Tuesday, October 09, 2012

10 Year Old Disappears On Her Way To School

I Tweeted this earlier today, but it never hurts to write about it and maybe someone will read this who knows something or will repeat it to someone who does. Last week, 10 year old Jessica Ridgeway disappeared on her way to school. She lives ion Westminster, CO. Over the weekend police found her backpack 6 miles away. That is scary, because you know she probably didn't walk 6 miles. Jessica walks to a park every morning and then meets her friends in the park and they all walk to school together. In that short distance between park and school she disappeared. The school called Jessica's mom at 10am, but her mom is a night shift worker, was asleep, and didn't get the message until 430pm.

Posted by ent lawyer at 11:00 AM

104 comments:

  1. AmericanScrewball11:02 AM

    I swear to god I hope they find her. This is so damn sad. So many kids are abducted. My thoughts go out to her mother.

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  2. Cathy11:03 AM

    This is horrible.

    I don't have kids, so I'm putting this question out there for the parents (because I really have no idea): what is the right age to let kids walk around on their own (not with friends, but completely on their own) in this day and age?

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    1. Unknown4:35 PM

      well i never walked to school b/c it was far away from our home but my friends went to the school down the block from our neighborhood and i remember as a kid they walked to school as young as 3rd grade so what age is that around 8/9. i wan't allowed to stay home alone until i was like 13 or 14 either. my asshole abusive father was a cop so although he abused me at least i learned what to look out for when i have kids and i will never let my kids walk to school by themselves.

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  3. Unknown11:07 AM

    This is someone who knew the family and the kid's and Mom's schedule. The little bit of info here doesn't make it sound like something random to me.

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  4. Pogue Mahone11:09 AM

    This is exactly why I never let my kids walk anywhere alone. It's just not safe. When I was a kid growing up in the 70's in the big city I went everywhere alone; I walked alone, I took the streetcar alone, etc. and only got followed once but it's a different time now.There are just too many sickos out there that prey on kids and it's not safe to let them go anywhere by themselves.

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    1. Anna V. Xol11:34 AM

      Exactly!

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    2. jlholmes802:57 AM

      Actually according to research and statistics it is far more safe now than it was. Not to mention, but now you have mass media and the internet, kids that do go missing are more likely to be found. Its also because of mass media and the internet people hear about everything (like this story, for example, I am not in Colorado so in the 70s I'd have never heard about this) so tend to think its more dangerous now. I do hope this girl is alright and they find her.

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  5. SusanB11:12 AM

    I walked 1/2 mile to school when I was in the 2nd grade. Never had a problem. I'm just baffled as to why this seems to be so common now - perhaps it's because the cases are publicized so much more now.

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  6. Bluevelvet11:13 AM

    Pogue it was more dangerous to walk to school in the 70's than it is now. Crime rates are a lot lower now its just it gets more attention.

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    1. ecua5:00 PM

      Agreed. You were just lucky.

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  7. Pogue Mahone11:17 AM

    Bluevelvet: Maybe it depends where you live. In Toronto it was safe in the 70's.

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    1. Bluevelvet11:39 AM

      It wasn't really safe in the 70s.

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  8. Megan11:22 AM

    ^^What Bluevelvet said. Doesn't mean I'm as trusting as my parents, though I hope that someday I can let my kids walk with a group of friends to school. We're in the suburbs, about 10 minutes walk from the school, and many of the kids walk there or home, either together or in a group. My 1st grader, though, walks with my husband or I, or is picked up by one of us or someone we know and give permission to. When I was in pre-K I walked a block and a half with my pre-K friend and no adult, crossed at least one street, to get to the bus stop from my daycare. It was awesome when I was a kid, but scares me to think about as a parent. More for fear of cars hitting kids who aren't looking (much more likely) than for fear of abduction.

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  9. katsm071111:22 AM

    I hope they find her. It's horrible. What else is horrible is that the news only talks about missing white kids. I'm white and I still find it offensive.

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  10. Ms Cool11:24 AM

    I wouldn't trust my 9-year-old to walk alone. He is just too friendly and not quite traffic savvy, despite our best efforts. I think you need to know your kid.

