ACTIVE SEARCH SD - Serenity Dennard, 9, Children’s Home Society, Pennington County, 3 Feb 2019 #2

DNA Solves
DNA Solves
DNA Solves

New Posts

Status
Not open for further replies.
ilovepierre said:
BBM
I thought media reports stated it was a parent picking up/dropping off their child.
But I could be wrong.

JMO
Click to expand...
Weather on day girl went missing significantly hurt search efforts
The couple that the sheriff's office was initially looking for hadn't seen Dennard, but a staff member who was looking for her, Whelchel said. However, a woman dropping a family member off at the facility did see Dennard at a nearby cattle gate around 11 a.m.

He said the woman saw Dennard after dropping the relative off and was backing up her car, which had another passenger inside. The woman got out of her car and went inside to tell the staff that there was a girl outside. Meanwhile, the other person inside the car saw Dennard walk north up the road. By the time the woman returned to her car, Dennard was gone, and she couldn't find her as she drove up and down the road.
 
Last edited:
PommyMommy said:
Weather on day girl went missing significantly hurt search efforts
The couple that the sheriff's office was initially looking for hadn't seen Dennard, but a staff member who was looking for her, Whelchel said. However, a woman dropping a family member off at the facility did see Dennard at a nearby cattle gate around 11 a.m.

He said the woman saw Dennard after dropping the relative off and was backing up her car, which had another passenger inside. The woman got out of her car and went inside to tell the staff that there was a girl outside. Meanwhile, the other person inside the car saw Dennard walk north up the road. By the time the woman returned to her car, Dennard was gone, and she couldn't find her as she drove up and down the road.
Click to expand...

Added to that is this:
Investigators seek couple that might have seen missing girl

The staffers could not catch up to Dennard as she ran across Rockerville Road and into the hills.
 
PommyMommy said:
Weather on day girl went missing significantly hurt search efforts
The couple that the sheriff's office was initially looking for hadn't seen Dennard, but a staff member who was looking for her, Whelchel said. However, a woman dropping a family member off at the facility did see Dennard at a nearby cattle gate around 11 a.m.

He said the woman saw Dennard after dropping the relative off and was backing up her car, which had another passenger inside. The woman got out of her car and went inside to tell the staff that there was a girl outside. Meanwhile, the other person inside the car saw Dennard walk north up the road. By the time the woman returned to her car, Dennard was gone, and she couldn't find her as she drove up and down the road.
Click to expand...


There is a hill that would block her view of the road fairly quickly.

So, I'm thinking, I'm a scared kid, who's just ran away and I've been spotted. I know I'm going to face some sort of punishment if I get caught. I need to hide, fast.

I'm in a panic, I'm doing one of two things, heading straight up the embankment or I'm running up the dirt road that's a bit further up.

The embankment is pretty steep, so if was me I'd head for the dirt road, but I'm not as agile as child.
 
I'm going to switch gears and put out a scenario... Beautiful 9 year old Serenity may have some serious family dynamics we are unaware of due to sealed records but staff are all privy to. Perhaps staff is upset by her life story up to this point and how she has been treated by people in her past that have cared for her ( all speculation) and decide that she doesn't belong in the home, and maybe they want to take her out of this situation and take care of her on their own or know someone who could provide a "better life" for her?

In this case, Serenity could be alive.

It may explain why there was the almost 2 hour delay in calling the police, and lack of foot prints and dog scents??
Initially, I thought the lack of tracks and scent were potentially related to the weather but what if it isn't?

Where are her parents? I haven't seen any media coverage of them pleading for help or bringing attention to the case. I have seen in articles it mention the sheriff is in "regular contact with them." I have only heard about the cousin who hasn't seen Serenity in years pushing the Serenity Alert. Why isn't anyone talking?

When are LE going to start investigating the home? Initially it was stated in news articles that an investigation would start in the home once the search was over. We are to the point where the search has been put on hold due to inclement weather and it is referred to as "a recovery mission" so when will the investigation take place? Will we know the findings?

