Moms Talk: A Predator Nearby?

Each week the Mentor Patch Moms Council answers a question posed to them by readers or another member of council.

Bearing in mind that everyone is innocent until proven otherwise, how do you react to stories like that of Kevin Gallagher -- .

Does it make you anxious, in general, as a parent or grandparent? Is it just a reminded of a danger that you already know exists? Does it make you angry? Scared?

Do you worry about your children more after reading a story like that? Or were you already worrying anyhow -- because that is what parents do?

Donna Milnes:

I am always vigilant about watching children. When my girls were growing up, I never used the air conditioning because I couldn’t hear them outside.

They were never allowed to go down the road unless they were with a trusted adult.

It is too bad that society has dictated this fear but children are easy prey for these sick individuals and one can never be too careful.

It makes me furious that these individuals are in our neighborhoods and when incidents happen they should be punished to the fullest.

Devone Lansing:

I'm super paranoid anyway, so something like this happening so close to home just tends to make me even more hyper vigilant.

It makes me angry and sickened when I hear about someone preying on children. These weirdos are disgusting and pathetic. They should be severely punished with the strictest sentencing that's allowed by law.