Subscribe
Previous Post
A man attempted to abduct 7-year-old Brittney Baxter in the toy aisle at a Walmart in Bremen, Georgia, and the terrifying surveillance video is now circulating like mad. I tried not to watch it – who wants to watch an attempted abduction? – but I had to click play because, um, this is kind of my worst parenting nightmare realized. Fortunately, the girl kicked and screamed and managed to get away unharmed – thank god.
Brittney said the man started talking to her while she was looking at toys. Her mom, Georgeanne Baxter, was picking up groceries in a nearby aisle. Suddenly, the man put his hand over Brittney’s mouth and tried to carry her away. But the little girl squirmed, flailed her arms and legs, and made as much noise as possible until the man let go, ran away and drove off in his car.
A description of the man’s car led police to his home, where he was promptly arrested. Thomas Woods, 25, faces a charge of attempting kidnapping (though he denies the claims). Meanwhile, he was out on parole after being convicted of voluntary manslaughter, which makes the whole things all the more chilling.
Some people have already criticized Brittney’s mom, claiming it was irresponsible of her to leave her child unattended in the first place. But others have shot back with the fact that she was close by and that no parent can keep an eye on their child at all times. Either way, it’s not the mother’s fault this deranged man tried to kidnap her daughter, that’s for sure. I’m just grateful that Brittney knew what to do in this horrifying circumstance – a lesson we should all be teaching our children.
(Video: ABC News)
7 is WAY too young to be left alone in public, toy aisle or not. I have memories of roaming Target alone while my mom shopped a few aisles away but I was at LEAST 11. A second grader is way too defenseless and little.
The mother here got REALLY lucky, she made a mistake that she will NEVER make again. Many moms are not so lucky. I am pregnant with a girl right now and I needed to see this video and I sent it to my husband too, it makes me just paranoid enough to never take even one tiny little chance when it comes to my babies.
I have 4 grandchildren and I am so paranoid about some horrible thing like this happening, that my husband and I take out two of them, and he is assigned one to stay with and me the other. I do not take my eyes off my little ones, not let them out of my sight, not even for a split second. Sorry, it’s the mother’s fault to assume that the child is OK, and only a few feet away. Vermin like this guy are lurking around every twist and turn and the parent is responsible to protect the child from the clutches of these parasites to society. I witness kids running amok in stores all the time and all I can think of the parents are morons who don’t deserve to have the precious blessings God gave them. WAKE UP–raise your children and quit expecting stores to babysit for you.
If she was home from school because she was sick with strep throat, what was she doing in public at Walmart spreading her germs around? She should have been at home in bed, or at least in her own house.
It is clear that the public is divided on whether or not it is okay for a 7 year old to be somewhat independent and be off on their own, whether it be a few aisles over or on their bike just around the block… But the one thing that I know for absolute certain is that predators hone in on their prey by seeing which child is more vulnerable… They look for children whose parents aren’t watching like hawks and feel that it is their best choice of prey. I know this to be true straight from the monster’s mouths. Oprah has interviewed many who have said we specialize in choosing our victims carefully and it is always a child whose parents are trusting and flexible and not watching like a hawk. I was and am one of those parents who never let my child leave my sight. My son just turned 17 and despite my parenting style, he is a very strong, independent young man who can care for himself and I have a 12 year old daughter who I still watch very closely all the while giving her room to grow. Times are so different today from when we grew up when all moms stayed at home and watched out for each other’s kids and the kids would be out of the house all day without supervision and had to come home when the street lights came on and dinner was waiting on the table… Today it is almost like hanging your child out with a sign that says “hey sickos come get me.” I don’t think any parent who has ever had their child abducted would think twice if they had to do it over again and make the choice to “hover” or not hover. I believe every parent whose child was abducted would say hover if you must- the fear of coddling a young child is far more acceptable than not watching enough and losing them to one of those sickos forever!!!!!! The longer a parent has with their child, raising them, teaching them and helping them to gain their independence safely is always better than giving them the room to be abducted. We just cannot take those chances anymore… And it is – in my opinion – wrong in any case to ever blame the parent even if the parent allowed their child enough freedom to be adducted because it is ALWAYS the abductor’s fault. We shouldn’t even have to be having these conversations… But I say…better safe than sorry…the numbers of child predators are astonishing… The ratios of child predators to children is quickly closing in. We might be able to see who is a registered child predator in our towns by checking in witch police and seeing to it that our kids keep their distance…but what about those that have yet to be caught and registered? I choose to hover and increase my child’s safety any day of the week over giving one of those sickos a chance at taking my child from me…and seeing the way my kids are turning out proves that I haven’t made the wrong choice… they are alive, well and have become very strong and independent children…maybe always knowing that they are safe helps with that. Maybe a child can develop his or her own sense of self whilst growing in a loving and safe enviornment…Either way…I don’t think that judgement in itself ever has a place in this topic because if we are so busy judging what the parent had done wrong that “got their child abducted” then we aren’t spending time figuring out a way to stop raising such monsters…These sickos were once children themselves…how does one become such a monster…and how do we STOP IT? That is what we as a nation, or better yet…a race – the human race should be spending our time doing all the while keeping our children safe.
