IN IN - Molly Dattilo, 23, Indianapolis, 6 July 2004
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The family of an EKU student missing for more than two years has released more information about her in hopes of filling in the blanks that remain in the mysterious disappearance.
Molly Dattilo was 23 at the time of her disappearance in July 2004. Her family said that Dattilo was in Indiana taking summer classes and disappeared when she went to return a job application.
On Thursday, Dattilo's family said Molly was last seen with a man named John E. Shelton, whom she had met at her friend Carolyn Warmouth's apartment. Family members also released the details of the last phone call Dattilo made to a friend from a Thorton's gas station near her apartment.
http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=5891200&nav=menu203_1
Molly Dattilo was 23 at the time of her disappearance in July 2004. Her family said that Dattilo was in Indiana taking summer classes and disappeared when she went to return a job application.
On Thursday, Dattilo's family said Molly was last seen with a man named John E. Shelton, whom she had met at her friend Carolyn Warmouth's apartment. Family members also released the details of the last phone call Dattilo made to a friend from a Thorton's gas station near her apartment.
http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=5891200&nav=menu203_1
Originally, the family said she had last been seen walking to an Indianapolis fast-food restaurant to apply for a job.
But yesterday Ben Dattilo said the family has learned she later met an Indianapolis man at her apartment complex, went on a rowboat ride with him on a lake at the complex, and then went to eat dinner with him at a nearby Taco Bell.
Then, he said, the pair went to a gas station, where Molly Dattilo tried to phone a friend. But the call was disconnected when the friend answered, he said.
"We have every reason to believe she placed her last phone call in (the man's) presence from this location," Ben Dattilo said. "We do not know what happened after this phone call, but it's our family's sincerest hope that others may have information about what happened that night, what happened to Molly or where she is now."
The Courier-Journal is not naming the man because he has not been charged with a crime or named by police as a suspect.
Dattilo declined to comment on whether the man is considered a suspect and would not say whether police have interviewed him.
Yesterday Scott Robinett, the deputy chief of investigations for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, said the Dattilo investigation continues. But he said police are not prepared to name or discount any suspects.
"We still consider this a missing-persons case," Robinett said. "The family considers it more than that."
The Dattilo family, which has hired several private investigators to help them search, has said repeatedly that they believe Molly did not simply leave Indianapolis on her own to start a new life. She left behind her car, money, cell phone, bank card and identification.
They say that she attended classes the day she disappeared. Also, there was a receipt in her car showing that she had purchased supplies for classes and her hobbies, as well as a child's toy that they believe is evidence she meant to attend her nephew's birthday party later that month.
"Molly's activities the day she disappeared and in previous weeks clearly point to the conclusion that she did not leave of her own free will," Ben Dattilo said.
He said the family has "lost all but a glimmer of hope that she's alive."
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS02/701050418
But yesterday Ben Dattilo said the family has learned she later met an Indianapolis man at her apartment complex, went on a rowboat ride with him on a lake at the complex, and then went to eat dinner with him at a nearby Taco Bell.
Then, he said, the pair went to a gas station, where Molly Dattilo tried to phone a friend. But the call was disconnected when the friend answered, he said.
"We have every reason to believe she placed her last phone call in (the man's) presence from this location," Ben Dattilo said. "We do not know what happened after this phone call, but it's our family's sincerest hope that others may have information about what happened that night, what happened to Molly or where she is now."
The Courier-Journal is not naming the man because he has not been charged with a crime or named by police as a suspect.
Dattilo declined to comment on whether the man is considered a suspect and would not say whether police have interviewed him.
Yesterday Scott Robinett, the deputy chief of investigations for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, said the Dattilo investigation continues. But he said police are not prepared to name or discount any suspects.
"We still consider this a missing-persons case," Robinett said. "The family considers it more than that."
The Dattilo family, which has hired several private investigators to help them search, has said repeatedly that they believe Molly did not simply leave Indianapolis on her own to start a new life. She left behind her car, money, cell phone, bank card and identification.
They say that she attended classes the day she disappeared. Also, there was a receipt in her car showing that she had purchased supplies for classes and her hobbies, as well as a child's toy that they believe is evidence she meant to attend her nephew's birthday party later that month.
"Molly's activities the day she disappeared and in previous weeks clearly point to the conclusion that she did not leave of her own free will," Ben Dattilo said.
He said the family has "lost all but a glimmer of hope that she's alive."
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS02/701050418
Kelly
Founder, Project Jason
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070204/NEWS02/702040545
Push is on to improve search for missing.
Madison woman's case prompts action
February 4, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS -- The cousin of a missing Madison woman is working with state lawmakers to establish new procedures for police to follow when adults are reported missing.
