Examiner.com Article - Local heroes offer victims of child abuse hope and empowerment

Bikers Against Child Abuse International (BACA) was founded by John Paul ‘Chief’ Lilly, a licensed clinical social worker who serves as faculty at Brigham Young University working with abused children. Chief identified several gaps in the system that hindered a child’s ability to heal in the aftermath of abuse, first being safety for the children and second, funding for therapy.  

Determined to ensure no perpetrator who has victimized a child should make the child feel powerless, Chief put thoughts into action and rallied bikers in his community to join him in an effort to protect children. In 1995, the first ride to visit wounded children and adopt them into the biker community was organized by Chief in Utah. Word travelled fast and bikers throughout the country embraced the mission. BACA now has presence in nearly every state in the U.S. with two BACA chapters in Arizona.

BACA is a volunteer organization whose members include people from every occupation, including but not limited to business owners, law enforcement officers, construction workers, teachers, doctors, media personalities, you name it. Even rockers like Dee Snider, former lead singer of Twisted Sister sports a BACA patch. The only individuals not permitted into BACA membership are child abusers and pedophiles. Fingerprint and background tests are conducted on all BACA members.

Phoenix child is victim of rape

A young teen-age girl becomes the victim of a rape in Phoenix while babysitting for her neighbor’s young child. Only doors away from her own home, the parents of the toddler she regularly babysat for raped the young teen in twisted, disgusting fashion. Mom and daughter received death threats if they reported the incident to authorities; they were intimidated and harassed. After telling her mother what had occurred, and fearing for her daughter’s life, the mother immediately reported the incident to local authorities. Forced to relocate fearing for their safety, the mother wishes her and her daughter’s identities remained anonymous for this report.  

“This experience has completely changed our lives,” says Mom.  “Living in fear and dealing with the emotional aftermath of crime can be very isolating.” Without help from state Crime Victim Relocation Assistance, the pair forced to move into anonymity, they find themselves constantly looking over their shoulder in fear to make sure the perpetrators do not follow them to their new home.  “Watching your child suffer from trauma is unimaginable but I do not think people realize the additional challenges families face in the aftermath of crime,” Mom adds.

Emotional trauma is not the only challenge faced by families attempting to heal from the effects of violent crime. Victimization affects entire families with increased expenses, loss of work and de-stabilization of the family core. For this single mother, who has been self-employed for twenty years and hit hard by the economic crisis, resources to help stabilize have been minimal. Trying to pay the bills has become an additional source of stress as Mom attempts to balance caring for her daughter now diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), requiring intensive treatment. “A parent can’t choose between saving your child’s life, ensuring your child is receiving the appropriate medical care and working twelve hours a day to survive because caring for your child become your full-time job,” says Mom.

From helpless to healing

After calling local, state, federal and social service agencies throughout Arizona and receiving little assistance, Mom received a referral to what she thought was a somewhat unconventional resource. Mom’s friend, a former Special Agent for the FBI gave her the number for the Maricopa County Chapter of BACA.

Bikers Against Child Abuse making a difference in the lives of children.

“I was at a point of feeling beyond helpless,” says Mom. Following the advice of her friend, she called BACA and reached a comforting voice on the other end of the phone. The woman introduced herself by the name of Sassy. “Hearing her voice I immediately knew I reached someone who understood our plight.” They scheduled a time to meet in person.  

All BACA members go by nicknames. Pipes is a man over 6ft tall and President of the Maricopa County Chapter of BACA, accompanied by Sassy, BACA Treasurer and Child Liaison, arrived at the mother and daughter’s home to assess how BACA could help. “We offer families support services to ensure the child feels safe and empowered,” says Sassy. “We welcome the victim and their family into our BACA family and walk beside the child for the long haul to help them feel safe, promote healing and gain strength, especially important if the child must  face their abuser(s) in court.”

BACA touches the life of Phoenix child

On the afternoon of June 3, 2012, approximately 20 BACA members roared into the apartment complex where the young teen and her mother live. Out walks a tiny sixteen year old barely 4’ ft. 9” and 90 lbs. She is accompanied by several friends and family members to greet her visitors as they get off their motorcycles. Neighbors begin peeking out their windows.

Pipes, President of Arizona BACA reassuring the child victim she now
has a new family to watch over her.

The BACA members, both men and women, lined up in single file to introduce themselves to the child and her mother. Along with Pipes and Sassy, there was Dom, Harmony, Rembrandt, Rock, Uno, and on and on until all made their introduction. What followed brought grown men to tears.

Pipes, who towers over most grown men, bent over to tell the young girl she no longer has to live in fear, and to look out at each of the members who are now her family. They present her with a vest complete with her new BACA name – “Feisty” - and then Harmony, a beautiful woman with black hair wearing a leather vest gently ties a BACA doo rag to Feisty’s head. They proceed to pass a blanket with the BACA logo around to each member to fill it with love. Each member, some wearing doo rags, some with long beards and tattoos, hug the blanket tight then pass it to the next member.  Filled with the love from the big hearts of volunteer bikers dedicated to helping children heal from abuse, they presented the blanket to Feisty as tears ran down the faces of onlookers.

