The youtube video done by the local defence atty I thought was interesting and seemed somewhat credible and possibly even heartfelt.
Given the defence atty's clientele, my guess is that he didn't do that video 'blind' and its clear he knows the local situational dynamics.
His take seemed to be a possible group of people working together to take a child. He seemed to believe that nobody in the group thought the case would get the attention as quickly as it did and that as soon as the FBI showed up that people in the group started to panic.
He was appealing for one of the group to come forward and figure out a way to bring Cupcake back.
Being cynical by nature I initially dismissed his ideas but the more I think about it I can see that his knowledge of the local situation might be correct. I am also looking for some way to believe that Cupcake is alive. If the situation was purely local then it might be possible for Cupcake to be alive.
But, given how the Amber alert was expanded to surrounding States then perhaps LE has reason to suspect out of state ties to CP so perhaps the ring might be larger than the local defence atty thought? IDK.
Personally, I don’t buy some sort of trafficking ring.
I can’t find a single case where a child that young has been kidnapped for a child *advertiser censored* or sex trafficking ring.
I’m not even sure it’s happened to older children (via a stranger).
Typically it’s people close to the family that engage in behavior like that (people with access).
If that was the case (ring), there would likely be a trail, and it would be in the interest of this pair to speak up so she could be recovered safely.
So law enforcement should be able to figure out who he’s been in contact with, and put the pieces together. But these two suspects should also be inclined to provide that information.
That hasn’t happened, atleast not yet.
I want to believe she’s alive, but I can’t get past the few facts we have, and what the odds say about those facts.
A guy who has child *advertiser censored*, is sexually attracted to children.
A guy like this who kidnaps a child, is probably doing it for sexual purposes (IMO his own gratification).
He’s been arrested, but there’s no sign of this little girl.
I don’t like the math here.
ETA: If there is a child *advertiser censored* ring, I think it’s probably related to the charges he’s being held on. We hear about major busts quite often, involving men who produce, trade, and sell illegal images and videos of children.
I just don’t think it’s going to be directly connected.
