FL - Somer Thompson, 7, Orange Park, 19 Oct 2009 #38

[camcneishg]

this is on the other side of the road, this runs up behind the Condos....this side is better groomed than the other.....

 

[angelswatchoverthem]

I must say, that here in America there are so many horrific crimes committed, and even though they are so terrible, the crimes against children touch my heart most of all.
Where i am from, these types of crimes against children are much rarer, and usually child murders are from domestic disputes, ie., murder suicides. Yet here in Florida its almost like an epedemic in the last couple of years, of the ones i hear about on the news. Way too many of little people. It's all too sad. Sorry for the rant.

 

[angelswatchoverthem]

this is on the other side of the road, this runs up behind the Condos....this side is better groomed than the other.....

Wow, that's some pretty dense weeds by the look of the pic. Apart from the "snake" that got Somer, if that is where she was taken?, wouldn't there be other dangerous critters in those weeds a child or adult could of been bitten by?

 

[angelswatchoverthem]

the early trash search is unprecedented.. and kudos to LE investigating the case.

Yes, that was excellent thinking by the L.E. that thought to follow the track of the waste disposal. She really could have been anywhere.

 

[camcneishg]

I think I walked around the little side fence to take this one....and if I am not mistaken that would be the property in the back ground where JH was staying.....not positive tho, as it has been a few months....

 

[Dr.Fessel]

Thanks for the great pics Cam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[human]

Rod B went to LE on Oct 23, was it? Now if it was me, I would have gone with a police dog to see if it caught any scent. Just for a walk. Or perhaps they could have gotten permission from neighbors to go on their property. The ditch would be public, so no issues there.

Rather, LE rakes up the yard in FEB. Maybe they were lucky. IDK.

To me, it still see,s like LE didn't have a clue for a long time.

 

[GRANNYL]

I didn't want to trust street view, since it could be as much as 2 years old. Sad was going to take the route too, and I hope take pictures (hint, hint).

Shutterfly Ditch Pix

Let me start off saying i'm sorry I don't know how to include my pictures. I will post them tomorrow when my daughter comes over. Thought she was coming today! Below is a summery of what I saw, sorry it's so long but trying to explain so everyone understands. Everyone had so many questions about the ditches I wanted you to be able to see for yourself.

I'm only this far in reading so someone may have already posted. Yesterday I went to the area and took pictures of both sides of the drain on Grove Park Dr. looking into each from the inside and road side and distance into ditch. I took pictures of the drain next to JMH house both sides of the road inside and road side and distance into ditch. I then took pictures of the gate entrance at the back of the OPPA Park off of Grove Park Dr. all the way down to Fordham then along back of houses on Grove Park Dr.from the park. I can tell you only the embankments (all) on the roads are concrete the ditches are dirt. You can get around the fence on Grove Park Dr. and go behind JMH house up to Gano but cannot get out of ditch to get onto Gano. I could not see in back yard to see if it is fenced or maybe has a gate. The ditch goes under the road in two concrete drains I don't think she would have gone into them. The other side across from JMH is fenced just around the sidewalk part. I was able to walk around and make pictures. The drain on Grove Park Dr. going behind the burned house is fenced completely with huge lock on gate. The drain goes away from the house and lots of space behind house maybe 75-100 feet to ditch. Also all the houses are fenced. I don't see how she could have come out from behind burned house and into ditch and go under road. But she could have turned left on Grove Park Dr. from Gano and gone into the ditch on right that goes behind JMH house. She would have had to walk around fence in back yard of house next to ditch.

I hope this helps clear up question you may have.

Looks like I was writing as CAM (Thanks cam) was posting her pictures. Sorry! I'll still post mine tomorrow some are clearer due to the freezes we have had and things died off.

 

[New1]

JH was in jail in Mississippi for awhile. He rode in LE vehicles to Florida for hours. He is booked into jail in Florida.

Will someone please explain to me how he managed to have 95 ills of anything in his possession?

That's a very good observation and question. How did they miss that and let him keep them all the while he was in jail in Mississippi? They also talked about candy bars, packets of mustard, salt and pepper and old newspapers he had, so I have to assume these items and the pills as well were gathered from his car, not on his person.

 

[Noway]

Thanks for the great pics Cam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, thank you!

Were those pictures taken around October?

I just wonder IF Somer had been hiding in the ditch -- among the weeds -- that there might be evidence that narrowed down where she was. Hoping for rare plant growing only in X location.

 

[camcneishg]

Granny L, did you happen to see that white lattice fence that is in the pic above? Is this the side of the home where JH was at? Can't wait to see your pics...

 

[GRANNYL]

Rod B went to LE on Oct 23, was it? Now if it was me, I would have gone with a police dog to see if it caught any scent. Just for a walk. Or perhaps they could have gotten permission from neighbors to go on their property. The ditch would be public, so no issues there.

Rather, LE rakes up the yard in FEB. Maybe they were lucky. IDK.

To me, it still see,s like LE didn't have a clue for a long time.

Sorry to disagree but I live here and know they have been on top of this from the very beginning starting with late Monday afternoon after Somer disappeared. We have an outstanding Sheriffs Department. They are always very closed mouth which they should be to protect any case. I have not heard one person here (Clay County) complain about our LE. And this is not just MO!:woohoo:

 

[camcneishg]

Yes, thank you!

Were those pictures taken around October?

I just wonder IF Somer had been hiding in the ditch -- among the weeds -- that there might be evidence that narrowed down where she was. Hoping for rare plant growing only in X location.

I am thinking later than Oct....ignore the camera date....LOL

 

[Noway]

Cam, are those pipes big enough for a child to go through? TIA

Or would it just be simpler to walk on the ditch part?

 

[camcneishg]

MO....for a child to go thru these pipes, which seem to only go under the road....they would have to really scrunch down to do so...I would say easier to walk beside, esp on the Condo side of Gano....pretty well groomed there....

 

[Spyglass]

That's a very good observation and question. How did they miss that and let him keep them all the while he was in jail in Mississippi? They also talked about candy bars, packets of mustard, salt and pepper and old newspapers he had, so I have to assume these items and the pills as well were gathered from his car, not on his person.

Regarding the 95 pills, could this be pills in JH's possession when he was arrested by MS police? The Clay County detectives would then accept his personal effects from MS officials and transfer control to Clay County. Just a thought.

 

[GRANNYL]

Granny L, did you happen to see that white lattice fence that is in the pic above? Is this the side of the home where JH was at? Can't wait to see your pics...

Checked my pictures and yes it's the house on the other side of the ditch next to JMH house on Gano going toward DeBerry.

Wish I knew how to post them. I think I do but don't want to make a mess.

 

[GRANNYL]

MO....for a child to go thru these pipes, which seem to only go under the road....they would have to really scrunch down to do so...I would say easier to walk beside, esp on the Condo side of Gano....pretty well groomed there....

I agree I don't think she would go into any of the pipes. Like you said she would have had to scrunch down and they are full of muck inside.

 

[human]

Sorry to disagree but I live here and know they have been on top of this from the very beginning starting with late Monday afternoon after Somer disappeared. We have an outstanding Sheriffs Department. They are always very closed mouth which they should be to protect any case. I have not heard one person here (Clay County) complain about our LE. And this is not just MO!:woohoo:

From someone looking on from the outside, I feel that if Rod B hadn't driven past there and been lucky enough to see the car there, I don't think much would have happened.

LE would not have known JH lived there and who knows when the child *advertiser censored* would have come to be looked at.

LE was lucky that Rod and the family did what they did, IMHO.

 

[Noway]

I am thinking later than Oct....ignore the camera date....LOL

LMAO :floorlaugh: :floorlaugh:


FWIW, I noticed on Google Earth shot that the neighbor (on other side of ditch) had a large boat parked near ditch. Great place to hide too if it was there on 10/19.