Elmo pays a visit to San Quentin

Some children loved greeting Elmo, but others weren't sure what to make of the guy in the fuzzy red suit. Some children loved greeting Elmo, but others weren't sure what to make of the guy in the fuzzy red suit. Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 22 Caption Close Elmo pays a visit to San Quentin 1 / 22 Back to Gallery

(11-14) 19:47 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- The low baritone rumble of the male inmates gathered in San Quentin State Prison's visiting room was replaced by a fevered falsetto as a red, man-size creature covered in fur strolled into view.

The children in the room squealed and gasped, as their fathers, uncles and grandfathers, wearing their prison blues, dropped to their knees to fuel their enthusiasm - not that the tykes needed the help.

"It's Elmo!" they exclaimed to the kids. "Look, it's Elmo!"

That's right - Elmo, of "Sesame Street" fame, checked into San Quentin on Thursday - but only for visiting hours. He spent the morning mugging for photos with the children in the visiting room, handing out high fives and hugs and leading the group in the hokey pokey.

Elmo visited the lockup as part of "Sesame Street's" nationwide Little Children, Big Challenges program that helps children cope with issues such as having a loved one in prison.

San Quentin was the first state prison to host Elmo, officials said.

"It's a great program that focuses on the kids and helps them adapt to their parents being incarcerated," said Don McGraw, an administrative assistant to the warden. "It helps them understand what's happening and gives them an avenue to express how they're feeling with their friends and family."

Five-year-old Braylon Butler ran up to Elmo for hugs multiple times, each time skittering back to his grandfather Duane Butler's side with a big smile on his face.

Butler, 51, is in San Quentin on a murder conviction, which is hard for his wife to explain to her grandson.

"It's hard for the parents to explain it to them," said Sara Butler, 49, watching Braylon jump into her husband's lap in the kids' playroom. "I get emotional when I talk about it sometimes, but the kids need to know what's going on. I just tell him that Granddaddy did something wrong and he has to be here for some time, but that he stills love him very much."

While Elmo took a break, organizers put on a clip from "Sesame Street" in which the characters comforted children whose parents were in prison.

Michael Nelson spent the time gazing down at his 3-year-old goddaughter, Eleora Saeteurn, as she nibbled on a sweet and played with his glasses.

"It took her awhile to adjust to it here," said her mother, Cristina Saeteurn, 26. "But with Elmo, she'll have a good memory, and at her age, it's the perfect time to really get her to understand what is going on."

Ricky Gaines, 37, said he loved having Elmo at visiting hours.

"Anything to break up the monotony," Gaines said. He looked down at his 4-year-old granddaughter, Ki'ajeah, who flashed a grin as Elmo enfolded her into his furry embrace. "And that smile. Anything for that smile."