When my child was 9 years old child I thought that he would never walk away with anyone either. I tested him with one of my mommy female friends he didn't know, and he totally bought her story that I was sick and he followed her to her house with no questions asked. He said he felt strange doing it but still went with her. My friend didn't even use my name she just called me mommy while talking to him. He went willingly.
Just because we think our children are "Stranger Smart" doesn't mean they actually are.
Thank you! Was just about to post about this.
Also, a child is more likely to trust a female, but run away from a male. The problem with this "stranger danger" thing is that kids are taught about 'strange men', but rarely about women. Kids tend to be taught that women are safer than men, and if you're ever in trouble, find a woman. But many women can be just as dangerous as, or more dangerous than, men.
Also, with all the speculation that Tori really did know TLM and TLM and TM are lying, etc. Perhaps they aren't lying about that. It is possible that Tori had seen TLM out and about in the neighbuorhood, walking her dog, and assumed that because she has seen her around and she is a girl, she would be safe. Children, even the smartest kids, are naive.
Also, it is possible that Tori knew TLM from talking to her while walking the dog. Kids often believe that dogs are safe, and wish to approach dogs (which is dangerous in itself). Unless a kid has been taught never to approach strange dogs because they might bite, they are likely to trust the dog. And if Tori had talked to TLM about her dog in the past, TM may not have known, and TLM may not have known that Tori was TM's daughter.
My point is that Tori didn't necessarily have to know TLM to walk off with her, and TLM didn't necessarily have to know Tori through her mother to pick her. There are many different ways this could have happened, and it is my opinion that Tori really did not *know* TLM.
MOO.
