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

[Eileen730]

Well every parent on this thread should contact their childrens schools and make sure they
contact you if your child is not in school and i mean at first period not 6 pm

My sons school calls before 8am if a parent has not called the child out if the parent cant be
reached LE is called

 

[KaylynnCouture]

Regarding the school not calling numerous times, calling emergecy contacts, etc..

I think a lot of schools would assume she is home sick, on vacation, family emergency, etc. Those are common reasons children miss school for the day. I'm sure in nearly 100% of the calls the school makes when a child has not shown up results in the parent informing the school that the child is sick, for example.

The school probably views it as a little annoying (for the parents) to have repeated phone calls, calling all emergency contacts, etc. just because a child is home sick (for example). I'm almost positive that no one at the school stopped to think "maybe Jessica was abducted."

Another possibility is the school uses an automated calling system that calls and plays a recording either when someone picks up or on the answering machine. This is what my children's school does. It plays twice if my kids miss the full day- once about lunch time and once at the end of the day. So it's possible that the school uses an automated system and therefore the school would have no idea that Jessica's mom was sleeping, didn't answer, and has no idea where her daughter is.

 

[KaylynnCouture]

Could this be a custody issue?
Where is the father?

According to earlier reports he lives out of state. LE contacted him and said they don't believe he (or anyone in Jessica's family) is involved.

 

[Eileen730]

I first read about this today on the internet. My first thought was, oh, no, not another missing girl!:banghead:

I don't understand how a child can be missing from school all day without someone being notified. Especially when the child attends school in a large school district that should IMO have a reporting system in place.

I need to go now and read all the posts on this thread. Prayers to Jessica and her family.

The same happend with Sierra Lamarr
Kyron Hormon

 

[katydid23]

I used to work in the attendance office of an elementary school, and I used to make those phone calls. This is before we had the automated calling system set up. But about a dozen parents a day, on average, would be called because their kids were absent, without
the school being notified. Only about half called us back the same day.

 

[katydid23]

If mom works nights who was with her during the night?
Did mom see her in the morning?
Do we actually KNOW if anyone saw her in the MORNING????
For all we know something could of happened after mom went to work.......................
Is she an only child?

Grandma helped with the babysitting at night while mom worked. Mom came home in the mornings and helped get Jessica off to school before going to bed.

 

[nursebeeme]

This is my school district. We live here. If a child is absent from school then one automated call is made with an automated message (no live person). An automated message is left if no one answers. THE ONLY TIME EMERGENCY NUMBERS ARE CONTACTED (capitalized to get attention not to yell, sorry) is when there is an emergency, ie an accident or illness or a child not picked up after school.

In the automated message we are asked to call the school to notify as to the reason for the absence (leave a message). We are asked to leave specifics of illness if it's due to fever, etc. as they are tracking absences due to the flu. If a parent does not call then another automated call is placed the next day reminding the parent that the absence will be unexcused unless a parent calls to confirm an illness. etc. No more calls are made.

Many, many, many children here walk or bike to school WITHOUT parents. It is encouraged and accepted as normal. "Walk and bike to school days" are celebrated and rewarded with prizes. Most parents don't accompany their children after around 3rd grade. We highly value exercise and outdoor play, it's the culture here.

All of which means that the mother had every expectation that if she was sleeping with her phone turned off that the school would call the emergency contacts if her daughter were sick or needed medical care. She was not at all negligent in this area. I hope this clears up any questions or speculations about this!

Also, there is just not enough $$$ or personnel or time to make sure that live contact is made with the parent of every child who is absent in our district.

bumping up

 

[southern_comfort]

Regarding the school not calling numerous times, calling emergecy contacts, etc..

I think a lot of schools would assume she is home sick, on vacation, family emergency, etc. Those are common reasons children miss school for the day. I'm sure in nearly 100% of the calls the school makes when a child has not shown up results in the parent informing the school that the child is sick, for example.

The school probably views it as a little annoying (for the parents) to have repeated phone calls, calling all emergency contacts, etc. just because a child is home sick (for example). I'm almost positive that no one at the school stopped to think "maybe Jessica was abducted."

Another possibility is the school uses an automated calling system that calls and plays a recording either when someone picks up or on the answering machine. This is what my children's school does. It plays twice if my kids miss the full day- once about lunch time and once at the end of the day. So it's possible that the school uses an automated system and therefore the school would have no idea that Jessica's mom was sleeping, didn't answer, and has no idea where her daughter is.

Someone who lives in the district posted upthread that there's an automated system. (ETA: nursebeeme did better and gave the actual post). A phone call (presumably automated) was made and a message was left in this case. IMO, it is unreasonable to expect a school to do more than that.

IMO, it's a basic part of a parent's job to make sure that when their child leaves the house, he or she makes it from attended point A to attended point B. I don't mean necessarily to escort them, but to make sure they make it from point A to point B - yes.

