So: Why release this now?
Was it about to be leaked?
I think that usually, much of the timing of what LE does is strategic. perhaps they are at their wits' end or feel they needed to release something to keep the case hot or to put pressure on a possible perp, etc.
pretty crazy that someone would argue that knowing the location the letter was sent would not be helpful to the public trying to assist in this case.
really weird that someone would argue that knowing, at least in a vague sense, the contents of the letter would not be helpful to people trying to find this girl.
how much is this investigation costing? who is paying for it?
Oh, but there are very many reasons why such information would not only not be helpful, but could be extremely detrimental to Abby's well being.
They may have a good idea who the perp could be. Or they may have a profile and are being given guidelines as to what to say, how much to say, etc. They be narrowing in. They may not want the public to believe only one area needs to be looked at.
You know, many times in these cases, where we think LE is fumbling about doing nothing, and that without our help, they will get nowhere, there's a ton that's happening behind the scenes and a lot of expertise we couldn't come to close having. I tend to give LE the benefit of the doubt until and unless it becomes pretty clear they are making mad mistakes. That became clear in the Elizabeth Smart case when her own family publicized a composite of a possible perp. Family making their own, independent public statements including investigation info is often a clue that things aren't going well.
I haven't followed this case but I don't think that's happening here yet. Right?
I don't agree with the word hindering, I think they're working one angle and I don't believe it's as productive as the angle of public help. I agree with not releasing the content of the letter, I don't even care what was written, who it was addressed to, or even when it was sent. The important thing for me, jill public, is the postmark. If I live in that area I'll keep an eye out. I'm less likely to notice a teenager who fits her description if I don't believe she's in my area, especially since appearances can so easily be changed.
But no, I don't think they are hindering the investigation but it does seem more like psychological games and politicking rather than enlisting the help of the public. I have a friend in MO who would love to help, but she's got nothing to go on. I have friends and family all across the nation and they would love to help, but there's no information. So here we sit.
The postmark may have zero to do with where she's at though. In fact, it seems very likely that the postmark is from a vastly different area than where the child is, just like her last phone activity might have been designed to throw LE off the scent. LE likely doesn;t want people relaxing in areas outside where it was postmarked, which is very likely to happen. EVERYONE needs to keep their eyes open, everywhere.
Try to show willingness to be away from family and with the mysterey person(s) who are assisting her.
Nothing to see here folks. Yeah I may be away from my family and legal guardians, but I am complicit, move along now to more dire concerns.
Yup. I totally agree! But I was responding to a question as to why the letter was dated at all.
In any event, I am very certain this child is with a predatory adult. Her phone activity, the letter, the dating of it, the timing, etc., all indicate to me that this kid is being hidden by someone who is sophisticated enough to know how to keep her hidden and confuse the public and make everyone think she's simply a runaway, off living a voluntary street life.
I suspect Abby is being preyed on by a very dangerous individual who coerced or manipulated her and I think she'll be lucky to get out of this alive, if she still is alive. We can only hope that whoever is "harboring" her has a strong enough fantasy that they are a couple and that the kid wants him, too, or a strong enough desire to keep having "fun" with her, that he won;t kill her. She, like other kids in these situations that we've known of, needs to keep a cool head and play the game until she can get away. Because I'm fairly sure that by now, that 15 year old is beyond ready to come home...and scared.
