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Sex Offender Attacks Boy in Resturant Bathroom

I saw this story out of Oregon this morning and haven't been able to shake it. A 10 year old boy was attacked in a Wendy's bathroom by a man who tried to sexually assault him. When the boy fought, he was stabbed. Employees unlocked the door, the man pushed the boy out, he has undergone emergency surgery.

My boys are too old to come into the bathroom with me. I do have them go in pairs but I really doubt that would make much difference against an adult.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/03/sex-offender-accused-attacking...

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Permalink Reply by Tabby on July 3, 2012 at 8:59am

That is just so sick. I hope the little boy recovers, but I know there will be a bunch of counseling in his future.

I always try to find a "Family" restroom, but that just is not the case with our son goes in with me. Yes I get a bunch of looks, but I do not care. His safety come first over all. He may be 12 yrs old, but emotionally he can be that of an 8 yr old. He knows right from wrong and not to talk to strangers, but he does not go by that in the situation. A couple weeks ago at Busch he was chatting with a boy that was on a coaster with us as we were getting off. He never realized I moved away (kept him in sight) and when he kept walking I yelled his name. Exactly why in his IEP we put in there to leave class 5 mins early with a para to get to his next class. To let him go out as regular at bell will totally mess with him.

I am sorry in advance to all the ladies out there as I will bring our son with me into the restroom if there is no family one or my hubby is not with us. I see it as just like home because you are behind closed doors and in a public restroom you are not running around naked. He can not see anything so no worries (just my opinion).

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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on July 3, 2012 at 10:29am

Alicia, I do think pairs work. It would be harder (but obviously not impossible) for a perp to subdue two or more children and I would think one witness versus two or more would be the play to take. A one on one would open the door for, "my word against theirs". Obviously not all sick'os use their mind in making these decisions but, from what I've read, most sex offenders scheme and plan methodically to make their magic moment.

Gag, it makes me want to puke!

Anyway, back to restroom visits. My son, who just turned 8 days ago, rolls his eyes when I take him with me to the restroom. Hate! it! for! him!

There's just no way he's going in by himself.

I can't help but recall the (fairly) local story of the 9 year-old boy being molested in a Lowry Park Zoo restroom not all that long ago.

I do want to encourage my children to be more independent and not rely on mom so much, but on this topic, I'm still going to act as momma hen.

I hope both young men in these stories recover in all ways.

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Permalink Reply by Tabby on July 3, 2012 at 12:07pm

I agree with you Shawn. I get the eye rolls too with the sighs and the complaints, but I rather have that and be safe.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on July 3, 2012 at 1:08pm

I can't get this story out of my head. Especially after reading the link. This guy has molested multiple children in the past. To make it worse, allegedly part of his sick mind tactics was he purposely tried to infect those children with HIV.

This recent victim was seriously harmed in this attack. If one thing came from this monster it was that he pushed the boy out of the bathroom during the stand-off. If not for that, this young man could have succumbed to his wounds. I pray he wont still.

Alicia, thank you for linking this. Although I don't expect people to be like me and helicopter their children's public bathroom use, I hope it will serve as a reminder there can be dangers for a child going into a public restroom without a trusted companion.