30 Signs Your Child Has Been Marked By Kidnappers

1. They have gifts you don't know where they came from - bribes!

Image source: Reddit

If your child is receiving surprise gifts with no clear sender, it's essential to be cautious. These mysterious presents might be a way someone is trying to get your child's attention or influence them. Look closely at what's inside – whether it's cool gadgets or strange items – and try to understand why someone might be giving these gifts to your child.

2. They've made a 'new friend'

Image source: Reddit

You might notice your child has started hanging out with a new person or they're coming home and talking about someone's name you've never even heard before. It's important to know who this person is because it could be a worrying sign that your child has been marked by a kidnapper!

3. They've been approached by someone in a car asking for help

Image source: Reddit

When they find themselves approached by someone in a car who claims to need help, it raises huge red flags. These kinds of encounters raise immediate concerns for your child's safety. Was this person specifically targeting your child? What are their intentions? These signs are not something to dismiss!

4. Your family has been receiving calls from 'No caller ID', with no answer

Image source: Reddit

Perhaps your family has been experiencing a series of unsettling phone calls, marked 'No Caller ID'. When you answer, there's no reply. The absence of a clear caller and the persistent silence on the line is super unsettling. It may be time to consider if your child is safe.

5. You've had anonymous letters demanding money

Image source: Reddit

In some instances, you may have a request for money before anything else happens. They could come totally unexpected and random, out of the blue with no explanation! The demands, while explicit and unnerving,  may give no clue as to who this person is and what they might do to get the money.

6. You've noticed a camera planted in or outside your home

Image source: Reddit

When your family discovers a concerning intrusion – the presence of a camera either inside or outside your home - it's a seriously concerning sign. The realization that someone has surreptitiously planted a surveillance device means that someone is spying on you, and the intent is terrifying!

7. Or, they've been approached by a strange adult at all

Image source: Reddit

Children being approached by strangers is always something to be aware of, and if it happens the authorities should be alerted. It may mean that someone has marked your child and that they could have even possibly been a kidnapper who had already attempted to take your child.

8. The mail has been intercepted!

Image source: Reddit

The discovery that your mail has been intercepted is deeply unsettling. Who intercepted it? What do they want? Is your family's safety a concern? It's important to take these seriously because the interceptor could be gathering information about your child from your mail

9. You've noticed the same car lurking around your street

Image source: Reddit

Don't tell yourself that you're overthinking. If you have noticed a car lurking around the area it's your gut alerting you for a reason. This car could be watching your family, specifically your child, to learn habits and routines. This kind of information can be used in kidnaps.

10. You've been receiving untraced threats

Image source: Reddit

If your child has been marked by a kidnapped then you may find that you've been getting threats without any clear source. The absence of identifiable information about the sender raises massive concerns about the safety and well-being of your child! Take immediate steps to document each threat carefully and report them,

11. There have been unexplained marks or symbols on your child's body

Image source: Reddit

If you find strange marks or symbols on your child's body, it's a serious concern. Start by talking to your child, ask where the marks came from, and if they remember anything about how it happened. Be sensitive and create a safe space for them to share. Someone may have marked them metaphorically AND physically.

12. Your child has started to act differently

Image source: Reddit

In this case, ask them about their feelings, experiences, or anything that might be bothering them. Be attentive to any signs of distress or discomfort They may be acting differently because somebody has been influencing the way they behave and act.

13. Someone told your child that they were family

Image source: Reddit

One of the methods that kidnappers may use to gain the trust of your child, is posing as a family member. They may claim that they're an auntie or uncle you've never met before. The claim of a familial bond is what they may do to try and manipulate your child

14. You've seen an adult waiting outside school with no children

Image source: Reddit

It's always suspicious when an adult is hanging around a school and they have no sign of having a child themselves. They could have an intention of kidnapping a child. And one way to tell if the child's intended is yours is to notice who they are waiting for or watching.

15. Your child has started to use different language

Image source: Reddit

Consider exploring whether the language shift is related to their social environment, school, or interactions with peers. If not, then it suggests that they are picking up these influences from another person you aren't aware of. Particularly if the new language doesn't align with youth speech.

16. Your child's suddenly become obsessed with things they never had before

Image source: Reddit

While it's common for children to develop new interests, monitor the intensity and impact of these obsessions. If they have developed a new interest in something that you aren't aware of as being a new school trend, then it's time to question where these obsessions are coming from. It could be an obsession with someone, and this someone could have very bad intentions.

17. They are spending a lot of time on their phone

Image source: Reddit

One of the most common ways that kidnappers will track, or get in touch with our child is through social media online. It's important to have control over your child's online activities to reduce this likelihood. If you think they're spending a lot of time on their phone, try and inquire if somebody is trying to reach out to them.

