GUILTY MI - Charlie Bothuell, 12, Detroit, 16 June 2014

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SuziQ said:
it never did make any sense that Charlie step mother would help im by hiding him but at the same time report Charlie's transgressions to his dad.
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Snipped by me

jenstar said:
http://hinterlandgazette.com/2014/06/monique-dillard-bothuell-stepmom-detroit-boy-reported-missing-arrested-probation-violation.html

According to this article it was a misdemeanor gun charge that she had. And then violated her probation by purchasing Another gun without a permit. Why would a Married Mother of 3 want a gun in her home so badly? What could SHE have solved by having one? And if her husband has no "criminal past" WHY didn't HE get the gun for the household?

There's more to this story..JMHO
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BBM

nells said:
I think it's important to remember that the stepmom has an uncle who also lives in the townhouse complex.
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Myst said:
Court document: Boy sent to basement without food

(snipped from link below):

According to the Free Press, the document says Charlie Bothuell V was placed in the basement behind boxes and totes by his stepmother, Monique Dillard-Bothuell, and told "not to come out, no matter what he hears."

Although Dillard-Bothuell knew her stepson was in the basement, she did not bring him food, according to the petition, which also says: "Charlie reports sneaking upstairs to get food when everyone left the home."

The petition says that after Charlie was taken to a hospital for treatment, a doctor observed a half-circular scar on the boy's chest. Charlie says the scar was "a result of his father driving a PVC pipe into his chest," according to the petition, which also says the child had old scars on his buttocks from being hit with the pipe.

http://www.eveningsun.com/nation-world/ci_26050054/court-document-boy-sent-basement-without-food
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BBM

nursebeeme said:
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...-bothuells-stepmother-father-ongoing/26702166

Just updated. FBI to interview next week. ME found signs of abuse on exam. Also there was a bathroom in service tunnel. Outside door was unlocked so he could have come and gone.
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BBM

What if....
Dad really didn't know where Charlie went?
The abuse in the house had escalated for a while prior to Charlie disappearing?
Charlie was the "main target" for Dad's abuse but MB was not immune and Charlie regularly witnessed it?
MB kept a gun that Dad didn't know about?
MB acquired the gun for protection?
MB knew the tunnel area would be "open" that week for the refuse clean-up?
MB hid Charlie after his latest "disciplinary action" and purposely left door to tunnel unlocked and noticeable to Charlie -- hoping he would run away & escape? (Or perhaps it was to buy time at the moment until she could develop further planning)
MB instructed Charlie not to come out "no matter what he hears" because she didn't want him to respond to Dad calling his name AND any sounds he might hear of other beatings going on inside the home? (Perhaps she expected Dad to get angry with her for "letting" him run away)
MB texted Dad to report an infraction because that would have been the normal thing to do in the house AND she needed to create a reason for Charlie to have run away?
MB hoped that she and Dad would be separated for questioning and the house would be searched -- allowing enough time to let police find PVC pipe, question her about HER bruising, etc? As in, perhaps if LE "suggested" that she was a victim of DV it would be easier for her to agree to help vs to simply report it?
MB refused the polygraph because she knew she would fail?

If any of this is true, I doubt MB would volunteer that information and set herself up for false police reporting, obstruction of justice, etc (not to mention the ire of her husband).

But it makes me wonder... "something" is odd about this case and there hasn't been any blatant fundraising that I've been able to find -- so as far as "motive" could it have simply been an effort to keep Charlie safe while Dad was distracted with finding him and allow her more time to plan how to leave her husband?
Perhaps she wasn't sure at this point what to do with Charlie to keep him safe?
Perhaps she hoped the police would find Charlie when they searched the basement -- at least LE could get him and safely away from Dad (rather than Dad getting to him first)? Perhaps she WANTED LE to find him right away and see the fresh wounds... and was surprised they didn't find him down there? Maybe she was hoping that LE would find Charlie, discover what Dad was doing, and send him to live with Mom? Dad would be in jail long enough for her to get out?

Whether or not she had "outside help" from her uncle would be interesting to know, but we probably never will -- doubtful she would "snitch" on him, especially in the middle of a race, if there is no reason to do so--and it doesn't sound like Charlie reported hiding out or finding food there. MB could have received some help/advice/information before or after Charlie "disappeared," however.
 
