**A TRIBUTE TO CARLIE BRUCIA**

Parents can teach kids to stop abductions

Thursday, February 5, 2004 Posted: 9:11 PM EST (0211 GMT)

(CNN) -- Children may be smaller and weaker than would-be abductors, but with their parents'
help, they can learn techniques to resist and escape predators,
a child safety expert said.

The key to remaining safe lies in not leaving the place where the abductor approaches a child,
said Bob Stuber of the Texas-based Escape School, which runs educational
programs across the United States.

A kidnapper "wants to get out somewhere by himself," said Stuber, a former police officer
and founder of the Escape School.
"He may threaten the child, but he's not going to hurt the child right there. That's not what
this is about. That takes place later."

Stuber said no neighborhood is immune to the danger of abduction. "So you have to make
sure you do instruct your children," Stuber said. "Don't just say, 'Don't go off with strangers.'
You have to be more specific."

Parents should instruct their children to fight and resist abductors, even if the predator
threatens them, Stuber said.

From the onset of an abduction attempt, children should make as much noise as loudly as
possible from the beginning and continually throughout the assault.

"Sometimes kids are afraid to do that because their abductor is telling them, 'If you say a
word, I am going to hurt you.' Tell your child no matter what this person says, ...
you can make as much noise as you want to."

Children should deny requests for help from strangers, which is a common abduction ploy.

Children are "very, very trusting," Stuber said.

"Parents really have to ... start driving that message home, is that you don't walk away with
anybody. If they need help, they will get it from another adult," he said.

Stuber says small and simple acts that the youngest of children can perform could go a long
way in saving them if they know them.

"All the way along ... there's these little windows of opportunity," he said. "And if the child
knows what to watch for, it really only takes about two of these choices to get them out of
danger."

Here are a few to teach, practice and review with children.

Outside a car:

• Avoid being alone, and don't take shortcuts.

• Never walk over to a car for any reason. Getting near and in a car increases the chances of
being taken away and hurt.

• If approached, do not leave the area.

• Do not help an adult you do not know.

• Remember 911 calls at pay phones are free.

• Scream loudly for help, run to another adult, gripping and holding onto that other person.
Stuber said this "Velcro technique" forces the other adult to listen and pay attention.

• Rotate arms forward quickly and repeatedly making big circles in the air. This windmill
technique prevents a larger and stronger assailant from getting a grip on the moving child.
Don't just try to pull away because the adult is stronger. Always rotate the arm to
break free of the grip if restrained.

• If on a bicycle, hug the bicycle tightly, refusing to let go. "If you hold that bike, and do not
let go, it's impossible to put you in a car," Stuber said. If a bike is not available, grab a garbage
can or a long stick, any large object that prevents entry into a car.

• If the abductor shows a gun, run. No matter what the person says, keep running.
There is only a slim chance they will try to shoot you. Firing a gun draws attention.

• Always scream.

Inside a car:

• The first step should be for the child to open the door and get out.

• If in a four-door car, jump into the back seat and go out a back door quickly.

• Place something inside of the ignition cylinder -- gum, a small button from clothing -- to keep
the abductor from driving them to another location. Stuber said that if the car can be stopped
or the potential crime can be stopped in the neighborhood, then the crime is going to come to an
end.

• If locked in a trunk, remove the taillight panel which comes off easily, and disconnect the
taillight wires. "Now you increased the odds 50 percent that the police will pull the car over because
it has not brake or tail lights," Stuber said, "then they will hear you inside."

Finally, Stuber advises parents to always practice escape measures with their children.
"Kids will not yell and scream when they are in trouble just 'cause you tell them to," he said.
"You have to let them practice it."

- Carlie Brucia Murdered Because Of Stupidity

Carlie Brucia's body found; murder charges filed

Friday, February 6, 2004 Posted: 10:18 AM EST (1518 GMT)

Carlie Brucia, 11, disappeared Sunday 1st Feb 04

SARASOTA, Florida (CNN) --
A man has been charged in the kidnapping and death of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia, whose
body has been found, Sarasota County Sheriff Bill Balkwill said Friday.

The suspect, Joseph Smith, was jailed Tuesday on unrelated drug and probation violation
charges. Smith is a one-time auto mechanic with a long criminal record.

A surveillance video camera caught the girl's abduction Sunday behind a car wash, and her
disappearance received widespread national media attention.
Carlie's remains were found behind a church near Interstate 75 in the Sarasota area,
law enforcement sources said.





The abduction




Carlie's body being removed from the scene of the crime.

In Memoriam 'God's Lent Child' CARLIE IS WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS. WE TRUST HE WAS WITH HER IN HER HOURS OF DESOLATION. WE THANK HIM FOR ALLOWING HER TO BE FOUND SO SHE MAY BE LAID TO REST WITH GREAT LOVE AND RESPECT. WE PRAY FOR HER PARENTS AND FAMILY..THAT THEY MAY FIND HIS PEACE. AnnEz / Sweden Feb 04

- Sarasota County Sheriff's Office

- Remembering Jessica Lunsford.. Body found March 2005

- GUESTBOOK From Tampa Bay..St Petersburg Times..

- News Articles From The Case..

- The Trial Of Joseph Smith..Nov 2005

Adam Tebrugge (Attorney) & Joseph Smith (Defendant)

- Joseph Smith Hears The Verdict

- Defense Gearing Up For Next Phase

- Joseph Smith: Drug Abuse History

Susan Schorpen: what role did/does she play?

'Fighting Injustice' © 2004 AnnEz / Sweden

Site Updated Oct 2005