Clay Today staff
ORANGE PARK -- An Orange Park church will host a seminar in March on how to protect children from child predators.
The First Baptist Church of Orange Park, 1140 Kingsley Ave, will hold the seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. March 6. The seminar is free but attendees can buy a Child Lures Family Guide for $5.
The guest speaker is Ken Wooden, an Emmy award-winning investigative reporter who will discuss the 10 most common "lures" that predators use to seduce a child.
The church says the seminar is being offered in light of the October murder of Somer Thompson, a Grove Park Elementary School student who went missing while walking home from school. Her body was found two days later in a Georgia landfill. Police continue to search for her killer.
"We offer this free seminar not only for parents in Orange Park but also encourage community leaders, school personnel, local media, crime enforcement and all government representatives in Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties to attend," Pastor David Tarkington said.
Talkington said the Clay County Sheriff’s Office supports the event and plans to have personnel attend.
Parents are urged not to bring their children to the seminar because of the nature of the topic and child care will not be available. Call the church at (904) 264-2351 or go online to www.opfirst.org for further details.
February 6th 2010 - 9:23AM