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When babysitters go bad, parents pay the price: Occasionally, someone who seems like a good babysitter turns out to be a bad apple.

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne, WY) July 5, 2006 Byline: Michelle Dynes Jul. 5–CHEYENNE — Most people already know the babysitters they hire. here my babysitters a vampire

They might be a neighbor, friend of the family or go to the same church, said St. Rick Wood with the Cheyenne Police Department. So it isn’t too often that police are called to intervene. But it does happen. When Jennifer Morris’ regular babysitter wasn’t available, she hired someone else to watch her children. But when she came home, she felt uneasy. “I never got that way with other babysitters,” she said. It didn’t take long for her to notice that the family change jar was empty, and her engagement ring had gone missing. Morris said she tore the house apart, hoping she had just misplaced her jewelry.

“I couldn’t perceive anybody could do that,” she said. “I gave her as much benefit of the doubt as possible.” Police officers got a confession, learning that the ring was tossed out a car window when a pawnshop wouldn’t take it. Morris said she spent four-and-a-half hours searching alongside a road until the ring appeared. “Our trust in people is kinda shot,” she said. Wood said a similar incident occurred last year. Missing items found in a pawnshop were traced back to a babysitter. “It’s not a real problem, because parents are pretty responsible about who to hire,” he said. Depending on the value of the stolen items, incidents like these count as larceny with a $300 bond. If the value exceeds $1,000, it becomes a felony, he said. When school lets out for the summer, the demand for babysitters increases, said Lt. Mike Christmann of Cheyenne Fire and Rescue. see here my babysitters a vampire

To keep babysitters educated for the job ahead, there are a variety of community classes. Safety classes are offered through Cheyenne Fire and Rescue with input from groups like the police, sheriff’s and Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department, he said. The day-long class focuses on safety, security and evacuation procedures. While the May session was canceled, Christmann said he hopes to make the classes available again soon. Classes also are available through the Cheyenne Family YMCA and the American Red Cross. Instructor Bess Lichtweis said the Red Cross focuses on CPR, first aid and child care. Participants will learn about basics such as diapering, feeding and parent interviews during the classes, which are offered once a month all year long.

“We had a lot of calls asking for (these types of classes),” Lichtweis said. “Parents get worried when someone else is watching their kids, and the parents of sitters hope they’re prepared. What if (a child) is bleeding? What if they choke on something?” At the YMCA, the Super Sitters class will resume in September. Offered the second Saturday of every month, participants will learn how to entertain, bathe and clothe infants to toddlers, said Chris Shay, program development office manager. By the end of the day-long class, they’ll also be armed with a book, coloring sheets and projects to help them get started.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.