First, thanks everyone who I was talking to before, everyone who helped find and share information, and those who kept us up-to-date with all the new developments. I was pretty sick for a couple days and didn't get to catch up until now; WOW this case keeps getting more convoluted and bizarre with each passing hour! :tantrum:

Very glad that Charlie survived all he did, and was given proper medical care and help from LE. I really hope he is safe and doing well. From what I've read thus far, it seems IMO like a couple different theories could be possible. Sorry in advance for the loooong post; here are some of my rambling, excessive thoughts on it:

A. The stepmother and father were both abusive, and that night Charlie knew he was going to be punished. Either the stepmother (with or without help) placed him in that "barricade" as preparation for whatever awful things awaited when the father came home (if IIRC, blood was found in the basement, as well as on the PVC pipe and possibly Charlie's room/clothing?), which is why she insisted he remain quiet no matter what – she didn't want him to call for help or alert anyone else for whatever reason. He managed to escape, and either his stepmother lied and said he ran away when the father came home, or they both plotted their next move, how they could find Charlie or avoid prosecution, what their best "story" would be, etc. before calling authorities. This would explain the time lapse where they supposedly had "problems reaching LE" and were initially "dismissed by LE" before finally filing the missing persons report. The stepmom refused the poly exam because she knew she would fail; the father took it because he was arrogant and narcissistic (many abusers are) and believed he could pass it. I don't know WHAT their plan was from there – maybe it was all a scam so they could hide injuries or profit from a false kidnapping, or perhaps they had darker intentions to try to stage this whole kidnapping to hide the abuse and/or possible homicide they planned to commit, or maybe they didn't have one. Who knows what goes on in evil minds.

B. Father abused both his new wife and son; he seems like the kind of guy who rules his house with an iron fist, so to speak. When Charlie quit his exercises, took a break, whatever, his stepmother knew he would be in trouble with his dad. Perhaps being abused herself made her believe that even if she lied or covered for Charlie, in the end the father would find out and punish them both; maybe she felt incapable of lying to the father because of her abuse and fear. Abuse can make you act irrationally. She gets Charlie to hide in the make-shift little hidden spot in the basement, and plans to help him escape with her safely when the opportunity was right, possibly with help from the uncle or other family/friends. Telling him to remain quiet at all times, no matter what, so Charlie's dad could not find him; also to keep him from being discovered in case the dad took his anger out on the stepmom. She couldn't admit to where he was, so she invented her story, the dad believed it, and they initiated the missing persons report. The stepmom was too afraid to be truthful after everything got so big. After Charlie was found, the stepmom was taken into custody for a prior parole violation just so LE can talk to the stepmom outside of the presence of her husband and without arousing his suspicions. Maybe she will have her charges lessened if she helps to build a case against the dad or help convict him.

C. Similar to the first theory, except Charlie escapes on his own, hides in the underground tunnels at night or when he needed shelter, and finds or has someone – family or friend possibly – to help to "hide" him in the basement while the parents are away. That person then alerts LE, knowing LE will find him and hopefully expose the parents and Charlie's abuse. As others suggested, the entire police statement about the case being treated as a possible homicide was part of a sting, possibly along with the whole Nancy Grace scene. (Though I still find it difficult to believe authorities would "work with" NG...JMO, I don't watch her enough to really know).

Myst said:
Several sources told Local 4 that Monique and Charlie's father very recently had a family portrait made with the couple, their 4-year-old and 10-month-old, but Charlie was left out of the picture.
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This is really unsettling. It reminds me of husbands who, prior to murdering their wives, tell mistresses that the wife won't be a problem for long, or next year, etc. Like they were already planning for and building a life that wouldn't include Charlie, for one reason or another...

I am sure more information will be released once LE have all the evidence they need to build the best case they can. This entire story is very strange; without more details, I think it's hard to decipher what exactly happened. The contradictory reporting from multiple sources makes it hard to discern what is truth and what is fiction. Before the police said there was "no way" Charlie could have erected that hiding spot by himself, or that he was in the basement for the entire duration of the "disappearance"; then I read another story saying LE believe he could have been down there (just the basement or in the tunnels as well?) the entire time? Like I said before, all this is JMO, MHOO. I could, and have, been wrong before. :innocent:
 
JLSChook said:
If it's the front plate, they don't have to have them in Michigan---yet. (At least I see a lot of Michigan cars here with no front plates)
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It's the back license plate that's gone -- you can see it's missing as he pulls away from the camera.
 
nells said:
It's the back license plate that's gone -- you can see it's missing as he pulls away from the camera.
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I must be blind because I watched the video twice and never saw a vehicle at all. :blushing:

I guess the blood on the pipe did match Charlies's blood, huh? He had old scars on his buttocks, back and chest. :furious:
 
Only a rear license plate is required on passenger vehicles in Michigan. Commercial vehicles require front and rear plates.
 
bearfossils said:
First, thanks everyone who I was talking to before, everyone who helped find and share information, and those who kept us up-to-date with all the new developments. I was pretty sick for a couple days and didn't get to catch up until now; WOW this case keeps getting more convoluted and bizarre with each passing hour! :tantrum:


B. Father abused both his new wife and son; he seems like the kind of guy who rules his house with an iron fist, so to speak. When Charlie quit his exercises, took a break, whatever, his stepmother knew he would be in trouble with his dad. Perhaps being abused herself made her believe that even if she lied or covered for Charlie, in the end the father would find out and punish them both; maybe she felt incapable of lying to the father because of her abuse and fear. Abuse can make you act irrationally. She gets Charlie to hide in the make-shift little hidden spot in the basement, and plans to help him escape with her safely when the opportunity was right, possibly with help from the uncle or other family/friends. Telling him to remain quiet at all times, no matter what, so Charlie's dad could not find him; also to keep him from being discovered in case the dad took his anger out on the stepmom. She couldn't admit to where he was, so she invented her story, the dad believed it, and they initiated the missing persons report. The stepmom was too afraid to be truthful after everything got so big. After Charlie was found, the stepmom was taken into custody for a prior parole violation just so LE can talk to the stepmom outside of the presence of her husband and without arousing his suspicions. Maybe she will have her charges lessened if she helps to build a case against the dad or help convict him.

