MT MT - Arden Pepion, 3, Blackfeet Reservation, 22 Apr 2021 *Reward* *Guilty*

[JerseyGirl]

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st...ouse-arrest-in-case-of-missing-blackfeet-girl


Man Gets House Arrest in Case of Missing Blackfeet Girl
A man has pleaded guilty to negligent endangerment in Blackfeet Tribal Court in the case of a 3-year-old girl who went missing on April 22.

 

[PommyMommy]

JAN 4, updated JAN 6, 2022
Weather pauses searches for missing 3-year-old in Browning | mtstandard.com
[...]

DB is a member of Holding Hope Search and Rescue, a team formed with the sole purpose of finding Arden. They have been combing through the Two-Medicine wilderness and river areas, where Arden is suspected to have gone missing.

However, weather conditions in the past month or so have temporarily stopped teams from continuing to look for answers. Ice is covering the Two Medicine river, making it impossible to search the water for clues. Wind and snow make ground searches difficult too, DB said.

[...]

When conditions allow, there is a spot where Arden is thought to have possibly entered the water where searchers have not yet looked. The area is thick with foliage and a known home to a bear family, so accessing it has been difficult, she added.

[...]

 

[GuyfromCanada]

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Friday marks one year since Arden Pepion, who was 3-years-old at the time, went missing after spending time with her uncle near Joe Show East Road in the Two Medicine area.

Searchers tell me they won't stop till they find Arden, but before we get into the search efforts of the community, let's recap Arden's story.

More at Preview: Search efforts for Arden Pepion continue almost a year after she went missing

 

[Knox]

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st...ouse-arrest-in-case-of-missing-blackfeet-girl
Man Gets House Arrest in Case of Missing Blackfeet Girl
A man has pleaded guilty to negligent endangerment in Blackfeet Tribal Court in the case of a 3-year-old girl who went missing on April 22.

I still don't understand this. How do they know there were no nefarious circumstances in Arden's death? Because he said so? Yeah, he also waited five hours to call LE for help ...

 

[TootsieFootsie]

'We're staying on track,' Arden Pepion searchers joined by out-of-state team

It’s been over a year since Arden Pepion vanished from the Two Medicine River area on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

helenair.com

 

[mickey2942]

'We're staying on track,' Arden Pepion searchers joined by out-of-state team

It’s been over a year since Arden Pepion vanished from the Two Medicine River area on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

helenair.com

What bothers me about the search, is that they are taking what the "caregiver" states as "truth". In fact, she could be buried somewhere completely different. Who knows?

 

[PawneeDew]

This absolutely ticks me off. Those two women who were responsible for Mildred? I think they got like 9 months in jail...not quite sure, but literally a slap on the wrist. Heck, they're probably even served their time, and out already.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 13, 2022

New video provides hope in Arden Pepion search

BROWNING - People searching for missing Arden Pepion on the Blackfeet Reservation are saying they have a renewed hope in finding her after a new "clue" surfaces from a recently-shot

www.montanarightnow.com

[...]

Montana Right Now's Angela Marshall spoke to Bullshoe. She told Angela that she always analyzes the video and audio from every search to find any clues that might be overlooked.

In the video, you can see Four Corners K9, Sica, getting agitated and then, the EVP or electronic voice phenomenon.

"To me, there was something more to it. There was a reason why Sitka was getting agitated," Bullshoe said. "So hearing that voice, she heard it. And in hearing that video and as soon as it starts talking, you can see the dog look up."

[...]

Bullshoe said that in 3,000 videos and pictures she's taken during the search for Arden, she has never come across an EVP.

[...]

Another search for Arden Pepion is planned for Tuesday, July 19 in the same area.

Searchers are hoping the water and debris are cleared from the river, so divers can scour underwater.

[...]