"Authorities say more than 34 agencies including the FBI and other out-of-state agencies, 355 personnel, 14 canine teams, an airplane and helicopter were deployed to find Serenity" all of which have come up with zilch.

This is all speculation and MOO - I'm just sitting back here questioning everything and feeling really sad for Serenity.

I'm curious now where everyone stands on what really happened to Serenity. Do you think she simply ran away?

Some info in this post was pulled from links below:
https://www.argusleader.com/story/n...-alert-black-hills-childrens-home/2857252002/

Weather on day girl went missing significantly hurt search efforts

Authorities Give Update on Search for Missing Pennington Co. 9-Year-Old
 
Bugurl747 said:
I'm going to switch gears and put out a scenario... Beautiful 9 year old Serenity may have some serious family dynamics we are unaware of due to sealed records but staff are all privy to. Perhaps staff is upset by her life story up to this point and how she has been treated by people in her past that have cared for her ( all speculation) and decide that she doesn't belong in the home, and maybe they want to take her out of this situation and take care of her on their own or know someone who could provide a "better life" for her?

In this case, Serenity could be alive.

It may explain why there was the almost 2 hour delay in calling the police, and lack of foot prints and dog scents??
Initially, I thought the lack of tracks and scent were potentially related to the weather but what if it isn't?

Where are her parents? I haven't seen any media coverage of them pleading for help or bringing attention to the case. I have seen in articles it mention the sheriff is in "regular contact with them." I have only heard about the cousin who hasn't seen Serenity in years pushing the Serenity Alert. Why isn't anyone talking?

When are LE going to start investigating the home? Initially it was stated in news articles that an investigation would start in the home once the search was over. We are to the point where the search has been put on hold due to inclement weather and it is referred to as "a recovery mission" so when will the investigation take place? Will we know the findings?

"Authorities say more than 34 agencies including the FBI and other out-of-state agencies, 355 personnel, 14 canine teams, an airplane and helicopter were deployed to find Serenity" all of which have come up with zilch.

This is all speculation and MOO - I'm just sitting back here questioning everything and feeling really sad for Serenity.

I'm curious now where everyone stands on what really happened to Serenity. Do you think she simply ran away?

Some info in this post was pulled from links below:
Missing girl's relative pushes for 'Serenity Alert'

Weather on day girl went missing significantly hurt search efforts

Authorities Give Update on Search for Missing Pennington Co. 9-Year-Old
Click to expand...
I dont know...the timeline is a real issue for me. If she were missing, unnoticed for hours..sure. There in bad weather, tough terrain..and no adult could catch her and she disappears... just a few minutes after she walks/runs away. I hope to God I'm wrong...but it feels off to me.
I hope whomever visited her said "hey listen, be on the road at such and such a time and we are gonna get you outta here"..
I hope she was just really good at hiding and somehow made it to shelter.
I hope.
 
PommyMommy said:
Weather on day girl went missing significantly hurt search efforts
The couple that the sheriff's office was initially looking for hadn't seen Dennard, but a staff member who was looking for her, Whelchel said. However, a woman dropping a family member off at the facility did see Dennard at a nearby cattle gate around 11 a.m.

He said the woman saw Dennard after dropping the relative off and was backing up her car, which had another passenger inside. The woman got out of her car and went inside to tell the staff that there was a girl outside. Meanwhile, the other person inside the car saw Dennard walk north up the road. By the time the woman returned to her car, Dennard was gone, and she couldn't find her as she drove up and down the road.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
Not sure where I read/saw that it was a child they were dropping off. I must have just assumed it...
So it was just ‘a relative.’
 
sodakblackbird said:
There is a hill that would block her view of the road fairly quickly.

So, I'm thinking, I'm a scared kid, who's just ran away and I've been spotted. I know I'm going to face some sort of punishment if I get caught. I need to hide, fast.

I'm in a panic, I'm doing one of two things, heading straight up the embankment or I'm running up the dirt road that's a bit further up.