    My hink is on with the girls' family. I hate to say that because I don't know enough but I wouldn't ever be without a phone when my kid is in school. Also, why didn't the school try other family members until she reached someone? They really let the ball drop.

    I hope this has a happy ending.

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  11. kimmypie111:26 AM

    I think you meant in the distance between home and the park she disappeared. If she disappeared between the park and school then she would have been with her friends, right?

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  12. auntliddy11:29 AM

    So awful. I hope the little angel is found safe and sound. And i feel awful for the mother! Imagine her guilt???????? Oh, i hv 5 young grandchiodren, and they dont go anywhere without grown up. Possibly ever. Case closed. We were in a large hockey arena, and kids wanted to uostairs to play in empty rooms. I wldnt even let them do that!!!!!! My mantra is " eyes on". I hv to be able to see them.

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  13. Ashlea11:35 AM

    This is sad. These stories never end well. And in regards to minorities disappearing I see stories on the news about children of all races that are missing. Why do people always say this? It annoys me.
    Maybe they will find her though. Just last week a girl in the Philadelphia area was abducted and held for 2 days by 3 sickos who raped and tortured her. She was smart and escaped and gave such a good description of the rapists that they found them. She went through a sad, horrible ordeal but at least she's alive.

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    1. katsm071111:45 AM

      Where do u live Ashlea? I'm stating a fact based on where I live and the national news coverage. If a minority missing kid gets on the national news, you only see it once but a white kid gets reported on until we know the ending.

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    2. Kewi11:51 AM

      the "white" baby girl missing from Maine hasn't been found or reported on since May, the little "white" boy from Oregon(?) I think his name is Dylan, hasn't been reported about since the month he disappeared that I know of. Leave race out of this, we're all adults here right?

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    3. Ashlea11:54 AM

      I live in a large town outside of Philadelphia. I have also seen Amber Alerts come across my television for children of all races. It happened not too long ago. The news i watch covers Philly, part of Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware. Not a small area...

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    4. Ashlea11:55 AM

      Amen Kewi.

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    5. Kewi11:58 AM

      Back at ya Ashlea, I live near Baltimore and DC and have yet to see an Amber Alert for a caucasian child and I wish to never see another one period.

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    6. katsm071112:02 PM

      I don't know how "we're all adults here" applies to what I said but I guess we don't watch the same news programs.

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    7. Kewi12:04 PM

      It applies to a level of maturity that we should have (that means you too) to not get distracted by something as petty as race, it distracts from the real issue at hand.

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    8. Unknown12:05 PM

      I saw that on the news too Ashlea.... So sad.

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    9. katsm071112:13 PM

      Yeah. Every comment is "omg how awful. I woul die if anything happened to my kid" we aren't organizing search parties here. Let's get an interesting convo going? Guess not. My point was that there are thousands of kids who go missing every day yet only a few lucky ones get national news coverage.

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    10. Kewi12:26 PM

      Well it sounds like you want a search party so by all means start one but don't forget to look for the white kids. I'm very passionate about these kinds of things and when local children are reported missing I do volunteer my time. Yes you're right only a few get coverage and from what I've been told there's usually money involved but we need to get past the race thing. You wanted your interesting conversation and you got it. I'm done typing to you.

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    11. Ashlea1:05 PM

      Kewi is on a rollll. Caitlin did you see how the police chief was so impressed with her? What an incredible individual to survive a terrible attack like that and maintain enough composure to tell your story. Bless her

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    12. Unknown3:59 PM

      I didn't see that but how brave of her. OMG that poor girl. If I had the extra money I'd start a collection for her college or something.
      Absolutely terrifying

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  14. All about Eve11:37 AM

    As a parent news like these are terrifying, my oldest just started Kindergarden and the question of when and if he should walk to school has been on mind lately since I see a lot of kids alone but I think it depends on a lot of things such as the kid, environment and such. I hope they find this girl soon, it must be devastating for the mom.