Bills introduced in the House and Senate also would require police to collect DNA evidence for people who are missing as well as from unidentified bodies and put them in the same national database so matches can be found more quickly.
"It's going to save time and save money if things are done right in the beginning," said Keri Dattilo, whose cousin Molly Dattilo of Madison disappeared more than two years ago.
Molly Dattilo was in Indianapolis attending summer classes when she vanished. She has not been located.
"This legislation helps law enforcement prioritize cases," Keri Dattilo said. "My family and I just don't want to have any other families go through the experience we went through. We want to see some changes."
Molly Dattilo's brother reported her missing two days after she disappeared. But although police took a report, her cousin said, they did not seem to consider the situation serious for several weeks.
According to the Dattilo family, Molly did not take her money, car or other belongings. Keri Dattilo said that kind of situation should prompt a more intense investigation.
Last month, Scott Robinett, the deputy chief of investigations for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, said the Dattilo investigation continues as a "missing persons case" but not necessarily a criminal one.
House Bill 1306 and Senate Bill 464 establish criteria for police to determine whether an adult is a "high risk missing person" and then sets out procedures for dealing with those cases.
It also requires police to provide family with contact information for missing-persons organizations and to collect DNA evidence for anyone missing more than 30 days.
The bills are based on model legislation prepared by the U.S. Justice Department and pushed by groups that serve as advocates for families of missing people.
The House bill, written by Rep. Dave Cheatham, D-North Vernon, is tentatively scheduled to be heard in the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee on Feb. 15. Dattilo plans to come to Indianapolis to testify.
The state police already have raised questions about implementing some of the procedures outlined in the bill and are working with Cheatham on amendments. He said those will be introduced at the February hearing.
"This is model legislation, so there are always going to be changes to make it work for a specific state," Cheatham said. "I think we can work it out."
The Senate bill, written by Sen. Connie Sipes, D-New Albany, has not been scheduled for a hearing.
Capt. Sherry Beck, the legislative liaison for the state police, said the department doesn't oppose the ideas in the bills. But they might go too far.
"The way the current bill is written, if a man with a green hat was standing on the corner and somebody noticed he was there a few days and then he's not, they could walk into the police department and say the man was missing and the police would have to do a report," Beck said. "He may not be missing, but we would have to assign resources to it."
Police often receive calls about people who haven't shown up for work and are feared missing or about people who are trying to escape an abusive spouse and don't want to be found. As written, bills don't account for those situations, Beck said.
"Currently what we do is ask enough specific questions and find out whether there is an issue," she said.
The model legislation suggested by the Justice Department has been adopted in some form in Washington, Colorado and the District of Columbia, said Kelly Jolkowski, founder and president of Nebraska-based Project Jason, a group that helps families. But she expects all states will make some changes.
She's recruiting volunteers, including Keri Dattilo, to try to get the legislation passed across the country. Dattilo also is working to get the bill passed in California, where she lives.
Volunteers also are active in Oregon, Connecticut, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida and Missouri. Jolkowski said she doesn't have a volunteer working in Kentucky, although she said she's always looking for help.
"So many missing persons are lost in the system because the right steps aren't taken," Jolkowski said "These procedures will hopefully resolve cases quicker."
More than five* years ago, Jolkowski's son Jason, then 19, disappeared from their home. He was last seen dragging trashcans up the driveway from the curb. He has not been found.
Jolkowski said a key of the proposed legislation is the DNA procedures, which would allow law enforcement with a missing person in one jurisdiction to link the case to an unidentified body in another place.
Currently, she said, many states allow unidentified bodies to be buried or cremated without ever obtaining DNA that could be used to identify them later. The bills would prevent unidentified bodies from being cremated.
"This is about connecting the dots," Jolkowski said. "There's an average of about 105,000 open missing-persons cases at any one time, and there's an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 unidentified remains. Who knows how many other bodies out there have been buried or cremated without identification, with families somewhere without knowledge of what happened."
* Corrected from original text, which said six years.
Kelly Jolkowski, Mother of Missing Jason Jolkowski
President and Founder,
Project Jason
http://www.projectjason.org
Read our Voice for the Missing Blog
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/
Push is on to improve search for missing.
Madison woman's case prompts action
February 4, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS -- The cousin of a missing Madison woman is working with state lawmakers to establish new procedures for police to follow when adults are reported missing.
Bills introduced in the House and Senate also would require police to collect DNA evidence for people who are missing as well as from unidentified bodies and put them in the same national database so matches can be found more quickly.
