3. THE EXTRACTION - The Co-Founder's recollection of June 26
- Co-Founder
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
I cannot remember exactly when the Flying Monkey's Founder and mother to our lost girl first called me in concern ... possibly a few days eariler. But on June 26, I received one of the worst phone calls a parent can get: "She's trying to leave! She's going to leave with him! I blocked in her jeep, but she called the police." My friend called in a state of pure panic, and for every good reason.
For better or worse, I am a bulldozer of a personality. I've worked with teens in housing projects, lived in dangerous parts of cities, and have been friends with the wealthiest business owners to the shadiest dug dealers; and there are only 2 things that frighten me, both of which only came into existence after I became a mother.
I fear my own premature death - not because I fear death, for I am a devout follower of Jesus Christ and have no fear for my next life. But I fear my own premature death because I do not want my children to have to experience their childhood or early adult years without their mom. And, I hope to be an amazing grandma - showering my kids and grandkids with love and any wisdom I can impart.
I fear the abduction of my children. I fear not being able to intervene in their pain. I fear them being harmed and not being able to do anything about it.
I am not unique in these fears. I think these 2 fears exist inside any and every good parent. But on this day, I received a call from a mom who was entering into one of my 2 greatest nightmares, and in 12 minutes I was in their driveway... and so were the police.
Abby seemed mildly annoyed at her mom. One officer was with her, and two more were tending to her mom and stepdad.
I noticed how rudely the police were treating the parents. Clearly they had no idea what was actually going on and they thought they'd been called into a domestic situation where parents were being ridiculous.
I spoke with Abby for a few minutes, pretending to be 'on her side' and explaining "well, I mean, if it were me. I'd be a little worried too. I mean, you're only 18 and this guy is a lot older than you. And, though YOU, my love, are such a responsible young woman" I said, "but can you see how this might be concerning to your folks?"She explained how he was just one person within the group and her friendship was with the group, not the man. So I told her I'd be right back because I wanted to go say hi to her mom.
Then I pulled one of the police officers asside and said this ... which is (apparently) KEY in a situation like this ...
"I know you think that this mother is insane and over-reacting. But here's the situation: her daughter JUST turned 18 and we discovered that for the last 4-6 months, she's been GROOMED online by a 32 year old man who may be the leader of a cult, or a predator boyfriend, or involved in a human trafficking ring, and that mother is terrified for her daughter's safety. THAT is what you're dealing with here - NOT a mother-daughter domestic dispute."
The officer's face immediately changed from flippantly annoyed, to concerned, and he walked to the back yard where the other 2 police were with my friend and her husband. They began to treat my friends differently ... which brings up a key point for anyone who finds themselves in a situation like this:
POLICE KNOW WHAT GROOMING IS AND SOME HAVE BEEN TRAINED ABOUT IT. THEY TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. USE THE WORD GROOMED - IT CARRIES WEIGHT.
When the officer returned, he told our beloved young woman, "Well, here's the deal: legally you are 18. You can do as you please. Legally that car is yours. You can take it if you want it. However, the car blocking yours in, is owned by your mother on property owned by your mother. Just like we have no legal right to keep you here, we have no legal right to make her move her car on her own property. If you can figure out how to get your car, you can take it. But we can't make her move hers."
That was our last hope at keeping her home and attempting to talk some sense into her and break this wicked spell she seemed to be under. But alas, soon an uber arrived and she drove off leaving those who truly love her, to weep for the danger that we feared was awaiting her.
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