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  15. GladysKravitz11:42 AM

    @Ms. Cool: You apparently have never worked night shift. The phone rings all day with all kinds of people at the other end, and almost always something that is not very important. If you had a phone that rang at 11pm, 1 am, 2am, 2:15am, 3am, 3:30am, etc, you would turn it off at night. When my kids were young, I lived in terror of something like this happening to one of them, because I needed my sleep to do my job, so that I could support them. Aunt liddy has it right: her mother must feel horrid guilt. Night shift workers make the world work for day shift people, and are already taking years off their life, by working night shift. We can't afford to be insane and keep our phones turned on during our sleeping hours.

    I feel for this family and am praying that somehow the girl's backpack was found because she threw it away as she was escaping from whomever took her.

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  16. Kewi11:46 AM

    @SusanB - I agree 100%, hubby and I actually had a talk the other night that went along the lines of "was the world really this fucked up when we were kids without social media or is it just getting worse?" we agreed that the civilization has declined as much as it has advanced.

    That being said this story made me well up with tears, I would kill myself if anything bad ever happened to my babies. I can't imagine the agony this mother is going though but my heart is with her. I hope that she (and anyone else missing a loved one) gets her baby back alive and well.

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  17. Worstcompanytoworkfor11:47 AM

    Don't understand people in this day and age that allow their kids to walk to school.

    we need a law against it.

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    1. Kewi11:55 AM

      You're not the only one, as a child I had to walk a mile to elementary school daily because I lived exactly one mile from school, the BOE said they wouldn't use their transportation for children who lived such a "short distance". I hope things have changed since then.

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    2. auntliddy1:16 PM

      My grandchildren's school will only release them to ok-ed parent. No random walkers.

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  18. Ms Cool11:49 AM

    @GladysKravitz - that is true, I haven't worked the night shift. I didn't think about that. But I still am never without my phone and really don't leave the area while my son is in school. However, he has health problems so I am sure to make myself very available. However, someone else should be the school contact for kids whose parents aren't able to answer the phone due to sleep/jobs, etc.

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  19. Ms Cool11:49 AM

    Ugh. Excuse my grammar in the previous post.

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  20. Unknown12:01 PM

    I know that it may not seem like the best idea to let your child walk to school by themselves these days but don't you think her mother is thinking this over and over and thinking of what she could have done differently?
    This is the reason why I and many others are scared to death to bring children into a world where a little girl cannot walk down the street.
    I hope they find her. I will keep her and her family in my prayers.

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  21. Jason Blue Eyes12:01 PM

    *sigh* I hope she's found safe and unhurt. And SOON!

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  22. Britney Shears12:07 PM

    When I was 15, a guy was waiting for me at the bus stop (I had to be bussed across town for school, so it was like 5:30 am/pitch black). Luckily, I had a nightmare about it the night before and had my dad drive me to the bus stop. So I guess it doesn't matter how old the child is...

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    1. Bluevelvet1:58 PM

      How did you know there was a guy waiting for you, if you didn't take the bus?

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  23. raelynn12:12 PM

    I cannot imagine that mothers agony for sleeping after her night shift. She must be so tormented....

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  24. Anonymous12:12 PM

    Speaking of the age to let children walk alone. I am in my thirties and still very cautious. When I am walking my dogs or running alone, I am always scanning the area for strange cars, people following me, and looking at paths I could run down, fences I could jump over, etc to get away from someone. The other day when I was jogging to the park alone, I saw a white stranger danger panel van parked on the side of the road with a man in it with his door proped open smoking. I ignored him, even though he yelled for me to come over. When I was about to leave I noticed the van still there and the man still smoking and fiddling with his radio. This was close to an hour later. Because of that and the creepy vibe I got, I turned around, caught up with some walkers and went a different route home. The next day I drove by the park area, and saw a ton of police men and dogs and an ambulance in that area looking in the ditch/ravine and fields near it. I'm wondering if it was related. The guy just gave me a bad bad vibe. And yes I may be parinoid, but I also live in a rural area and am aware that two blonde, blue eyed women have gone missing here in the last 4 years.... Don;t want to be #3.

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    1. auntliddy1:22 PM

      Always tryst your instincts!!!! And mb call cops next time!!

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    2. auntliddy1:23 PM

      Trust!!

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    3. Nellie3:27 PM

      Call the cops and give them a description. Seriously.

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  25. Jennifer H.12:18 PM

    Amber Alerts don't discriminate, but the media does. Isn't CNN nicknamed something like "the missing white girl network?"

