Father questioned in 5-year-old's mysterious abduction

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Philadelphia police questioned the father of a five-year-old girl Wednesday night who was abducted from her school on Monday, NBC 10 has learned. She was found alive Tuesday morning by a man police called a hero for his actions.

"They wanted me here for a second interview, that's it, just to make sure my story is consistent," Terry Robinson told NBC10's Daralene Jones in an exclusive interview.

Robinson said his daughter is recovering "and I'm working to recover myself and so is the family. It's a hard process, knowing that the person who committed this act to my child is still out there."

He said he had no idea who is behind the abduction, but "they wouldn't have brought me down for a second interview if things weren't working themselves out."

"I'm standing here saying my son is a good son," Terry Robinson's mother told us earlier in the night. "Right now, my son feels lost, helpless, because he couldn't help his daughter."

The Special Victims Unit announced Wednesday that they are searching for a man and a woman they believe had something to do with the crime.

One of the suspects, according to police, is the woman that went to Cullen Bryant Elementary on 60th and Cedar Avenue and signed the kindergartner out of school around 8:50 a.m. on Monday.

School security lapse 2 days after girl's abduction?

The woman claimed to be the 5-year-old's mother to school employees. She told them that she had to take her daughter to breakfast and was allowed to take the child from the school, the family told NBC10.

Authorities describe the suspect as a dark-skinned black woman in her 20s, standing 5-foot-8, wearing Muslim garb, who may have been pregnant. They also believe she has green or light eyes and may go by the name "Rashida."

They say that the suspect and victim walked away from the school and met with a man several blocks away at a nearby home.

That man, Police Captain John Darby says, is now a suspect.

He is described as a light-skinned, possibly white male, in his late 30s, with short, brown hair. He was last seen wearing sweatpants and a long-sleeved blue T-shirt. Police also say there may have been other adults involved.

Authorities believe the child was taken to a home not far from the school. They have narrowed the area down to a four-block radius with the school being the central point. That area is Spruce to Christian Street and 56th Street to Cobbs Creek Parkway. They are now going door to door with a description of the alleged abductors.

While in captivity, the victim was blindfolded and told to undress, according to police. She was given an adult T-shirt and at one point, was made to hide underneath a bed, Darby announced in Tuesday's press release.

Police believe the victim was targeted and say she was asked for by name at the school.

The girl, who was found on a 69th Street playground by good Samaritan Nelson Mandela Myers, was missing for less than 24 hours.

Sources tell NBC10 the child was kept in a home overnight and that other children were also inside the home.

"Based on the evidence given to us, this little girl suffered conditions that no child should endure," said Captain Darby during the press conference.

"She's traumatized," said the victim's grandfather Asim Abdur-Rashid. "She's 5 years old and she's been out all night. She's been away from her mother, sisters and brothers and she's traumatized."

Detectives spent about 15 minutes inside the family's home Wednesday afternoon. Sources tell NBC10 they took the girl back to the playground on 69th Street where she was found. Detectives are hoping she can remember any detail that will help them figure out who abducted her. The girl returned home late Wednesday afternoon. Relatives of the girl tell NBC10 everyone is hoping that the person or people who abducted her are caught soon.

The Fraternal Order of Police is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The Citizen Crime Commission is offering an additional $5000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

If you have any information on this incident, please call the Philadelphia Police.

Discuss this post

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They need to be spending some time on finding out why that woman was allowed to take the girl from school, too.

  • 56 votes
#1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 10:29 AM EST

They did a couple of days ago. She went to the classroom where there was a "substitute teacher" there "after" signing in.. When signing in, they're supposed to check a photo ID but neglected to. Even if they did, she was wearing Muslim GArb and you'd only see her eyes anyway...

The substitute teacher did confront the woman and the woman arrogantly said that she doesn't need this kind of crap and had other appointments to keep that morning. The teacher should have went straight to the principals office (or whatever they have there) with the (fake) mother and child to make sure but unfortunately, did not. She is now on leave...

The school does admit that they did not follow protocol.

On another note, maybe the father "is" involved in some way and wants to show how easily a child could be abducted but leaving her at a playground at night, with only a T-shirt on doesn't make sense though.

  • 26 votes
#1.1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:12 AM EST

Creek Dog- Thanks, I missed that update. Hope they're working on preventing those same f-ups from happening again.

  • 14 votes
#1.2 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:20 AM EST

Creek Dog, I doubt if the father was in on this. If I am understanding this article correctly this baby was sexually assulted and I doubt her father would take part in that horrible activity.

  • 9 votes
#1.3 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:40 PM EST

It happens daily in America so why would you be surprised?

  • 10 votes
#1.4 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:42 PM EST

You gotta love the inner city.

  • 3 votes
#1.5 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:51 PM EST

Grow up, Lenora. Don't be blind to what children endure daily at the hands of those who are supposed to love and protect them.

  • 23 votes
#1.6 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:51 PM EST

I hate that the media is reporting on this father having to go for interviews with the police.

