What started out as a routine walk home from school quickly escalated into a terrifying scenario for fourth-grader Sammy Green.
What Happened When a Stranger Followed a Young Boy Home
10-year-old Sammy was on his way home from school when he noticed that he was being followed. After following him for a couple of blocks, the strange woman approached him and began talking to him.
The stranger "started walking with him and asking him where his family was, asking where his dad was," Sam Green, the boy's father, told ABC6. She insisted that she "probably knew" his father.
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She then attempted to lure Sammy to a nearby convenience store, promising him that he could get "anything he wanted."
Wanting to get away from her, Sammy tried to come up with an escape plan. "I was scared and shaking, so I was thinking something really fast," Sammy said.
His quick thinking paid off. Remembering what his dad had taught him if he ever found himself being followed, Sammy looked for a helper. Luckily, he found one.
How a Boy's Quick Action Saved Him From a Potential Kidnapping
In an interview with GMA, Sammy shared the safety strategy he learned from his dad: "If you're getting followed, don't trust them. Just act casual and go by any adult." So, that's exactly what Sammy did.
As he passed by a store familiar to him called Dani Bee Funky, Sammy made his move. Surveillance footage from the store's camera shows that he darted in front of the stranger and walked inside. The stranger stayed behind, standing in the doorway.
The boy immediately stepped behind the cash register and whispered in the cashier's ear, "Pretend like you're my mom. This lady is following me."
How a Teen Cashier Came to the Boy’s Rescue
17-year-old cashier Hannah Daniels didn't hesitate. In a situation that would have had any adult's heart racing, she stayed calm and took immediate action.
"He was like, 'Pretend like you're my mom,'" Hannah told CBS, "and I was just like, 'All right go to the back.' He didn't want to leave my side."
Putting herself between Sammy and the woman, the teenager went to the front door, pulled it shut, and locked it. The woman ran away and Sammy called his dad.
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Thanks to the quick thinking of a courageous 10-year-old boy and the equally quick actions of a 17-year-old who didn't stop to think twice about helping him, a potentially dangerous situation came to a safe conclusion.
The shop’s owner, Dani Small, isn't surprised by Hannah's willingness to help a stranger in need, saying she is a "good, caring soul. "I am very proud of her. Hannah is a 17-year-old young lady. She did everything correctly," Small said.
Police were able to track down the woman involved. She is a local homeless woman and is now receiving mental health assistance. No charges have been laid.
The Importance of Teaching Our Kids Stranger Danger Tips
While all's well that ends well, Sam Green is painfully aware of the fact that this could have ended quite differently. The video footage is difficult for him to watch.
"To see my child looking for help because he was afraid basically for his life," he said, "that cuts you deep."
The family is hoping that by sharing their story that it will inspire other parents to teach their kids about stranger danger. He urges parents to practice different role playing scenarios and equip them with the tools they need if they find themselves in dangerous situations.
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He's also organizing a "Guardian Angel" neighborhood watch group to ensure kids' safety walking to and from school.
As for Sammy, he's taking a different route home for now. According to Today, he walks three blocks to a family friend's home and stays there until his father picks him up.
On his television show, Mr.Rogers Neighborhood, Fred Rogers famously advised kids to "look for the helpers." Thankfully, one 10-year-old boy had the smarts and the courage to do just that. And while he deserves all the praise, so too does the teenage girl who, when she saw someone in trouble, didn't hesitate to jump in and help.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.