A mother has shared her experience after an elderly man approached her toddler son at a Gold Coast library, leaving her shaken and prompting a warning to other parents.
Rochelle Evrard was at a library session with her 15-month-old son, Hughie, when she noticed an older man interacting with her child. The man took Hughie's hand and made a comment about how easily the toddler would go with someone, an interaction Evrard described as unsettling.
Evrard recounted that her son, who she described as very friendly and energetic, was wandering around the library while she followed. The man waved at Hughie, who then walked towards him. The man bent down, held Hughie's hand, and then looked at Evrard, saying, "Well he'd go with anyone."
Initially questioning if she was overreacting, Evrard immediately picked up her son and responded, "That's concerning." She later spoke with the library's manager and a friend about the incident, with another father in attendance also encouraging her to report it.
The man later returned to the library and reportedly explained that the interaction had "just happened" as he was leaving and that his comment was made in jest. Evrard acknowledged that the encounter may have been innocent but stated that the realization of how readily her toddler had taken a stranger's hand left her deeply unsettled. She shared her experience on TikTok, hoping to encourage other parents to be vigilant, emphasizing how quickly a situation could change even with a parent nearby.
Evrard said the experience served as a reminder of the importance of parental supervision, even when a child is only a step away.