Parent: Fishers 'false alarm' serves as a good reminder - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Fishers Mom Lori Ciarelli says she doesn't regret calling police Monday night after a man approached her children in their front yard on Windermere Boulevard.

"I've always been very protective of my children," said Ciarelli.

That's the way Ciarelli said she'd continue to be, even after she learned from Fishers Police Tuesday that the man who approached her children the night before meant no harm.

This was the statement from Fishers Police Wednesday:

"On June 19, 2012, investigators with The Fishers Police Department were able to identify the driver of the red Jeep. Investigators spoke with neighbors, family members, and the driver. Information obtained during these interviews confirmed that, at the time of this incident, the driver had no criminal intent. The driver told investigators that he was only being friendly and he did not realize the possible negative perception of his actions.

The Fishers Police Department would like to thank the members of the community and media as they were instrumental in quickly resolving this case."

"The police said I don't believe there was malicious intent with him stopping to ask if my kids wanted to pet his dog," the mom of four said. "But he was a stranger who was trying to get my children to come and pet his dog in a vehicle."

It was the same scenario Ciarelli had role-played before with her kids when she warned them about strangers.

"They knew what to do. They knew to run inside and get me and to walk away from him," said Ciarelli.

According to Ciarelli, the man didn't live in the neighborhood, but his mother did.

"I think he has issues with boundaries, but I don't think his intent was to kidnap my children," Ciarelli said.

Other neighborhood parents said they were glad for one more reminder of how important it can be to talk to their kids about strangers.

"Saying if you notice anything out of the ordinary, tell us about anything," said Melissa McGill of the talks she's had with her two sons.

With three unrelated reports of strangers approaching children in Fishers in the past few months, police said parents couldn't be too careful.

"If the thought even crosses your mind that this is unusual, this is suspicious, this is out of the ordinary, give us a call," said Sgt. Randy McFarland.

"We're going to err on the side of caution.  We're going to err on the side safety when it comes to our kids," he added.

Even with this latest incident, parents said they it wouldn't stop them from allowing their kids to be outside.

"I still open up my door in Windermere and let my kids play.  I still think it's a very safe neighborhood," said Melissa McGill.

Safe or not, Lori Ciarelli won't be taking any chances. "I'm still watching my kids just as much."

EARLIER STORY:

Fishers Police now say that a suspicious person reported in the area of Windermere Boulevard Monday evening was a false alarm.

Parents in Fishers have been on alert after three reports of child abduction attempts over the past month. But police say in this case, no harm was intended.

A resident told police that her ten-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son were approached by a man in a red Jeep. The child's mother told officers that her children were playing in their yard when the suspicious Jeep stopped in front of their home. The Jeep was occupied by a man and a large dog. The children told their mother that the driver yelled to them asking if they wanted to pet his dog. The children immediately ran inside and reported the incident to their mother.

Officers searched the area and were unable to locate the suspect or his vehicle. It was later determined that the man was a neighbor's son who did not intend any harm.

Police say the man is the son of a person who lives in the neighborhood, and that the man is mentally challenged. Officers feel the man did not have any criminal intentions.

The police department is still encouraging residents to keep a watchful eye on their children and report any suspicious activity immediately. Officers say this was an example of residents being vigilant in light of three reported abduction attempts in Fishers over the past month.