The embankment is pretty steep, so if was me I'd head for the dirt road, but I'm not as agile as child.
Click to expand...

If you can, could you tell us where in relation to the cattle guard (shown in picture #5 on the link I'm providing) is the gym that Serenity ran from? TIA. I apologize if I'm asking too many questions. :D Just tell me to shush.

Photo gallery: The search continues for 9-year-old Serenity Dennard
 
Bugurl747 said:
I'm going to switch gears and put out a scenario... Beautiful 9 year old Serenity may have some serious family dynamics we are unaware of due to sealed records but staff are all privy to. Perhaps staff is upset by her life story up to this point and how she has been treated by people in her past that have cared for her ( all speculation) and decide that she doesn't belong in the home, and maybe they want to take her out of this situation and take care of her on their own or know someone who could provide a "better life" for her?

In this case, Serenity could be alive.

It may explain why there was the almost 2 hour delay in calling the police, and lack of foot prints and dog scents??
Initially, I thought the lack of tracks and scent were potentially related to the weather but what if it isn't?

Where are her parents? I haven't seen any media coverage of them pleading for help or bringing attention to the case. I have seen in articles it mention the sheriff is in "regular contact with them." I have only heard about the cousin who hasn't seen Serenity in years pushing the Serenity Alert. Why isn't anyone talking?

When are LE going to start investigating the home? Initially it was stated in news articles that an investigation would start in the home once the search was over. We are to the point where the search has been put on hold due to inclement weather and it is referred to as "a recovery mission" so when will the investigation take place? Will we know the findings?

"Authorities say more than 34 agencies including the FBI and other out-of-state agencies, 355 personnel, 14 canine teams, an airplane and helicopter were deployed to find Serenity" all of which have come up with zilch.

This is all speculation and MOO - I'm just sitting back here questioning everything and feeling really sad for Serenity.

I'm curious now where everyone stands on what really happened to Serenity. Do you think she simply ran away?

Some info in this post was pulled from links below:
Missing girl's relative pushes for 'Serenity Alert'

Weather on day girl went missing significantly hurt search efforts

Authorities Give Update on Search for Missing Pennington Co. 9-Year-Old
Click to expand...
First off, I really hope she is safe as well. And while that angle is worth investigating, the facts we do know don't really support it.
As for tracks and scent, LE has stated explicitly that it wasn't snowing yet when Serenity ran, but started snowing a few hours later, which covered up any attempts to track her. And the bitter cold weather severely hampers the scent dogs.
The parents haven't been specifically interviewed by MSM - that is true. But they have been vocal and worried on SM.
The fact that all have come up with zilch is most likely because it is extremely difficult terrain to search in the best of weather. I just wish the weather would break so we can know for sure.
Did she run away? She was seen by two or three people when she was outside heading away from the Home, only one of which was a staff member. If a staff member was really concerned for her because of her family life, I seriously doubt they would have had her run away from the home in the bitter cold without her winter attire.
I want her to be safe, and I grasp at possibilities too. But the facts seem to indicate that in fact she just simply ran away.
 
jewelsmac said:
I dont know...the timeline is a real issue for me. If she were missing, unnoticed for hours..sure. There in bad weather, tough terrain..and no adult could catch her and she disappears... just a few minutes after she walks/runs away. I hope to God I'm wrong...but it feels off to me.
I hope whomever visited her said "hey listen, be on the road at such and such a time and we are gonna get you outta here"..
I hope she was just really good at hiding and somehow made it to shelter.
I hope.
Click to expand...
What do you mean by "whomever visited her"? I believe it was probably family that provided the picture of her holding her little sister, taken just the day before. And they could have stopped by and simply picked her up. No need for a cloak and dagger operation.
The theory that it was prearranged seems just too far fetched to me. And how could anybody know she would be in a position to run at a specific time?
Nor would anybody who cared for her well being tell her to run out the door in weather that cold in a roughly timed attempt to meet up, without so much as a coat.
None of the witnesses saw her running toward a car or anything like that.
As for no staff member catching her, but the time staff saw her, she was already by the road. The building sits quite a way off the road. By the time the staffer got out the door and over to the road where she was, she had disappeared.
The biggest issue people keep bringing up is the time before the call to LE. Some say 2 hours, but I believe it was just around or over an hour and a half, and this is really not that long. Their first instinct is to go retrieve her. When the first person fails to find her, she gets others to help. They've always located runners before, so there was no reason initially to suggest that this was any different. They search for awhile, but the terrain makes the going slow. They come back down and call LE when their efforts failed to locate her. That all takes time, especially in that terrain. They were worried for her because of the weather, so pushed themselves to keep looking.
I really don't think it is reasonable to call LE the second a child runs - that would happen far too frequently.
I would probably suggest a shorter window as protocol - if the child hasn't been located , call LE - but to suggest they should have been called in the first 15 minutes is actually pretty unreasonable.
All MOO, of course.
 
