Horrifying attempted kidnapping in Ashkelon as stranger lures children with candy

Shock in Ashkelon: “A Stranger Tried to Kidnap My Kids, Hugged and Kissed Them”

The post, which garnered thousands of likes and over a thousand comments, described an encounter where her children, ages 9 and 11, were approached by a stranger who tried to lure them into his car.

According to Lea Arbiv, the ordeal began when she innocently searched through one of her children’s school bags and discovered an excessive amount of candy. Upon questioning, she learned that a stranger had approached her children after they purchased a slush drink at a local store near the bus stop. The man had started asking them questions, offering them candy, and telling them he was also a father with children. He even hugged and kissed them in front of a shopkeeper, who appeared indifferent to the situation.

After leaving the store, the man reportedly invited the children to come with him in his car, claiming that his own children were waiting inside. Fortunately, her children acted quickly, running away from him and avoiding getting into the car. They were later reluctant to share the incident with their mother, fearing punishment and feeling guilty for what had happened.

Arbiv, alarmed by the discovery, went to the police station to report the incident. She was surprised by the lack of urgency from the police officer, who seemed dismissive, stating that since the children hadn’t actually entered the car, there was no real crime to investigate. However, Arbiv provided video footage and facial recognition of the man involved, which clearly showed him hugging and kissing her children while offering them candy and asking them to enter his vehicle.

In her post, Arbib expressed frustration with the police response, questioning why the man hadn’t been brought in for questioning. Despite her concerns, she acknowledged that the investigation was ongoing, with law enforcement working to address the situation. She also emphasized the importance of raising awareness and shared a vital message to other parents.

Arbiv urged parents to talk openly with their children about such incidents, stressing that it’s crucial for kids to feel comfortable sharing any suspicious encounters. "We can warn our children not to talk to strangers, but in reality, when something like this happens, they often don’t speak up. It’s terrifying to think of the consequences," she wrote.

While Arbiv had concerns about the police handling of the case, she later edited her post to clarify that she wasn't criticizing the entire police force, acknowledging the continued investigation. "I want to emphasize that I’m not going against the Israeli police," she wrote. "I appreciate the efforts of those who are diligently investigating the case, but I still firmly believe that adults should never touch other people's children—no hugs, no kisses, no candy, and certainly no offers for rides."

Following the post, the police responded with a statement saying, “Immediately upon receiving the report, the Ashkelon police acted swiftly and professionally, locating all those involved and opening an investigation. The findings suggest that the event did not occur as described. It appears to be a planned action by the minors in an attempt to gain money from citizens. The matter is being handled in coordination with the relevant educational authorities.”

Despite the police's findings, the incident has left the community shaken, raising important questions about child safety and awareness.