Though the odds of it happening are very low, but a kidnapping is terrifying for everybody involved in it. Your child has been kidnapped. You’re scared, depressed, and confused. The kidnapper demands a ransom. What is your first step? Most parents are clueless. This article will tell you everything that you need to know if this atrocity ever happens to you.
The first step in this situation is to remain calm.Your first instinct might be to call the police. This, however, is not the correct move. Your first contact should be a private security agency. From there, they will make the decision on whether you should alert the authorities or not. In a situation like this, it might be easy to make rash decisions, but you can not afford to do this. Everything should be handled as calmly, and by experts.
Ransom kidnappings are almost always about money. However, it is also about control. There is usually a negotiation back and forth until the final deal is made. This is important to keep in mind when dealing with the ransom.
When dealing with a ransom kidnapping, you should not expect it to be over quickly, unfortunately. Keep calm and remember that ransom kidnapping cases can last a long time. Make sure that you get proof of life before any deal is decided or any ransom is paid. Proof of life confirms that the abductor actually has your child and that you aren’t being scammed. You can do this by asking personal questions that only you and your child would know the answer to. For example, you could ask them who their favorite middle school teacher was and why. You could ask them their special nickname for their dog or anything of the like.
One of the most important things that you need to do in this situation is maintain your composure and not freak out. It can be super easy to panic and make bad decisions that you know are not logical. Your consultant should be there to guide you through decision making but it will still be extremely difficult to handle. Taking care of your mental health during this time is extremely important. Being well rested and ready to make decisions is essential when you go into each day. Don’t let exhaustion get the best of you in a situation where critical thinking is so important.
Use these tips if you ever find yourself in this situation, but you can prevent it from happening in the first place by reading the kidnap prevention guide.
KidGuard's sole mission is to protect your children online. Our team spends every waking hour thinking about how to bring awareness and inspire solutions on issues of cyber bullying, online predators, teen suicide, and childhood depression in the age of technology. KidGuard employs a team of researchers and writers to educate parents on solutions to digital parenting problems and also runs a popular child cell phone monitoring software to allow parents to stay involved in their child's life online.