  • 14 votes
#1.7 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:56 PM EST

Lenora, unless this article changed from your reading time to mine, I don't see where it says, or implies, that she was sexually assaulted. Are you going by the fact that she was made to wear a large t-shirt? That doesn't mean sexual assault. That probably means they wanted her out of the last clothes she was seen in.

  • 8 votes
#1.8 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:00 PM EST

CoRavensFan, same here. Especially with the head line "Father questioned in 5-year-old's mysterious abduction". Clearly after reading the article he was simply called in for futher details since they are trying to find all angles. But the headline makes it seem as if he is a suspect.

  • 20 votes
#1.9 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:01 PM EST

This is very disturbing!! In a situation like this teachers ,substitute teachers or regular ones need to be "mama bear" to the children that they teach, no matter how the ' alleged mom' protests. We need to teach no instill in our children if someone approaches them be it another child or an adult, be very vocal about a stranger approaching them. When our children were small, my husband and I told them if someone is bold enough to grab you, don't be bashful about gouging eyes, scratching faces, biting whatever body part that comes close to their mouth! The school need to seriously review their policy to the tenured teachers and particularly to the substitute teachers who may not be aware of the school's policy dealing with this matter. God bless the man that found that poor frightened child, God does not forget the good works that we do, even though with time we humans do...God bless 'em. I do hope that the little girls' family will voice to him how grateful that they are, that he was the right person the came at the right time. The little girls' family need to check into the reason why 'their child' was targeted that way- this may not be over. They need to keep a tighter check on her and their other children if they have them.

  • 8 votes
#1.10 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:06 PM EST

Lenora-2944263

Creek Dog, I doubt if the father was in on this. If I am understanding this article correctly this baby was sexually assaulted and I doubt her father would take part in that horrible activity.

#1.3 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:40 PM EST

Not sure where you got "sexually assaulted" out of this story....

You don't have all the facts. The child was checked out at a local hospital when found and was "not" sexually assaulted.

There are a lot more news web-side besides this one you can go to for more/different information...

According to your post, I'm sure you'd be surprised at how many fathers sexually assault their own daughters at all ages. As disgusting as it sounds, yes, it happens...

lynseypug,

Be nice man. Lenora could be an 18 yr old that hasn't wised up to the world and has yet to see how cruel the world really is. The more she reads up on these stories and others, she'll eventually wise up.

It worked for us....

  • 13 votes
#1.11 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:32 PM EST

Creek Dog ... didn't you read the part that said " this little girl suffered conditions no child should endure"

I could be wrong ( and I hope I am ) but it sounds like she was sexually abused.

  • 4 votes
#1.12 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:40 PM EST

This is a fairly easy problem to solve and prevent future abductions. How about they start an:

ASK THE CHILD program.

I don't care what kind of ID is presented; just ask the child. DO YOU KNOW THIS PERSON, AND IF SO WHO IS THIS PERSON.

It's my aunt Sue. Okay thanks, check out ID and write her name down. If the child says NO, call the police.

  • 27 votes
#1.13 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:43 PM EST

He could easily just have been speaking of the cold weather outside that she had to endure all night at her age Baliman. I can't see these freaks sexually molesting this girl, then sending her on her way.

  • 3 votes
#1.14 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:44 PM EST

My son is seven. I'm sure my son's teacher would recognize me and my husband. Doesn't anyone find it strange that this occurred on a day there was a substitute teacher? It just sounds too fishy. As if someone, somewhere knew that this would be "the perfect day". Heartbreaking. Praying for the little girl, hope she's okay :)

  • 12 votes
#1.15 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:44 PM EST

Would it bother you if your seven year old was asked if he knew you when you showed up to pick him up? I would have a much greater comfort level if I heard them ask my child who I was.

  • 7 votes
#1.16 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:48 PM EST

I agree with Jack. Does anyone find it weird that the child was in a safe enviornment (school) and still went with the stranger?

  • 5 votes
#1.17 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:02 PM EST

Its not odd on the childs part. For all she knew since the trusted teacher was handing her over, the stranger must also be a trusted person. Can't blame the kid for that. Not all kids behave the same.

But yes, this does seem planned out. From the sub that day to asking for the kid by name.

  • 9 votes
#1.18 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:05 PM EST

Something is wrong with this story. Asking for a child by name, substitute teacher on that day woman in "muslim" clothes. The father looks Muslim as well. I think it could have been set up for a possible law suit against the school. Thank God the girl is home safe but was she in any danger in the first place?

  • 5 votes
#1.19 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:17 PM EST

hopefully there was video surveillance in the office to post a picture on the news and get the lady that committed this act. Give it a few days of media coverage and she will be turned in.. these kind of people are boasters.

  • 3 votes
#1.20 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:18 PM EST

jack, it wouldn't bother me at all. in fact, i would prefer it. there should be some sort of thumb print to verify. our schools in general are too laid back when it comes to our children. until they start looking at this situation more seriously, situations such as this will continue to occur.