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    1. katsm071112:22 PM

      Thank u @jennifer. I said "national" news...

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    2. auntliddy1:20 PM

      You have to be on another planet not ti realuze white people, children and young women, get alot more publicity than black victims.

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    3. Bluevelvet3:54 PM

      Rich blond women get the most.

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  26. Pogue Mahone12:20 PM

    Bluevelvet: maybe it wasn't safe where you lived in the 70's but it was safe where I lived at the time although it's not anymore; times change.

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    1. Bluevelvet2:01 PM

      Look at the crime stats, what you thought or how you feel are not facts.

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  27. Bit dams12:22 PM

    "there are thousands of kids who go missing every day yet only a few lucky ones get national news coverage." that is not true. stranger abductions are extremely rare.

    the FBI just sent their evidence team into the girls home. so, read into that what you will.

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    1. auntliddy1:24 PM

      Think its routine. Hv to rule out family to move on.

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  28. kj12:25 PM

    Please everyone post this to your Facebook page. Today is day five of her being reported missing. The mom worked nights and when the school called to ask where she was, she was sleeping. so she went missing 8 hours before the police were notified. The day before two girls reported someone in a white van attempting to lure two girls into his vehicle. I cannot imagine what he'll the family is going through but let's keep her visible and in our prayers

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  29. __-__=__12:42 PM

    In the '70's real men still gave Pedo's the beat down they so richly deserve. Now not so much. The law needs to lock these sickos up for life without parole.

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    1. Bluevelvet2:04 PM

      In the 70s being a pedo wasnt as big of a deal look at Roman Palzankey (dont know how to spell it)

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  30. Silly Girl12:58 PM

    For those arguing race, black kids AND white kids are on the news every day here in the Metro Detroit area. Leave race out of it. It's the story that's compelling, not their race.

    My son just turned 9 and I walk him to the bus stop. Actually, I stop a half block away and let him walk the rest of the way with the other kids he picks up along the way. I wait until there are other kids there, AND at least one other parent, then I leave. One of the mom's watches the bus stop from her kitchen porch, out the back. It's pretty well covered, so I'm not all that concerned. That being said, every day when I turn to leave, I say a little prayer for him. If something were to happen to him, I'd be a basket case, but at the same time, I'm doing what I can to protect him AND allow him to grow up, just a little bit. He's learning about responsibility, traffic, taking care/sharing with the other kids (when there is no teacher or adult around) and I think it's good for him. I'd never tell him to walk to school if he missed the bus, though, it would include crossing 4 main streets!! We can't protect our kids 24/7 and we have to give them the opportunity to grow up a little bit. When they get older and cannot function in the workplace because they've never developed 'common sense' or 'practical knowledge', then we, as a society, are screwed. This is such a hot button for me, sorry for the rant.

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  31. djphob12:58 PM

    There is less crime now. But think whatever you want. Sigh.

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  32. Anothergrayhare1:22 PM

    My kids' elementary school calls the police if they can't reach a parent when a child doesn't show up for school. Toronto area, 700 kids in the school. May take an hour or so but worth it if it saves just one kid. And yes, it was safe to walk all over the place up here in the 70s.

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  33. musesx91:42 PM

    I don't let my kids walk to my neighbor's house down the street. I live in a cul-de-sac. I am not that trusting. Sorry, even at 14 (her age), I can't fathom what she could do to ward off a sicko. Doesn't even have to be strong, just quick and catch her off guard.

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    1. Bluevelvet2:07 PM

      What are you going to do when she leaves?

      Delete
  34. urban chaos1:42 PM

    Kimberly and anyone else that sees something suspicious- jot down a plate number, always carry your phone and CALL the police to file a report.

    I happen to live in Toronto like some other posters here and am thankful that most parents in our neighbourhood are vigilant about stuff like this. We regularly get police reports/ incidents of a questionable nature passed through the schools/parents grapevine.

    I'm not sure when, but I wouldn't be comfortable anytime soon letting my LO's walk- my oldest is in the 2nd grade.

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  35. Sherry1:47 PM

    So sad..I get the feeling it will not end well either.