SkipperKey3 said:
What do you mean by "whomever visited her"? I believe it was probably family that provided the picture of her holding her little sister, taken just the day before. And they could have stopped by and simply picked her up. No need for a cloak and dagger operation.
The theory that it was prearranged seems just too far fetched to me. And how could anybody know she would be in a position to run at a specific time?
Nor would anybody who cared for her well being tell her to run out the door in weather that cold in a roughly timed attempt to meet up, without so much as a coat.
None of the witnesses saw her running toward a car or anything like that.
As for no staff member catching her, but the time staff saw her, she was already by the road. The building sits quite a way off the road. By the time the staffer got out the door and over to the road where she was, she had disappeared.
The biggest issue people keep bringing up is the time before the call to LE. Some say 2 hours, but I believe it was just around or over an hour and a half, and this is really not that long. Their first instinct is to go retrieve her. When the first person fails to find her, she gets others to help. They've always located runners before, so there was no reason initially to suggest that this was any different. They search for awhile, but the terrain makes the going slow. They come back down and call LE when their efforts failed to locate her. That all takes time, especially in that terrain. They were worried for her because of the weather, so pushed themselves to keep looking.
I really don't think it is reasonable to call LE the second a child runs - that would happen far too frequently.
I would probably suggest a shorter window as protocol - if the child hasn't been located , call LE - but to suggest they should have been called in the first 15 minutes is actually pretty unreasonable.
All MOO, of course.
Click to expand...
I respectfully disagree. She is a child. 911 should be called immediately, especially in these circumstances. She could be on the spectrum, which makes the delay to law enforcement dangerous. If you are referring to an adult, that may be different. These kids are in this home for special reasons and I’m sure her running escape was considered an elopement. Not only should they be called for help, but there is usually a plan in place where an alert goes out, even to the surrounding community/businesses at times. IMO, respectfully.

This is a great resource to those that are interested.

AWAARE - Autism Wandering Resources
 
Bugurl747 said:
I'm going to switch gears and put out a scenario... Beautiful 9 year old Serenity may have some serious family dynamics we are unaware of due to sealed records but staff are all privy to. Perhaps staff is upset by her life story up to this point and how she has been treated by people in her past that have cared for her ( all speculation) and decide that she doesn't belong in the home, and maybe they want to take her out of this situation and take care of her on their own or know someone who could provide a "better life" for her?

In this case, Serenity could be alive.

It may explain why there was the almost 2 hour delay in calling the police, and lack of foot prints and dog scents??
Initially, I thought the lack of tracks and scent were potentially related to the weather but what if it isn't?

Where are her parents? I haven't seen any media coverage of them pleading for help or bringing attention to the case. I have seen in articles it mention the sheriff is in "regular contact with them." I have only heard about the cousin who hasn't seen Serenity in years pushing the Serenity Alert. Why isn't anyone talking?

When are LE going to start investigating the home? Initially it was stated in news articles that an investigation would start in the home once the search was over. We are to the point where the search has been put on hold due to inclement weather and it is referred to as "a recovery mission" so when will the investigation take place? Will we know the findings?