Harmony, member of BACA ties Feisty's doo rag as Feisty
 holds her love filled BACA blanket.

The teens’s great Uncle, a veteran of the United States Army, with tears in his eyes said, “This is probably the most awesome group of volunteers I have ever met. The support they are giving Feisty is immeasurable,” the Uncle said. “It was a feeling of brotherhood that I have not felt for years and you know they have your back covered.”

Embraced by a new family, Feisty now has someone she can call or text 24-hours a day. Mom says she has already noticed a big difference in her daughter. “She feels empowered and is transitioning from victim into a young lady who is empowered to seek justice for herself and others because she no longer feels alone and powerless,” says Mom.

More about BACA

Prior to accepting any case, information provided by the victim’s parent or caretaker is then verified with the investigating law enforcement agency. Case information is verified by utilizing various methods such as speaking to the detective, reviewing police reports, court transcripts, and medical records if necessary. Two BACA members are present when meeting with the child at all times.

BACA is not a group of biker vigilantes. BACA is a 501c3 nonprofit organization run by volunteers who care about children. Donations to the organization help finance everything from paying for therapy by licensed practitioners to activities the help empower a child such as karate lessons, horseback riding, cheerleading camp, even driving the child to appointments.

Raising public awareness, BACA members organize public events to educate the public of the epidemic of child abuse. The organization works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies throughout the country. At times they are even accompanied by police escorts during public activities or visits to homes of children, to ensure the public they have nothing to fear from this tough looking group of individuals riding motorcycles into their neighborhoods.

After the initial assessment and meeting with the victim and family, BACA has various levels of intervention.

·         Level 1 Intervention consists of deploying a ride to the victim’s home, showing physical presence, and holding a ceremony that inducts the child into the BACA family, ensuring the victim they are not alone.  Two BACA members are assigned to the child as primary contacts and available 24 hours a day to provide support should the child experience fear or just need to talk.

·         Level 2 Intervention includes assigning BACA members to provide visible security at the home of the victim to ensure the victim’s safety and deter further abuse.

·         Level 3 Intervention may be carried out if Level 2 has not served as a deterrent to the perpetrator.  Level 3 can include written contact on BACA letterhead addressed to the perpetrator to deter additional intimidation or harassment of the child.

·         Level 4 Intervention could include conducting a Neighborhood Awareness Ride in the general location of the perpetrator to hand out stickers and literature to families to help deter an abuser from claiming additional victims and raising awareness of those that live in the general vicinity and may be at risk of victimization. BACA does not condone or support use of aggression. 

If the child requests BACA physical presence in the courtroom, BACA members will also accompany victim to court appearances to help prevent the child feeling intimidated or frightened while having to testify.

For more information or to make a donation to Bikers Against Child Abuse please visit http://arizona.bacaworld.org/

Author – Kym L. Pasqualini
Founder, National Center for Missing Adults
riter for Examiner.com

Hope revived in search of Elizabeth Gill, child who disappeared in 1965

Elizabeth Gill

Elizabeth Gill was only 2 ½ years old when she vanished from her family’s home, in the area of the 300 block of south Larimer Street in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The little blonde haired toddler had been playing in the front yard with a sand pail on June 13, 1965, at approximately 4PM. Decades later, the family has never given up the faith that they will find her alive.

The family has long believed a group of drifters that had been staying at a hotel in the area of Elizabeth’s residence may have kidnapped her. A witness reported seeing the individuals on two different occasions try to lure Elizabeth into their vehicle. The drifters had been selling purses close to the house, and early on in the investigation considered persons of interest, but could never be located.

Elizabeth Gill sitting on porch of her home

Detective Jim Smith reopened the cold case in 2003. Smith told the Associated Press, “What do they think about every night, every holiday, every birthday? Their family has never been complete. They are always going to wonder what happened to Elizabeth. If I could give them an answer, it would be one of the greatest things that’s has ever happened to me as a law enforcement officer.”

Recently, the family hired a private detective who visited with Smith and Elizabeth’s sister, Martha Gill-Hamilton.  Mike Neverett, a Florida private investigator, and Smith believe it may only be a matter of time before they solve this mystery. Neverett traveled to Missouri this April to meet with Elizabeth’s family and the detective to research the case.

Taking an interesting approach, Neverett, who has been involved in the case for over seven years, recently visited the old Gill home on Lorimar Street and began taking pictures of what he describes as “pictures through the eyes of a child.” Clicking pictures of surrounding homes and the neighborhood from the height Elizabeth would have been at time of her disappearance. He hopes this may jar the memory of a woman who would now be 49 years old, and the youngest of ten children. Elizabeth’s father passed away in 1970 never knowing what happened to the youngest apple of his eye, but Elizabeth’s mother and remaining siblings have never given up hope of being reunited.

