CO - Jessica Ridgeway, 10, Westminster, 5 Oct 2012 - #1

[KaylynnCouture]

Officials contacted the child's father, who lives in Missouri. Materasso said the family in Missouri attended a child custody hearing there concerning Jessica Friday. He said he does not know the outcome of the hearing, but detectives do not believe it's related to Jessica's disappearance.

Read more: New team of dogs will resume search for Westminster girl, 10, Sunday - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingn...ls-find-10-year-old-westminster#ixzz28czKatZf
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

If Jessica disappeared within the 3 blocks to the park or at the park, would someone not have heard/seen something?

What would go unnoticed or what would make Jessica go willing?

Seeing someone she knew and trusted and getting in the car with them.

I think LE is leaving all options open.

Bolded by me.

IMO, it's one of the following scenarios:
1) Someone she knew or is familiar with. A friends parent, a neighbor, someone familiar to the family..

2) It was stated that it was pretty cold that morning. Maybe someone pulled up beside her, offered to give her a ride to school so she wouldn't have to walk in the cold. She accepted, and hopped in.

3) Someone used the common ploy "your mom asked me to come pick you up and take you to school" "your mom had an emergency.." etc. Something like that I could see a 10 year old believing, and getting in the car.


There are tons more scenarios but the bottom line is I believe it was someone who quickly pulled up beside her, said 1-2 lines ("hey Jessica! I know it's cold out, want me to give you a ride to school? type of thing), she believed the person (either because it's a person she trusts or a person who just happened to "say the right thing") and she hopped in the car.

Since there was no struggle, no fight, no lengthy conversation, etc. no one noticed anything out of the ordinary. In fact, IF anyone happened to witness this, from a psychological standpoint, it's probably nothing that would have stood out in their brain enough for them to even remember what they saw. It would have just looked like a child riding in a car with an adult to any passerby.

 

[nursebeeme]

https://twitter.com/WestminsterPD

reposting westminster police department twitter link (has a tweet that includes tipline number and email)

 

[GrainneDhu]

Ten isn't 5, or 6. I don't think it is terrible for a 10-year old to walk a bit to meet up with friends, as a rule. It is possible that whatever happened to Jessica could have happened just by going outside to check the mail.

I agree. Or for that matter, while playing right outside in the front yard.

And from what I've learned so far, Mom was watching until Jessica went out of sight and knew that Jessica was going to meet up with her friend. Something happened in very little more time than it would take to run outside and get the mail.

 

[brighidin]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/new...eway-still-no-clues-after-3-days-of-searching

http://www.9news.com/news/article/293308/339/Search-for-missing-Westminster-girl-continues-

the video at the second link is heartbreaking... no witnesses have come forward

Thanks for posting that video. That is a long piece (almost 9 minutes) for the news. IMO.

Lots of heartbreaking things in the clip:
* the mention that there was no need for volunteers today
* the absence of any tip or possible witness so far
* the dad who was out searching and said that if it was one of his daughters, he would not be able to stop searching
* the quick and heartfelt response of the community. I think they said 800 volunteers

Somethings that weren't addressed:
* has the garbage been searched/ have the landfill areas been checked, or are they planning to do that
* has the mother's home been searched thoroughly? I know the family are victims, and don't disagree with that sentiment, but as Marc Klaas always says: let the police clear you and then they can pursue other avenues.

 

[angelmom]

I am really confused about the child custody hearing in Missouri regarding Jessica that took place in MO. Why did it take place there? Why wouldn't her mother have attended the hearing? Anyone have any ideas?

Jessica you are constantly on my mind.

I can't figure it out either, but luckily I've never been through that. I can't believe it was some huge big deal like determining custody, or mom would have been there (and maybe Jessica too). Makes me wonder if it was a change of support request or something if Dad's income has changed, etc.

I'm very skeptical about the "custody dispute" - I think that made for some good rumors at the beginning, but LE seemed to be able to rule Dad out pretty quickly and the news updates aren't even really mentioning it at this point. I do remember with Kyron that some of those same rumors flew around in the first few hours and a few people tied themselves into knots trying to prove that Desiree could have somehow been involved.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/new...eway-still-no-clues-after-3-days-of-searching

http://www.9news.com/news/article/293308/339/Search-for-missing-Westminster-girl-continues-

the video at the second link is heartbreaking... no witnesses have come forward

Why is it always the dogs that get to me? The guy asking the dog, "Where's Jessica?" and the story of mom having to get her pillowcase to give the SAR dogs are when I completely lose it.

