Protecting Our Children

The events that have taken place in the media over the last week are heart-wrenching. As a mother of two, the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial left me sitting at my desk at work with tears pouring down my eyes. Anyone can disagree with me, but the truth as I believe it is that Casey Anthony is responsible for the death of her child... yet not guilty. Fast forward to Monday's story about a little Jewish boy in Boro Park, Brooklyn who went missing. This was surprising to me because as a Brooklyn native who actually lived in Boro Park, I know that this is a close knit community and the grown ups tend to watch over all the kids. To wake up the next day to find out about the horrible, tragic fate that bestowed upon Leiby Kletzky breaks my heart. I cry for him and for his family.

Today I wake up my very excited 5 year old son who is going to the Statue of Liberty with his Summer Camp. I pack his snack and give him a few dollars for a souvenir or a snack while on the trip. As we are about to leave the house, my husband tells him, "If you get lost from your camp, you find a policeman in uniform and ask him for help." At this moment, my stomach dropped and tried to keep a poker face. All these thoughts start flooding my mind that I do not even want to fathom are imaginable. Needless to say we spend the car ride talking about staying with the camp counselor and if we get lost, we know our camp name, our address, etc.

Apparently, abduction of this nature is extremely rare in NYC. My issue is that IT HAPPENED! It shouldn't be rare, it should NOT EVER HAPPEN. As a mom however, I need to remember that it did happen. In little 9 year old Leiby's memory, I will hold my children just a little tighter today and every day going forward.

Rest In Peace Leiby Kletzky and Caylee Anthony.