It's an unthinkable nightmare, your kid being taken and not knowing who has them or if they are even alive.

“I don't think there's ever a 100% guarantee it wouldn't happen," executive director Shari Zen with the Western Slope Center For Children said.

"Always check in, always know, always keep an eye on them,” mom and grandma Dorthea Oldaker said. “They're just too precious to lose."

The Western Slope Center For Children has been in Mesa County for 15 years. It's an advocacy group for mentally and physically abused kids

Experts says when kids are put in traumatic situations it can have long lasting effects.

"A child may feel okay about it for awhile but then something comes up in their life as they're growing up and sparks a memory or they don't know how to deal with it," Zen said.

Experts say the best way to prevent kidnappings is to talk to your kids and maintain an honest, open relationship. And it's never too early to start having that conversation.

"Basic kind of information when they're younger and a little bit more when they're 7,8,9, and going into middle school,” Zen said. “Having a good conversation and sharing why are we having this conservation? Because we want you to be safe."

"When my children were younger we'd go to the police department, they'd have the open houses where you could photograph and fingerprint your child,” Oldaker said. “We do that and with lily we always have her picture updated."

Parents say it's better to be over-protective than to post missing flyers with your child's picture around town.

"Always have updated information is a parent's first step of defense. That and I always believe in escorting children. Never let them walk alone,” Oldaker said. “Not in today's society."