  • 2 votes
#1.21 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:20 PM EST

Lenora-2944263, do not be so ignorant and think that a biological father is not capable of molesting or raping his own daughter. This is more common than people realize or choose to believe. I am a survivor as I was molested and raped by my own biological father for 13 years.

  • 6 votes
#1.22 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:22 PM EST

The school is at fault. Papers should be in the office saying who's authorized to remove a child from school, other than the parents/guardian. It doesn't matter how arrogant or hurried that person was, they should have taken their time following through. If the person gets too difficult, call security or call 911. I hope the father sues the school, not because money would change anything, but sometimes that kind of lawsuits help keep a system straight. And the money could be used for the professional therapy this child will need.

  • 3 votes
#1.23 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:24 PM EST

That's all fine and dandy. But the child should be asked if they know the person standing there attempting to take them out of school. It wouldn't be that hard for someone to just say they are one of the child's relatives. Ask the child who the person is, if they don't know stall and call the police.

  • 7 votes
#1.24 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:48 PM EST

baliman

Creek Dog ... didn't you read the part that said " this little girl suffered conditions no child should endure"

I could be wrong ( and I hope I am ) but it sounds like she was sexually abused.

I watch the news yesterday and they said that she was "not" sexually assaulted after her examination at the hospital.

Suffering conditions no child should endure refers to what she went through being blindfolded, told to hide under a bed and left outside all by herself in nothing but a T-shirt in the dark @ 36 degrees for hours.

jack-1792739

This is a fairly easy problem to solve and prevent future abductions. How about they start an:

ASK THE CHILD program.

I don't care what kind of ID is presented; just ask the child. DO YOU KNOW THIS PERSON, AND IF SO WHO IS THIS PERSON.

Dude, this is the simplest of all things I've heard or read that seems fullproof. Awesome idea that has been right under our noses. Great idea man........

  • 11 votes
#1.25 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:53 PM EST

Sometimes people overlook the simplest ideas by making things too complicated. Many kids won't voluntarily just blurt out that they don't know someone, as they might think their parent sent them. But if you take the child in the office while the person is out the room and ask the child if they know the person, they'll tell you every time whether do or do not. Then you dial 911 and stall.

Granted, it won't work with very young children, I would think any child over the age of 3 will know if they know someone or not.

  • 5 votes
#1.26 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:57 PM EST

The father probably owes money to a crack dealer, and this was the dealers way of telling him to pay up or lose a loved one.

  • 5 votes
#1.27 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:16 PM EST

That sort of thing crossed my mind as well, that perhaps this was a "message" to a family member who is mixed up with a criminal element in some way.

    #1.28 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:31 PM EST

    7.62x39mm and your probably the dealer. Think I'll call police and send them your way @!$%#.

    • 1 vote
    #1.29 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:49 PM EST

    Lee, that's what makes me think the child knew this woman very well and went willingly thinking she was safe.

      #1.30 - Tue Jan 22, 2013 11:44 AM EST

      Let's just hope that no matter what trauma this little girl endures she can put it behind her and recover some of the security and comfort that children deserve.

        #1.31 - Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:46 PM EST
        Reply

        How on earth could some random person walk into a school and claim to be a parent, and sign out a child?

        At my kids school you have to show an ID to sign out your child, even if you are the parent. If you aren't the parent, the parent has to call and give permission for one of the "emergency contact" persons to pick up the child...and then THAT person has to show ID and "sign" the child out. Don't even THINK about sending someone that is not on your child's emergency contact list, it won't happen.

        And that has been our county's policy for at least 10 years.

        • 23 votes
        #2 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 10:29 AM EST

        I seen a short clip of the actual mother, and it appears she always wears a full muslim garb as well, meaning the people at the school were probably use to seeing a woman in full muslim garb drop off and pick up that girl (and they probably fear a lawsuit about religious persecution, bla bla bla if they would ask the person to remove the cover from their face). Obviously, someone scouted this situation out and figured with their entire body covered they could pass for the mother. The child didn't even know it wasn't her mom. Still, the school did not follow protocol. I would suspect it is someone who has something to do with that school. They knew exactly what to do, and it would be an awfully big coincidence that a substitute teacher happened to be working that day too. They never seem to say, but I just hope they didn't molest the little girl at all. From the current reporting it appears they just kept her, with some plan in mind, but ended up changing their minds and dumping her at the playground.

        • 11 votes
        #2.1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:44 PM EST
        Comment author avatarPhilly Bill-2610090Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

        Because chaos begets chaos. The black community is consumed with dysfunction. Add to that, a segment that wants to walk around completely disguised and a society that lacks the guts to require the disguise be removed in very sensitive situations (like taking a child out of the class) and this nonsense happens. What is the point of surveillance cameras if we don't confront people (in schools, banks, airplanes, government buildings) to reveal themselves? I doubt they will ever catch these people and if they do, how can any jury be certain beyond a reasonable doubt if there is no image of the perpetrator? Defense attorney to jury: >Can you really be certain beyond a reasonable doubt that my client was that person in the Muslim garb? No? Then you must acquit. It isn't our obligation to prove innocence."