18. You hear sounds outside your home in the middle of the night

Image source: Reddit

Hearing sounds outside your home in the middle of the night is extremely unsettling. Resist any urge to investigate on your own. It could be that your child has been marked by a kidnapper and they're seeking them out. On the other hand, it could be a harmless neighborhood animal!

19. If your child has a phone, check for a tracking device

Image source: Reddit

One way to know if anyone has set your child in their sights is to check their phone for any strange apps or hidden tracking methods. This would alert you to the fact that there may be a potential kidnapper, and they know where your child is at all times!

20. Or maybe they didn't have a phone and now they do!

Image source: Reddit

If your child, who previously didn't have a phone, suddenly possesses one, it could raise concerns and be considered a potential sign that they might have been marked by a kidnapper. Kidnappers might use phones as a means to exert influence, monitor activities, or make contact with the child, so they may give them one to keep track of them!

21. They're becoming a lot more secretive

Image source: Reddit

As your child becomes more guarded, it could indicate that the connection to the kidnapper's manipulation deepens. The kidnapper is acting like a puppeteer who is pulling invisible strings, manipulating your child into keeping secrets from you, their parent!

22. They are arguing with their friends

Image source: Reddit

Becoming isolated and arguing with friends may be completely out of your child's character. It's a huge indicator that your child has a lot on their mind. The kidnapper's manipulation may be affecting your child's relationships, causing tension. Getting them to open up to you is super important!

23. Some of their personal belongings have gone missing

Image source: Reddit

Kidnappers can use your child's belongings in different ways. It could be a way of gaining your child's trust, by showing them their own things. It could also be a way to show the parent that they are a threat to your child, indicating that they've invaded your home and personal space.

24. Unmarked packages have arrived at the house for them

Image source: Reddit

The silent entry of unmarked packages into your home is very disconcerting. Their contents are completely unknown. A kidnapper will likely send packages that are aimed at your child, so investigate the contents to identify whether they are child-like or adult.

25. You've noticed signs that someone has intruded on your home

Image source: Reddit

The realization that someone has intruded into your home is a critical and alarming situation. In the context of a potential kidnapping scenario, signs of a break-in could be indicative of a direct threat to your family's safety. It shows that they managed once and that they could do it again!

26. They are having strange dreams and not sleeping well

Image source: Reddit

The occurrence of strange dreams and disrupted sleep in your child can be indicative of underlying stress, anxiety, or even psychological manipulation by a potential kidnapper. Strange dreams may be a manifestation of the psychological toll, reflecting the anxiety, fear, or uncertainty they are experiencing.

27. Your child's appearance has altered

Image source: Reddit

Does someone outside of your knowledge have such an influence over your child that they have unknowingly made them alter their appearance? It may be a tactic to create confusion, making it more challenging for family members or authorities to identify them. They may be starting these changes before a kidnap!

28. Your child's important documents are missing

Image source: Reddit

If you suspect a potential kidnapping threat, missing documents could be a significant indicator. Kidnappers may seek to steal your child's identity or use their personal information for fraudulent activities. Or, they may take their important documents as a means of exerting control over your child.

29. They have unexplained injuries

Image source: Reddit

This is a super alarming sign. Perhaps the kidnapper has already tried to kidnap your child before, and they didn't manage to succeed. If these injuries have no explanation, it could definitely be an indicator of potential harm or mistreatment by someone.

30. You've received hoax calls

Image source: Reddit

Receiving pranks or fake calls is worrying and might be connected to a potential kidnapping threat. These calls are meant to make you feel scared and uneasy about what the caller's intentions are! They could be testing how your family handles stressful situations.

31. Check their social media, they may be using online messaging

Image source: Reddit

Their social media activity, once seen as harmless teenage engagement, now reveals a dark undercurrent. Online messaging can easily become the medium through which the kidnapper orchestrates their control. Any strange activity is something to flag up as a warning!

32. You've found anonymous letters, maybe even threatening!

Image source: Reddit

Discovering anonymous letters, especially if they contain potentially threatening content, is a clear warning sign. Your child could be in trouble, and the people sending the letter have some kind of malintent, whether that much has been made clear through the letter's contents or not.

33. Your child has become more withdrawn or aggressive

Image source: Reddit

Noticing a change in your child's behavior, such as becoming more withdrawn or aggressive, is a concerning sign that could be linked to a potential kidnapping threat. Kidnappers may employ psychological tactics which can in turn make your child act up! It could indicate they have a level of control over them already.

34. They've been spending a lot of time out of the house

Image source: Reddit

First off, ask them and ask yourself (if they're clearly lying to you) where have they been. If they are lying, it's obvious that something is up. They could be in danger and a kidnapper could be luring them away from home in order to make it easier to gain access to your child.