Age Progression and pictures of the Gill sisters

Having worked alongside law enforcement for nearly two decades with many cold cases, I agree this case had all the potential elements of a solvable case. With increased national news exposure, law enforcement and private investigators working cooperatively, and especially utilizing the power of social media, there is a good potential of bringing Elizabeth home to her family. The pictures could be the key to jogging the memory of a woman who has never truly known who she is.

Even I have memories of standing in my crib calling out to my mother because I had an earache. I could not have been more than a year and a half old. The mind stores everything and things decades old like a smell, a sound, and yes, even a picture can take us back. We also know in every case of a suspicious disappearance of a child or adult, someone out there knows something.

We can all take a part in reuniting Elizabeth with her family by sharing her information. Let us all unite as a real social community and bring Elizabeth home!

For additional information, please visit www.missingkids.com. If you have information or believe you may be Elizabeth Gill, please call Det. Jim Smith at the Cape Girardeau (MO) Police Department at 573-335-6621, ext. 1120.

About the Author: Kym L. Pasqualini is founder of the Nation’s missing Children Organization in 1994 and the National Center for Missing Adults in 2000. Kym is considered an expert in the field of missing persons and has spent 20 years working with government officials, law enforcement, advocates, private investigators, and national media. 

The 1968 disappearance of Madeline ‘Lynn’ Babcock

Madeline 'Lynn' Babcock vanished 1968

According to the FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as of May 1, 2012, there are 47,673 active missing adult cases in the United States. Many of these cases date back decades.

Madeline Anna Babcock was 35 years old when she vanished from Venice, CA. The beautiful young woman who went by the nickname Lynn, had been employed as a barmaid at Fred’s Tavern and worked a second job on an assembly line at a local factory, in Santa Monica.

According to Patricia Foy, Madeline’s sister, the last time anyone heard from Madeline was the afternoon of June 11, 1968 at approximately 4:00pm when she called her mother from a payphone in Venice. She told her mother that she planned to have a friend drive her to her mother’s home the following day, approximately 20 miles away; she never arrived.

In July, Madeline’s mother and sister travelled to Venice in search of her, and they were told by the owner of the tavern that Madeline had not reported to work the first week of July. Madeline’s property owner at her apartment on Flower Street permitted her mother and sister entry into her apartment, where they found all of her personal belongings were gone. It appeared she had moved out, though the property owner had not been aware of any activity at the residence. The identity of Madeline’s friend who she indicated was going to drive her to her mother’s home was never identified. Foy and her mother proceeded to attempt to make a missing person report with Venice Police Department, but they were told by police that Madeline probably left willingly; her family disagrees.

Madeline Babcock's disappearance remains mystery

In 1968, law enforcement’s handling of missing person cases was very different than it is today. The FBI’s NCIC system did not exist and families were lucky to get police to accept a missing person report. Currently, Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the case, but leads have grown cold in the years following. She would be almost 80 years old today.

In 2007 a person came forward and said they may have possible information that Madeline had been located, but unable to speak for herself. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS), Madeline was born with hydrocephalus, an often disability condition that can cause swelling of the brain. Madeline’s mother has since passed away but Foy provided a DNA sample to cross-reference with the DNA from the unidentified woman but it was not a match.

Often long-term missing person cases fall through the cracks and sadly, decades can pass without resolution for surviving family members. Many families have turned to private investigators for help. With any cold case, private investigators focus on reviving leads by interviewing individuals who knew the missing person at the time of their disappearance, former coworkers, friends, and family.  Working cooperatively with law enforcement, private investigators bring with them a new set of eyes to review details of the case and the ability to spark the interest of media providing exposure necessary to potentially generate new leads. Advocates caution families to check the work history of any private investigator they plan to hire to avoid becoming victims of financial and emotional exploitation, but also agree hiring a private investigator may be their only hope to find the fate of their missing loved one.

About the Author: Kym L. Pasqualini is founder of the Nation’s missing Children Organization in 1994 and the National Center for Missing Adults in 2000. Kym is considered an expert in the field of missing persons and has spent 20 years working with government officials, law enforcement, advocates, private investigators, and national media. 

Local Phoenix man brings hope and healing to survivors of child sexual abuse at Examiner.com

Paul McLaughlin, founder of S.C.A.R.S. Photo courtesy of ABC News.

I would like to share my most recent Examiner.com article about a personal friend and a Hero in my book. What he has done in his life is AMAZING but what he is doing now is a BLESSING to many! Please read about Paul McLaughlin's inspirational story and why he founded the new nonprofit S.C.A.R.S. I encourage you to support this agency making a difference in so many lives. ♥


Please click the link to read more Local Phoenix man brings hope and healing to survivors of child sexual abuse

May 25th, National Missing Children's Day - CBS KPHO News Interview

Julie Patz, mother of Etan Patz who vanished May 25, 1979. 

Kym Pasqualini talks to Catherine Anaya, news anchor with KPHO News 5 in Arizona about the history of National  Missing Children's Day, May 25th.

