Canoga Park, CA — A local family is urging the community to stay vigilant after their 17-year-old daughter experienced what they believe may have been a troubling interaction with a potential human trafficker at the Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga Park.
According to the parents, the incident unfolded on Dec. 4 around 6:30 p.m., while the teen was getting her phone’s screen protector replaced at the Zagg kiosk. After the quick stop, she headed toward the nearby elevator by Neiman Marcus, intending to ride up to the mall’s second level.
As the doors were closing, an unknown woman abruptly stopped the elevator and stepped inside.
Stranger Allegedly Pressures Teen for Personal Information
Once inside the confined space, the woman allegedly began bombarding the teen with intrusive personal questions. According to the family, the woman asked for the teen’s Instagram handle and even requested to take a photo of her.
The woman allegedly told the teen she wanted to introduce her to “older rich men” at a New Year’s Eve party — an alarming statement that immediately made the teen uncomfortable.
When the teen exited the elevator, she attempted to walk away quickly, but the woman reportedly trailed closely behind and continued pressuring her to share personal contact information.
Fortunately, the teen managed to get away and returned home safely, where she recounted the incident to her parents.
Parents and Community Express Alarm
Local resident Karen Bardavid, who has teen daughters who regularly visit Westfield Topanga, expressed how disturbing the account was.
“Hearing a story like that is terrifying as a parent,” Bardavid said. “Honestly, though, it’s not incredibly surprising based on the stories I hear around Los Angeles and across the country.”
The girl’s parents hope their warning encourages families to remind teens to remain aware of their surroundings and to trust their intuition when something feels wrong.
Investigation and Community Concerns
Mall security is reported to be investigating the incident, though no further details have been released.
Bardavid emphasized that many teens assume the mall is a safe space, especially during the holidays, making news like this even more upsetting.
“As someone who grew up in the Valley, I was a mall rat,” she said. “You think of the mall as a safe place with security everywhere. You don’t expect to be afraid for your child just because they want to hang out or shop.”
She also noted that the alleged suspect being a woman could make the threat more difficult for teens to recognize immediately.
“I’ve always taught my children that if you’re ever lost or scared in a mall, you look for the moms,” she said. “So for a female to be asking these kinds of questions, kids might not realize right away that it’s a red flag.”
A Reminder to Stay Alert
The girl’s parents emphasized that they’re sharing their daughter’s experience not to cause panic, but to raise awareness. They hope their message encourages parents to have open conversations with their children about safety, boundaries, and responding to uncomfortable situations.
With the busy holiday season bringing larger crowds and more teens to shopping centers, families are encouraged to remain mindful, practice safety tips, and report suspicious behavior to mall security or law enforcement.
Have you seen suspicious behavior at malls or public places? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below — your voice could help keep someone safe.