35. You're hearing a lot of strange excuses from your child

Image source: Reddit

As a parent, the persistent stream of peculiar explanations from your child triggers alarm bells. It's clear they're lying. But why? Is somebody perhaps coercing them into something and making them lie to you? Is a kidnapper trying to form ties with your child and telling them to lie to you?

36. There have been signs of unauthorized access to your child's online accounts

Image source: Reddit

Unauthorized access allows kidnappers to acquire sensitive details about their children, exploiting this information for coercion or manipulation. It's not just about breaching digital boundaries; it's a calculated move to gain leverage and influence over your child's online life which is highly worrying!

37. You've noticed people seem to be watching your family

Image source: Reddit

The unsettling awareness that people might be watching your family requires a careful and considerate response. It's essential to stay vigilant and observe your surroundings, taking note of any recurring individuals or unusual behavior to ensure that they don't have your child marked down as a victim of kidnapping!

38. You've found unfamiliar apps or programs on your child's  devices

Image source: Reddit

Unfamiliar apps or programs on your child's devices can be a cause for concern, potentially indicating a form of external influence or manipulation or a potential kidnapping threat. These unknown apps may serve as a covert means for a kidnapper to gain access to your child's personal information, monitor their activities, or exert control over their digital interactions!

39. You've noticed your child sneaking about at night

Image source: Reddit

As a parent, the urgency to uncover the reasons behind these night-time maneuvers is important. Especially if it's behavior that you'd never noticed before! What are they doing in the dark hours of the night? They could be under the influence of a potential kidnapper.

40. Their room has been disturbed while you were all out of the house

Image source: Reddit

It could be a sign that someone, possibly with harmful intentions, has invaded your child's personal space. This intrusion goes beyond mere physical disruption; it's a potential breach of your child's safety and well-being. Gaining access to your child's room serves as a tactic for kidnappers to gather information about your child's life, interests, and routines.

41. Your child has knowledge about their potential kidnappers that no one else seems to have

Image source: Reddit

Your child may know things about the potential kidnappers that nobody else does. This secret information puts them in a dangerous position because it shows the kidnapper has already reached out and established some kind of connection. The kidnapper might have convinced or forced your child to keep quiet about important details.

42. You feel a divide in your family

Image source: Reddit

Feeling a divide in your family might be a deliberate tactic used by kidnappers to gain your child's trust. It's like they're trying to wedge themselves between the close connections you once had. By creating tension or secrecy, they aim to isolate family members, making it easier to manipulate your child without the support and watchful eyes of the family.

43. Your child's search history may show strange interests

Image source: Reddit

Discovering unusual interests in your child's search history could be a sign of their exposure to a potential kidnapper's influence. The online searches, which may seem out of the ordinary, act as indicators that something may be amiss. Getting to the bottom of their search is important in order to protect them.

44. You've witnessed an online video featuring your child

Image source: Reddit

Discovering an online video featuring your child is an alarming and unsettling experience, sending shockwaves through your sense of security. It could be a real video where the kidnapper had made contact with your child, or it could be a fake video and some kind of warning about what may happen!

45. Your online accounts have been hacked

Image source: Reddit

Kidnappers may resort to hacking as a means to gather information about your family, exploit your vulnerabilities, or exert control over your child. This intrusion into your digital life serves as a tool for kidnappers to gather sensitive information, potentially compromising your family's or your child's safety!

46. Photos of your child are missing

Image source: Reddit

Discovering that photos of your child are missing is another concerning sign, and kidnappers may use this as a strategic move to manipulate your child's emotions and perceptions. When personal photographs vanish, it creates a sense of loss and vulnerability, playing into the kidnapper's tactics to sow discord and gain trust.

47. Your other children feel like something is wrong with their sibling

Image source: Reddit

Siblings, attuned to each other's well-being, can often notice changes in one another's behavior. They are connected by a close bond, and being together much of the time and having a similar age and bond can allow them to see things and pick up on things that we as adults cannot.

48. You feel like you're always being watched or listened to, even in your own home'

Image source: Reddit

There's nothing more unsettling than the feeling of being watched or listened to, especially within the supposed sanctuary of your home. It's distressing. As is the question: why? Perhaps your child is in danger. It could be a kidnapper keeping their eyes on your everyday movements.

49. You feel in your gut that your child is in danger

Image source: Reddit

Trust. Your. Gut. Parental instincts are powerful; follow them. If you feel something is wrong, take it seriously and act promptly. If you have an inkling that your child has been marked by a kidnapper then it could be true, and you should follow your instincts to keep them safe.

50. You don't feel like they are confiding in you anymore

Image source: Reddit

You know your child better than anyone, and you know how your relationship is usually. So, if you sense that your child is no longer confiding in you, it's a significant shift that may indicate underlying concerns. Has somebody gained their trust and is trying to turn them away from you?