[MR] Picking up strange children

[C. Brian Towey]

> I'd like to be clear - it is NOT ok to just pick up a strange child,
> unless that child is in some sort of danger, or you're doing a quick
> redirect away from merchandise if you don't see the parent right away.

On a similar note, at least four times in recent years, I have looked around
for a child and found him or her missing.  Each time, it turned out that
some random stranger had decided my child was lost, and "saved" the tot by
carrying him or her away to the management.  I was never more than 10 or 15
feet away, and merely had my back turned.  (OK, once I had nodded off.)
Do-gooders, please restrain yourselves.  It is unseemly for me to have to
chase you yelling "Put my child down!"

Yes, sometimes we parents look around with that "Where has he gotten to
now?" look on our faces.  Much more useful than the would-be rescuers are
the adults who coolly point to the table or potted plant behind which the
tot has vanished. 

Charles Fleming