Missing 33 years, police arrest the now 51-year-old, Pedro Hernandez for the kidnapping and murder of  6-year-old Etan Patz.

My heart goes out to every family that must endure a minute, let alone years not knowing where their precious child is. ~Kym L. Pasqualini

Crime Victim Advocate SPEAKS OUT ABOUT RAPE

I wish people really realized the effects of child rape! Absolutely life-altering for the child - and if you think life just bounces back to normal for the victim let me tell you behind the smile they try to show on the exterior - inside is confusion, self-blame, anger, and despair . . . a darkness no parent wants to see. To add to the victim's hopelessness, creating doubt they CAN make it through the experience, we live in a society where teens think it acceptable to further torment a victim as if they somehow deserved being raped by adults. Bullying is traumatic enough without having to suffer being bullied after such a traumatic event.

If you think rape only affects the victim . . . let me let you in on something. Rape affects every facet of the family core - the victim suffers emotional and psychological trauma, fear, lack of trust, and potential self-harm, just to name a few. As parents it is our instinct to protect. Attempting to keep the family core stabilized in the aftermath of crime is made more difficult by magnified external pressures and speaking as a single parent we don't have the resources or buffer that allows us one bit of wiggle room. We are forced to focus on maintaining stability and a safe place to come home to because bills don't allow you a leave of absence to deal with trauma - but if you can't focus on the healing of the victim you may not have a child who will be coming home. I don't wish this experience on anyone.

To the State of Arizona, you bring tears to my eyes. You not only abandoned us when we needed crime victim relocation when I BEGGED that my child's life be protected from adult perpetrators who just so happen to be affiliated with a dangerous group on the FBI GANG list . . . and why? Because some well-paid employee of the state has FAILED to pass the resolution that sits on someone's desk that already INCLUDES crime victim relocation costs! 


Now, you fail to help me as a single parent in the aftermath. Loss of work is also an impact of crime (especially in a single parent household). I can't afford to lose more work . . . but when your child is suffering, a parent doesn't have any choice but to take whatever time and effort necessary to save their child's life! Life doesn't simply go back to normal or I wouldn't be exhausted and up at 4:00AM. Bills could care less if you are on watch because the pain your child is experiencing is too much to bear.


You know what? I'm sure many crime victims would agree we wouldn't care if we had to pay the state back for crime victim benefits to maintain the basic stability we had before the crime so we don't risk losing our child's life to the sick predators who already tried to murder their soul! Yes I'm pissed!!


Respectfully,


Kym L. Pasqualini
Founder
Nation's Missing Children Organization, Inc. & National Center for Missing Adults

Recipient of the 2005 Arizona Attorney General Award for Distinguished Service to Crime Victims and Leadership

A Crime Victim's 'Shout Out' to the Arizona Criminal Justice System and State Leadership

2005 Award for Leadership and Distinguished Service to Victims of Crime presented by Attorney General Terry Goddard.

This is the letter I posted to The Arizona Attorney General and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office FB pages because life just doesn't bounce right back to normal, the effects of crime can be life-altering and long-lasting. Our story has not ended and we do face continued struggle. I vowed with every ounce of energy I have left in me that this would not happen to another family! 

When a child has been the victim of a violent sexual crime and there exists police recorded death threats to the child's life, crime victim relocation in order to protect their child's life becomes the family's only option. Currently Arizona Crime Victim Compensation does not cover financial assistance with costs associated with relocation to safety though I am aware of a resolution that 'sits' waiting to be passed that could have helped my family re-stabilize.

In already tough financial times for many of us, we certainly do not put away a savings in anticipation of becoming a crime victim. At a time when a victim family should be able to deal with the emotional trauma and focus on reclaiming their lives in the aftermath of crime, they should not have to face additional financial burden, relocation expense, and even loss of income as a direct result of crime.

As a crime victim advocate for nearly twenty years, I have served this state and the nation to ensure crime victims received services they needed unique to each family's circumstances. We are not only feeling the emotional and psychological effects of my daughter becoming a victim of a violent crime in the state of Arizona, continued fear for safety, and added financial burden; but now the feeling of abandonment from the very state I served for two decades of my life. Please tell me where the justice is in this and what your office will do to prevent this from happening to another family. I appreciate your attention to this matter.
Thank you.

Kym L. Pasqualini

Founder of Nation's Missing Children Organization & National Center for Missing Adults

Recipient of the 2005 Arizona Attorney General's Award for Leadership and Distinguished Service to Victims of Crime, presented by Terry Goddard.

Parent’s worst nightmare followed by torture of public scrutiny

Sergio and Becky Celis, parents of Tucson missing child make plea for daughter's safe return.

My Examiner.com article about the difficulty the parents of Isabel Celis are experiencing as they become target of public debate. 


With every investigation of a missing child, law enforcement must investigate everyone - including the family. Sadly, public figures and members of social networking sites begin to draw conclusions and target their speculation publicly. While there is a little six-year-old child missing, this only hinders the investigation and further traumatizes a famiy desperately pleading to have their child returned safe.