    AND not too long ago didn't Enty ask if something like this happened when we were younger? Like, were you ever approached as a kid by a stranger? There were tons of stories here. While I think we need to be cautious, old and young alike, I really don't want the gov'mt to make it a law that children cannot walk alone. That's just too much. My point: What if you live on a cul de sac and the kids are walking to the neighbors, would that automatically result in a ticket? technically it should. Is that the world we want to live in? Think not.

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  36. car542:03 PM

    Poor little girl.

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  37. Robin the Mad Photographer2:18 PM

    IIRC, it's been established that crime rates are indeed lower than they were in the '70s; the main reason we think they're so much higher when it comes to missing children is publicity. Remember, kids weren't on milk cartons until the early '80s, and while stories would be reported in their general area, they usually didn't go nationwide the way they do now. Also, the vast majority of child abductions involve family members, usually a non-custodial parent. The stranger abduction scenario is actually pretty rare; it's just that now we hear all about it thanks to cable TV and the Net. (And yes, sick things went on back in the good old days, too, unfortunately.)

    I'm not a parent myself, but I understand how easy it is to get totally paranoid that Someone is just waiting to snatch your kid off the streets; on the other hand, as they get older, you really do need to let them gain more independence and do more things on their own, lest they end up one of those helpless young adults who doesn't have the first idea of how to live independently. When I was a kid, I walked to school by myself (in all fairness, my elementary school was within easy eyesight of my house), went to visit friends, roamed through the woods behind the house, etc.; now, there are parents who won't even let their kids play outside at all, and while yes, they're technically safe indoors in front of the TV, what kinds of normal life experiences are they missing out on? Maybe we need more kids walking to school, lots of them, so there's nowhere for sick people to hide? (Someone who's really determined to do something evil will find a way; when hospitals began using electronic bracelets, etc. to prevent babies from being stolen, the babythieves stopped going to hospitals and started attacking and killing pregnant women and cutting the babies out of them.) I don't really have an answer, but I do hope this little girl makes it home safe and sound somehow...

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  38. nancer2:20 PM

    kimberly, did you call the police? that description could be very important. please do so if you haven't already. it's people like you who can help solve crimes.

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  39. missmol2:28 PM

    While I was typing- Robin said exactly what i was going to say. I have children and I fully agree, as much as I want them in a bubble, that will not help them grow into strong self-sufficient adults. So I educate and teach them and send them off to do kid things while I send up a quick prayer of protection. Prayers to this little girl that she is found.

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  40. Goodgrief2:39 PM

    This is so sad. I live near the area where the backpack was found. I have a relative who is a detective on the case. I spoke with his wife yesterdays and she said he has been working around the clock trying to find her. She has not seen much of him since Friday. I was talking to her Friday when he beeped in and said he wouldn't be home because he just got called back on an Amber Alert. Who knew at the time this was going to escalate into such a big case. But then I remember thinking the same thing about the Ramsey case. The day after Christmas there was only one little paragraph in the small news section of The Denver Post. I remember thinking poor little girl, her murder gets stuck in the section of robberies and traffic accidents. Little did I know what the next day would bring.

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  41. Reese2:40 PM

    I have yet to hear if anyone was in the house with this child while her mother was working. Was the little girl all alone all night? Horrible that this happened; I fear this poor girl met and endured our worst fears.

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  42. MrsPMFU2:42 PM

    @January Girl-lucky your dad listened to your fears, and how did you know there was a man waiting for you there??

    I have a daughter who is about to turn 4 (on Friday). She is very friendly, and likes to tell people her name and introduce herself. I often see people LOOKING at her (mostly men). She is the type of kid that random strangers often comment on how adorable or beautiful she is. I cannot kill off her innocent friendliness (yet) so I never let her out of my sight unless we are in our home with the doors locked. It makes me sad that I have to be so protective, but would rather my child grow up being a bit overprotected than gone in a flash, never to be found. My biggest fear is that one day I won't be watching, and that will be the day a pedophile is.

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  43. msgirl2:47 PM

    Yes I found it shocking because I was convinced otherwise so I did my research and statistically there is no difference between abductions now or even in the 50s.

