This morning, in Toronto, police initiated an Amber Alert that had hundreds working together to help in a matter which is seriously becoming a common crime, to much dismay.
Child abduction.
At approximately 8:50 am, several witnesses saw and overheard a young boy screaming. The phrase 'I don't know you.' was overheard and immediate action took place.
Several 911 calls were made, and police quickly rounded up potential witnesses who revealed that they had seen a small red-headed boy being carried away by a man, who had tossed him over his shoulder as he left the area. The police set up a large area to search and question, joined in by other police officers from different city districts. Phone calls to local schools were made, and finally the phone call came that explained everything.
A mother called in, and said that an altercation between father and son took place that morning. The son did not want to go to school wearing a particular pair of shoes, and the father, after some time, finally picked him up and took him to school against the protests of the child.
Luckily, it all ended well. It was good to see immediate action take place during a situation like this. All the police and community members who helped to find out the whereabouts of the child should be commended, and a breath of relief should be given by everyone. And then everyone should breath deeply while considering the way that things are going in the world today. One sentence is what sent this community into a panic. 'I don't know you.' uttered by a misbehaving child in the throes of a tantrum. It would be easy to say that it was unintentional, but its obvious it wasn't. I wonder what that child is thinking about now? I wonder if he knew that in the several hours that it took to get everything sorted out, that thousands of strangers were praying for a family that they didn't know, for a child that they hoped would be returned unharmed.
I am relieved that he is safe, and am also glad to remember to teach my child that some things are not to be said or screamed lightly. The possibility of another child abduction is never funny, and never not scary.