Read the Examiner.com article and find out what we can do as a nation to help find Isabel.

Click here to read the article http://www.examiner.com/article/tucson-missing-child-is-parent-s-worst-nightmare-worsened-by-public-scrutiny

Information to help keep your children safe from online enticement

www.missingkids.com

My recent Examiner.com review contains information about where to go for information to help keep your children and teens safe from online enticement and sexual exploitation. Please take a moment to read, share, and help keep America's children safe from online predators.

Click here to read the article http://www.examiner.com/crime-in-phoenix/kym-pasqualini

Statistics grim as days pass in disappearance of Tucson child Isabel Celis - Examiner.com

Isabel Mercedes Celis, missing from her home in Tucson, AZ on April 21, 

My Examiner.com article about the disappearance of Isabela Celis from Tucson, AZ is a reminder that even in light of grim statistics there is reason to maintain Hope. 

Click here to redirect to Examiner.com  - Statistics grim as days pass in disappearance of Tucson child Isabel Celis.

Who does the advocating when the Advocate's family is a victim of crime?

Who Protects the Victims?

A young girl becomes the victim of a violent crime while babysitting. The perpetrators threaten her life in an attempt to scare the young girl into silence, then threaten her mother's life if she reports the crime. Following the police report, the mother make the difficult decision to send her daughter out-of-state for safety. She remains at their home to pack up their belongings and immediately sets out to secure community services for emergency assistance to help her move as fast as possible. Sounds easy right?

The young girl and her mother already in emotional crisis, the girl's mother attempts to find resources to provide financial assistance to help relocate and secure a new residence in a safe zone. An airline ticket, moving expenses, new security deposit, utility transfer fees, moving truck, fuel, boxes, tape are expenditures a crime victim's family doesn't simply anticipate and save for.

Mom's priority - to move to a new location where her daughter can return to a safe and supportive environment, the comfort of her own bed, and proceed to secure the emotional and psychological resources her child will need. This mom knows all to well the severity and long-term effects of trauma and the courage her child will need to battle the emotional turmoil in the aftermath of crime. She also knows the importance of empowering her daughter so she can eventually face the perpetrators in court. She knows the support her child will need to overcome the entire traumatic experience. Lives totally uprooted, she knows the risk factors if  a child is not treated as soon as possible following a traumatic event.

First problem she encounters is local community services are fragmented and duplication of services among community agencies is commonplace. She finds each agency refers her to call another agency for assistance . . . and then another, and another. Second problem, despite documented threats of death and bodily harm to the mother and child, she finds the State of Arizona does not have an official program to relocate crime victims (similar to federal witness protection). Her and her daughter now separated by thousands of miles, at a time she knows her daughter needs her most, now both feel abandoned by the system they thought was there to protect and support them.

When a child is victimized, it is the parent's first instinct to do anything to protect their safety and it makes sense the first step to rebuilding is removing the need to live in fear and relocating. However, this mom has found the financial burdens of moving are all hers. She knows she can't be the only one in this situation. When there is risk to life the issue becomes a critical need in the community but agency after agency informs her safety relocation is not one of the services offered and told to call another. It isn't enough that a child has already been victimized and dangerous individuals have vowed to protect themselves by making death threats?

When are the needs of the victim taken into consideration? The child's need for stability, to return to the the comfort of home and to be embraced by her mother who will walk the road of recovery alongside her? It now becomes unbearably clear state and community service agencies are willing to gamble with lives as she has now spent two weeks asking for financial help to move, repeating her story over and over to each new person that answers the phone . . . a move that would be considered pennies in the Arizona state budget. Pennies that would ensure the child not only has a home to return to but her mother too. 

Maybe because the mother has spent nearly 20-years working as a crime victim advocate she's just being critical? Maybe those years working in the criminal justice system she knows all too well perpetrators who have already committed a heinous crime are likely to commit another and become totally unpredictable when they realize they are facing significant time incarcerated. She knows unpredictable criminals could very well follow through on their threats or trade a $40 dollar fix to have someone do the dirty work for them. Weeks have now gone by, sleepless nights with her firearm by her side while hyper-vigilance sets in, jumping at every noise. Despite multiple calls to the advocate supposedly assigned to her daughter's case, she's yet to have a conversation with the woman. She has to wonder if everyone is everyone treated this way.

The recent local Fox 10 report should make those responsible for serving crime victims quiver as they watch. This is proof those who underestimate a desperate criminal, choose to pass the buck or victim on to the next agency, rather than truly advocating for the victim and finding solutions - are gambling with victim's lives.

Maybe, just maybe, it takes the advocate to recognize significant deficiencies in state and community advocacy programs and bring it to the attention of law-makers, program management of advocacy centers, the media, and public. Maybe that advocate is me.

2 Men Arrested in Phoenix Murder-for-Hire Case: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

America's Missing - Has the response to missing person cases improved in a decade?