"It's going to save time and save money if things are done right in the beginning," said Keri Dattilo, whose cousin Molly Dattilo of Madison disappeared more than two years ago.
Molly Dattilo was in Indianapolis attending summer classes when she vanished. She has not been located.
"This legislation helps law enforcement prioritize cases," Keri Dattilo said. "My family and I just don't want to have any other families go through the experience we went through. We want to see some changes."
Molly Dattilo's brother reported her missing two days after she disappeared. But although police took a report, her cousin said, they did not seem to consider the situation serious for several weeks.
According to the Dattilo family, Molly did not take her money, car or other belongings. Keri Dattilo said that kind of situation should prompt a more intense investigation.
Last month, Scott Robinett, the deputy chief of investigations for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, said the Dattilo investigation continues as a "missing persons case" but not necessarily a criminal one.
House Bill 1306 and Senate Bill 464 establish criteria for police to determine whether an adult is a "high risk missing person" and then sets out procedures for dealing with those cases.
It also requires police to provide family with contact information for missing-persons organizations and to collect DNA evidence for anyone missing more than 30 days.
The bills are based on model legislation prepared by the U.S. Justice Department and pushed by groups that serve as advocates for families of missing people.
The House bill, written by Rep. Dave Cheatham, D-North Vernon, is tentatively scheduled to be heard in the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee on Feb. 15. Dattilo plans to come to Indianapolis to testify.
The state police already have raised questions about implementing some of the procedures outlined in the bill and are working with Cheatham on amendments. He said those will be introduced at the February hearing.
"This is model legislation, so there are always going to be changes to make it work for a specific state," Cheatham said. "I think we can work it out."
The Senate bill, written by Sen. Connie Sipes, D-New Albany, has not been scheduled for a hearing.
Capt. Sherry Beck, the legislative liaison for the state police, said the department doesn't oppose the ideas in the bills. But they might go too far.
"The way the current bill is written, if a man with a green hat was standing on the corner and somebody noticed he was there a few days and then he's not, they could walk into the police department and say the man was missing and the police would have to do a report," Beck said. "He may not be missing, but we would have to assign resources to it."
Police often receive calls about people who haven't shown up for work and are feared missing or about people who are trying to escape an abusive spouse and don't want to be found. As written, bills don't account for those situations, Beck said.
"Currently what we do is ask enough specific questions and find out whether there is an issue," she said.
The model legislation suggested by the Justice Department has been adopted in some form in Washington, Colorado and the District of Columbia, said Kelly Jolkowski, founder and president of Nebraska-based Project Jason, a group that helps families. But she expects all states will make some changes.
She's recruiting volunteers, including Keri Dattilo, to try to get the legislation passed across the country. Dattilo also is working to get the bill passed in California, where she lives.
Volunteers also are active in Oregon, Connecticut, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida and Missouri. Jolkowski said she doesn't have a volunteer working in Kentucky, although she said she's always looking for help.
"So many missing persons are lost in the system because the right steps aren't taken," Jolkowski said "These procedures will hopefully resolve cases quicker."
More than five* years ago, Jolkowski's son Jason, then 19, disappeared from their home. He was last seen dragging trashcans up the driveway from the curb. He has not been found.
Jolkowski said a key of the proposed legislation is the DNA procedures, which would allow law enforcement with a missing person in one jurisdiction to link the case to an unidentified body in another place.
Currently, she said, many states allow unidentified bodies to be buried or cremated without ever obtaining DNA that could be used to identify them later. The bills would prevent unidentified bodies from being cremated.
"This is about connecting the dots," Jolkowski said. "There's an average of about 105,000 open missing-persons cases at any one time, and there's an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 unidentified remains. Who knows how many other bodies out there have been buried or cremated without identification, with families somewhere without knowledge of what happened."
* Corrected from original text, which said six years.
Kelly Jolkowski, Mother of Missing Jason Jolkowski
President and Founder,
Project Jason
http://www.projectjason.org
Read our Voice for the Missing Blog
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/
Kelly
Founder, Project Jason
Project Jason is pleased to announce the success of the 1st hearing in Indiana for our Campaign for the Missing:
The voices of the families of the missing will be heard! We congratulate the family members who have worked so hard to make this happen, especially Keri Dattillo and the families of Karen Jo Smith and Katherine Lola Fry.
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/11022790/detail.html
Bill Requiring Quicker Reaction In Missing Adult Cases Advances
Relatives Of Missing Adults Testify Before House Committee
POSTED: 11:33 am EST February 15, 2007
UPDATED: 11:50 am EST February 15, 2007
It was an emotional day at the Indiana Statehouse for the families of Molly Dattilo, Wade Steffey and other missing Hoosiers as relatives testified in favor of a bill that would require police to start investigations sooner for missing adults.