Sorry but to those that think it’s okay for their kids to wonder around in another aisle while your nearby is completely irresponsible as a parent. Let alone walk to around the neighborhood before they’re in their teens.. I would never let my child leave my sight. There are too many sick people in this world. And I will protect my child, it is my life..
I agree that parents need to do everything possible to keep their kids safe, and that they shouldn’t be left entirely to their own devices and running unsupervised, HOWEVER… some folks need to get down off their self-righteous high-horses. Do you ever allow your child to play in the neighborhood? Play in the front yard? Ride bikes with a neighbor child? Rollerblade or scooter up and down the sidewalk? Do you run alongside the bike? Do you jog beside the scooter? You can’t (and shouldn’t) helicopter-mommy your kids, never letting them leave your side or your sight – you’re handicapping them. A second grader is capable of riding their bike to the house around the corner to visit a friend, walking to and from the bus stop, etc… and most do just that. Bad things can happen anywhere and at any time. Train them, teach them, give them reasonable boundaries, but don’t make them live in constant fear, always clinging to your side. It’s easy for you to puff up and pontificate over a 2nd grader… but in 3 short years that same child will be in 5th grade, preparing to enter middle school and still glued to his mommy, afraid to cross the street alone.
Thanks for posting this Shawna! I showed my children this video because I’ve had plenty of “stranger talks,” but this shows them that what I’m talking about really happens. And it has a happy ending! Very happy for this girl and her parents.
I am not interested in criticizing anyone except the sick bastard who tried to kidnap that child! Way to go to that little girl!!!!! She knew what to do and threw that disgusting predator for a loop. I bet he wasn’t even expecting a kid to fight back
Agreed!
89 days ago
[...] Let’s hear it for stranger danger training! Heck, let’s hear it for a little girl who thought fast under extreme pressure and actually REMEMBERED all that stranger [...]
How is a 7 year old okay unsupervised in a public place? Men even kidnap teenagers and adult woman. There are child predators everywhere. I dont turn my back on my kids. You can not take your children for granted. Clearly, she isnt old enough to be unsupervised because if he didnt scare off she would be gone.
I totally agree with you. When I go shopping, I always make sure my 7 year old is by my side. There are so many sickos out there. It’s my responsiblity to keep my children safe.
For those who think, oh you’re in walmart, he won’t get very far with the kid, John Walsh, the guy who does america’s most wanted, his 4 year old was abducted and eventually found dead, after he was left in the toy isle while John shopped a few isles away. Another kid was taken from the dressing room while mom was waiting a little ways away.
I don’t have kids but if I did I wouldn’t bank on them “not getting far it’s walmart” or just being a few isles away. I’d supervise my kids. It’s to easy to have someone make off with them. This guy could have had cloriform, and he could of knocked her out before snatching her. Why take the risk with what is supposed to be the most precious thing alibve to you.
Your story on Adam Walsh is all wrong. John’s wife left Adam in an arcade at the mall while she shopped. John was not there.
Wrong. They were at Sears when Adam was abducted.
Toy isles are not childcare facilities. Parents bring their kids to the stores and expect someone else to entertain and care for them. Your child, your responsibility. I’m glad that she got away but I agree with MissMomma He probably wouldn’t have had a chance if she would have been properly supervised.
*aisle*
“Toy isles are not childcare facilities.” Agreed! That was so worth repeating.
Oh for goodness sake, 7 year olds go outside and play all the time unsupervised. She was in Walmart, no way was he going to get far. Well done Brittany and mom, good for you.
No way in HELL woud I let my 7 year old browse the toy aisle while I’m grocery shopping. Period. Not acceptable. In my opinion, the guy wouldn’t have had the opportuniy to attempt an abduction if she had been properly supervising her ver young daughter. You, as a parent, are responsible for your child’s safety and well being. How responsible can you be if you’re not even supervising your child?
I agree with you! My son is 9 and I still would NOT leave him unsupervised or unattended. I feel like I’m in the twilight zone here. Kids as young as 7 going out unsupervised?? Holy Hell! I live in a great neighborhood but I don’t let my son go outside. The one thing that perverts and predators look for are kids with no adult supervision. It’s like taking candy from a baby!! I’ve educated my son with fighting for his life if someone tries to snatch him but by all means that does NOT in any way mean I’m going to put that teaching to the test. People are delusional if they think unsupervised kids are going to be OK. Next time, they’ll have a knife or a gun and then what?? Parents need to be responsible. No matter WHERE you live.
Agreed too – 7 is okay to be just around the corner from mom. And, good job mom for telling your child to squirm and struggle to get away. Great job to the little girl for saving her life.
I feel that 7 is old enough for a mature child to be a few aisles over and obviously her mother did a good job teaching her what to do in this situation. It’s not a daily occurrence that someone snatches a child from store so those critics need to get off their high horse. You can’t plan for everything and always live in fear. Kudos to this brave girl for fighting for her life!
Agreed! This 7 year old is clearly mature enough! These critics should be damn proud of these parents for teaching their child what to do.
On a side note I was surprised to see a walmart so empty! Around here that never happens…
What sort of Walmart do they have in your area? The stores here have the toy aisle clear across the store well AWAY from the groceries. The mom lied to save face. No way was she around the corner. If she were, she would have seen and heard her daughter with the guy.