Common Child Lures

In 2000, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office implemented the Child Lures Prevention program under the guidance of founder Ken Wooden. Mr. Wooden is a former educator and journalist who has interviewed convicted sexual predators to gather information on their strategies used to lure unsuspecting victims. Since that time, we have presented the Child Lures program to thousands of adults and children throughout Manatee County.

The Sheriff's Office is committed to continuing Child Lures Prevention in an attempt to keep our children as safe as possible. Unfortunately, we are not immune from crime, and the horrific kidnapping and murder of 11 -year-old Carlie Brucia of Sarasota brought the need for child safety back to the forefront. It is not realistic to think we can be with our children all of the time, but we can take steps to educate ourselves on how to be better protected against potentially harmful situations. We hope you will accept this Child Lures Parent's Guide as a valuable resource against child abuse. In addition, we hope you will review the material with your children to ensure they have the necessary guidance to avoid being the victim of a crime. However, if you do become a victim, do not hesitate to call law enforcement to report the crime.

Thank you for participating in Child Lures Prevention. The Sheriff's Office staff stands ready and willing to provide quality law enforcement services to the citizens of Manatee County. If you have a need for our services, you may contact us at phone (941) 747-3011