        As I said, chaos begets chaos.

        • 15 votes
        #2.2 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:46 PM EST

        This whole thing is crazy. Jo-An, same at my daughters school. You have to show ID and then they check that against the paperwork you complete at beginning of school. You have to do the same thing just to eat lunch at the school. And they run your drivers license through a scanner to make sure you aren't wanted or on a child predator list. If there were other children in the home, wonder if the same thing is happening to them. Scary. I'm just glad that the little girl was found ok. I hope it wasn't a family member.

        • 2 votes
        #2.3 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:16 PM EST

        Philly Bill-2610090

        Racist much? So glad the white community has so many fine upstanding individuals who don't do anything wrong.

        • 7 votes
        #2.4 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:17 PM EST

        @Katy Mom - That sounds like a good system at your school. Considering the massive cuts to education funds in PA, and already way underfunded schools in Philly, I doubt they can afford more than simply trusting that their employees we at least do an eye test on an ID.

        • 1 vote
        #2.5 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:21 PM EST

        Bearmer, just look at the stats. No racism there.

        • 6 votes
        #2.6 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:21 PM EST

        @54Buick - For statistics to be worth anything, they have to compare equally. So to prove your point you would need to gather crime statistics on each race inidviudally that only occur in equal demographic areas (ie, you cannot compare white crime rates in Beverly Hills against black crime rates in Detroit). So for instance, you could take white crime rates among those who have poverty level incomes in Detroit and compare that against the percentage of black crime rates among those who have poverty level incomes in Detroit. You will probably be surprised to find them nearly identical. The issue is not that blacks or any race is inherently more violent or criminal than the next. Socioeconomic factors drive crime far more than anything else, and blacks and other minorities have a much larger percentage of their race living in those poverty conditions. This is why education in those areas is key to improving the standing of minorities and our country as a whole.

        Or in layman's terms.....Get a clue!

        • 3 votes
        #2.7 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:51 PM EST

        Katy Mom,

        You have to do the same thing just to eat lunch at the school.

        Yup, same at our schools. All visitors go to office first, get clearance, and then a visitors tag.

        In order to be a parent volunteer, you have to pass a background check. Fingerprints and the whole nine yards.

        • 3 votes
        #2.8 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:53 PM EST

        I am surprised at the racist comments, considering a white man is also suspected in this instance, and they are not sure the woman is black. It's like people just want to beat down on the black community for fun. Also, if you look at stats(let's do it, shall we?) you will also notice that black men are convicted for the same crimes more often than white men, are denied parole more often, and serve longer sentences- all for the same crime. Get off your lucky to be born with light skin horse- you didn't do anything for it.

        Also, any child abducted, and asked to take off clothes while blindfolded may have been sexually abused- there does not have to be penetration- assault and rape are two different things. Child pornography comes in many forms. Pictures leave no mark. Unfortunately there are sick people everywhere. I hope she was not taken advantage of.

        • 4 votes
        #2.9 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:25 PM EST

        JoAnn: That's not enough. What if someone who knows you calls the school and says "Hi this is JoAnn, my sister Jane Doe is picking up my child today". Jane Doe shows up with her ID that says Jane Doe and the child is gone.

        ASK THE CHILD if he/she knows the person who is stanging there.

        • 3 votes
        #2.10 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:51 PM EST

        Bearmer, what I said isn't racist in the slightest. You really should calm down, read closely what people say and try to restrain yourself from reflexively calling people racist. It does nothing to advance the discussion. All it does is make you feel good about yourself. Its a shame you have that need.

        So here's a tip. If you have a difference with what somebody writes, then write a cogent response. Calling people racist is intellectually lazy.

        • 3 votes
        #2.11 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:01 PM EST

        First, the only people allowed to pick up the children in our school district HAVE to be on THAT child's emergency form. That is done the first day of school. You can have up to 4 emergency contact names and numbers on the form, although I would imagine you could have as many as you'd like, if you needed more.

        "Hi this is JoAnn, my sister Jane Doe is picking up my child today".

        If "Jane doe" isn't ALREADY on that emergency form, she is NOT picking up that child...PERIOD! You either get someone on the list or the child isn't released.

        A phone call to the school won't get your child released to anyone not already given permission by the parent.

        Parents know this policy is for the safety of THEIR children.

        BTW, the parent can update their emergency contacts at any time during the school year, by going IN PERSON to the school office and changing the form.

        • 3 votes
        #2.12 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:06 PM EST

        JasonFin, concerning your stats comment: It would be nice if what you said is true; then the problem can be more easily addressed. However, I think your comment is completely false. I don't have the facts available but it isn't simply a matter of socioeconomic status. Think about it; if that were the case then it would punch a hole in the "the criminal justice system is racist" argument.

