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The Plot to Kidnap David Letterman's Toddler
3/24/2005 How the Plot to Kidnap David Letterman's Nanny and Baby May Have Been Prevented
According to
Frank is charged with felony solicitation, felony theft for allegedly overcharging Letterman for painting work and misdemeanor obstruction for allegedly lying to an FBI agent who first questioned him about the plot.
Were there signs to indicate that Mr. Frank posed a threat to Mr. Letterman and his family? To answer this question one does not have to look very far.
The USA Today reported that Mr. Frank previously pleaded guilty to stalking and intimidating a woman who alleges he also kidnapped and raped her. The The woman told
There are some very simple steps that Mr. Letterman could have taken to ensure the safety of his 16-month old baby. He could have used the services of a licensed private investigator. A simple inquiry through the National Crime Information Computer would have revealed that Mr. Frank had a past history of violence to include stalking and intimidation. Mr. Letterman could have obtained a copy of the charging documents of Mr. Frank's alleged crimes from the county courthouse. That information is a matter of public record. A check of the voter registration roster could have revealed Mr. Frank's address of record. The address could have been run through the local police agency to determine the type and number of calls for service at my Frank's current and previous addresses. A check of probation records would have revealed that Mr. Frank was on probation at the time that he has hired. If Mr. Letterman had required the painter/handyman to sign an agreement consenting to a background check, he could have made a more informed decision about hiring the handyman.
One might ask what other information could have been uncovered to determine whether Mr. Frank had a propensity toward kidnapping and other crimes? A few quick interviews could have supplied enough information to indicate that Mr. Frank was not the right choice for employment. A check of public records could have determined whether or not the employee had filed for bankruptcy. This could have shed some light on whether or not the employee may have been in financial trouble. Although there was no information obtained that indicated Mr. Frank's financial status, this information also would have been useful in determining Mr. Frank's suitability for employment.
What happened in this case is not uncommon. In today's society many Americans are balancing dual careers and family responsibilities. They find themselves constantly in a rush. They often do not take the time to thoroughly check the background of their domestic workers. Prior to the arrest of British Au Pair Louise Woodard for the alleged murder of infant Matthew Ethan, many Americans did not consider the seriousness of selecting a domestic worker such as a nanny or a full-time babysitter. The seriousness of this decision was put in the spotlight again after the movie “The Hand that Rocked the Cradle” was released. Time and time again, we hear of other incidents where infants are killed or seriously injured by their child care providers. These incidents have sent shock waves across America. Should this level of caution be limited to babysitters or Au Pairs? Many people do not believe that their babysitters, painters, gardeners, pool cleaners or handymen can be a threat to their personal safety or the safety of their families. I believe that Mr. Letterman can now bear witness to the fact that one of the greatest threats to our personal safety are employees that we unwittingly let into our lives.
The fact of the matter is that anyone who is providing long-term services for you can gain considerable insight into your habits and security vulnerabilities. That information is often used to set you and your family up for a variety of crimes including burglary, robbery, rape and sometimes murder. Are people clever enough to obtain employment solely for the purpose of setting you up? Ask any Burglary or Robbery Detective. Many criminals obtain employment to learn about a family's or company's security practices. Another ploy that criminals often use is enlisting the support of their friends to obtain employment. Females are often recruited for this purpose. These friends often do not have a criminal record. That is why it is important to not only check out the individual that you are hire but also their associates. These employees and their cohorts use this intelligence to breach the security of your home or business.
It is good to know that Mr. Letterman's child and nanny are safe and that the suspect is now in custody. In the end, what would have been a better choice? I believe that taking the necessary precautions to protect our families should be the highest priority in all our lives. |
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