Under current law, police don't have to start looking right away, unless there is immediate evidence of a crime.
The bill would require an investigation to begin right away if there is suspicion of foul play.
Keri Dattilo, Molly's cousin, said current guidelines cost valuable time when the trail is still warm.
"Marion County saw no trail of blood, no murder weapon, no trace of anything leading to Molly," Dattilo said. "So, they immediately decided that Molly chose to run away. But the family knew that something was seriously wrong. Molly would not just run off."
The bill passed unanimously in committee and now goes to the full House.
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=6093409
Families make emotional plea on missing persons bill
Feb 15, 2007 11:41 AM CST
Indianapolis - Lawmakers heard emotional testimony from the families of missing persons in the state Thursday. They are now asking the legislature to help other families who may go through a similar heartbreaking situation in the future.
The Datillos and the Steffeys know lawmakers will not be able to help them, but they stand together as one in their belief that law enforcement can and needs to be required to do more in the case of missing persons.
Outside the committee room this morning, a table covered with leaflets of missing persons like Molly Dattillo and Lola Katherine Fry. They represent the faces of the missing that some families feel whose cases were not taken seriously.
"We are here because we want change. We want the public to know it could happen to them and if it happens to them they need to know there is a law that will stand up for them," said Kari Dattilo, Molly Dattilo's cousin.
Jill Larimore, another relative of Molly Dattilo, said the family feels as if someone dropped the ball. "Absolutely from day one with Molly. From day one. I feel the police did not respond in a timely manner. The Dattilo family was trying to call them and give information. Get anything done they could get done and they were not getting returned calls or getting anything they needed. It might have even helped the family with peace of mind."
"We are going everywhere we can to find help. It's been a little over a month now. It's very alarming for us to hear stories from other families who have children or relative missing for two years or fourteen years. It's alarming to consider that long term not knowing. All we want to know is where our son is," said Dale Steffey, father of Purdue student Wade Steffey, who disappeared while walking home after a party in January.
The voices of the families of the missing will be heard! We congratulate the family members who have worked so hard to make this happen, especially Keri Dattillo and the families of Karen Jo Smith and Katherine Lola Fry.
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/11022790/detail.html
Bill Requiring Quicker Reaction In Missing Adult Cases Advances
Relatives Of Missing Adults Testify Before House Committee
POSTED: 11:33 am EST February 15, 2007
UPDATED: 11:50 am EST February 15, 2007
It was an emotional day at the Indiana Statehouse for the families of Molly Dattilo, Wade Steffey and other missing Hoosiers as relatives testified in favor of a bill that would require police to start investigations sooner for missing adults.
Under current law, police don't have to start looking right away, unless there is immediate evidence of a crime.
The bill would require an investigation to begin right away if there is suspicion of foul play.
Keri Dattilo, Molly's cousin, said current guidelines cost valuable time when the trail is still warm.
"Marion County saw no trail of blood, no murder weapon, no trace of anything leading to Molly," Dattilo said. "So, they immediately decided that Molly chose to run away. But the family knew that something was seriously wrong. Molly would not just run off."
The bill passed unanimously in committee and now goes to the full House.
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=6093409
Families make emotional plea on missing persons bill
Feb 15, 2007 11:41 AM CST
Indianapolis - Lawmakers heard emotional testimony from the families of missing persons in the state Thursday. They are now asking the legislature to help other families who may go through a similar heartbreaking situation in the future.
The Datillos and the Steffeys know lawmakers will not be able to help them, but they stand together as one in their belief that law enforcement can and needs to be required to do more in the case of missing persons.
Outside the committee room this morning, a table covered with leaflets of missing persons like Molly Dattillo and Lola Katherine Fry. They represent the faces of the missing that some families feel whose cases were not taken seriously.
"We are here because we want change. We want the public to know it could happen to them and if it happens to them they need to know there is a law that will stand up for them," said Kari Dattilo, Molly Dattilo's cousin.
Jill Larimore, another relative of Molly Dattilo, said the family feels as if someone dropped the ball. "Absolutely from day one with Molly. From day one. I feel the police did not respond in a timely manner. The Dattilo family was trying to call them and give information. Get anything done they could get done and they were not getting returned calls or getting anything they needed. It might have even helped the family with peace of mind."
"We are going everywhere we can to find help. It's been a little over a month now. It's very alarming for us to hear stories from other families who have children or relative missing for two years or fourteen years. It's alarming to consider that long term not knowing. All we want to know is where our son is," said Dale Steffey, father of Purdue student Wade Steffey, who disappeared while walking home after a party in January.
