As a parent, one of the questions we face is, “When is the right time for your child to go into a public bathroom alone?” After hearing several sick stories recently, my answer is NEVER.
Recently, 12-year-old boy in a Louisiana Burger King was allegedly raped by a 51-year-old man in the restroom.
Now, an 18-year-old registered sex offender is charged with voyeurism for photographing at least one child in a Toys ‘R’ Us restroom. Lucas D. Trethewey served 7 months in a juvenile facility for groping a young boy in a health club and was released earlier this year as a registered sex offender.
The boy in the Toys ‘R’ Us case is 6 years old, and his grandmother reportedly checked the restroom before allowing the boy to use it. Trethewey was allegedly waiting in the restroom when the child came in.
Trethewey has previously been told to stay away from areas where children congregate as part of his conviction.
These stories are just a fraction of the stories that happen to children in public restrooms.
What do you do to keep your kids safe? What is the “right” age to let your kids use a restroom alone?
