I've talked to many locals here and the one question everyone keeps asking is, "Why did the family let Johnny go to Family Kingdom alone if he was a special needs person?". I've also heard many times "There's something strange about that story". These are just regular folks who've seen it on the news and don't really follow the case. I never really know how to answer them. Family Kingdom is about a 5 minute drive from their motel (I think the walk would be about the same during the busy tourist season when the Blvd, is bumper to bumper, but it could be longer). The family lets Johnny go, without a wallet or any proper ID, and then proceed to go to dinner or whatever. They don't supply him with a map, directions, or anything else but a room key to assure that he'll get back to the hotel safely. This is supposedly his first big trip away from home and Julie said they were even nervous about bringing him (was that because of his special needs or , as we have recently learned, because he's an "alcoholic"?). I'd like to know if there was any kind of disagreement that caused him to want to go off by himself or if the family wanted some time without him. It's hard to plead his case with people when they are suspicious just from watching news reports.
Julie seems to be dissing CUE now and I got the same type of comments from her about the MBPD liason. That's confusing, too. We hear how great the MBPD has been to them, so why the sudden change from "not helpful" to knights in shinig armor? I believe the MBPD is treating them well and what they've done has been admirable for this family. I listen to my scanner at home (I'm just nosey like that) and LE is BUSY around here. I have so much gratitude for what they do because they get some pretty whacky calls.
Julie hasn't made it to the second truck stop yet. OK, she's busy, I get that. So, why haven't all of her friends and neighbors done it for her? They seem to want to give her all kinds of advice, so why don't they run over there and do it? Why hasn't she followed through on many of the contacts and advice that Nonni Brenda has given her?
I'm thinking now that Johnny sounds like a somewhat large portion of people in Myrtle Beach. We have lots of transients and people who would probably be classified as "special needs' but they find places to live and eat. They also find drugs and alcohol. The only difference I can see with Johnny is that he is not used to being on his own away from Cartersville. Can he learn enough skills and make enough friends to survive here? Probably. Is he at risk for bad things to happen to him? Probably. My point is, how much more can we really do? I was thinking about The G-town newspaper not doing the story and I wonder if they're being told not to bother. My family even asks me when I'm going to give this up because they feel I've been duped into thinking things that weren't quite the truth.
Julie says they are coming back here near the end of the month. Why? There have been no sightings and they're now thinking he's moved more to the west.
I've noticed that some of the businesses, where there were flyers, no longer have them up. Is it because people who don't even follow this story on WS have their doubts?Johnny is able to call home and he was able to get through at least once that we know of. He must know that if he really needs help the police will do that, regardless of his fear of them (and why s that??). I don't think anyone is holding him against his will for any reason. It wouldn't make sense to do that. I do believe he may have gotten in with some people who use drugs and drink. He might be having a good time, for all we know. He CAN make the call home, so should we believe that he just doesn't want to, for whatever reason?
I don't know where I'm going with this except that I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. I don't know if the posters are a good idea or a bad one. I don't know which direction he's headed for. I don't know if he's OK. The family has figured he's in another part of the state. I think that instead of making special trips all over the place to hang up flyers etc, I 'm going to keep them in my car, with tape, tacks etc and put them up when I'm visiting other places. I also think I can mail flyers to churches and other groups rather than trying to hunt down a person to speak with. I can ask them to mention Johnny during their church services, meetings, etc. We take mini road trips almost every week-end, so while I'm doing that I can put some posters up. I can't keep running all over the country side without some kind of clue as to where Johnny might be. I certainly can't go to Mauldin or 96. I am going to have to rely more on LE and since they are so good to the family I'm going to have to trust that they are working on this diligently. I'm not giving up---just scaling back. I guess what pushed me over the edge was hearing about the things that Julie and her "friends" haven't done. Plus, the question that keeps nagging me and others , why did they let him go to the Family Kingdom with no directions or ID???? Not blaming them--just haven't heard a really good explanation for that. Sorry this is so long, but I woke up with all of this on my mind and had to get it out.
lease: for your safety!!!!