 

[Knox]

CBSDenver ‏@CBSDenver RT @WestminsterPD: You will continue to see police activity near the home of #jessicaridgeway today. A new team of bloodhounds is out.

Please let these dogs find something that leads LE to Jessica!!! Will be checking in later tonight. Hopefully to good news.

 

[gam]

I am really confused about the child custody hearing in Missouri regarding Jessica that took place in MO. Why did it take place there? Why wouldn't her mother have attended the hearing? Anyone have any ideas?

Jessica you are constantly on my mind.

Several reasons it could be in MO. Mom and Jessica once lived in MO, so orginial case was in MO. Dad filed in MO, and mom didn't contest jurisdiction there or dad had filed before mom and child met residency in CO. Normally the case is heard in whatever state the child has residency in at the time the case is open. That state will remain the state that has jurisdiction even if a party moves out. If both parties move out one can file to change jurisdiction. If mom and child moved from MO, MO had the orginial case, dad still lives in MO, the courts usually won't change jurisdiction as one party still lives in MO.

Mom could have an attorney in MO who went to the hearing in her place. Most often though if they do this, they have the party do a phone in for the hearing. It would be not to smart in my opinion to not go to the hearing or try and do a phone in, even with a lawyer there to represent you.

I don't know MO family law specific, but I do know other states and generally things are done along the same lines.

 

[Marilynilpa]

I can't figure it out either, but luckily I've never been through that. I can't believe it was some huge big deal like determining custody, or mom would have been there (and maybe Jessica too). Makes me wonder if it was a change of support request or something if Dad's income has changed, etc.

I'm very skeptical about the "custody dispute" - I think that made for some good rumors at the beginning, but LE seemed to be able to rule Dad out pretty quickly and the news updates aren't even really mentioning it at this point. I do remember with Kyron that some of those same rumors flew around in the first few hours and a few people tied themselves into knots trying to prove that Desiree could have somehow been involved.



Why is it always the dogs that get to me? The guy asking the dog, "Where's Jessica?" and the story of mom having to get her pillowcase to give the SAR dogs are when I completely lose it.

BBM

That was so completely heartbreaking. Can you imagine having to get your precious child's pillowcase for a search dog to use in tracking her? OMG, I get goosebumps just thinking about it. There are some things in life that are unfathomable, and one of them is the grief and anguish a family must go through when a child is lost.

 

[Betty P]

I was saddened when I didn't see "Found Safe" next to Jessica's name this morning.

I'm going to go back and read the posts from last night - maybe there will be some encouraging news.

I agree. At times like this, I log onto WS each day with a mixture of hope and dread for the latest news. It gets a little easier over time, but the feeling never goes away.

:rollercoaster:

 

[summer_breeze]

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/19757521/search-for-missing-colorado-girl-moves-into-mo

Posted: Oct 07, 2012 12:49 PM EDT
Updated: Oct 07, 2012 12:58 PM EDT
James Long

<snipped>

The search for the girl even made its way to Independence, Missouri, where the girl's father and great grandmother live together.

 

[Cubby]

I know Jessica's neighborhood, it is an area conducive to walking. On nice days you see lots of people walking dogs or pushing strollers. Kids play in the parks and cul de sacs. At least on the side streets, people tend to drive slow. Jessica's route to school didn't cross any really busy streets.

I'm sure it's a wonderful neighborhood. I just think the proximity of the sidewalk to the street would increase the likelihood of accidents over those sidewalks that have a grassy area between the street and sidewalk.

Still catching up on the thread and like others, sad to see Jessica has not yet been found.

 

[Cubby]

There is a third possibility, connected with the custody dispute, but I believe LE has already ruled that out.

Respectfully snipped.

Regarding the custody battle possibility:

Police say that Jessica's father, who lives out of state, is in a custody battle with Jessica's mother. Police do not believe Jessica is with him, but are not ruling anyone out.