 

[PawneeDew]

JUL 13, 2022

New video provides hope in Arden Pepion search

BROWNING - People searching for missing Arden Pepion on the Blackfeet Reservation are saying they have a renewed hope in finding her after a new "clue" surfaces from a recently-shot

www.montanarightnow.com

[...]

Montana Right Now's Angela Marshall spoke to Bullshoe. She told Angela that she always analyzes the video and audio from every search to find any clues that might be overlooked.

In the video, you can see Four Corners K9, Sica, getting agitated and then, the EVP or electronic voice phenomenon.

"To me, there was something more to it. There was a reason why Sitka was getting agitated," Bullshoe said. "So hearing that voice, she heard it. And in hearing that video and as soon as it starts talking, you can see the dog look up."

[...]

Bullshoe said that in 3,000 videos and pictures she's taken during the search for Arden, she has never come across an EVP.

[...]

Another search for Arden Pepion is planned for Tuesday, July 19 in the same area.

Searchers are hoping the water and debris are cleared from the river, so divers can scour underwater.

[...]

Wow! That's fascinating; EVP...I Hope they find her, so her family can possibly have closure.

 

[PommyMommy]

OCT 20, 2022

Mother of missing 3-year-old, Arden Pepion, passes away

BROWNING, Mont. - Arbana Pepion, the mother of Arden Pepion, has passed away.

www.montanarightnow.com

[...]

Her passing was announced by Diana Burd and shared to the Arden Pepion-Holding Hope SAR Facebook which is dedicated to finding Arden, a then 3-year-old who went missing in 2021.


The following is the post announcing Bana's passing from Diana Burd:

This morning Miss. Bana Pepion passed away peacefully at home with her husband Aaron Pepion at her side. We had a scheduled search today no one knew about. We were able to clear a majority of the log jams and most of the “roots from hell”. We stirred things up like we intended and will be able to return when the water clears. Our goal was to beat the snow and we did just that. We are so thankful to the Blackfeet Housing Authority for always “Holding Hope” as they have always assisted us. Thank you Mary Gordan, Jay St. Goddard and Buddy Gray for being the stand up people you are. Today was a tough one but Bana always knew we would not quit. I wanted to not go through with the search today but I know Arbana would have been upset with us. She had so much faith that one day we would find Arden her body was just getting tired. She made us laugh, she made us cry, and she even made us mad but she always came back ready to take on the world. Aaron, Arbana and the Holding Hope search crew have been through so much together over the past few years a big space is left in our hearts. Please keep Arbana, Aaron and the girls in you prayers.

 

[Knox]

JUL 13, 2022

New video provides hope in Arden Pepion search

BROWNING - People searching for missing Arden Pepion on the Blackfeet Reservation are saying they have a renewed hope in finding her after a new "clue" surfaces from a recently-shot

www.montanarightnow.com

[...]

Montana Right Now's Angela Marshall spoke to Bullshoe. She told Angela that she always analyzes the video and audio from every search to find any clues that might be overlooked.

In the video, you can see Four Corners K9, Sica, getting agitated and then, the EVP or electronic voice phenomenon.

"To me, there was something more to it. There was a reason why Sitka was getting agitated," Bullshoe said. "So hearing that voice, she heard it. And in hearing that video and as soon as it starts talking, you can see the dog look up."

[...]

Bullshoe said that in 3,000 videos and pictures she's taken during the search for Arden, she has never come across an EVP.

[...]

Another search for Arden Pepion is planned for Tuesday, July 19 in the same area.

Searchers are hoping the water and debris are cleared from the river, so divers can scour underwater.

[...]

Woah - that was eerie. It did appear the dog was reacting to the EVP
This case tugs at my heart, I'm not sure I believe what happened to Arden as stated by the Uncle, is true.

 

[Knox]

OCT 20, 2022

Mother of missing 3-year-old, Arden Pepion, passes away

BROWNING, Mont. - Arbana Pepion, the mother of Arden Pepion, has passed away.

www.montanarightnow.com

View attachment 374819
[...]

