I was in Books A Million in Warner Robins on January 26, 2005 with my 2 preschool age daughters. It was around 12 noon. They were playing with the big train set in the kids section. I walked across the isle to look at the sale table. The girls were never out of my sight or ear shot. As I looked up to check on them (only a few minutes after I had left them)something caught my eye. I realized that a man not 3 feet away from my children had himself exposed and was "pleasuring himself". Yes, I am serious. I saw it plain as day! My girls' backs were to him so they did not see anything and the way he was positioned I guess no one else saw him either.

Long story short, I let an employee know what happened (after I retrieved my girls)and she phoned the police. Although the man left the store she was able to give the officer a description of the man and his vehicle. She was also able to tell the officer that the man was headed down Watson Blvd towards the mall. I waited at the store as requested by the officer to help fill out a report. During the wait for the police the clerk let it slip out that this is not the first time that this has happend (with a different man)! The officer showed up about 30 mins later with the guy in his patrol car. The store employee and I were able to identify him so he was arrested and I am supposed to be supoened to court when the case comes up.

I consider myself to be a cautious parent and I am always sure to keep visual contact with them and to stay within speaking distance to them. However, as I was driving home I realized that in that store a pervert was closer to my children than I was. I can assure you that will never happen again! From now on I won't be asking myself "Can I see them and speak to them?" Instead, I will be asking myself "Can someone else get to my children before I can?"

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope that it might help someone else (as it did me) be more attentive to their children.

Becki