C. Similar to the first theory, except Charlie escapes on his own, hides in the underground tunnels at night or when he needed shelter, and finds or has someone – family or friend possibly – to help to "hide" him in the basement while the parents are away. That person then alerts LE, knowing LE will find him and hopefully expose the parents and Charlie's abuse. As others suggested, the entire police statement about the case being treated as a possible homicide was part of a sting, possibly along with the whole Nancy Grace scene. (Though I still find it difficult to believe authorities would "work with" NG...JMO, I don't watch her enough to really know).
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Snipped by me

I hope you're feeling better!

My personal theory is kind of a combo between your B & C -- I wonder if she hid him, knowing he knew the household routine and would fend for himself for food (sneaking it when house was empty per his statement) without leaving too much evidence for Dad to find -- days dragged on and either she took the opportunity when Dad was on Nancy Grace to have LE come in and "find" Charlie OR Charlie found help first.

She may have been abusive "under watch only" -- not excusing that, simply stating that it may not have been in her nature and she may have been "complying."

**She obtained a gun when she wasn't supposed to -- did Dad even know she had one? If HE wanted a gun, why didn't HE get it? Why would SHE want a gun?

**She refused the polygraph while Dad complied -- why?

**Is it really "coincidence" that she put Charlie in the basement the very week that the tunnel was to be opened... and that her uncle owned the property three doors down?
 
JLSChook said:
I must be blind because I watched the video twice and never saw a vehicle at all. :blushing:
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Actually I checked the site again and the raw footage of the stepmom leaving the jail has been taken down. But right at the end of the raw footage, the father and stepmom pulled away in a grayish-looking van -- no license plate in the rear.
 
I think these "parents" were planning on disappearing Charlie permanently and would have gotten away with a perfect crime had his body turned up somewhere in the future.
 
Charlie Bothuell IV's adult daughter speaks out, defends father
Author: Priya Mann, Local 4 Reporter, @Local4Priya
Published On: Jun 28 2014 11:00:00 PM EDT Updated On: Jun 29 2014 04:42:01 AM EDT

Charlie's sister, Cherrelle Bothuell, wants the world to know her dad only wants the best for his kids. She admits her dad was strict and showed his kids tough love, but that he has been unfairly depicted in the national media.
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Video and article at link:
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...t-daughter-speaks-out-defends-father/26711866
 
Both dad and stepmom are not running a mile or doing the 4k steps. I think it's punishment, not a healthy lifestyle. Dad said he was a nurse, and he's wearing scrubs in the video. I'm surprised he's still allowed to work with these abuse allegations. But it's just my O!
 
Im gonna have a dissenting opinion here but it is an opinion based on the limited available info... I think the kid ran away and hid out on his own. Probably to hide from his stern, disciplining, regimented, and Caring father, and his stepmother, that just by the fact that its his Stepmother, he needs no other reason to resent and dislike.
This is Detroit folks, life is very different, even for me in the suburbs of it. And(at face value) I wish there were more families trying to instill the kind of discipline and values that this father appears to be. Of course the SM had a gun, again this is Detroit. She should've went about it in a legal way, however if you read our headlines, you would be crazy to be a homeowner in the city without one.
4K steps on an ellipitical is 2 miles...not a big deal at all for a 12 year old to be required to accomplish IMO. It takes a lot of additional parenting work to build a child in Detroit to someone of strength and character, and again, I might eat my words, but so far I have seen nothing that proves this family was doing anything wrong to their son.
 
Have the search warrants been posted somewhere? I'm looking hard but can't find them....I believe I read they were released. What a crazy case....poor kiddo. Sure hope his mom is giving him tons of love. I'm not sure why she didn't have custody. Any help is appreciated :)
 
zwiebel said:
I read this case totally wrong and am shocked at the nasty developments! I can't think what a motive could be - I don't really see how money could be made out of a child's disappearance.

I feel so sorry for this little boy. Thank heavens he was found in time.

'Charlie Bothuell V told authorities his stepmother placed him in the basement and told him “not to come out, no matter what he hears,” according to a court record'.

http://www.freep.com/article/20140627/NEWS01/306270113/Charlie-Bothuell-stepmother-probation
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ebedeeb said:
Im gonna have a dissenting opinion here but it is an opinion based on the limited available info... I think the kid ran away and hid out on his own.
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No he didn't, read above
 
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