Hello! I'm new to this so hopefully I'm doing this right!
I've been following this case since day 1 and found this thread. First of all, let me say that I appreciate the maturity and sensibility you all show while discussing your personal opinions. I myself have a couple of theories that some of you have previously touched on. I've worked with kids for years and I spent a while working with kids the same age as these beautiful girls. It never ceased to amaze me how tech savvy these kids are now. I'm only 28 but I can't imagine how differently my life would've turned out if I had this kind of technology growing up. It scared me to see all these kids had instagrams where they make kissy faces and put things like *single* in their bios. This makes them so vulnerable yet they don't see it that way because they're in between being kids and growing up. I think one of the girls put out too much information via snapchat etc and someone took this as an opportunity. Whether there was a previous cyber relationship going on, I am not sure but it wouldn't surprise me. LE saying "know whats going on in your kids lives" (paraphrasing) was a major red flag. Girls this age are trying so hard to be older than they really are and dealing with self esteem issues is a new and confusing concept for them. A few flattering messages from a male online can go a long way. I think the perp panicked because he/she/they didnt know the girl's had a short period of time to be there before family came looking for them, leaving them where they were eventually found. I also believe LE has the basic situation figured out and I think within the next few days they will have it narrowed down to who committed the crime. I love reading all of your opinions! The compassion for these girls and their community really shows here! Glad I joined!