Below is a several year old interview with Kym L. Pasqualini, founder of the National Center for Missing Adults, appearing on tru TV Crime Library pointing out how race, gender, age, and even socioeconomic status affect the response to missing person cases. To read Damsels in Distress click on the link below. Has enough been done to create social awareness?

tru TV Crime Library with Kym L. Pasqualini

Advancements in the national response to missing person cases

Working eighteen years in the field of missing persons and homicide victims, I have witnessed significant advancements, yet there are still many necessary improvements needed to ensure all missing persons have equality of services and fairness in media.

Desperately needed is increased federal and state funding to improve and expand direct support services for families of the missing and training for law enforcement. Also crucial are efforts to passing pass state and possibly even federal legislation to effect universal protocol across jurisdictions requiring proper response and effective handling of missing and unidentified person investigations by law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

Recently, several states have passed laws requiring law enforcement to immediately accept a report of a missing adult and enter the descriptive data into federal databases. In addition, significant advances in technology utilizing DNA obtained from relatives of missing persons are now solving cases that are decades old and providing families with answers. 

As founder of the National Center for Missing Adults, I had the honor of serving on several task forces with experts in the field of missing persons, forensics, anthropology and all levels of local, state, and federal law enforcement. 

In 2005, President's DNA Initiative announced "Advancing Justice through DNA Technology”. As the research, development and evaluation arm of the United States Department of Justice, the National Institute of Justice tasked the groups with presenting the national scope of the problem and formulating recommendations utilizing existing and advanced technology to improve the response to missing person and unidentified cases.  

One such recommendation to improve identification methods of missing and unidentified was the development of DNA collection kits. At the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI), medical examiners, coroners, and law enforcement agencies throughout the country are now provided DNA collection kits to submit Direct Reference Samples (DRS) obtained directly from the victim or personal items belonging to the victim for analysis. In addition, law enforcement agencies may submit a DNA cheek swab obtained from a family member of a missing person referred to as a Family Reference Sample (FRS). Once processed and analyzed at the Center for Human Identification, DNA profiles are uploaded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) where they are cross-referenced for matches.

Time is the enemy in any missing person investigation. With each passing day families of the missing suffer significant trauma caused by ambiguous loss, the "not knowing" the fate of their loved ones. Programs like these have proven successful in expediting identification and providing families with answers. 




Uniting Efforts


Every time a missing person case receives attention from the public it creates the potential of generating that one lead that law enforcement needs to solve a case. In most every case, someone out there knows something. Solving missing person cases is dependent upon information sharing and involvement between government programs, law enforcement, advocacy groups, the media and the public. While we have made significant and in my opinion historical technological advancements, we still face the fact that we rarely see minorities in national news headlines and improving methods to create awareness is necessary to create social change.

Introducing One Agency Creating Social Change and Raising Awareness of Missing Minorities

I would like to introduce an organization and acknowledge the tireless efforts of a woman I admire and respect who is working to help missing persons of color and their families by providing resources and tools to respond, search, and cope with the disappearance of a loved one. Derrica Wilson is a veteran official from law enforcement and founder of the Black & Missing Foundation (BAM), a nonprofit 501c3 organization.

BAM provides services to victims, training to law enforcement, and educates minority communities about personal safety. Since 2008, BAM has focused on a segment of the national victim population that has been under-served and continues to make significant contributions to the missing person field.

BAM recently teamed with TVONE to present the all-new television series Find our Missing. 

Missing NC Senior, Hollis Jennings

Hollis Jennings is classified as 'endangered missing' and vanished from his residence in Charlotte, NC on November 22, 2011. To view additional information about the disappearance of Hollis Jennings and many other missing persons please visit www.blackandmissinginc.com.  

Other National Resources

National Missing and Unidentified Persons System

Information sharing is vital to the recovery of missing persons and the identification of unidentified decedents. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS) is the centralized national repository and resource center that maintains data for missing persons and unidentified decedents throughout the country. NAMUS is a free public database that enables anyone to enter information about a missing or unidentified person, to include a new section for Unclaimed Persons (those identified but unclaimed by next of kin).

The website at www.namus.gov provides numerous resources for the public and families of missing persons such as links to state clearinghouses, advocacy groups, law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, and coroners. It also provides the end-user the ability to print full-color posters and search the database using descriptive information such as gender, race, scars, tattoos, and dental records.

NAMUS also provides free DNA testing, odontology (dental), anthropology, and additional forensic services. National Institute of Justice requires all DNA samples submitted to the Center for Human Identification at University North Texas also entered into NAMUS by law enforcement, medical examiners, and coroners.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

The disappearances of children during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s would forever change how law enforcement responded to missing children cases.  Etan Patz, only six-years old, vanished in 1979, while on his way to school in New York City and never seen again. Over a two-year period from 1979-1981, approximately twenty-nine African American children and teens were abducted and murdered in Atlanta Georgia. Following these tragedies, six-year-old Adam Walsh vanished in 1981 while at a Florida shopping mall with his mother. Little Adam’s disappearance would become the most recognizable missing child case in US history.

