Police Praise Actions Of 10-Year-Old Approached By Suspicious Driver
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NORTH RICHLAND HILLS (CBSDFW.COM) - Police say a young girl approached by a stranger did everything right. In fact, authorities in North Richland Hills are so impressed with the moves the little girl made, they say parents can use them as a lesson for their children.
Everything happened Wednesday, when the driver of a gold-colored SUV with white pinstripes and two covered rear windows tried to get the 10-year-old girl to come near his vehicle. The vehicle was parked across the street from the bus stop when the man inside todl the girl to 'come here,' but the girl walked away.
Just noticing her surroundings was a big part of staying safe.
NRH police spokesman Keith Bauman said, "Teach your children to be safe. Tell them to look around where they're at. If they get the feeling something is going on or something is wrong they need to pay attention to those feelings."
Unfortunately, that wasn't the end of the pursuit. When the girl walked away the driver followed her.
But the girl bought some time because the direction she walked forced the driver to turn around. As he did the girl tried to flag down a passing motorist.
"Make a spectacle of yourself when you're trying to run away," Bauman said. "Let other people know you're in danger. That way somebody will stop."
The passing driver did not stop. The girl retreated into a driveway and pulled out her phone to call for help. Another good move if the child knows WHO to call.
"A lot of children will be afraid in the first person they want to call us or mom or dad," Bauman said. "If they can't get a hold of them what are they going to do? I need to be told call 911."
The girl was left unharmed. Police say this isn't enough of an action to warrant charging the driver with a crime but they want people to be aware of this very suspicious behavior and to tell their children what this girl did to stay safe.
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