Her passing was announced by Diana Burd and shared to the Arden Pepion-Holding Hope SAR Facebook which is dedicated to finding Arden, a then 3-year-old who went missing in 2021.


The following is the post announcing Bana's passing from Diana Burd:

This morning Miss. Bana Pepion passed away peacefully at home with her husband Aaron Pepion at her side. We had a scheduled search today no one knew about. We were able to clear a majority of the log jams and most of the “roots from hell”. We stirred things up like we intended and will be able to return when the water clears. Our goal was to beat the snow and we did just that. We are so thankful to the Blackfeet Housing Authority for always “Holding Hope” as they have always assisted us. Thank you Mary Gordan, Jay St. Goddard and Buddy Gray for being the stand up people you are. Today was a tough one but Bana always knew we would not quit. I wanted to not go through with the search today but I know Arbana would have been upset with us. She had so much faith that one day we would find Arden her body was just getting tired. She made us laugh, she made us cry, and she even made us mad but she always came back ready to take on the world. Aaron, Arbana and the Holding Hope search crew have been through so much together over the past few years a big space is left in our hearts. Please keep Arbana, Aaron and the girls in you prayers.

Arden was waiting for her and jumped into Bana's arms ~

 

[PommyMommy]

JAN 30, 2023

‘We are in need’: Bill would help missing person searches

A bill brought by Rep. Tyson Running Wolf on behalf of the State-Tribal Relations Committee aims to bolster these community-led search efforts by providing formal training, resources and structure.

missoulian.com

When 3-year-old Arden Pepion went missing on the Blackfeet Reservation in 2021, more than 150 members of the Blackfeet community showed up to search for her.

They brought dogs and flashlights. They learned how to ward off bears, and they waded through rivers.

[...]

While the Blackfeet community turned out for Arden’s search, the effort did not go as planned. According to several people who attended, the search was chaotic, as it lacked a leader, coordination, resources and direction.

Diana Burd is a member of Holding Hope, a grassroots search and rescue team created for Arden. She said she was sure the search team would find “baby Arden,” but added that “because of the lack of collaboration … she was not found.”

[...]

A bill brought by Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning, on behalf of the State-Tribal Relations Committee aims to bolster these community-led search efforts by providing formal training, resources and structure.

The bill passed the House and was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday.

[...]

“When we started our own little search team for baby Arden, we had no resources, training or funding,” she said. “We used our own money, our own vehicles, our own time, taking days off work. … With your support (on) House Bill 18, a search and rescue team can be put into place with a structured protocol.”

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

FEB 10, 2023

BIA takes on two Blackfeet missing persons cases

Arden Pepion and Leo Wagner both disappeared on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in April 2021.

missoulian.com

[...]

BIA took over last summer, about 15 months after Arden and Leo went missing. Because of federal law, jurisdiction for felonies on tribal land is shared between federal and tribal agencies.

“Among their reasoning for requesting the case transfers were because MMU Agents are specifically dedicated to analyzing and solving missing and murdered cases involving American Indians and Alaska Natives,” the BIA spokesperson said of why Blackfeet tribal officers asked for federal assistance.

The spokesperson said the reassignment frees up limited tribal law enforcement resources. Blackfeet officers are still involved in the cases. BIA can’t comment on ongoing investigations, but said both cases are active and being worked.

[...]

Diana Burd, who has helped lead Arden’s community search team, Holding Hope, said she learned about BIA taking over the law enforcement investigation into Arden’s case a few months ago, but hasn’t seen agents on the ground and hasn’t been contacted by BIA investigators.

“No one is looking except for us,” Burd said.

[...]

A BIA spokesperson said the agency uses victim specialists as a bridge between agents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office “to provide the family with the available information that won’t harm a case.” Specialists also break down the criminal justice process for families.

“In both the Leo Wagner and Arden Pepion’s cases, legal circumstances exist that prevent us from speaking about the case management thus far,” they said.

[...]