        Again, I can't refute what you said with the stats; I simply don't have them at hand but I suspect you took a reassuring thought out of the air and posted it as fact.

        • 1 vote
        #2.13 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:25 PM EST

        JasonFin, unfortunately such socio-economic conditions do exists. There are plenty of areas of extreme poverty that are prodominately white. And no, the same level of crime as that in the poor black community does not exist. That said, it has virtually nothing to do with color, but much to do with culture.

        • 1 vote
        #2.14 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:40 PM EST
        Reply

        this is going to turn out to be a scam perpetrated by either the mother or the father or both to get money out of the school district.

        • 6 votes
        Reply#4 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:06 AM EST

        I agree. This story has been odd since it broke the other day.

        • 8 votes
        #4.1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:15 AM EST

        I'm not so sure this is a setup by her parents. The Special Victims Unit is involved, and the police captain made the comment "Based on the evidence given to us, this little girl suffered conditions that no child should endure" ... so it sounds like this poor child was sexually abused. That would be just an unspeakable act for a parent to set up. If it was just an abduction and she turned up the next day I could think that maybe the parents were behind it ... but I just can't believe (or maybe I just don't want to believe) that the parents would set up to have their child molested/raped. Which hasn't been confirmed ... but that's what the SVU investigates.

        • 11 votes
        #4.2 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:32 AM EST

        Guest2468, that is the same thing I took from the article. It was mentioned that other kids were there, so this leads me to believe that this has something to do with child pornography. I sure hope they find who this perp is and .... OMG, my heart is hurting right now and I don't want to speak on what I want to happen while I am this upset.

        • 6 votes
        #4.3 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:44 PM EST

        They never actually say if anything happened to her, which I understand the reasoning behind that, but did "conditions" just mean being taken from her family and left in the cold overnight, or something far worse. Typically it is plainly stated if they believed the child was abused in any way.

        • 2 votes
        #4.4 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:47 PM EST

        It says she was forced to take off her clothes. Sounds like something happened.

        • 2 votes
        #4.5 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:14 PM EST

        No it doesn't. It just means they wanted her out of the last clothes she was seen in.

          #4.6 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:15 PM EST

          I read an article yesterday that after she was found she was taken to the hospital and examined. It appeared that she was NOT sexually molested in anyway. But the comments that there were other children around concerns me even more. Are those other children taken from their parents too? Or are they apart of the bigger system?

            #4.7 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:39 PM EST

            Or this was an abduction for ransom or revenge on this family. Too much unknown right now.

              #4.8 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:46 PM EST
              Reply

              Good for you, Dad, 2nd interview usually means you got the job!

              • 5 votes
              Reply#5 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:14 AM EST

              Thank God she was found alive.

              • 7 votes
              Reply#6 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:19 AM EST

              Amen!

                #6.1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:27 PM EST
                Reply
                ToddDeModdDeleted

                You never let a parent go to a classroom unaccompanied by security or an administrator and you certainly never let anyone but school personnel remove a student from a classroom.

                Schools also need to take a close look at the people they hire to be substitute teachers, as well as how they train them

                Most schools don't even give them a key to the classroom they're teaching in, so if the school went into lockdown, it could be a long time before the classrooms with subs could be locked. It's an accident waiting to happen.

                • 9 votes
                Reply#8 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:22 AM EST

                I think the media in this country needs to understand their over-use of the word "hero". What the man in question did by rescuing this child doesn't make him a hero, it means that he did what he was supposed to do as a human being living on this earth - to help his fellow human. A "Hero" is a person who risks their life to save another, and in this case it does not apply - he didn't risk his life, he just did the right thing.

                The same goes for Sully Sullenberger, the pilot who landed the plane in the Hudson. He was only half a hero. Landing the plane was not a selfless act because if he hadn't landed it, he would have been dead too, so he was saving his own life as well. What did make him heroic was the fact that as the plane was sinking, he remained in the plane running up and down the aisles to make sure all passengers were out. And also, heroes are supposed to be selfless and Sully milked his plane landing to the hilt with tons of personal appearances, commercials, a book deal, and magazine covers. You can bet he made some bank on that.

                We really need to stop all this over-dramatization of "heroes" just so that we can have a feel-good moment. It's a sad day when just doing the right thing is news-worthy when in reality, it's just what we're supposed to do.

                Remember, there was a time when the media was calling OJ Simpson a "hero" just because he threw a ball back and forth on a field. Now, he's just a double-murderer.

                • 11 votes
                Reply#9 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:23 AM EST

                I hear you and understand your point, but I am willing to bet that the guy is the little girl's hero. No need to rain on that parade...

                • 10 votes
                #9.1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:42 PM EST

                Elizabeth, I don't think u read the article correctly. The "Hero" and dad are two different people. The man in question from this article is the dad. Get back to us when you read the article correctly.

