I have been following this one from the beginning - this case reminds me so much of Noah Thomas' disappearance. Neglect-accident-panic-coverup. Maintain the story to the end, because you know, omg do you know that the punishment that you will give to yourself, knowing that you let your baby down, that you failed him, even though it had never even occurred to you that something like this could happen is so much worse than anything LE can possible dole out.
IMHO, I do believe that VDK and JM are guilty of panicking, hiding a body, and misleading LE and the public. That being said, I think that little Deorr Perished accidentally, either in a hot car (because he was sleeping peacefully, and they felt he was comfortable and safe there), or by the accidental discharge of a loaded gun (maybe from mom's purse or in the tent with the camping supplies)
I lean towards these scenarios for the following reasons:
1) in either scenario, one or more adults would/could face charges for neglect, amoung other things
2) for the hot car scenario, I have, when my children were very young, either: driven around aimlessly because they were asleep, and I didn't dare wake them up, or, sat in my parked car with the windows down, in a shady spot, for a half hour or so, because sometimes waking a sleeping toddler (especially if they had been overtired and especially difficult that day) is just inviting disaster. Perhaps VDK and JM did ask GGP to sit with him in the truck while they went for their walk, but, after the first few minutes, GGP elected to check in on him every once in a while, and continued to set up camp, or use the restroom, and then suddenly, it was too late. In that case, a terrible tragedy, and I can see how one might want to protect their family member ("it was an accident, it's no-ones fault. We know that you are a trusted and responsible adult, no-one blames you" They clean up, they cover-up, and because the instructions weren't clear enough, they all call 911 at the same time. Then, everything got too real, the story got too much press, and there is no turning back.
3. With the gun scenario, i can see it playing out the same way- whomever owned the hypothetical gun shouldn't have had it loaded, it should have had a safety, it should have been locked up, and it should never have been in a place where little hands could get it. While I understand that no physical evidence has been found that corroborates this theory, I believe that there was a considerable amount of time that elapsed before 911 was called. Enough time to perhaps dispose of a tent and its contents, park a vehicle over the spot, and have the team meeting: "it was an accident, it's no-ones fault. We know that you are a trusted and responsible adult, no-one blames you" They clean up, they cover-up, and because the instructions weren't clear enough, they all call 911 at the same time. Then, everything got too real, the story got too much press, and there is no turning back. Only IR, who didn't have a family members feelings to protect, said "nope. I was fishing. I have no idea what you are talking about. This coversation never happened." MOO
While I don't think that anyone involved in this inner circle should have been nominated "parent of the year", I firmly believe that there was no malicious intent here. Little Deorr was loved, and is loved by his extended family, his siblings, etc. People screw up, and make bad choices. Lying about what happened is not going to bring back this little angel, and hopefully at some point, one of them will step up to the plate, ask for a plea bargain, and lay it all out on the table; because even a mediocre parent would be tortured by the thought of their beautiful baby being eaten by vultures and worms.
I know that I am rambling a bit, but I also wanted to touch on the topic of little Deorr trying to cheer up mama.... My children have always been loved, and safe, and cared for. They have never experienced any real pain or anxiety, nobody fights or swears around them. However, even from a very young age, all of my children, if they saw my tears (PMS may have been a factor in these moments of weakness), my children would hug me, and say "don't cry mommy, everything will be okay" and "I love you so much", etc. The more nurturing of my kids would maybe rub my back, the more animated child would try to make me laugh. When my kids stepped up to the plate, and did and said these things, it reminded me that I had taught them that. I said those same words to comfort them. I would move mountains to bring back a smile. That my children would do the same for me meant that I had done something right. I taught them kindness, and love, and empathy.. If someone were to try to turn that around on me and say that my children must be neglected, damaged, scared, abused because they show compassion- it just couldn't be further from the truth. At the age of sweet little Deorr, manipulation for self preservation wouldn't be his motive. Someone had made him laugh and smile when he was sad, when he fell. He wanted to make mama smile when she was unhappy, because that's what mama (or at least someone in his life) had done for him. If he had been neglected and abused and unloved, if no one had treated him with kindness in his short little life, he may not have wanted so badly to make mama all better. JMO
Also, (I promise that this is my last point), as far as JM "knowing where the body is" this may be the speculative outcome of a line of questioning by LE or Klein that I imagine goes something like this:
(LE) "so, you say your son was alive and well when you arrived at your campsite, right? And you say that you have not given/sold him to another person, correct? And we haven't found him, even though we have used every resource at our disposal. So, let me ask you this- wouldn't it be fair to say that you know that your son has almost definitely perished by now, and that you know that his body is somewhere on this property?"
(JM) "yes he was here, no, I wouldn't sell my baby. I know he can't have survived in the elements, yes, I guess that he has to still be on this property"
In summary:
I have to believe that JM and VDK loved their baby. That they may have been frustrated or short with him sometimes, but would never dream of hurting him on purpose. Why go through the hassle of taking a toddler camping, away from the TV and iPad that can keep him occupied and quiet at home, to bring him to a location where he needs constant attention "stay back from the fire", "don't go near the water" "eeew, don't put that in your mouth" , "don't trip on the tree roots and rocks" - if he was an "inconvenience" as some are implying, why not dump him with a sitter? They love(d) him, they taught him compassion. Something terrible happened, and someone got all "Olivia Pope" and took the reins, made a plan, gave everyone their script, carried out the dirty work, maybe threatened to testify against anyone who broke character..... But, Someone tries too hard to "sell" the story, offers too many little details. They can't possibly keep it consistent if more details keep getting added. But, after the shock wears off, and the memories start to hurt too much, resentment starts to build. Loyalties start to feel misplaced. I do believe that we are starting to see it all unravel.
JMO JMHO MOO
