NY NY - Patrick Alford, 7, Brooklyn, 22 Jan 2010 - #2

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belleyes said:
RANT: this subject tears my heart up, I am so floored to see that Patrick is still missing.
O/T sort of
I just have to defend Childrens Services. I know the system is broken but we cant blame the foster parents we need to revamp the system, and make children a priority in both the cps and criminal systems. IMO we do not value our future generation. I am a foster mom and a social worker (I stay home now with my kids) so, I am VERY familiar with the brokeness of the system. Yes there are definately foster parents who have less than honorable intentions, but the majority just have oversized hearts. The caseworkers are underpaid and overworked. Many times when children are placed their is much more to the story than gets published, because CPS and foster parents are bound by confidentiality therefor you never hear the whole story. ( I've experienced this personally with the 2 kids I adopted, bio-mom was portrayed in news as a hero who reported the child *advertiser censored* her bf was making. noone ever found out she actually took the pics while perp raped the kids.) ---I am no longer bound by confidentiallity as they are MY kids now. Long Story Short---dont always believe what you read, or hear. I am in no way saying that this applies to this case, as I do not know the players. It is very odd that CPS placed a english speaker with a non-english speaking family. Unfortunately foster parenting involves taking some of the most damaged kids into your home and trying to show them normalcy----this isnt very appealing to many people so CPS has to decide place a child in non-english home or put them in a "shelter" program. A home is a much better choice. Children are "matched" with a foster home by
1. available space (not over state limits of # of kids)
2. age and sex (foster homes choose the age and sex they will except)
3. disabilities or abuse issues (some kids cannot be placed in certain homes because of
their potential to "act out" [a common behavior of abuse victims] sexually or
violently)
Click to expand...

Was the bio-mom ever charged for taking the pornographic pictures ?
 
Family Offers Reward For Information On Missing Boy

The family of a boy who has been missing since January announced Saturday that it is offering a reward in hopes of finding him.

Patrick Alford Junior’s family is offering $50,000 for any information leading to his recovery.

[snip]

The money raised by the family will be combined with the police department's reward of $12,000.

http://statenisland.ny1.com/content...-offers-reward-for-information-on-missing-boy
 
Jennifer Rodriguez, mother of missing 7-year-old Patrick Alford, ups reward money in hunt for son

The mom of a missing 7-year-old boy announced an extra $50,000 reward for his return.

In hopes of bringing Patrick Alford home, Jennifer Rodriguez's uncle put up savings and raised more from relatives of the boy, who vanished without a trace in January.

"I need people to know my son is missing, and I know somebody knows something about my son, and nobody is saying anything," said Rodriguez, 23, breaking into tears. "I will do anything in the world to feel my son, to hear his voice."
​

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local..._money_to_find_missing_boy.html#ixzz13rmHZLE6


alg_patrick_alford_missing.jpg

Siegel for News
Jennifer Rodriguez (center holding sign), the mother of Patrick Alford, 7, with supporters before leading a march across the Brooklyn Bridge to raise awareness of her missing son.
​
​
​
 
butterfly1978 said:
I am proud of Jennifer!
I hope she wins, the one thing I have noticed about CPS is they have made a good habit out of NOT protecting our children. Just look at the number of missing or murdered children and then look at how many of those children where "under the supervision" of CPS. You would think that someone would get the hint. I thinkthat there needs to be a thorough investigation of all CPS across the country. I hope Jennifer wins and gets enough money to hire a PI who actually cares about finding Patrick seeing as how LE doesn't and simply wanted to find some way to make this Jennifer's fault.. Just sayin
Click to expand...

Hi, I am new to this thread, having been following the Britanee Drexel case as well as a couple others. However, this is a topic I know a bit about, being I work in the social service field.

Many of the kids who go 'missing' or 'awol' are often in their teens. When this happens, there is very little that can be done, aside from putting out warrants with court. Many teens don't want the supervision of a foster home, or just don't want to have to abide by rules.

In my years in 'the field' I've seen only 2 children that 'dissapeared'. I mean kids under 12. It turned out that one was taken by a parent, after a visit. The other did in fact run away, to a relative's home. That child was about 10 as I recall. Both were eventually returned, after police involvement.

I don't know the young woman in question, but I would wonder:

1) If mom isn't involved, what about the father of this child?
2) If not the father, what about any relatives that have an interest in this child.
3) Has anyone spoken with any children this child knew? Went to school with?

I believe that it's someone who probably knew this child thats involved.
 
Bumpidty bump...
The 3rd page will not do for our dear Patrick!

Someone has gt to know something, somewhere.....
 
I just heard of Patrick's case, since Mommy23 bumped it up.