                • 2 votes
                #9.2 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:02 PM EST

                Elizabeth - I get what you mean about how doing the right thing shouldn't necessarily mean you're a hero. But c'mon - Sully IS a hero. If running up and down the isles of a sinking plane (that you just managed not to crash) to make sure all of the passengers got out doesn't make you a hero?? You should just stick to Marvel Comics...He was reached out to by the media, I highly doubt he planned on banking off of that situation. He was a hot commodity after that incident. Show more appreciation!

                • 3 votes
                #9.3 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:36 PM EST

                Elizabeth,

                This man could have kept walking, or he could have exploited the situation.

                There have been situations where people get involved and are subsequently blamed for the crime (Olympic bomb) or are targeted by the real criminals who want to eliminate witnesses, so doing the right thing can be risky, and therefore this guy's actions fit even your definition of heroic.

                Nelson Mandela Meyers qualifies as a hero in my book.

                • 2 votes
                #9.4 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:46 PM EST

                Oh poor Elizabeth Don't dis Sully. 100 out of 100 pilots said they would never have thought of ditching in the Hudson. I would say he save most or all of the passengers lives. It was his extraordinary effort in learning to fly all types of crafts, gliders, etc... His "heroic" acts were 40 years of training for that one moment. Yeah, not a hero? What a life you must lead.

                • 2 votes
                #9.5 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:19 PM EST
                Reply

                There is a special place in h3ll reserved for the people who did this. The SVU doesn't get involved unless it's a sexual abuse case.

                • 6 votes
                Reply#10 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:28 AM EST
                Comment author avataralan-2014309Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                Hate to say it, its always the dad. Especially when the dad is black.

                • 3 votes
                Reply#11 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:57 AM EST

                Is that right, alan? Please tell me I missed your sarcasm?

                • 4 votes
                #11.1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:47 PM EST

                Alan-2014309 are you really that stupid or just needed to say something?

                • 4 votes
                #11.2 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:50 PM EST

                Seems to me you enjoyed saying it, and here in a public forum. Way to jump to conclusions due to your own biases.

                Also I'd like to add that your statement bears no truth in facts or statistics.

                • 3 votes
                #11.3 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:02 PM EST

                Wow. What a racist and ignorant thing to say. But with that sheet on your head how could you not be stupid...

                • 1 vote
                #11.4 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:55 PM EST

                It's a pillow case over the head, not sheet. Sheet is just the cliche gown.

                • 1 vote
                #11.5 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:27 PM EST

                Abuse has no color. alan, that is the stupidest thing that I ever heard. I was sexually abused and my father was white.

                • 1 vote
                #11.6 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:36 PM EST

                Yeah, I remember how dark Susan Smith was..

                • 1 vote
                #11.7 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:40 PM EST
                Reply

                This story has been strange from the beginning. It would seem that someone at the school would be familiar with the girl's mother, even if she usually arrived in her hijab. And it's surprising that the girl didn't seem hesitant at all because hijab or none, she would know who her mother is. Yes it's true, given the degree of orthodoxy of her family's belief she may very well be being raised to simply, 'do as she's told'. Given this terrible situation, policies of school administrations in communities where the faces of female parents or guardians are frequently covered may now have to be modified so that the woman reveals herself in the presence of the child and at least one staff member, female if neessary. And this school really needs to be checked out for what must be many other adminstrative problems. I am completely in agreement with the earlier poster who wrote that her child's school and mine eveyone must produce identification before signing out even their own child, even when you are well known to the students, teachers, administrators and security and the same procedures for emergency pick ups by others not on the emergency contact list. I can't imagine what else goes wrong there. Also, not sure why the dad thinks a 'second interview' in tis instance is a good thing...I don't know police or criminal procedures but I would think it's not.

                • 4 votes
                Reply#12 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:58 AM EST

                Alan, in the news stories I see, white dads do these terrible things too just as often as non white. But you knew that already. You just felt like saying something, something, IDK what you'd call it, but I know what I call it but I'll just keep it to myself. I've been taught that when I have nothing nice to say, it's best to say nothing.

                • 8 votes
                Reply#13 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:18 PM EST
                Comment author avatarNellie Athomevia Facebook

                What schools are supposed to do and what they do are two different things. I picked up a friends daughters at their charter school just by walking into the office and asking for them - no ID shown, no one even asked who I was. Three days later my husband did the same thing with the same results yet if you talk to the school, which I did when the authorities took the kids away from mom and they were with us for two months, the school assured me positively tat it was impossible for anyone not on the approved list to take a child from the school and denied that we had been able to do so. Different school i picked up my niece without showing ID. Do not be fooled into thinking that a school having a policy means they actually follow it. Check it out

                alan-2014309 - you are despicable

                Elizabeth Aspen - heroes are no more required to be selfless after their act of heroism than any one else is. That Sullenberger was all over the news, etc is because he was pursued by them for interviews etc. There is nothing wrong in making money from legal activities. And yes, I agree that the word hero is seriously overused and thus devalued but this man is 100% hero and no sports star, be it OJ or Cahrles Barkley is either a hero or a role model.