    It's dangerous to keep your kid afraid and not let them have independence. Teach your children well. But don't teach them fear. When my son was 9 he was going to the bus stop alone - it was down the block. I think the age depends on the kid. My son was pretty street saavy - but I'm from NYC and am saavy myself. Still, it's a fine line and hard to know. I certainly didn't let him walk alone as early as some others.

    That poor woman, I feel terrible, she probably feels like killing herself for sleeping.

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  44. Britney Shears2:53 PM

    @bluevelvet and @mrspmfu: my dad drove me to the bus stop and we saw him waiting there ... and when he saw us, he scampered off quickly.

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  45. Chilie2:58 PM

    I agree with Nancer.

    Kimberly, instead of wondering, you should ask what the search was about and tell them about this guy. That's how crimes get solved. More importantly, prevented. If cops are aware of a guy in a van hanging out, trying to get women to go over to him, they're more likely to look for it.

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  46. Jolene Jolene2:58 PM

    Kewi--Why do you have to jump down katsm's back for making an observation? She wasn't stating anything as fact. She wasn't taking away from the story here, she was stating what she has noticed re: race when she watches the news. Maybe that's not true for you, but that's her opinion. WHY DOES EVERYONE THINK THEY CAN BE THE COMMENT POLICE AROUND HERE? JEEEEEEZUS.

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    1. Kewi6:32 AM

      YOU are doing exactly what you accused me of doing, all I wanted to say is that "white kid coverage"doesn't get followed until the end like katsm implied. If you read everything I also agreed that the coverage should be fair but $$$ is the deciding factor but someone wanted top keep arguing (like always) and it wasn't me. So since you're thinking you can "comment police" me, kindly fuck off.

      Delete
  47. Jolene Jolene3:01 PM

    Oh and @Robin--WORD. What she said.

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  48. astrogirl3:11 PM

    The scary thing for me is I see that parents seem to worry about their kids being snatched on the street and keep them indoors, forgetting that the Internet is where the predators hang out these days.

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  49. tara173:35 PM

    May she be returned safe. Kids are the priority, they should live in a world where a 10-year old can walk a few feet to get to a public park without fear of abduction.

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  50. Lioness703:41 PM

    This is so sad. I feel for that mom. I also feel that someone was casing the house. How could some random stranger have figured out their routines so quickly? The parents are also in the middle of a custody battle...they've questioned the dad, but is it possible that he paid someone to kidnap her and get her to him? Who knows...it's awful and I hope she's safe!

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  51. Amy in MI3:47 PM

    Stranger abductions are still really rare. Because of 24 hour media it's just very common to hear about them.

    Silly Girl - I wonder if we live in the same area.. I'm Downriver, and a lot of the districts don't even have school bussing anymore. You have to walk or drive your kid to school.

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  52. Lioness703:51 PM

    I grew up in the 70s. It was safer, or seemed that way, because there was no Internet and a lot more privacy. Now, any random jerk can be mesmerized by a picture on an unmonitored Facebook page and go after a kid.

    Creepy men are an age-old problem - my mom told me about someone trying to lure her into a car with candy, and this happened way back in the 1940s - but criminals are a lot more brazen today.

    I don't want my kids to live in fear, and I don't want them not to have fun. I know kids who are practically under lock and key by overly anxious and fearful moms. I just want them to be aware and stay safe.

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  53. Silly Girl3:52 PM

    @Amy - I'm not downriver, but I've been down there before! We still have bussing and I'm glad we do. It's too far for the kids to walk, but I would certainly drive them. Too many main roads to cross, it definitely wouldn't be safe for them!

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  54. IDoTheRobot3:56 PM

    I'm praying for this girl and her family. How heartbreaking.

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  55. katsm07114:01 PM

    I'm not a mom but I totally get wanting to keep kids in a safe bubble. But then they don't learn anything and become independent. My 13 year old niece is the only one in her class not allowed on Facebook. To contrast that, I had the first form of Internet with chat rooms in 1990 when I was 10 and totally approached by predators which nobody warned me about but luckily after getting in trouble for giving out my phone #, nothing bad happened. My niece has zero training for when she is finally allowed on the Internet and then what? She has no skills at recognizing who is dangerous. She is so afraid of strangers that she's scared one will break into her bedroom while she's sleeping and kidnap her. Maybe since all kids have cell phones now there can be some kind of panic button or a # to call if they r scared. We have to figure out a way to use the tech to our benefit and not just so predators can track unsuspecting kids. I even keep a whistle on my keychain but why good would that do me? People will just thing I'm playing with a whistle.