 

[Knox]

FEB 10, 2023

BIA takes on two Blackfeet missing persons cases

Arden Pepion and Leo Wagner both disappeared on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in April 2021.

missoulian.com

[...]

BIA took over last summer, about 15 months after Arden and Leo went missing. Because of federal law, jurisdiction for felonies on tribal land is shared between federal and tribal agencies.

“Among their reasoning for requesting the case transfers were because MMU Agents are specifically dedicated to analyzing and solving missing and murdered cases involving American Indians and Alaska Natives,” the BIA spokesperson said of why Blackfeet tribal officers asked for federal assistance.

The spokesperson said the reassignment frees up limited tribal law enforcement resources. Blackfeet officers are still involved in the cases. BIA can’t comment on ongoing investigations, but said both cases are active and being worked.

[...]

Diana Burd, who has helped lead Arden’s community search team, Holding Hope, said she learned about BIA taking over the law enforcement investigation into Arden’s case a few months ago, but hasn’t seen agents on the ground and hasn’t been contacted by BIA investigators.

“No one is looking except for us,” Burd said.

[...]

A BIA spokesperson said the agency uses victim specialists as a bridge between agents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office “to provide the family with the available information that won’t harm a case.” Specialists also break down the criminal justice process for families.

“In both the Leo Wagner and Arden Pepion’s cases, legal circumstances exist that prevent us from speaking about the case management thus far,” they said.

[...]

Snipped from your link-

“In both the Leo Wagner and Arden Pepion’s cases, legal circumstances exist that prevent us from speaking about the case management thus far,” they said.

Federal agents can present evidence and refer cases to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for possible criminal prosecution. In Arden and Leo’s cases, that hasn’t happened yet, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Spokesperson Clair Howard.

I'm confused about the statement above. Vielle was sentenced in tribal court of "negligent endangerment". Remember that you all? He only received 9 months of house arrest!!

I personally think there is much more to the story, even to the degree, Arden's body may not be in the river, JMO.

So if the Tribal Court has already charged and sentenced Vielle, why is the BIA making the above statements?

 

[PommyMommy]

Snipped from your link-

“In both the Leo Wagner and Arden Pepion’s cases, legal circumstances exist that prevent us from speaking about the case management thus far,” they said.

Federal agents can present evidence and refer cases to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for possible criminal prosecution. In Arden and Leo’s cases, that hasn’t happened yet, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Spokesperson Clair Howard.

I'm confused about the statement above. Vielle was sentenced in tribal court of "negligent endangerment". Remember that you all? He only received 9 months of house arrest!!

I personally think there is much more to the story, even to the degree, Arden's body may not be in the river, JMO.

So if the Tribal Court has already charged and sentenced Vielle, why is the BIA making the above statements?

When you put all these things together 1) the Blackfeet tribal officers asked for federal assistance, 2) jurisdiction for felonies on tribal land is shared between federal and tribal agencies, 3) MMU Agents are specifically dedicated to analyzing and solving missing and murdered cases involving American Indians, and 4) Blackfeet officers are still involved in the case, I think we can conclude that they aren't going to settle with just the negligent endangerment conviction and are building a case with more serious charges. Let's hope. MOO

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 13, 2023

$10K reward offered for information on location of Arden Pepion, Leo Wagner

BLACKFEET NATION, Mont. - The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council is offering two rewards of $10,000 each for information leading to the location of Arden Pepion or Leo Wagner.

www.kulr8.com

The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council is offering two rewards of $10,000 each for information leading to the location of Arden Pepion or Leo Wagner.

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 21, 2023

Bill bolstering missing person searches becomes law

Brought by Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning, House Bill 18 establishes a missing persons response team training grant program.

www.bozemandailychronicle.com

In committee hearings, several Missing and Murdered Indigenous People advocates supported the legislation. Diana Burd, Blackfeet, told lawmakers of a community-led search for Arden Pepion, a 3-year-old girl who went missing from the Blackfeet Reservation in 2021.