                Everyone else - the people in the school's front office screwed up in not getting ID and also in letting the woman go to the classroom. It was not the teacher's fault in any way.

                • 5 votes
                Reply#14 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:24 PM EST

                Because it was a sub that is why the girl was let out. I bet the sub was intimidated by the garb and was afraid of the repercussions if she asked the woman to show her entire face.

                THIS is why these "cultural" bullsh*t issues have no place in schools, work, or even in public; period.

                Obama is trying to pass laws against guns. Guess what those women and disguised as a women they could hide in that outfit.

                They were dam*ed lucky she didn't have a gun and kill everyone.

                • 6 votes
                Reply#15 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:30 PM EST
                Comment author avatarNellie Athomevia Facebook

                You are projecting your hatred and fear onto the substitute teacher. The most likely reason the sub let the girl go is because all the clearance for parents or anyone else picking up a child is the responsibility of the front office. It is not the teacher that is supposed to be IDing any adults. The office screwed up, not the teacher.

                  #15.1 - Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:43 AM EST
                  Reply

                  Because it was a sub that is why the girl was let out. I bet the sub was intimidated by the garb and was afraid of the repercussions if she asked the woman to show her entire face.

                  THIS is why these "cultural" bullsh*t issues have no place in schools, work, or even in public; period.

                  Obama is trying to pass laws against guns. Guess what those women and disguised as a women they could hide in that outfit.

                  They were dam*ed lucky she didn't have a gun and kill everyone.

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#16 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:31 PM EST
                  Comment author avatarNellie Athomevia Facebook

                  The real problem with America today is hatred and lack of tolerance as is demonstrated in your comment, Steven100. Everyone, without regard to race, religion. gender or sexual orientation needs to be treated with exactly the same respect. Respecting the rights and beliefs of Muslims is no more "cultural bulls**t" than respecting the rights of those whose religion prohibits them from shaving or from taking oaths. Once you pick a group and deny them rights you are on the path of Nazi Germany.

                  Not to mention that turning one segment of the population into "the enemy" has long been the government's way to distract people from the fact that the real problems are not being addressed with actual solutions. Hate and intolerance is never the answer to making things better.

                    #16.1 - Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:41 AM EST
                    Reply

                    I would look into some of the parents at the school or their associates. The woman knew the name of the child. Most teachers have met the parents of their students so maybe the person who abducted the child knew there was going to be a substitute teacher that day.

                    • 3 votes
                    Reply#17 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:31 PM EST

                    I'm not surprised the school was negligent. At my daughter's middle school they are REQUIRED to check your ID AND make a photo copy of it. But when I checked her out for a doctor's appointment two months ago the secretary took my ID while talking to a co-worker and ran it through the copier without bothering to check to see if I was who I said I was. I don't go there enough for her to know me personally, so I could have been ANYONE off the street and she would have let my kid go. Thankfully my daughter is in middle school so she WOULDN'T have gone, but if it had been a smaller child that ID could have been fake and the child would have been LONG GONE by the time they figured it out. They need to make sure the school follows ALL RULES; NO parent goes into the classroom to pick up a child EVER, the front desk DEMANDS proof of relation even if they've seen the parent a million times and they check the ID to the person AND the records. It's only thirty more seconds of work at best.

                    • 4 votes
                    Reply#18 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:32 PM EST
                    Comment author avatarNellie Athomevia Facebook

                    Saffie-862604 - Please do not be so complacent as to think your child would not go just because she is older. Many older children can and are tricked with "Your parents have been in an accident. you need to come with me"

                      #18.1 - Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:46 AM EST

                      I agree Nellie it's why I feel it's imperative that we have "passwords" my siblings and I grew up with a "password" and I have done the same with my child, even now at 16 she knows if there's no password she doesn't go.

                      In all the schools my daughter has gone to over the years (there's been quite a few as being military we moved quite a bit) there's only been one where they didn't ask for my ID, and that was only because the school was literally at the end of my backyard. Walk out my back door, walk the acre through my backyard, cross the street and bam there was the school.

                        #18.2 - Sun Jan 20, 2013 12:24 PM EST
                        Reply

                        Hey CREEK DOG!!! Just an FYI, you ARE VERY handsome. I'm a girl to let you know. You ARE good looking

                        • 2 votes
                        Reply#19 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:40 PM EST

                        Watcha waiting for CREEK DAWG. Sounds like u have a date for Valentines. Let me know if she got a good lookin sis'. Lol.

                        • 2 votes
                        #19.1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:06 PM EST

                        this sounds like sexual harassement to me - any lawyers out there want to make a buck ?

                        ps- by the way vegan... if you have another sister... ; )

                        • 1 vote
                        #19.2 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:44 PM EST

                        lol vegan, he is extremely good looking isn't he?

                        *waves* morning CD.

