Mum Shares an Urgent Warning After a Predator Tried to Force His Way into Her Son’s Cubicle in a Shopping Centre Toilet

A shocked mum has taken to Facebook to share a warning to other parents after an incident involving a predator in a shopping centre toilet left her and her son shaken and stunned.

Misty McDavid, from Tennessee in the United States, took her 10-year-old son Luke shopping for art and craft supplies when he told her that he needed to go to the toilet. As he often needs to pee while they are out, Misty told him to use the bathroom in the store they were in at the time, thinking he would be fine.

He was not, as her she explained in her Facebook post warning other parents not to take any shortcuts with the safety of their children.

Last Thursday Luke and I were in Michaels in JC. Luke has to go to the bathroom every time you turn around. So of course, “Mom, I’ve got to go pee.” I was in a hurry and thought “we are in Michaels, he should be fine.” I sent him on alone. 

He returned in a few minutes with a horrible expression on his face. He said, “Mom I just got really scared the worst I have ever been.” I asked why. He said that a man tried to get in the bathroom with him. I asked maybe if the man was just pulling the door to see if the stall was open. He said, “No mom, he jerked and jerked on the door trying to get in.” I asked if Luke could identify him, did he see him through the cracks? He said, “I looked at his shoes and I know what he had on.”

I began scanning the store for the black, muddy, work boots Luke had described. All of the sudden I was two feet from the punk who attempted to enter the stall with my son. I froze. I looked him dead in the eyes and just stared at him. He smirked, kind of laughed, ran his fingers through his black greasy hair, and walked off. He knew I knew. He knew there was nothing I could do. I was stunned. My mind played over and over how different the day could have ended. 

You know, in my mind I’ve rehearsed all the things I would do to someone in a similar situation. Not a word would come that day, only shock and fear. In the same respect, we have told Luke a million times, “If anyone ever tries to bother you, scream and act like someone is killing you.” In that moment do you know what he did? Silent. Dead silent. He was scared to death and stayed as quiet as he could. 

There’s a real good chance you or your children won’t respond in the way you’ve been trained, but I still believe training needs to be given. Luke and I will enter self defence classes. I will not ever let him go to the bathroom alone again. It’s awkward to take a 10 year old to the ladies room. I don’t care. I have a friend who says she opens the door to the men’s room and stands in the doorway while her son goes. Do something. 

Also this incident forced me to have to explain to my child how he could be raped. While that is a horrid conversation to have, it is necessary. Before that day, Luke didn’t really know why to fear. He didn’t really know what could happen. In order to understand why things have to be the way they are, our children need to know the evil in this crazy world. 

From my quick Googling, I have learned that Michaels is a craft store similar to Spotlight in Australia. I would have thought that a ten year old boy would be safe going to a public customer-only toilet within a store like Spotlight. But no.

This has been a wake up call for many parents, myself included.

Misty’s warning is a timely reminder to be ever vigilant when it comes to our children’s safety. Never assume that they will be fine or that they will scream bloody murder if someone approaches them.

It may not be the case at all.

Source: Facebook/Misty McDavid