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Legislation bolsters police response on missing people
Friday, February 16, 2007
Legislation bolsters police response on missing people
House committee approves measure
By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
The Courier-Journal
INDIANAPOLIS -- A House committee approved a bill yesterday to bolster police responses to reports of missing adults, turning back efforts to weaken it following testimony by the family of Molly Dattilo of Madison and others whose loved ones have disappeared.
House Bill 1306 cleared the Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee unanimously after members first agreed to go along with changes requested by the state police, but then discarded most of them when families tearfully said the changes would render the measure nearly useless.
"Our voices would be left out of the process" under the changes, said Keri Dattilo, whose cousin disappeared from Indianapolis more than two years ago. "They would leave out everything that would have helped Molly. She's missing from this."
The bill establishes criteria for police to determine whether an adult is a "high risk missing person" and then sets out procedures for dealing with those cases. It also requires police to provide families with contact information for missing-persons organizations.
The bill is based on, but is not identical to, model legislation prepared by the U.S. Department of Justice and pushed by groups that advocate for families of missing people.
Dattilo told the committee yesterday that the requirements of the bill would have jump-started the investigation into Molly's disappearance. She said police initially did not take her cousin's situation seriously because there was no obvious crime scene -- no trail of blood or witness to an abduction.
HB 1306 would require action in some cases even without such evidence, said the bill's author, Rep. Dave Cheatham, D-North Vernon.
It lists specific criteria for determining which cases qualify. Among them is that a person doesn't have a pattern of running away or a person is younger than 21.
State police officials did not attend or testify at the hearing yesterday. Rep. Mike Murphy, R-Indianapolis, said that complicated matters.
"This process was made so much more difficult because they weren't here," he said.
Cheatham had been negotiating with the agency's legislative liaison for weeks about the bill and had agreed to make several changes to meet police concerns.
Last month the liaison, Capt. Sherry Beck, said the state police lacks the resources to immediately follow up on every missing-person call, particularly when many turn out to be people who are late for work, stayed out with a new love interest or are trying to escape an abusive spouse. She said Cheatham's original bill didn't account for those situations.
"Currently what we do is ask enough specific questions and find out whether there is an issue," Beck said then.
Yesterday, lawmakers heard only from families who have been desperately searching for loved ones. Some, including Dattilo, talked about frustrations with law enforcement.
"They lost crucial evidence because they didn't get started," she said.
But Dale Steffey, whose 19-year-old son Wade was reported missing last month from West Lafayette, where he is a student, said police were extremely helpful and engaged in his case.
Still, he said, "we believe the Purdue University police would have benefited from having this list of procedures from the start."
The bill also would allow someone filing a missing-persons report to do so by telephone or e-mail instead of in person. Filing the report allows police to step up their activity in searching.
Steffey said he had to drive to West Lafayette from his home in Bloomington to sign the report on his son. In his case that was only a couple of hours, but for someone filing a report from across the country it could be a huge difference, he said.
HB 1306 also requires a law-enforcement agency to communicate with the family of a missing person.
"Communication with the families is just critical," Steffey said.
Committee members initially removed that section of the bill yesterday, along with many of the criteria for determining who is a "high risk missing person," because Cheatham said that was the deal he struck with state police.
But after the testimony, lawmakers restored much of that language.
"We're erring on the side of the missing person," said Rep. Ron Herrell, D-Kokomo, the committee's chairman.
Dattilo said after the meeting that she was pleased that the committee restored much of the original language, and Steffey agreed.
"It sounded like we made a difference," he said.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Legislation bolsters police response on missing people
House committee approves measure
By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
The Courier-Journal
INDIANAPOLIS -- A House committee approved a bill yesterday to bolster police responses to reports of missing adults, turning back efforts to weaken it following testimony by the family of Molly Dattilo of Madison and others whose loved ones have disappeared.
House Bill 1306 cleared the Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee unanimously after members first agreed to go along with changes requested by the state police, but then discarded most of them when families tearfully said the changes would render the measure nearly useless.
"Our voices would be left out of the process" under the changes, said Keri Dattilo, whose cousin disappeared from Indianapolis more than two years ago. "They would leave out everything that would have helped Molly. She's missing from this."
The bill establishes criteria for police to determine whether an adult is a "high risk missing person" and then sets out procedures for dealing with those cases. It also requires police to provide families with contact information for missing-persons organizations.
The bill is based on, but is not identical to, model legislation prepared by the U.S. Department of Justice and pushed by groups that advocate for families of missing people.
