As parents, we’re always on edge, worrying about our children’s safety. We teach them about “stranger danger” and hope those lessons stick when it matters most. For one 7-year-old girl, those lessons might have saved her life.
It was just another sunny day when little Emmy McCardell decided to lie on the sidewalk outside her home. Her mom, Michelle, thought nothing of it. But moments later, a car slowed down in front of their house, and a stranger rolled down the window to say, “Hello.”
Emmy felt an instant chill. Something was wrong.
Looking up, she saw a man she didn’t recognize. Before she could process what was happening, the stranger asked a question designed to tempt any child:
“Do you want a bicycle?”
But Emmy didn’t wait to hear more. Trusting her instincts, she jumped up and ran toward the door, shouting, “No!” as she bolted inside.
Michelle’s heart dropped when she saw her daughter burst through the door, panic written all over her face. Emmy quickly explained what had happened, leaving her mother frozen in terror.
A stranger had just tried to lure her little girl.
Emmy described him as a “Tricky Man”—a term Michelle had taught her kids for strangers who might use lies or bribes to get them into dangerous situations. This was the moment Michelle had dreaded, but her teachings had come through when it counted.
Instead of engaging with the stranger, Emmy trusted her gut and ran. Her quick thinking likely saved her from something unthinkable.
Later, when Michelle reviewed the surveillance footage, chills ran down her spine. The video showed the car creeping toward her daughter and the stranger’s attempt to lure her. She couldn’t bear to think about what might have happened if Emmy hadn’t been so brave and smart.
Police are now working hard to track down the suspicious man and his vehicle.
For Michelle, this terrifying moment is a stark reminder to all parents: talk to your kids about how to stay safe. Teach them to trust their instincts and run if something doesn’t feel right.
Check out the unsettling footage yourself—it’s a lesson every family needs to see. Share it with others to spread awareness and keep kids safe.
