Kidnapping Children in Chicago
There’s been an epidemic in Chicago of kidnapping children. This has affected a large group of people. It has been one of the biggest crimes in Chicago, especially with children and women. There are many cases in Chicago of children being abducted.
During a standard year, the rate of kidnapping in the Chicago metro area is 0.18 per 1,000 residents. Furthermore, the chances of being kidnapped may be as high as 1 in 2,420 in the eastern neighborhoods, or as low as 1 in 12,602 in the northwest part of the metro area.
Example of a Kidnapper’s Attempt to Snatch Children
In Chicago, Children usually are either by themselves or a guardian when they are out and about. Kidnappers can be extremely bold and attempt to snatch children while they are with their parent/guardian.
For example, in September 2022, a 25-year-old man tried to kidnap a 5-year-old girl who was walking with her mother on the northwest side. It happened in broad daylight near Fullerton and Laramie avenues and was caught on surveillance cameras.
The man followed the family for a little while, before he approached the mother offering money for the child. The mother refused, and the suspect tried to grab the girl by the hair and pull her toward him. The family fought back and was able to get away.
Other Ways They Steal Children
Another way people will kidnap children is through the internet. Adults will pose as children the same age as the one they are attempting to lure away from the safety of their homes. Then, when the child goes to meet up with their new friend, they are greeted by an adult instead.
The perpetrators then take the children to a new location so they can do horrible things to their victims. Sometimes they will take the children to a different state to commit these acts of abuse. One well-known case is Alicia Kozak. She fell prey to a man online who claimed to be around her age. However, he was a 38-year-old predator. He took Kozak across state lines, where he locked her up in a basement where he tortured and raped her for four days. The man did it all while livestreaming her pain and degradation.
Child abduction is an epidemic felt all across the nation. Chicago is no different.
Anything Can Happen
Chicago can be dangerous, however, it is a beautiful city to explore. It’s best to remember that anything can happen to anyone within communities or people who are just minding their business.
The point is that anything can happen out of nowhere any day any second. It’s important for others to protect their children from that type of crime. Children are ten times as likely to be kidnapped than adults. Looking at the statistics of people being kidnapped, there are many more children than adults. No matter where a resident or a child is in Chicago. No place in the city is totally safe for you or your children.
More Experiences That People Have Gone Through
There are a few stories around on the internet where others tell their experiences to people who had similar ones. Some were about almost being kidnapped within Chicago, and others were those who saw someone being kidnapped.
It’s that bad, people have to protect children at all times or the majority of the time.
One Child’s Scary Situation
The first story was about a young child, 6 years old, and a female. She was playing outside of her house by the gate just being a little child, as every other individual child would also do. A couple of minutes passed. Parked by the little girl was a vehicle with two African American males sitting in it.
Trying to convince her to come to the car, they offered her a dollar. Unsure if she could trust them, but wanting the money, she said yes. She didn’t know the dangers the world held. An older lady stopped her and told her never to go up to a stranger’s car and not to talk to a stranger. While the older lady was talking to her, the two males drove off in the car. This story happened in Chicago. While it is uncertain what would have happened, people have speculated the child could have been taken.
Almost Kidnapped
This recent story occurred on March 20, 2023. There were two best friends, both 16. They loved to meet up before going to work, so whenever they could, they would meet up.
On the day of the incident, one of the friends texted the other letting her know she was going to be late, because she had to take three buses. She also told her best friend to go to work without her since she knew she was going to be late, but the best friend didn’t listen.
Instead, she stayed in a nearby McDonald’s to continue waiting for her best friend. The friend that was on the bus thought she was already at work since she told her to go without her. Eventually, the friend arrived, luckily to be early for her job, but she didn’t see her best friend. So, she texted her.
The best friend said she was on her way back to her house, because she had almost gotten kidnapped. Of course, the friend that arrived at work was concerned for her safety. However, the friend who went home was very upset and blamed the other for what almost happened. She was so worked up, she almost called their friendship off over the entire incident.
Important Message
Overall, these experiences and examples of kidnapping children within Chicago are concerning. The important message really is to look out for the children. Chicago has plenty of highly harmful, chronic crime issues including anything from gun violence to robberies and more. It also has many areas that are unsafe for children to either hang out or play in.
Children should have a parent or guardian with them while they are out in the community. However, this cannot always happen. This is why it is best to teach children about stranger danger, be observant of their surroundings, and let people know where they are going.
Written by Ariel Hudson
Edited by Sheena Robertson
ABC7 Chicago: Caught on video: Woman escapes attempted kidnapping in West Loop, Chicago police say
CBS CHICAGO: Recent attacks on women kidnapping attempts have west loop residents worried calling for more police presence
Chicago Tribune: Alicia Kozak: American Data Privacy and Protection Act could thwart efforts to save abducted children
Chicago Sun-Times: Whatever happened to Mary Agnes Moroney? DNA tests appear to solve 1930s mystery of missing Chicago girl
ABC7 Chicago: Man charged with attempted kidnapping after video shows individual grabbing girl on NW Side: CPD
Crime Grade: Chicago Metro, IL Kidnapping Rates and Kidnapping Maps
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Elyse Horvath Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of russell davies Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