Dattilo told the committee yesterday that the requirements of the bill would have jump-started the investigation into Molly's disappearance. She said police initially did not take her cousin's situation seriously because there was no obvious crime scene -- no trail of blood or witness to an abduction.
HB 1306 would require action in some cases even without such evidence, said the bill's author, Rep. Dave Cheatham, D-North Vernon.
It lists specific criteria for determining which cases qualify. Among them is that a person doesn't have a pattern of running away or a person is younger than 21.
State police officials did not attend or testify at the hearing yesterday. Rep. Mike Murphy, R-Indianapolis, said that complicated matters.
"This process was made so much more difficult because they weren't here," he said.
Cheatham had been negotiating with the agency's legislative liaison for weeks about the bill and had agreed to make several changes to meet police concerns.
Last month the liaison, Capt. Sherry Beck, said the state police lacks the resources to immediately follow up on every missing-person call, particularly when many turn out to be people who are late for work, stayed out with a new love interest or are trying to escape an abusive spouse. She said Cheatham's original bill didn't account for those situations.
"Currently what we do is ask enough specific questions and find out whether there is an issue," Beck said then.
Yesterday, lawmakers heard only from families who have been desperately searching for loved ones. Some, including Dattilo, talked about frustrations with law enforcement.
"They lost crucial evidence because they didn't get started," she said.
But Dale Steffey, whose 19-year-old son Wade was reported missing last month from West Lafayette, where he is a student, said police were extremely helpful and engaged in his case.
Still, he said, "we believe the Purdue University police would have benefited from having this list of procedures from the start."
The bill also would allow someone filing a missing-persons report to do so by telephone or e-mail instead of in person. Filing the report allows police to step up their activity in searching.
Steffey said he had to drive to West Lafayette from his home in Bloomington to sign the report on his son. In his case that was only a couple of hours, but for someone filing a report from across the country it could be a huge difference, he said.
HB 1306 also requires a law-enforcement agency to communicate with the family of a missing person.
"Communication with the families is just critical," Steffey said.
Committee members initially removed that section of the bill yesterday, along with many of the criteria for determining who is a "high risk missing person," because Cheatham said that was the deal he struck with state police.
But after the testimony, lawmakers restored much of that language.
"We're erring on the side of the missing person," said Rep. Ron Herrell, D-Kokomo, the committee's chairman.
Dattilo said after the meeting that she was pleased that the committee restored much of the original language, and Steffey agreed.
"It sounded like we made a difference," he said.
Kelly
Founder, Project Jason
Missing persons bill clears Senate panel
UPDATED: 1:58 PM
Missing persons bill clears Senate panel
By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
The Courier-Journal
INDIANAPOLIS A Senate committee today approved legislation meant to bolster police response to reports of missing adults after hearing from families whose loved ones have disappeared.
House Bill 1306 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
We need law enforcement to take responsibility and to act immediately, Keri Dattilo, whose cousin Molly Dattilo of Madison has been missing for more than two years, told the Homeland Security, Transportation & Veterans Affairs Committee.
Molly Dattilos case sparked interest in the legislation. The bills primary author, Rep. Dave Cheatham, represents Madison, and the Senate sponsor, Sen. Mike Young, represents the Indianapolis area where she was staying at the time of her disappearance.
The committee made a number of changes to the bill to accommodate the concerns of police officials, but the sponsors said the resulting measure would still achieve its primary goal of helping to locate missing adults.
HB 1306 establishes criteria for police to determine whether an adult is a high risk missing person and then sets out procedures for dealing with those cases. A person could be determined to be high risk even if there is no direct evidence of a crime, such as bloodstains or witnesses to an abduction.
Molly Dattilo would have qualified as a high risk missing person, forcing police to begin searching for her more quickly, Keri Dattilo said. In that case, there were no obvious signs of wrongdoing, but the family maintains she left behind key belongings and had no history of disappearing.
UPDATED: 1:58 PM
Missing persons bill clears Senate panel
By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
The Courier-Journal
INDIANAPOLIS A Senate committee today approved legislation meant to bolster police response to reports of missing adults after hearing from families whose loved ones have disappeared.
House Bill 1306 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
We need law enforcement to take responsibility and to act immediately, Keri Dattilo, whose cousin Molly Dattilo of Madison has been missing for more than two years, told the Homeland Security, Transportation & Veterans Affairs Committee.
Molly Dattilos case sparked interest in the legislation. The bills primary author, Rep. Dave Cheatham, represents Madison, and the Senate sponsor, Sen. Mike Young, represents the Indianapolis area where she was staying at the time of her disappearance.
