As an update, as many people said there is definitely an oral grapevine where this story is spread to the point where it is part of the collective belief system. It's a normal instinctual fear to lose a child, and these types of stories have circulated throughout recorded history. People will swear that its even on the news, but I have trouble finding any real stories, and I don't think the people in question are 'newsy' people. I don't think they even have a television for Novelas. And, the kids range freely in the barrio. If there was a tangible threat, I think they'd be under much closer supervision.
That said, my girlfriend is constantly trying to shake money out of me and this story was aimed at getting a pasola under the guise of moving her child safely to school and back which is a short 5 minute walk. Crude as it was, it was a multi-phased approach that started with the "child missing report" in the beginning. I find such subterfuge obnoxious, but it just seems to be what Latin women do when they want money.
That said, my girlfriend is constantly trying to shake money out of me and this story was aimed at getting a pasola under the guise of moving her child safely to school and back which is a short 5 minute walk. Crude as it was, it was a multi-phased approach that started with the "child missing report" in the beginning. I find such subterfuge obnoxious, but it just seems to be what Latin women do when they want money.