"We don't have a person of interest. And we are going to look at every angle multiple times," Materasso said.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/jessica-ri...rate-leads-disappearance-10/story?id=17416650

 

[Cubby]

Officials contacted the child's father, who lives in Missouri. Materasso said the family in Missouri attended a child custody hearing there concerning Jessica Friday. He said he does not know the outcome of the hearing, but detectives do not believe it's related to Jessica's disappearance.

Read more: New team of dogs will resume search for Westminster girl, 10, Sunday - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingn...ls-find-10-year-old-westminster#ixzz28czKatZf
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

If Jessica disappeared within the 3 blocks to the park or at the park, would someone not have heard/seen something?

What would go unnoticed or what would make Jessica go willing?

Seeing someone she knew and trusted and getting in the car with them.

I think LE is leaving all options open.

BBM. Thank you for pointing this out scorekeeper. Interesting to see Jessica went missing on a day a child custody hearing occured for her in a different state. It does make me wonder.

 

[scorekeeper]

did we ever find out if Jessica's grandmother works during the day? Wondering why she didn't hear/answer the phone call from the school. Quess she could have be out running errands.

Is the family from the area? Are there other family near? Have they always lived in Colorado?

 

[prima.facie]

BBM. A good description of what I fear most after seeing the map of the immediate neighborhood. The homes sit very close to the street. The driveways look to be a car length or so long/deep at most. The sidewalk is so small and right next to the street.

Seeing all the cars parked on the street so close to the sidewalk, my immediate thoughts were large cars, small kids, sidewalk almost ontop of the street. That's not an area condusive to walking. Now I am fearing an accident. What if someone hit her, got scared and hid her?

Call me chicken, but I'd be scared to death to let small children walk on sidewalks that are that close to the street.

I have visited neighborhoods all over Colorado....various cities....most neighborhoods are set up this way...at least all the ones Ive been too. For sure, all the neighborhoods in my town. Not much variance in home architecture and neighborhood design thruout the state.

For those who dont know...Colorado is a very very outdoorsy state. Moreso than any other state Ive lived in. The neighborhoods all over are set up for walkers/bikers and general outdoor activity. Trails (paved, unpaved) are in abudance. Neighborhoods are very compact (houses on top of each other) and most neighborhoods have a general mailbox stop where you have to walk and get your mail. Most neighborhoods you will see people outdoors all the time...even in winter. It is also not uncommon to see neighborhood streets filled with kids...meaning, kids playing out in the streets because of the layout of neighborhoods. I know my street has kids playing out in the street all the time and a "watch for children" sign is placed in the street by one of the parents.

My thoughts are she had to have been abducted in front of or near her home...and it probably would have been a grab and go type of abduction. Unless it was someone she knew well enough to voluntarily get into their car.

As I said earlier, there have been a number of abduction attempts in CO. An alarming number. And many of these attempts were the works of TWO people working together. In fact, I remember one report was a man and a woman.

So we cant dismiss that this abduction possibly involved more than one person.....

 

[cluciano63]

While I hope Jessica is with her father, or someone arranged to pick her up in a custody move, it would be a disgrace, if true, to cause not only all of the searching but the panic that residents must feel.

 

[nursebeeme]

This reminder lands at random: Websleuths is a victim and family friendly site. Until and unless law enforcement names the parents persons of interest or suspects sleuthing and speculation about them is off limits. Again, this reminder lands at random and is not pointed at any post.

 

[scorekeeper]

so we have Jessica walking 3 blocks (not sure how far down those blocks mom could see her) to the park to meet friends to walk to school. Never made it to park?? Do we know how LE knows she never made it to park? Where there kids there waiting on her? It would take around 25 minutes for the walk to school. If school started at 8:50, Jessica was already going to be late, unless she was running (which I think someone would have noticed).

The only conclusion I can come up with this scenario is that someone she knew stopped and offered her a ride to school........and she never made it to school.

Or else we don't have all the information...

 

[The Farm]

I was hoping to check in and see that she had been found.

 

[nursebeeme]

looking for updates and this is all I have found:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/07/jessica-ridgeway_n_1946520.html