The committee made a number of changes to the bill to accommodate the concerns of police officials, but the sponsors said the resulting measure would still achieve its primary goal of helping to locate missing adults.
HB 1306 establishes criteria for police to determine whether an adult is a high risk missing person and then sets out procedures for dealing with those cases. A person could be determined to be high risk even if there is no direct evidence of a crime, such as bloodstains or witnesses to an abduction.
Molly Dattilo would have qualified as a high risk missing person, forcing police to begin searching for her more quickly, Keri Dattilo said. In that case, there were no obvious signs of wrongdoing, but the family maintains she left behind key belongings and had no history of disappearing.
Kelly
Founder, Project Jason
Here is a limited time link to a very touching video about the proceedings in Indiana today:
WTHR Video Player
WTHR Video Player
Kelly
Founder, Project Jason
Molly's Law passes - News
Molly's Law passes
Indiana bill will force police to investigate missing persons cases with greater urgency
Jenna Mink
Issue date: 3/29/07 Section: News
The disappearance of Eastern student Molly Dattilo has received attention from media across the nation. Molly's case is now making waves at the Indiana state Capitol.
Molly Dattilo's Law passed the Indiana senate Monday. The proposed law returns to the House for approval of the Senate's amendments. If passed by the House, Molly Dattilo's Law will be sent to the governor.
Molly Dattilo's Law will require Indiana's law enforcement to immediately investigate missing persons cases, said Keri Dattilo, Molly's cousin.
The law also sets specific procedures police must follow while investigating a missing persons case.
The Dattilo family began lobbying for the law in December 2005, more than a year after Molly disappeared from her brother's home in Indianapolis.
After the Dattilo family initially reported Molly's disappearance, it took about six weeks for the police to really start investigating the case. And, by then, a lot of the evidence was untraceable, Keri said.
"I think we would have had more information (if the police had initially investigated)," Keri said, "if not have Molly back now."
The police treated Molly's case as a runaway at first, Keri said.
An Eastern professor called the police station that was handling Molly's case and told officers that he had seen Molly walking around campus. And the police were determined to travel to Eastern and bring Molly home, Keri said.
"It's one nightmare that a loved one goes missing," Keri said. "It's another nightmare to fight with law enforcement to take it seriously."
So, the Dattilo family took matters into their own hands.
Keri, who worked with the FOX TV station at the time, even tried to get Molly's case on America's Most Wanted. But, when the producer called the Indianapolis police, the officers said Molly's case was not a top priority.
That was the last straw, Keri said.
Detectives were eventually assigned to Molly's case, but the Dattilo family continued to raise awareness of Molly's disappearance.
When Kelly Jolkowski, founder of ProjectJason.org, a non-profit foundation for missing persons, began campaigning for missing persons laws in other states, the Dattilo family "jumped on it," Keri said.
The family initially lobbied with five Indiana senators. The senator that spearheaded Molly Dattilo's Law thought it would stand a better chance in the House.
During the first court hearing, the Dattilos and other families of missing persons gave their testimonies.
"Now we're like a family," Keri said. "The family of the Indiana missing."
If passed, the law will go into effect July 1, five days before the third anniversary of Molly's disappearance.
"It will at least give us something good to think about," Keri said.
And, through the new law, one of Molly's wishes will be fulfilled, Keri added.
Keri sighted a line from Molly's diary: "I truly want to do something to better the world."
Molly's Law passes
Indiana bill will force police to investigate missing persons cases with greater urgency
Jenna Mink
Issue date: 3/29/07 Section: News
The disappearance of Eastern student Molly Dattilo has received attention from media across the nation. Molly's case is now making waves at the Indiana state Capitol.
Molly Dattilo's Law passed the Indiana senate Monday. The proposed law returns to the House for approval of the Senate's amendments. If passed by the House, Molly Dattilo's Law will be sent to the governor.
Molly Dattilo's Law will require Indiana's law enforcement to immediately investigate missing persons cases, said Keri Dattilo, Molly's cousin.
The law also sets specific procedures police must follow while investigating a missing persons case.
The Dattilo family began lobbying for the law in December 2005, more than a year after Molly disappeared from her brother's home in Indianapolis.
After the Dattilo family initially reported Molly's disappearance, it took about six weeks for the police to really start investigating the case. And, by then, a lot of the evidence was untraceable, Keri said.
"I think we would have had more information (if the police had initially investigated)," Keri said, "if not have Molly back now."
The police treated Molly's case as a runaway at first, Keri said.
An Eastern professor called the police station that was handling Molly's case and told officers that he had seen Molly walking around campus. And the police were determined to travel to Eastern and bring Molly home, Keri said.
