Better that I give the child a lift instead of some Roman Catholic Priest or other pervert. Only a stupid shit gives rides to children. Consider hanging a canister of mace or pepper spray from your car's turn signal lever. Put it where hitchhikers cannot see it, and more importantly cannot reach it. Go to your local police department or sheriff's station for instructions on how to use these weapons.
Different States have different laws governing the carrying and use of mace and pepper spray.
Never use mace or pepper spray on someone unless you are in imminent danger of bodily harm. Theft of property is usually not crime enough for you to assault someone. It is much better for you to apply a debilitating weapon instead of a fatal one. With pepper spray, the violent person is usually subdued for roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Pepper spray in the offender's face will usually stop the most violent berserker from continuing his violence or abuse.