New Venture: The business of child safety comes to Marco

Photo by QUENTIN ROUX, Staff

Kelly Martin is more than a mom on a mission, and she’s making it her business to be one. A mother of two, Martin is a local representative for Child Shield, a national business program intended to combat the ever-present threat of child abduction. “It’s out there,” said Martin, who asserts the program aims at combating an alarming numbers of lost, missing, abducted and runaway children in America.

Martin, on behalf of the company, markets a kit that covers an array of aspects relating to child protection. It includes brochures and literature on reducing the risk of children becoming lost or missing, a “Play it safe” coloring book that reinforces the notion of safety among young children, a how-to video children for record-keeping purposes, what to do should a crisis arise, and a wallet response packet that enables activation of the Child Shield recovery service.

Crucially, the company stores videos of the children, but does not store data or information about any child. Each child’s video is identified by a secret code number, known only to the parents. The company has no way of knowing the identity of any registered child unless the parent reports the child missing.

Even if it were possible for someone to locate and gain access to its storage facilities, it would in no way jeopardize the welfare of any of the children on the videos that are stored there, according to Child Shield information.

Martin sees this as a way of outsmarting molesters or abductors. “The problem is that most molesters or abductors are smart,” she said. “You have to be one step ahead.”

One technique (covered in the kit) used by predators is to gain the trust and gratitude of a parent, and then befriend their child in less than 30 seconds, right in public, Martin said. And, she reiterated that most children are taken by someone known to the parents.

Martin adds that while programs like Amber Alert are valuable, they are reactive, rather than proactive, which is what Child Shield promotes. The company has been in business since 1990, and charges a one-time registration fee that covers all children in the immediate family under age 18.

In addition to this one-time fee, there is either a $15 monthly renewing fee; three monthly $55 payments ($165); or an annual cost of $150. There is no other method of payment or price.

Discounts are available for active and retired first-responders, law enforcement personnel and firefighters, active educators and active military families. Martin’s contact number is 404-4203 or e-mail her at saveyourchildtoday@yahoo.com.