In 1984, the United States Congress passed the Missing Children’s Assistance Act designating the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) as the national clearinghouse and resource center for missing children. In June 1984, during a Whitehouse Ceremony, President Ronald Reagan opened NCMEC and launched the national 24-hour hotline 1-800-THE-LOST (5678).

Funded through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), NCMEC provides a vast array of services to include assistance and training to local, state, and federal law enforcement and support services to families of missing children. In addition to recovery, training and investigative services, NCMEC introduced the CyberTipline  and associated programs focused on prevention and response to child sexual exploitation such as child pornography, child prostitution, and sex-slavery.

Over the years, NCMEC has developed outstanding resources and education programs families, schools, child-care facilities, and providers to help keep children safe. The NetSmartz program also provides educators and families with information to help keep children safe while using the Internet.

To obtain information and free resources to help keep your children safe, visit www.missingkids.com.

America’s Most Wanted

America’s Most Wanted (AMW), probably most recognized as the national television show hosted by John Walsh and responsible for apprehending over 1,000 fugitives. John is also one of the most outspoken and well-known missing person advocates in the world. Since AMW’s national debut in 1988, the show has been credited for the recovery of approximately 50 missing children.

John Walsh, host of America's Most Wanted

When John’s son, Adam Walsh, vanished on July 27, 1981, his life took an unexpected turn and he turned his grief into action. A former hotel marketing executive turned Crime Fighter, John’s tireless efforts were instrumental in the establishment of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and he continues to assist other families of missing persons across the country.

Two weeks after his son vanished, Adam’s decapitated body was located in a canal. For 27 years, John and his wife Reve waited for justice. In December 2008, Hollywood (FL) Police Department announced they had identified evidence that drifter, Ottis Toole, an already convicted killer was responsible for Adam’s abduction and murder. Toole had made two admissions he was responsible for Adam’s death and then recanted. Toole died in prison in 1996 and never convicted for the Adam’s homicide but the Walsh family acknowledged there was a peace at least having an answer.  John reminds other families never to give up hope.

In addition to profiling dangerous fugitives, AMW features missing children and adults on the show’s website www.amw.com and regularly features missing person cases on the weekly program now on Lifetime television. Resources for families of missing persons can be located on the website as well as resources for sex trafficking, legislation, current Amber Alerts.

You can also find resources and stories about child and teen safety, family and community issues, emergency preparedness and much more on the AMW Safety Center website. The website includes a searchable sex are offender registry listing photographs, convictions and addresses of sex offenders in your area. The website even provides a section where you can submit questions directly to John. You can visit the website at http://safety.amw.com.

Local Phoenix woman determined to change missing person laws in Arizona

My recent EXAMINER.COM  article regarding a courageous Phoenix woman, Amy Dattilo's tireless effort to change Arizona law for other families of missing.

Kelly Armstrong Deserves Justice and a Proper Burial

KELLY ARMSTRONG INCLUDED ON LIST OF MISSING MOMS

A 28 year-old mother of four children, Kelly Armstrong from Kokomo, Indiana joined a seemingly ever growing list of missing mothers throughout the United States last September 2011. Though there are no official statistics that reveal the true number of missing young women with dependents, as of January 31, 2012, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) reports there are 3,699 active missing person cases of women between the ages of 22-29.  NCIC reports a total of 83,743 active missing person cases to include men and women of all ages as of January 31, 2012.

Last September, Kelly’s family became concerned for her well-being when they had not heard from her in several weeks. Their concern elevated when they visited her residence and began talking to neighbors who said they had not seen her in weeks. Her family immediately reported her disappearance to Kokomo Police Department. By the time the report was made Kelly’s family knew something was wrong as she would have never left her 18-month old son alone and now in CPS custody.

Following the family’s report, Major Brian Sheldon of the Kokomo Police Department stated, “We are behind the eight ball a little bit, so we are doing a lot of follow up talking to individuals who might have known her or her acquaintances to get some information about where she could possibly be.” Kelly is believed to have vanished in early August so it is estimated they may have been approximately six weeks behind the eight ball.

Kelly Armstrong, photo courtesy of her sister Shelly Rush

LOST IN TIME

Elapsed time between a person’s disappearance and when police are notified is not uncommon when family and friends do not live in close proximity of each other and usually occurs after friends and family become concerned when they have not heard from the individual.  As time passes, the more complex the investigation can be for authorities on the onset.  Unlike a homicide crime scene investigation where there is a definitive starting point for investigators, missing person investigations can be especially challenging because all too often a person vanishes without a trace, no witnesses and no scene of a crime.

When the disappearance of an individual has been determined suspicious or involuntary, statistically if not located within the first 24-48 hours the chances of finding the person safe significantly diminishes with each passing hour. It is always a race against time when searching for a missing person and every piece of information and physical evidence paramount to the outcome of the case. Along with each passing day, traces of evidence at the crime scene lose physical integrity and reliability, deterioration occurs, and contamination.