"Authorities say more than 34 agencies including the FBI and other out-of-state agencies, 355 personnel, 14 canine teams, an airplane and helicopter were deployed to find Serenity" all of which have come up with zilch.

This is all speculation and MOO - I'm just sitting back here questioning everything and feeling really sad for Serenity.

I'm curious now where everyone stands on what really happened to Serenity. Do you think she simply ran away?

Some info in this post was pulled from links below:
https://www.argusleader.com/story/n...-alert-black-hills-childrens-home/2857252002/

Weather on day girl went missing significantly hurt search efforts

Authorities Give Update on Search for Missing Pennington Co. 9-Year-Old
Click to expand...

Serenity's mom is active on at least 1 Facebook group, I'm not sure why she hasn't spoken out, other than the fact people have heaped accusations at her.

It would be VERY hard for someone to arrange to get a child out of there.

All communication is monitored, and recorded, even in person visits. Visitors have to be approved ahead of time. If I remember right there is a limit to how many people can be on the visitors list.

I know I had to be buzzed in and show identification each time.

The issue I have is that those doors are supped to be locked at all times and only unlock with a pass code or if the fire alarm is pulled.
 
MsGazette said:
I respectfully disagree. She is a child. 911 should be called immediately, especially in these circumstances. She could be on the spectrum, which makes the delay to law enforcement dangerous. If you are referring to an adult, that may be different. These kids are in this home for special reasons and I’m sure her running escape was considered an elopement. Not only should they be called for help, but there is usually a plan in place where an alert goes out, even to the surrounding community/businesses at times. IMO, respectfully.

This is a great resource to those that are interested.

AWAARE - Autism Wandering Resources
Click to expand...

The nearest businesses are about 4 miles south, and most are closed for the season, and South Dakota sadly doesn't have a missing/endangered alert system. Amber Alert wasn't used because there was no indication of abduction.
 
SkipperKey3 said:
What do you mean by "whomever visited her"? I believe it was probably family that provided the picture of her holding her little sister, taken just the day before. And they could have stopped by and simply picked her up. No need for a cloak and dagger operation.
The theory that it was prearranged seems just too far fetched to me. And how could anybody know she would be in a position to run at a specific time?
Nor would anybody who cared for her well being tell her to run out the door in weather that cold in a roughly timed attempt to meet up, without so much as a coat.
None of the witnesses saw her running toward a car or anything like that.
As for no staff member catching her, but the time staff saw her, she was already by the road. The building sits quite a way off the road. By the time the staffer got out the door and over to the road where she was, she had disappeared.
The biggest issue people keep bringing up is the time before the call to LE. Some say 2 hours, but I believe it was just around or over an hour and a half, and this is really not that long. Their first instinct is to go retrieve her. When the first person fails to find her, she gets others to help. They've always located runners before, so there was no reason initially to suggest that this was any different. They search for awhile, but the terrain makes the going slow. They come back down and call LE when their efforts failed to locate her. That all takes time, especially in that terrain. They were worried for her because of the weather, so pushed themselves to keep looking.
I really don't think it is reasonable to call LE the second a child runs - that would happen far too frequently.
I would probably suggest a shorter window as protocol - if the child hasn't been located , call LE - but to suggest they should have been called in the first 15 minutes is actually pretty unreasonable.
All MOO, of course.
Click to expand...

I am sure they have constant runners. I do not see why not. I think this is typical behavior one sees with children in residential treatment.

I don’t think a child with autism would be in such a setting. It would be far too chaotic. Children in residential treatment have meltdowns. This would be highly upsetting for a child with autism
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

DNASolves

Who is Fairfield County Jane Doe (1993)?

Members online

... and 212 more.
Total: 508 (members: 213, guests: 295)

Online statistics

Members online
213
Guests online
295
Total visitors
508
Totals may include hidden visitors.

Forum statistics

Threads
608,527
Messages
18,240,600
Members
234,390
Latest member
Roberto859
Back
Top