OMG, my stomach just lurched as I read some details of this boy's case.

What are the general theories here on the boy?
 
Wondergirl said:
I just heard of Patrick's case, since Mommy23 bumped it up.

OMG, my stomach just lurched as I read some details of this boy's case.

What are the general theories here on the boy?
Click to expand...

Thanks for joining us here on Patrick's case, Wondergirl!

At first, a major theory was that Patrick's bio mom may have had something to do with it. Now, that is seeming less and less likely.

Personally, I think he did TRY to run away back to his mother. He may have even made it onto a city bus. But I don't think he ever made it to his mother or anyone else. And I feel he likely met with something horrible since. Still have hope for him, though.
 
Fyrecat said:
Hi, I am new to this thread, having been following the Britanee Drexel case as well as a couple others. However, this is a topic I know a bit about, being I work in the social service field.

Many of the kids who go 'missing' or 'awol' are often in their teens. When this happens, there is very little that can be done, aside from putting out warrants with court. Many teens don't want the supervision of a foster home, or just don't want to have to abide by rules.

In my years in 'the field' I've seen only 2 children that 'dissapeared'. I mean kids under 12. It turned out that one was taken by a parent, after a visit. The other did in fact run away, to a relative's home. That child was about 10 as I recall. Both were eventually returned, after police involvement.

I don't know the young woman in question, but I would wonder:

1) If mom isn't involved, what about the father of this child?
2) If not the father, what about any relatives that have an interest in this child.
3) Has anyone spoken with any children this child knew? Went to school with?

I believe that it's someone who probably knew this child thats involved.
Click to expand...

Hi Fyrecat! Welcome to Patrick's thread, also!

Regarding your points about family, I think that Patrick's entire family, including his father, aunts and uncles, and even extended family have been checked out thoroughly. And although it hasn't been said, IMO I think Patrick likely had to switch schools when he moved in with his foster mother. As he had only been there a short time, he probably didn't know very many kids. Perhaps he was in contact (phone, etc.) with friends from his old school? Something to check out, perhaps.
 
I'm not seeing Jennifer as a serious drug addict. I'm thinking a tragedy like this would cause a crack or meth addict to fall off the wagon. She seems pretty strong to me, and it's obvious she loved Patrick dearly. It doesn't make sense that someone who loves their child this much could have him taken away.
Where are the state workers who were supposedly looking out for his best interests ?
I don't see them looking for him or hear them crying for him. I don't see the foster mom who lost him, looking for him either.
 
we seriously need to try and figure out a way to renew intrest in this case... does anyone have any ideas? Patrick deserves as much attention as Caylee, Haleigh, Zahra or any other missing child, is it just me or does it appear that African American boys rarely receive the same attention as white girls... honestly boys in general receive little attention , excluding Kyron, but I feel the only reason he got attention is because he went missing from a school.
 
Yes butterfly1978, it is true that missing/endangered minority children/adults from lower socio-economic backgrounds are often swept under the rug because the common consensus is that there is "no hope" for them anyway, based on their upbringing/background. This is truly terrible. Everyone matters. Every CHILD matters. Their FAMILIES matter.

I've been honest on this thread in my disappointment in Patrick's mother, for leading a life that lead to Patrick getting taken away. But just because Patrick had a tumultuous upbringing, means nothing in regard to CONTINUING to keep him safe and feeling LOVED. Patrick did NOT deserve this and he DOES DESERVE TO BE FOUND.

Clearly, Jennifer is making amends, fighting for her son, and frankly, CPS is more at fault than she is (they took him and just tossed him with someone that barely speaks English). G-d willing Jennifer will get Patrick back (he will be alive), and when she does, she will hold on to him for dear life and clean up her act.

In regards to Patrick's whereabouts, sadly, I feel that when he ran away from his foster home, in attempt to go back to his mom, he met with fate on the way, perhaps a stranger/child molestor, or drug dealer that knew he could be sold for cash/drugs.

Often times when children run away, they, being vulnerable and alone, come across unsavory people/situations, and their fate is sealed. Such terrible tragedies.

I do not think Patrick is alive, but BOY DO I HOPE I AM WRONG. No matter the outcome, I hope he is FOUND soon.

I don't think Jennifer will win her lawsuit---BUT---I hope she does, and uses the money to set up funds for both Patrick and her little daughter. CPS screws up so much, they technically owe MILLIONS to surviving family members and custodial parents who watched their kids/loved ones remain in dangerous situations, with DSS/CPS doing little to nothing to help.
 