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  56. Lucas4:13 PM

    The idea that kids shouldn't walk to school is crazy. I was raised "free-range" and it was amazing. From grade school I was left to roam freely as long as I was home by dinner/dark. I played in the woods, fished crawdads in creeks, and rode my bike all over town. Never a problem. The only bad thing that happened to me as a kid (outside of my parent's divorce) was being molested by a family member. So there you go. I was way safer on the streets.

    And before some of you get started - yes, I am a parent. If we lived close enough my 12 year-old would walk to school. But since I live out of district since the divorce it isn't an option.

    And the statistics from the FBI clearly show that violent crime has decreased significantly. We are living in one of the safest times in history, but with all the media coverage you wouldn't know it.

    ReplyDelete
  57. ablake5:32 PM

    This little one walked 3 blocks (if she made it that far) as part of her normal routine.
    I think it's asinine to discount the fact that she's missing (and most likely worse) in order to gain attention to yourself by crying race.

    That's just cold.

    Back when I was growing up, abduction was never a problem, only because my older brothers were almost always with me (even though they wanted to look cool so I had to walk 5 feet behind them).
    The only time I had a problem was when I rode my horse to a store 3 miles away. He got away from the post and I had to walk home (I was 11). A man (going in the opposite direction that I was walking) pulled over and offered me a ride. I turned him down and he tried to turn it into a negotiation. I ended up jumping into the woods and running the rest of the way home.
    Seems my horse beat me to it (thank goodness he also got home okay)

    ReplyDelete
  58. Mutableblue7:24 PM

    I had read yesterday that her parents were in the midst of custody issues, so hoping this is in relation to that and not some random sicko snatching her. Just hoping she's safe.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Geebz7:31 PM

    Child abduction has been a problem since the beginning of time. We get more coverage of it now due to the technology that we have within the media and in our homes. My grandmother, mom and various women in the family all have stories about how some seedy dude tried to lure them into a corner for some unpleasantness. Thank goodness for the way we get information now!

    Lack of coverage due to race is an issue that the media is currently working on because it was brought to their attention. Stating that it isn't an issue doesn't make the FACT that it DOES happen disappear. Someone pointing it out is to bring it to everyone's attention and to get you to think about it. That's all. I hope people keep talking about it so that it continues to improve. I am impressed that more coverage is occurring on a national level now for children that have been taken regardless of their backgrounds.

    Sometimes the commenters here that are always trying to ignore racial issues are making me think of the phrase, "The lady/gentlman doth protest too much!". WTF...you don't have to acknowledge it but it is an issue whether you want to deal with it or not both in the media and within our culture. Dealing with it is the ONLY way to combat it. If you close your eyes because a tornado is coming, it doesn't change the fact that it's on the way.

    Regardless...my heart and prayers go out to Jessica and her family. I pray she gets home safely and that this story has an ending that puts her back in her family's arms.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Trashaddict10:23 PM

    In answer to why I don't want to let my kids walk anywhere alone, every time I get even close to relaxing about it, one of these news items arrives on the net. Your kids might develop some smarts out on the street but the predators have had a lot more practice at it.
    If you are going to let them walk by themselves, get them into a self-defense course if you can.
    I think the other thing that's different, we kids were always in groups then, from the minute we left the house. The abduction rate probably wasn't different (remember Ted Bundy?) and I remember a guy who tried to flash us from his car. But there was a gang of kids and he didn't stick around. If there had been just one, God only knows.

    ReplyDelete
  61. a non a miss5:41 AM

    I'm not a mom, only an aunt but I never let those kids out of my sight. My 4 year old niece went missing this summer, amber alert and everything. It was the worst hour of my life. Luckily she was found, sleeping, in the attic (the only way to get in is thru her closet and she sleeps like the dead) my cop friend found her and said that it happens sometimes and usually the kid is found asleep somewhere. My SIL still thinks she is the worst mother for panicking and calling the cops. She did the right thing IMO.