 

[Marilynilpa]

Some have mentioned attempted child lurings in Arvada. There are several articles about this on the web, here's one of them:

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/09/...ase-sketch-in-child-enticement-investigation/

Quote:
The vehicle used in these incidents is described as a royal blue – similar to the blue worn by the University of Kentucky – 4-door sedan, possibly from the mid 90s.


Arvada and Westminster are about 15 minutes apart:

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF...8-o&ei=qjJwUPDTEPKD0QGJm4H4Dg&ved=0CCEQ9w8wAA

I have no reason to believe this person is involved in Jessica's disappearance, but figured I'd post this info since it's been mentioned in prior posts.

 

[LisaCougar]

Just watching local Channel 9 news. Jessica went missing within 3 blocks of her home. Law Enforcement now asking volunteers to show up at 8 am to search. LE wants to get an early start this am. Mom did see Jessica off to school at 8:30 yesterday morning. Missouri LE have contacted Jessica's father in MO and reporter stated he is not a POI.

 

[Tessie]

http://www.facebook.com/ilike9news Denver Channel
http://www.facebook.com/ReporterKevinTorres

My old neigborhood. Pray to God she is found safe.

 

[HeinekenMan]

Some have mentioned attempted child lurings in Arvada. There are several articles about this on the web, here's one of them:

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/09/...ase-sketch-in-child-enticement-investigation/

Quote:
The vehicle used in these incidents is described as a royal blue – similar to the blue worn by the University of Kentucky – 4-door sedan, possibly from the mid 90s.


Arvada and Westminster are about 15 minutes apart:

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF...8-o&ei=qjJwUPDTEPKD0QGJm4H4Dg&ved=0CCEQ9w8wAA

I have no reason to believe this person is involved in Jessica's disappearance, but figured I'd post this info since it's been mentioned in prior posts.

Thanks. That's a good description of the vehicle. I think you're correct. This seems like a case that involves someone who knew Jessica's routine. I feel like this is a person who lives within a few blocks of her home. The part that troubles me is that a person who knew her routine also would know that she meets with a friend at a park. So are we to believe that someone knew she was not meeting with the friend on this particular morning?

 

[Marilynilpa]

Since Grandma apparently is a caregiver for Jessica when mom is at work, I wonder if the school tried to contact her also? As some have posted, many schools require more than one contact number.

However, if the school uses an automated system to contact parents when kids don't arrive at school, I doubt that system is programmed to call other numbers if the first phone call goes unanswered.

I know schools usually require emergency contact numbers, but IMO that is more for contacting someone if a child is sick or injured, or if there is a school emergency.

Quite frankly, I have a terrible feeling about what may have happened to Jessica. I've seen a lot of stories like this, and seldom do they turn out well.

I would be very happy to be proven wrong.

 

[nursebeeme]

Thanks. That's a good description of the vehicle. I think you're correct. This seems like a case that involves someone who knew Jessica's routine. I feel like this is a person who lives within a few blocks of her home. The part that troubles me is that a person who knew her routine also would know that she meets with a friend at a park. So are we to believe that someone knew she was not meeting with the friend on this particular morning?

She was supposed to meet her friend. Her mother sent her out the door. No change in routine insofar as what has been reported

 

[andalso]

I have so much faith in Amber Alerts saving lives. Sadly, in this case, the perp had a whole 12 hours to get out of dodge before it was issued. Of course, no fault of LE nor Jessica's mom. I'm not blaming anybody. Just stating reality.

When will our children be safe to walk the streets? Breaks my heart.

Praying for a miracle at this point. lease:

BBM: Sadly, the answer is, never! :banghead:

 

[nursebeeme]

Nothing in msm on grandma yet. It was a comment iirc

 

[Noway]

From link above .... https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...43636076&refid=17&_ft_=fbid.10151195072786077


-Jessica walks three blocks between Morris Street to Chelsea Park where she usually meets up with a large group of friends - before walking 1.3 miles to school. In that three block period, she disappeared. -Three weeks ago students at an Arvada school saw a man in a dark sedan trying to lure students closer to his vehicle. JeffCo schools sends letters out to all of its schools - including <> Elementary -where Jessica goes to school. Police are looking in to whether there's a connection. -50 investigators including Police, FBI, Missing and Exploited Children - searched the area near Morris Street and Chelsea Park

 

[Marilynilpa]

https://www.facebook.com/ilike9news

The most recent update by reporter Kevin Torres indicates that mom and dad are going through a custody battle, but he makes is clear that dad is not a POI.

I'm certain LE will check out all family members as a matter of routine.

God, where can this poor little girl be????

 

[scorekeeper]

oh, I was so hoping to wake up this morning and hear some good news.....I pray she is safe but it doesn't sound good. Back to the basement for me...

 

[nursebeeme]

No discussion of scanner thread upstairs