Child Safety Expert Says Abductors' Tactics Shown to Be Effective to Win Kids' Confidence

By ROBBIE GORDON and LAUREN SHER - April 14, 2010

The abduction case of 7-year-old Somer Thompson in Orange Park, Fla., has refocused attention on the threat of violent, sexual predators who prey on children.

Somer had been last seen walking home from school last October with her older sister, Abby, and twin brother Samuel. Her body was found two days later in a Georgia landfill. After a five month investigation by police, Jarred Harrell was charged March 26 with first-degree murder, sexual battery and lewd or lascivious molestation of a child younger than 12. Harrell, 24, pleaded not guilty to killing Somer. Police said they believe Harrell encountered Somer as she walked by his house on her way home from school on Gano Avenue, where his mother and stepfather had a house. Police said they have evidence that Harrell then assaulted Somer, killed her and disposed of her body.

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