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Passing this along:
Everyone in Charleston please READ THIS. There is a woman (possibly European) who is going door to door "selling children's books" and asking about which homes have kids living there. She is asking for children's names and ages. She was seen the Wescott...area for the last 2 or 3 days. She knows WAY more than she should. She is allegedly involved in child abduction! Please do NOT allow her into your home (has been reported she tries to step in without being invited) . She was just at a my neighbor's home on Thursday and knew all the kids names and ages in the cul-de-sac. The N.Chas Police have been called and they stopped and questioned her, but no arrest was made. She has a permit to sell books, [but has no business asking about our children]. I just wanted everyone to be aware.
I heard someone on a nationally syndicated radio show make a joke about this, but did not know what it referred to. Just did a quick search for news like this and found a Facebook post from a news source in Canada but no story.
Regardless, this is interesting if it's some viral news story that got loose on the web, and frightening if there is now a ring of European booksellers dealing in children across North America.
A 'woman' fitting your description stopped by our house in MtP last week. She was maybe in her early 20s. She did not ask to go into our house, though I did ask her to walk from the front door to the garage door as it had started raining and the sidewalk area in front was a pond.
She knew the neighbors names because she asks you what your neighbors names are so when she talks to them she says "I was just talking to your neighbor Joe and his children Sue and Jack and they thought your kids Mike and Ann would be interested in these books, let me show you." It's an ice breaker technique for sales. The books are around $140 for a set. I didn't buy, some of my neighbors did. She was from Estonia and claims to be here on a work exchange and typically work 80 hours a week. I can't get my daughter to put her plate in the dishwasher.
We had that girl come to our home a few days ago. We are in Park West. She is in her 20's from Estonia and asked A LOT of questions about our children... well child and then our neighbors children. A LOT of questions. Did not attempt to come into the home, did not attempt to look around from the front door.
I agree with an earlier posting... it is simply marketing, good marketing strategy once turned down by us.. to ask about neighbors kids and who should she ring the bell of. She seems to map it all out. But same as a car salesman, real estate agent etc. asking about other people you know who might be interested.
My wife did notice same girl a day or two later biking around Park West.
About child abduction I do not think so.
Almost 80-90% or so of homes here have kids... why ask around and be visible.
If you want to abduct... almost pick any home.
Or sorry to say.... abduct right from the street walking from school, playground etc. as happens.
Not hang around someone's house in a car waiting... any parked car outside homes here we see if not one of our neighbors look suspicious and at least concerns me especially if someone is sitting in it waiting.
Interested to hear from others now and the 'progress' of this girl now.
Not a child abduction based on selling children's books
I was watching the NBC local news, Count on 2, at 5am this morning. They did a piece on the door to door sales girl, with a European accent, going around local neighborhoods selling children's books. Due to the questions she was asking, it concerned parents it might be a child abduction ring.
They interviewed the woman. She is a married law student from Estonia, which is in Europe. She is a door to door sales woman who sells children's books as a summer job. The book company apparently recruits college age students, from around the world, to sell their children's books.
Basically, the news crew researched and said the company is a real book company and the girl has not done anything wrong.
Just thought I'd post this for any parents who might be concerned. I hope this helps put your mind at ease though we all should be weary I'm sure of anyone asking about our children. I think that is totally understandable.
Maybe the actual news piece will replay later today, or post in the newspaper or on their website, one can hope.
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Not a child abduction based on selling children's books
