In Cedar Falls, Missing Evansdale Cousins Make Parents More Wary

If Johnny Gosch's disappearance 30 years ago shattered Iowa's innocence, a more recent case has shattered feelings of security in the Cedar Valley.

When two girls were abducted while riding their bikes in the small town of Evansdale in July, parents here felt the reverberations.

"My kids know all about the abduction," Jill Smith of the Parent-Teacher Association said. "They know what to do and what not to do. They know to do anything in their power to get rid of someone who is trying to take them."

Elizabeth Collins, 9, and her cousin Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, . Anyone with any information should call the tip-line at (319) 232-6682.

Smith said it is difficult because she doesn't want her children, ages 10, 8 and 5, to live in fear.

"At the same time, it's their safety," she said. "It's OK if they’re a little bit afraid. Maybe it will protect them a little later on."

Across Iowa this summer, attempted abductions were reported in several towns including in and a strange incident in further raising concerns for many parents.

"We don’t want to overreact to the news of the day and the tragedies that occur in the news," parent Christian Andrews said. "But it still makes us re-evaluate exactly how we’re parenting and what care you take."

He said his family has been talking to their neighbors more, and he has been talking to his children, in fourth and second grade.

"Our kids ride the bus," he said. "There are other kids in our neighborhood. I like to make sure there are several kids walking together."

He said his family's increased awareness doesn't stop even when they're together.

"When we're out as a family, I reiterate to my own children that we stay together," he said. "I tell them that if someone does approach you, ignore it and pick up your pace. And if a vehicle continues to harass you, run to the nearest house you are familiar with."

parent David Grant said the fact that most kidnappings are by someone known to the victims worries him more than a stranger abduction.

He said he has talked to his children about staying safe - and made it clear they need to check him with him no matter where they're going, even if it is with someone they know and trust.

"I don’t get all freaked out about some random stranger," he said. "I'm more afraid of the person who already has their trust."

He said he is trying to lower the level of tension that has accompanied the Evansdale case.

"I don’t want to put the fear in them," he said of his first and fourth grade children. "There’s enough fear as it is. I think one of the things we really need to do is bring that level of fear down so we can reclaim our neighborhoods."

Have you talked to your children or changed the rules in your house in response to the Evansdale abduction? Tell us in the comments.