    I pray this girl is found, I can only imagine what her poor mother is going thru. Such sadness.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Silly Girl5:47 AM

    @rejected, I'm SO sorry you and your family had to go through that! I makes me nuts when my son isn't with me, be it school, friends house, his dad, whatever, it just makes me crazy. I want to protect him at all times. Mama Bear, yup.

    On a serious note, though, I'm curious how it was handled by the police when the child was found sleeping in her own home. I realize it's not a prank or anything like that, but were they upset because there was no foul play? I always wonder if the cops look down on us parents when we sort of 'panic' and call them. You always hear stories about how the city is sent on prank run (drowning or abduction when there is none) and what it costs the city. This isn't a prank, but was there any fallout? I wonder if that ever keeps parents from calling the cops; thinking they might be 'bothering' them or something of the like. I'll be honest, I feel that since we pay taxes to the city, the police are sort of on our payroll. If there is a problem in the neighborhood, I do think it's their responsibility to share that info with us. We had a stranger danger a few weeks ago and I stopped one of the cops the next day to talk to him about it. Yup, I'm that mom. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. a non a miss6:20 AM

      The cops weren't upset that she had called, the cop that I know has a young daughter and he said he would have done the same. When you can't find your kid, you panic and the police are trained to deal with situations like that. They would rather you be safe than sorry. As you said, we pay our taxes so we can have officers to serve and protect us!

      Delete
  63. zombiecrush6:09 AM

    uh oh.... I can't imagine what the mom is going through right now. Where is the dad? maybe that's who did it.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Silly Girl6:45 AM

    Are you talking to me, @Kewi?

    ReplyDelete
  65. KaySea8:47 AM

    http://kdvr.com/2012/10/10/police-girl-matching-jessica-ridgeways-description-spotted-in-maine/

    UPDATE: A girl matching Jessica's description has been spotted in Maine, in a car w/ Colorado plates.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Jolene Jolene9:04 AM

    @Kewi--That's not at all what I did, but okay. And telling me to fuck off is quite classy. Keep it up, sport!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Shallow Gal9:29 AM

    Oh I hope that's really her spotted in Maine. I have a 12 year old girl and not only do I drive her to school but I watch her walk in the front door. Not judging, though, because I know not everyone has the opportunity or means to be able to do that. I'm just thankful I can but it is terrifying to be the mom of a young girl in this day and age.

    ReplyDelete
  68. kelgela21:17 PM

    I was very lucky growing up. My parents bought a house right in front of our elementary/middle school and from 3rd to the middle of 8th grade, all I had to do was cross the street. Then, before I started high school, my parents bought a house 30 seconds away from the high school.

    It sucked for my brothers because they had to walk 10 minutes to their new school when we moved just because I am the daughter and I was in more danger of getting kidnapped.

    ReplyDelete
  69. shakey3:48 PM

    Late to the party, but I can back up what Pogue Mahone says about Toronto in the 70s. After I was let off my leash at 16, I would often go for long walks at night. Quite often I would walk on a path by a creek that went through quiet neighbourhoods. Anyone could have been waiting underneath the overpasses, but I never felt fear. What stopped my wanderings was when a Toronto Argonauts cheerleader was found strangled to death on her neighbour's lawn after getting off a bus late at night. Everything seemed to change after that. I suppose everyone figured if it could happen in a really nice, quiet neighbourhood like that, it could happen anywhere.

    That being said, I really hope this girl is found soon. Are the parents together? I wonder if it could be the father who took her? Doesn't make sense why her bag would be abandoned, though.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Silly Girl4:06 PM

    @shakey, I think the dad lives somewhere else (Missouri or something like that?), but he's around and cooperating, too. I hope they find her.

    ReplyDelete
  71. KaySea7:21 PM

    They found a body this afternoon at a park near the area where Jessica was abducted. They haven't released any more information on it but they are processing the crime scene in conjunction with the disappearance. I'm praying it's not her ... I'll post more when I hear it. They're giving another update at 6:30am.

    ReplyDelete

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