In her testimony, Burd said the search was chaotic. The search, according to her, lacked a leader, coordination and resources. She said searchers didn’t have formal training and didn’t know how to organize, how to be efficient or what clues to look for.

“Because of the lack of collaboration,” she testified in January, “(Pepion) was not found.”

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Arden went missing over two-years ago in 2021 after spending time with her uncle off of Joe Show Road east in the Two Medicine area.

"We can't stop. We have to keep moving forward. This little girl has to be brought home," said Belinda Bullshoe, who continues to search for Arden.

Arden went missing when she was three-years-old.

Her uncle and his girlfriend were reportedly practicing shooting when he noticed she wasn't near him and saw footprints leading to the river about 50-yards away.

Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services found one of her boots in the river after searching for several days.

"You think about Arden and the question is why do we keep looking? You know, we shouldn't even be looking for her. This little girl's life has been taken at a young age. So, when you ask why do you guys still search for that little girl, she had a whole life in front of her," said Bullshoe.

Arden's parents and the community created a Facebook group called 'Arden Pepion - Holding Hope SAR' in 2021, and since then they've brought out more search crews to help find her.

"When we watch the cadaver dogs, it's like they don't want to leave from here, and they will, like, literally bite at our pants, or cry like she's here - or somethings here. And they don't want us to leave until we find it. And it's just the feeling like they get really sad... they try to keep us here," said Diana Burd, another person who continues to search for Arden.

Holding Hope is going to conduct another large search next week, July 20-22, according to Bullshoe and they are asking for your help.

"We're trying to raise money to get more teams in for more help. We had a good team from Arizona. The Northern Cheyenne are very important to Arden and they've been here since day one," said Burd.

"We ask for any kind of help, if any volunteers want to come down and they have the time, that would be such a blessing," said Bullshoe.

Community continues to search for missing girl, asks for help from you

BROWNING, Mont. - Right now in Montana there are 55 reported missing indigenous persons.

www.montanarightnow.com

 

[Unalienable Rights]

After more than two years, the search continues for Arden Pepion – Daily Montanan

n this upcoming search, Burd said weather conditions like reduced water levels and the involvement of a forensics team from the University of Montana, including a doctoral student from the Blackfeet Reservation, were giving her hope that this time, they’ll find her body. The crew is scheduled to...

dailymontanan.com

August 11, 2023

Diana Burd has been involved in the search for the young Arden Pepion since the day she went missing on the Blackfeet Reservation in April 2021, and she hasn’t given up hope.

********
In this upcoming search, Burd said weather conditions like reduced water levels and the involvement of a forensics team from the University of Montana, including a doctoral student from the Blackfeet Reservation, were giving her hope that this time, they’ll find her body. The crew is scheduled to search the area next week.

********
Time is ticking for investigators to search for Pepion. Burd said they likely have about three weeks before weather would be a factor again. And they’ve been down this road before.

Burd said cadaver dogs have gone to the same point several times, and a scuba diving team went down and didn’t find anything.

However, Meredith Snow, lead researcher overseeing the University of Montana forensics team, said certain conditions like low water levels and fires, which can clear the landscape, could be beneficial in this search.

********
The lack of coordination among agencies has been a major roadblock in search efforts across the state. Burd said she hopes different jurisdictions will collaborate more in future cases and is encouraged by some of the grants being made available towards such an effort.

The legislature established a missing persons response team training grant program during the last session in a bill sponsored by Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning, to train people to be able to help in search efforts without potentially damaging evidence.

********
“When we start talking about lost and missing persons, there’s also a human factor — someone else could have moved them,” he said. “It’s not just the last behavior of that individual, there’s sometimes another individual who forces their movement, albeit through kidnapping them, coercing them, or after the person maybe is deceased, moving the remains.”

He said Kambic’s expertise is knowing the most probable places to search with those factors in mind.