lot, you might be able to recognize the people following you and that way they can keep an eye to see when they go in next time.

  30. Thank you for sharing! I’m there all the time too with my kiddos. I think we all need to also look out for each other and keep an eye out for these awful people! Can you please provide a detailed description. I shared on an AH fb page and a woman saw another couple (maybe the same) in the golds gym lot.

  31. Scary. This is my go to HEB. It always frustrates me when I see people who out children parked in the few parking spots for families with children because they are too lazy to park. For me these parking spots are made to keep us safe. Gives us room to take our kids out from one side and still be able to see our surrounding. Maybe the managers should hire a security guard for the time being and carefully watch that parking lot. It’s also frustrating to see shopper with only one child take a double cart. Those carts are for families with multiple children to keep them safe. I also say something to this one child families for taking those carts. It’s just not fair to those of us struggling with 2 kids. If your 1 kid can’t ride in a single cart then you’ve spoiled them too much and it’s time to teach them a little discipline. My children shouldn’t have to suffer because you can’t control your child.

        • Other news agencies have reported this is the Lincoln Heights HEB on Bassett Road. The news articles have been linking back to this blog.

    • Hi, I only type this because I want you to consider something. To say it’s unfair for a parent of one child to use the fun cart (which happens to seat two kids) is unfair. There is no comparison in the double seat cart with steering wheels to the cart without.) why should non sibling children have to forgo fun, to preserve it for someone who has multiple children? Think of it from that standpoint please. Every time I go, there are 2 or 3 of the fun carts sitting there. I’m not going to tell my 3 year old he can’t ride in one because someone with 2 kids might come along at some point. I also feel like it was a bit rude to say your children shouldn’t have to suffer because we can’t control our child. We’re all just trying to navigate through the dreaded grocery store trip as much as anyone. Please try to consider all sides.

    • Hi that is my HEB. Thank you for posting…I have said something to the lazy people that park in the Parking with Child spot and they don’t care. I will now have to be hyper aware….

    • How do you manage if the cart is in use by a mom with her kids is using it? And maybe you need to control your kids if this cart is in use by someone with 1 or 2 kids.

    • Those carts are not just for families with multiple children they are for families in general regardless of the number of children you have. They are a courtesy cart provided by the store to all children who enter their premises intact if some one with out kids grabbed and used one they would still be in their full right to do so and the carts are first come first serve. They are there to give some form of entertainment to a child so their parent can shop in peace. You going up and ‘speaking’ to people who use one of those carts when they only have one child is very out of line. If it is such a problem to ‘you’ go to a store employee or manage and talk to them about it and let them handle it instead of bothering a stranger who is out with their child. At least going the store employee/manager route you won’t appear be a rude or creepy person like you would to a parent or caregiver having a stranger essentially complaining/whining to them about their a cart for one child. Also that last statement claiming a child is spoiled or lacks discipline based on them wanting to ride the double cart and their parents allowing it is stupid and ignorant considering you don’t know the parents or their child. Maybe you should take a better look at your children and yourself if you truly do ‘suffer’ because of another family using a grocery cart.

  32. Thank you for sharing this story and we are SO GLAD you and your beautiful family are safe. Such a great reminder to be mindful – always. When my kiddos were pre-schoolers they were obsessed with this video on stranger danger. Always came home with us from the library! Great messages on a level kids can “get”. http://www.thesafeside.com/

  33. That is the HEB I always shop at. And I always shop with all three kids. In fact, I was about to head to the store but started replying to messages and this happened to be the first post in my newsfeed. Thank you for sharing! I’ll definitely keep an eye out for any suspicious people!

  34. What HEB? I always worry about little kids that I see running around the store unsupervised while the mom or dad shops. Parents please let this be a reminder to closely watch your children while out and about. So glad your babies are safe.

  35. Because this seems like a recent event, you may want to report it to the San Antonio SAFFE program. If enough people report these issues, it’s possible the local news would do a story on child safety (how to walk in a parking lot, awareness at the park, child safety tools/tech gadgets, etc.) http://www.sanantonio.gov/sapd/SAFFE.aspx

    • I tried to do this and there was no answer and no way to leave a message. Sadly, it seems that unless you report the crime as an emergency at the time, it’s difficult to get SAPD to pay attention.

      • Would you please consider posting your experience on the Nextdoor app, so that this reaches a broad section of residents in the area surrounding that HEB and they can take precautionary measures? Thank you!!

      • Holy crap, that’s my HEB! My daughters are older (14 and 12), but I still watch them like a hawk. No age is a “safe” age. 🙁

      • Katy, I am Jonathan Delmer, President of the Oakpark/Northwood Neighborhood Association. Can you please call me about this at 210-854-2511.
        I have spoken with SAPD and Councilman Gallagher, but would like to talk to you as well. We will have a joint statement tomorrow.

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