If foul-play is suspected in the disappearance, securing the crime scene and preservation of physical evidence is vital to potentially locating the victim and building a solid case against the perpetrator of the crime.  Evidence becomes the voice of the victim; the story-teller. Whatever the perpetrator touches, wherever he steps, fibers, blood spatter give investigators the ability to reconstruct the crime scene. When properly collected, physical evidence rarely fails to accurately represent what occurred at a crime scene and human failure to find it.

ADMISSION TO MURDER

On February 21, Kelly’s live-in boyfriend Travis Funke, 34, was charged for her death. The prosecutor confirmed Funke had admitted to beating Kelly to death with a hammer and throwing her body in the trash.

Travis Funke

In an affidavit it states during the initial phase of the investigation in September, Funke cut off his ankle bracelet and apparently tried to commit suicide shortly after being questioned by police. This resulted in a preliminary arrest for charges related to cutting off the ankle monitor and escape.  While incarcerated, a cellmate told police Funke admitted to killing Kelly with a hammer and concerned there may still be evidence remaining at his residence.

It has been confirmed in a probable cause affidavit police did locate several large blood stains on the walls, furniture and carpet along with a hammer covered with blood. A DNA family reference sample was obtained from Kelly’s parents confirming a 99.9 percent match.

While Funke admits to killing Kelly on July 8^th and dumping her body, he claims Kelly initiated the attack with the hammer claiming she may have hit him in the head knocking him unconscious and had vague memories hitting her repeatedly with the hammer that he was able to take away from her but claims he thought the entire incident was a dream awaking to find Kelly lying deceased on the floor. According to Funke he placed her body in a trash receptacle and proceeded to try to clean up the blood stains with bleach.

To the dismay of Kelly’s family, Funke has been charged with voluntary manslaughter, which carries a much lighter sentence than a first-degree murder charge. The current voluntary manslaughter charge only carries 45 years, 10 years suspended and the potential Funke could be out within 17 years.  Kelly’s family is outraged. An injustice when one weighs the loss of a young woman’s life and children who now must face life without their mother.

Questions remain as to how the investigation has been handled and if there is a possibility evidence may have been compromised early on. While Funke’s residence should have been sealed off early on with the discovery of blood, information surfaced that a young relative had broken into the house while Funke was incarcerated and proceeded to have a party and help herself to Kelly’s personal belongings. When David Armstrong arrived at the residence to retrieve photographs that his daughter had in her home, he was met by Funke’s mother who had moved into the residence. “I showed up and couldn’t believe Funke’s mother’s suitcases were there and the washer running,” said Armstrong. “I have no confidence in this investigation when my family was told to stay away because police considered it a crime scene, yet Funke’s family had been permitted to come and go as they pleased.”

A FATHER’S PROMISE

The Kokomo Police conducted a six day search of the Wabash Family Landfill but have since discontinued search efforts to retrieve her remains. The family was told police have depleted resources, unable to continue and suspended the search. Since Kelly’s disappearance the family has courageously and tirelessly continued the search for her. The pain of living the nightmare of ambiguity evident in their faces and the anguish in the voices.  All along Kelly’s family remained determined to bring her home and they still are.

Wabash County Landfill 

David Armstrong says he will not accept a landfill as the final resting place for his daughter. No parent should have to live with the thought of their child lay amidst refuse let alone have to personally pay to have their daughter’s body retrieved. Working nearly 20 years in the field of missing persons and homicide cases,  I find this not only a disservice to Kelly Armstrong’s family but a slap in the face to every family in this country who awaits the return of their missing loved one, if even to give them a proper burial. It is heart-wrenching to think that this family does not have the assistance from authorities to search for Kelly but being expected to visit a landfill to pay respects to your murdered child is unthinkable. When a family is told their loved has been murdered yet their remains are not returned the family is sentenced to a tortuous limbo and unable to begin a natural mourning process.  For the family of Kelly Armstrong, their sentence could last well after Funke is released from his voluntary manslaughter sentence.  This is the epitome of injustice.

What if this was your daughter?

Though David has vowed to recruit help from across the country to include search teams to ensure his daughter’s remains and give his daughter a proper burial. It is my hope the Indiana Attorney General and state congressional representatives will closely evaluate what they would do if their child had been murdered and what it would be like to visit their child’s final resting place and lay flowers at a dump. No family deserves to be abandoned and the state should ensure this does not happen. If I were in state leadership in the state of Indiana I would make it my mission to find the resources.

A father’s vow to his child that he will find her, bring her home and give her an honorable burial. Going back to the ancients a proper burial of another human being was seen as a requirement; to think any father would have to do this alone is unimaginable.

David Armstrong is asking anyone who would like to help to visit Operation Find Kelly.

Author – Kym L. Pasqualini
Founder, National Center for Missing Adults
& Social Network Advocate
Missing Persons Advocacy Network
Phone: 800-889-3463 (FIND)