                          #19.3 - Sun Jan 20, 2013 12:25 PM EST
                          Reply

                          If the school had said no to a woman dressed in Muslim garb the Progressives would be out in force calling the administration bigots.

                          • 2 votes
                          Reply#20 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:44 PM EST

                          skibum: you make the same irritating noise as Fox and Rush Limbaugh. Ever try thinking, even a bit?

                            #20.1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:40 PM EST
                            Reply

                            And that is why it is reasonable for the government to deny people the right to cover their face in the name of religion.

                            • 2 votes
                            Reply#21 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:46 PM EST

                            I DON'T GET IT! Did the little girl not know that this was NOT her Mommie? Does the school not require ID for check out ? I mean after Sandy Hook I thought every school in the Nation had stepped up Security. I can't even get into my sons school...unless I ring the buzzer, stand in front of the camera and show ID. Oh yeah, and state my business. She's only 5 years old......Poor baby.
                            And they asked for her by name?

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#22 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:46 PM EST

                            Father questioned in 5-year-old's mysterious abduction

                            That headline leads one to believe the father was questioned as a suspect. And that's not the case.

                            But, being that it seems the abductor knows the family, one has to wonder if this was all for ransom, and if so why would the abductor believe they would eb able to pay. Did they come into some money? For that reason, yes question the father to see if something in his background inspired all this.

                            • 3 votes
                            Reply#23 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:51 PM EST

                            way to go phila....she was in muslim garb...no wonder the child didn't recognise her...couldn't see her face...time to also outlaw full face cover ups no matter your religion or how ugly you are....

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#24 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:52 PM EST

                            Mike. They won't say boo to a Muslim or do anything that might offend a Muslim. The motto should be, if it saves one child's life it's worth it unless it might offend a Muslim.

                            • 1 vote
                            #24.1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:46 PM EST
                            Comment author avatarNellie Athomevia Facebook

                            No Mike, it is time to stop the stupid baseless hatred of people and trying to abridge their rights just because they are different.

                            Freedom of religion is just that, freedom for ALL religions, not just popular ones. Once you abridge the right of one group to practice their beliefs you make it just htat much easier to step on the next minority and the next and the next until the only allowed form of worship it the one approved by the majority and the ability to practice one's religion had become a privilege, not a right

                              #24.2 - Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:51 AM EST
                              Reply

                              Kudos to the guy who found her! The school system is hiring morons from the school chief right on down to the secretaries!!!

                                Reply#25 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:54 PM EST

                                Perfect example of how guns and a panic button would not have helped.

                                • 1 vote
                                Reply#26 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:55 PM EST

                                What??? Are you an imbecile?

                                • 1 vote
                                #26.1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:58 PM EST

                                Please explain Maggie. Show me your intellectual side.

                                • 1 vote
                                #26.2 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:08 PM EST
                                Reply

                                No one would challenge her much if she was in Muslim garb - afraid of being sued. Why didn't the kid say it wasn't her mom? When I was five a thousand years ago, we didn't speak up around adults, but kids today have no manners and no respect for adults, so I don't understand why the kid didn't say something. Also, why would you make a kid undress and put on a Tee shirt then hide under a bed? There is a lot missing from this story. Glad I don't live in Philadelphia, but if I did, my kids wouldn't be in public school anyway.

                                • 2 votes
                                Reply#27 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:57 PM EST

                                Good points Maggie. But don't throw rocks at most of the people in the US that have to send their Kids to public. I am very happy for you that you can afford to send your kids to private schools just don't insult the families that do struggle more than you do in life. You must be fortunate.

                                • 4 votes
                                #27.1 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:12 PM EST

                                How would someone be sued for verifying that the "woman" was legitimately allowed to remove a child from the school? It wasn't because the teacher was afraid of a lawsuit - it was because she was easily intimidated and failed to do her job.

                                  #27.2 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:19 PM EST

                                  They would be sued based on racial profiling. We aren't allowed to treat people of color the same as whites in this country. If we were we'd have to admit that Obama isn't brilliant or even very smart. He's just John Kerry with a tan. Kerry although a worse student than George Bush could at least release his college transcripts as unlike Obama, he didn't get into an Ivy league school as a foreign national.

                                    #27.3 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:23 PM EST

                                    skibum609,

                                    You keep letting the sheets get in your eyes. A school policy is a school policy, it doesn't matter what color ones skin is, or what religion one is, EVERYONE should have to comply. Clearly this school either didn't have a very good policy (getting an ID before releasing the child) or they didn't follow their policy.

                                    This isn't the form for your ignorant "I hate the president because he is black" rant...

                                    Run along, you're late for your meeting!

                                    • 2 votes
                                    #27.4 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:54 PM EST

                                    LOL. I suspect you don't have a background in civil litigation, skibum.

                                    I bet they'll be sued now! No matter what color the prez is, the school messed up badly, not "people of color".

                                    • 2 votes
                                    #27.5 - Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:24 PM EST
                                    Reply
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