I too feared the worst almost from the beginning and my thought was that he was offered a ride by a creep who harmed him.

having said that, I'm not going to reiterate my earlier comments about his mother.

this case should have received more attention from the start but with so little to go on I think it would be hard now to gather the type of interest missing white children receive here and in the general press. the disparity in coverage is quite apparent and tragic.
 
butterfly1978 said:
we seriously need to try and figure out a way to renew intrest in this case... does anyone have any ideas? Patrick deserves as much attention as Caylee, Haleigh, Zahra or any other missing child, is it just me or does it appear that African American boys rarely receive the same attention as white girls... honestly boys in general receive little attention , excluding Kyron, but I feel the only reason he got attention is because he went missing from a school.
Click to expand...

I, too, wish we could get interest in Patrick's case. He deserves just as much attention as Kyron does. Two 7-year-old boys disappeared. They deserve the same respect and attention, regardless of what the adults in their lives did, regardless of their race. They are CHILDREN and they both need to be found.
 
SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
I, too, wish we could get interest in Patrick's case. He deserves just as much attention as Kyron does. Two 7-year-old boys disappeared. They deserve the same respect and attention, regardless of what the adults in their lives did, regardless of their race. They are CHILDREN and they both need to be found.
Click to expand...

IMO, the state would prefer this to go away. They lost him, and while they'll hold a parent accountable for every mistake they make, they're not held accountable for anything.
We can keep Patrick in the spotlight by keeping the system in the spotlight. The state decided it should become Patrick's parent, and in doing so, was obligated to make sure he was safe. Where are they now ?
His mother and family are the only ones looking for him. If CPS and the family court had had their way, his mom would be in jail and this case would be getting even less attention.
 
CHICANA said:
IMO, the state would prefer this to go away. They lost him, and while they'll hold a parent accountable for every mistake they make, they're not held accountable for anything.
We can keep Patrick in the spotlight by keeping the system in the spotlight. The state decided it should become Patrick's parent, and in doing so, was obligated to make sure he was safe. Where are they now ?
His mother and family are the only ones looking for him. If CPS and the family court had had their way, his mom would be in jail and this case would be getting even less attention.
Click to expand...

No doubt in my mind that you are right, Chicana. It's sickening. They want this to go away. Along with the thousands of other CPS cases that never get any attention. You know, instead of trying to cover their butts, they could actually try to help find Patrick. Give themselves a GOOD image, instead of trying to hide a bad one.
 
SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
No doubt in my mind that you are right, Chicana. It's sickening. They want this to go away. Along with the thousands of other CPS cases that never get any attention. You know, instead of trying to cover their butts, they could actually try to help find Patrick. Give themselves a GOOD image, instead of trying to hide a bad one.
Click to expand...

I'd be speechless for the first time in my life if they actually took responsibility and played an active role in trying to find him.
They have the resources and could do a lot of good if they really wanted to.
 
watchful_eye said:
Yes butterfly1978, it is true that missing/endangered minority children/adults from lower socio-economic backgrounds are often swept under the rug because the common consensus is that there is "no hope" for them anyway, based on their upbringing/background. This is truly terrible. Everyone matters. Every CHILD matters. Their FAMILIES matter.
Click to expand...

Respectfully snipped. Found this article while searching for news on another missing minority boy in Florida, Adji Desir. BBM.



Media needs to be colorblind

Judging solely from the media, most victims of crime or missing people are young, pretty white girls, but that's not true at all.

[snip]

For example, a study conducted by the International Communication Association found that 32.9 percent of missing children are African-American, but only 21.2 percent of those children are covered by the news media.

The study concluded: "In particular, it was found that when a large number of African-American missing children are missing in reality, they are significantly underrepresented in television news."

The media puts an emphasis on victims they think will be marketable, which gives the public a skewed perception of crime statistics.

This practice is deplorable, and as a media organization, we are speaking out against it.

More: http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/media-needs-to-be-colorblind-1.2401091
 
CHICANA said:
I'm not seeing Jennifer as a serious drug addict. I'm thinking a tragedy like this would cause a crack or meth addict to fall off the wagon. She seems pretty strong to me, and it's obvious she loved Patrick dearly. It doesn't make sense that someone who loves their child this much could have him taken away.
Where are the state workers who were supposedly looking out for his best interests ?
I don't see them looking for him or hear them crying for him. I don't see the foster mom who lost him, looking for him either.
Click to expand...

Because these workers aren't allowed to make statements!
I can tell you, most care VERY MUCH about the children on their cases.

I wonder if FM had any other Foster children this young guy might have spoken to?

I am leery of the bio family. Sorry, but there may be some 'extended' family who feel keeping Patrick away from mom, and maybe sprinting him off to another country, such as DR or somewhere like PR might 'help' the child.
 
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