Monsters? Even worse. Bedtime took a dark turn after she peeked under the bed.
- Replies 1
It's a scene straight out of a suspense thriller, but for one babysitter in Great Bend, Kansas, the chilling events of a seemingly ordinary evening became all too real.
Many of you have been a reassuring presence for our children back then, and our grandchildren now, telling them that monsters under the bed are just figments of their imagination.
However, this story serves as a stark reminder that sometimes, the monsters are not just in our heads.
On a quiet Monday night at 10:30 pm, a babysitter's routine task of tucking the children into bed took a harrowing turn.
One child's persistent claims of a “monster” under the bed prompted the babysitter to investigate, expecting to find nothing more than socks or forgotten toys.

Instead, she came face-to-face with a very real and very unauthorized intruder: 27-year-old Martin Villalobos Jr.
Villalobos, who had previously lived at the house, was not just an unwelcome guest but was legally barred from the property by a protection-from-abuse order.
The discovery led to an altercation, during which one of the children was knocked over as Villalobos made his escape.
The babysitter's quick thinking led to an immediate call to the Barton County sheriff's deputies, who arrived on the scene but were unable to locate Villalobos at that time.
The following day, the story took another twist when Villalobos was spotted near the area.
A foot chase ensued, ending with his arrest and the levying of several serious charges against him, including aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, child endangerment, felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer, and violation of a protection-from-abuse order. He is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance, even in the safety of one's home. Babysitters, parents, and guardians alike are reminded that the responsibility of protecting children extends beyond the seen to the unseen, and sometimes, the unexpected.
Source: E! News / Youtube.
Safety Tips for Babysitters and Guardians
1. Always verify who is at the door before opening it, and never let strangers inside.
2. Familiarize yourself with the household's safety protocols, including alarm systems and emergency contacts.
3. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is. Don't dismiss children's fears without checking.
4. Keep your phone charged and within reach at all times in case you need to call for help.
5. Learn basic self-defense techniques and teach children to recognize and respond to dangerous situations.
Have you ever encountered a situation that required you to protect yourself or those in your care? Do you have any safety tips or experiences to share with our community? We encourage you to join the conversation in the comments below!
Many of you have been a reassuring presence for our children back then, and our grandchildren now, telling them that monsters under the bed are just figments of their imagination.
However, this story serves as a stark reminder that sometimes, the monsters are not just in our heads.
On a quiet Monday night at 10:30 pm, a babysitter's routine task of tucking the children into bed took a harrowing turn.
One child's persistent claims of a “monster” under the bed prompted the babysitter to investigate, expecting to find nothing more than socks or forgotten toys.

A Kansas babysitter found a man under a child's bed when checking for a “monster”, leading to a police response. Image source: nrd / Unsplash.
Instead, she came face-to-face with a very real and very unauthorized intruder: 27-year-old Martin Villalobos Jr.
Villalobos, who had previously lived at the house, was not just an unwelcome guest but was legally barred from the property by a protection-from-abuse order.
The discovery led to an altercation, during which one of the children was knocked over as Villalobos made his escape.
The babysitter's quick thinking led to an immediate call to the Barton County sheriff's deputies, who arrived on the scene but were unable to locate Villalobos at that time.
The following day, the story took another twist when Villalobos was spotted near the area.
A foot chase ensued, ending with his arrest and the levying of several serious charges against him, including aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, child endangerment, felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer, and violation of a protection-from-abuse order. He is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance, even in the safety of one's home. Babysitters, parents, and guardians alike are reminded that the responsibility of protecting children extends beyond the seen to the unseen, and sometimes, the unexpected.
Source: E! News / Youtube.
Safety Tips for Babysitters and Guardians
1. Always verify who is at the door before opening it, and never let strangers inside.
2. Familiarize yourself with the household's safety protocols, including alarm systems and emergency contacts.
3. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is. Don't dismiss children's fears without checking.
4. Keep your phone charged and within reach at all times in case you need to call for help.
5. Learn basic self-defense techniques and teach children to recognize and respond to dangerous situations.
Key Takeaways
- A Kansas babysitter found a man under a child's bed when checking for a “monster”, leading to a police response.
- The man, Martin Villalobos Jr., had been ordered to stay away from the property due to a protection-from-abuse order.
- There was an altercation in which one of the children was knocked over before the man fled the scene.
- Villalobos was charged with several felonies, including aggravated kidnapping and aggravated burglary, and is held on a $500,000 bond.
Have you ever encountered a situation that required you to protect yourself or those in your care? Do you have any safety tips or experiences to share with our community? We encourage you to join the conversation in the comments below!