"It's one nightmare that a loved one goes missing," Keri said. "It's another nightmare to fight with law enforcement to take it seriously."
So, the Dattilo family took matters into their own hands.
Keri, who worked with the FOX TV station at the time, even tried to get Molly's case on America's Most Wanted. But, when the producer called the Indianapolis police, the officers said Molly's case was not a top priority.
That was the last straw, Keri said.
Detectives were eventually assigned to Molly's case, but the Dattilo family continued to raise awareness of Molly's disappearance.
When Kelly Jolkowski, founder of ProjectJason.org, a non-profit foundation for missing persons, began campaigning for missing persons laws in other states, the Dattilo family "jumped on it," Keri said.
The family initially lobbied with five Indiana senators. The senator that spearheaded Molly Dattilo's Law thought it would stand a better chance in the House.
During the first court hearing, the Dattilos and other families of missing persons gave their testimonies.
"Now we're like a family," Keri said. "The family of the Indiana missing."
If passed, the law will go into effect July 1, five days before the third anniversary of Molly's disappearance.
"It will at least give us something good to think about," Keri said.
And, through the new law, one of Molly's wishes will be fulfilled, Keri added.
Keri sighted a line from Molly's diary: "I truly want to do something to better the world."
Shadow205
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Sorry if this has already been posted.
A myspace for Molly Dattilo http://www.myspace.com/mollydattilo
A myspace for Molly Dattilo http://www.myspace.com/mollydattilo
Bobbisangel
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I wonder how throughly LE questioned the guy that was last seen with Molly about 11:00 on the night she disappeared? It seems that they didn't really do anything on the case for weeks after Molly disappeared. Molly had had dinner with the guy...went for a boat ride and was last seen with him at a pay phone making a call to her girlfriend. When the girlfriend answered the phone was hung up or became disconnected. Molly was never heard from again. Now my eyes would be on that guy that she was last seen with. It doesn't sound like Molly was ever home after that.
I'm so glad that Molly's Law has passed through the senate and just needs the governer's sig which it is sure to get. That way LE has to get on it when an older person disappears instead of saying for weeks "she must have run away." God bless Molly's mom and sibs.
I'm so glad that Molly's Law has passed through the senate and just needs the governer's sig which it is sure to get. That way LE has to get on it when an older person disappears instead of saying for weeks "she must have run away." God bless Molly's mom and sibs.
gaia227
I have never taken any exercise except sleeping an
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Bumping for Molly.
This case has always bugged me. THe latest blog entry on MySpace was on Dec. 7th - they say that he(the guy she was last seen with, can't remember his name) has told police he has substantial information about Molly but that he is toying with them by saying one thing then another. How frustrating to think he may have the answers this family is seeking but won't tell.
This case has always bugged me. THe latest blog entry on MySpace was on Dec. 7th - they say that he(the guy she was last seen with, can't remember his name) has told police he has substantial information about Molly but that he is toying with them by saying one thing then another. How frustrating to think he may have the answers this family is seeking but won't tell.
Tonia
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Shelton, who is currently incarcerated on unrelated charges, has offered the information about Dattilo in exchange for a plea bargain.
The family's website: http://www.dattilofamily.org/default.aspx
The family's website: http://www.dattilofamily.org/default.aspx
PrayersForMaura
Help Find Maura Murray
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plea bargain? Does not sound good 
This case has always bothered me. I hope the family gets info on what happened to poor Molly!
This case has always bothered me. I hope the family gets info on what happened to poor Molly!
:+:MrTT:+:
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I live in Indianapolis, and i sent a message to there my space page.....im curious, if on that last phone call at 11pm on crawfisville road.......if they were able to determine, whom she was calling and what message was left, if left on a machine at all.......if i see, read, or hear about any developments, that doesnot jepordize the investigation, i will post.......i am interested in that area.....where she made that phone call........and being at that time of night..........i am hoping this one person of interest, whom looked for a plea deal, gave some kind of inforamti0on of her whereabouts etc......something to go on here.......that is what i also am hoping to find out........though, i doubt any of that information has been releassed......perhaps in time, the family will tell me something, so i can focus my attention there........
Cilene
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John E. Shelton seems to be the only link LE has concerning the last person known to be with Molly. He is serving time for theft and is due to be released 02/28/2010.
The Dattilo family has done an excellent job in getting the message Molly's disappearance publized. I remember the billboards and flyers posted all over the west side on Indy. :clap:
The Dattilo family has done an excellent job in getting the message Molly's disappearance publized. I remember the billboards and flyers posted all over the west side on Indy. :clap: