Jumping off your post blefuscu,
There is an important distinction between unbiased analysis, speculation and pointing fingers.
"I think a mountain lion ate him" is speculation, however likely it could be - there are zero facts to point towards that.
"What if the gpa's mysterious friend drowned him in the reservoir and then buried the body?" is not only speculation but is pointing fingers. We have evidence that suggests DeOrr could have been carried to the reservoir (dogs hitting on the reservoir and the campsite, but nothing in between, and the likelyhood DeOrr walked himself there being small or not fitting the timeline), so a better question is "DeOrr could have been carried, but by who? Who had the opportunity and was it with intent or not?"
Analysis of the evidence we have in the case, including statements, is part of working through the case, as long as it can be done logically and factually. It is important analysis of the parents statements and behavior be allowed here, because it would point out important inconsistencies with the facts being presented. But it needs to be discussed in a professional way. If that can't be done, I am not sure what the point of this thread is right now. 70+ threads of re-clarifying family relations and rehashing facts several members have listed out clearly or reiterated is not doing DeOrr any good at all.
DeOrr was not kidnapped, he was not eaten by a mountain lion, carried off by Sasquatch, abducted by aliens, or murdered in a creepy religious ritual (although that is more likely than the first 4). He has very likely met an accidental death caused by brief neglect, and it is sad and tragic and not necessarily on purpose or at the hand of a family member. However, it is irresponsible to rule out deception by those at the scene without a body unless both parents have taken a polygraph and passed it (which I doubt, since they haven't left the scene).
I do not believe the parents murdered DeOrr. But I do believe we have reason to doubt their story is 100% accurate. Think about this for a minute - you are a family out in the middle of nowhere and something happens to the 2yr old with you and it is your fault. You are devastated, scared, and don't know what to do. Obviously calling 911 is the first option, but then you start thinking about how you will explain what happened to the police, to your family. You are likely smart enough to know calling LE could mean being charged with manslaughter. My intent here is not to point the fingers at one or both parents or anyone else at the scene, but to point out a possibility that is just as real as any other being put forth. My hope is that regardless of how DeOrr got where he is now, that he is found, and the only way we will be any remote help in that endeavor is if we can respectfully discuss all possible outcomes that fit the facts we have without making it personal.
