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

[SkipperKey3]

This has probably already been discussed multiple times so I apologize for asking, but there are so many threads for sweet Serenity that it would take me forever to find the answer to my questions.

I was just wondering, if the family who saw Serenity had to go back inside to notify staff that Serenity was out there was staff already aware she was missing and searching for her? My other question is how much interaction the people had with staff while dropping off their loved one? The reason I ask is because Serenity would obviously have already taken off at that point or during the time they were there and, I wondered if staff were frantic or how they were acting. MOO

Yes, they (or at least one of them) went back inside to alert staff. The staff was already aware that Serenity was missing, but apparently was not aware that she had gone outside, so hadn't started looking outside. Serenity had run about 15 minutes before that from the gym - but I don't think she went directly outside from the gym, because all indications are that during that 15 minutes, they were searching inside for her.
We don't really know if the staff was "frantic" or even how many were involved in searching inside before Serenity was reported outside.

 

[SkipperKey3]

Yeah, I would have looked there as well. There is a small stream the runs right by the building - there is a small bridge over it between the main building and the outbuildings on the property. If you follow it south it connects to Battle Creek - which goes over the falls into Hippie Hole. Kids and water, follow the water.

Makes sense - except Serenity was headed north on the road, which would be in the opposite direction. She had already crossed over the creek and wasn't following it toward Battle Creek at that point. But that is only going by the only eyewitness account we have, and nobody knows what she ultimately did.
The other thing that mitigates against that is that it was the middle of winter, and the creek was frozen over, so it is unlikely that she would have wanted to go swimming or any such thing.
Oh, and not all kids like water.
However, I would certainly think they checked where the creek runs under the road and where it runs under the small bridge on the property. At least, I would hope so.

 

[SkipperKey3]

Pennington County Sheriff's Office
53 mins ·
15 people spent this day looking for Serenity Dennard without any luck. They put a lot of sweat into this search. The heat is now a factor. The grasses are above the knees creating new challenges. We thank our crew from the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, Rapid City Police Department and Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department.

It was only a matter of time before the heat and the spring/summer growth would cause a problem.
The weather has not been helpful for much of the time since she ran.
And this just makes what is already an extremely difficult area to search all that much harder.

 

[Hdengland81]

Yes, they (or at least one of them) went back inside to alert staff. The staff was already aware that Serenity was missing, but apparently was not aware that she had gone outside, so hadn't started looking outside. Serenity had run about 15 minutes before that from the gym - but I don't think she went directly outside from the gym, because all indications are that during that 15 minutes, they were searching inside for her.
We don't really know if the staff was "frantic" or even how many were involved in searching inside before Serenity was reported outside.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! I really appreciate it!

 

[girlhasnoname]

Always looking for news of Serenity.

 

[flashy09]

Sad to realize I have followed this case since it was too frozen and cold to search to being too hot and overgrown.

In the heat and after all this time, wouldn't the scent be strong enough a cadaver dog could actually lead to the location? Or do cadavers dogs basically just say "yes or no" to a scent in front of them vs tracking it?

 

[PommyMommy]

JUN 30, 2019
New challenges while searching for Serenity Dennard
[...]

The Pennington County Sheriff’s office says heat was a factor in their search Saturday for Serenity Dennard, the 9-year-old girl who’s been missing in the Black Hills for nearly five months.

Fifteen people took part in the search south of Rapid City. The sheriff’s office posted while they put in a lot of sweat into the search, they didn’t have any luck in finding Serenity.

They say the tall grass in the search area is creating new challenges for them.

[...]

 

[human]

In the fall, the tall grass will brown up . Then in the spring, the old grass will add a new layer of vegetation. Leaves will fall. Earth and ricks will move because of rain and wind.

Luck is what they need

 

[Rocco]

In the fall, the tall grass will brown up . Then in the spring, the old grass will add a new layer of vegetation. Leaves will fall. Earth and ricks will move because of rain and wind.

Luck is what they need

Luck
OR
The Sturgis bike rally is on August 2nd and lasts for 10 days. Around 500,000 bikers attend. It's only 41 miles to Rockerville. I bet if asked, thousands would bike to Rockerville and search for an afternoon.

 

[Rocco]

delete

 

[1&2&3]

It is a bit confusing that weather is such a complaint in this case. Serenity is not the first child or person to go missing
during one season and still not located into another season.

Could it be that the searchers know there is not any way they are going to find an alive Serenity? Therefore, working in the heat makes their job really miserable with the sun bearing down on them all day?

First, it was the snow and ice made the terrain unsafe to search. Now we are hearing about the heat. Perhaps it’s just bothersome to me! It grates on my nerves that anyone in the search parties or the Sheriff finds the weather to be intolerable.

This is a 9 year old child, she has family, friends, and many loved ones that need her found. They are suffering more than any searcher volunteering his/her time. What is up?

 

[human]

It is a bit confusing that weather is such a complaint in this case. Serenity is not the first child or person to go missing
during one season and still not located into another season.

Could it be that the searchers know there is not any way they are going to find an alive Serenity? Therefore, working in the heat makes their job really miserable with the sun bearing down on them all day?

First, it was the snow and ice made the terrain unsafe to search. Now we are hearing about the heat. Perhaps it’s just bothersome to me! It grates on my nerves that anyone in the search parties or the Sheriff finds the weather to be intolerable.

This is a 9 year old child, she has family, friends, and many loved ones that need her found. They are suffering more than any searcher volunteering his/her time. What is up?

I think perhaps you have not experienced weather like the weather there?

 

[j_in_c]

It is a bit confusing that weather is such a complaint in this case. Serenity is not the first child or person to go missing
during one season and still not located into another season.

Could it be that the searchers know there is not any way they are going to find an alive Serenity? Therefore, working in the heat makes their job really miserable with the sun bearing down on them all day?

First, it was the snow and ice made the terrain unsafe to search. Now we are hearing about the heat. Perhaps it’s just bothersome to me! It grates on my nerves that anyone in the search parties or the Sheriff finds the weather to be intolerable.

This is a 9 year old child, she has family, friends, and many loved ones that need her found. They are suffering more than any searcher volunteering his/her time. What is up?

Generally in Search and Rescue operations - the motto is risk a lot to save a lot, risk a little to save a little. When a search switches from rescue to recovery, the organizers will be much more concerned with the health and well-being of those out doing the work. They will choose the times and dates of search efforts to avoid extreme heat or severe weather, etc.

It is also very important to remember that no one is getting paid here - these are usually all volunteer groups giving up their likely limited free time to perform a service for the community.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 5, 2019
Top stories this morning include; another round of storms and search crews are back out looking for Serenity Dennard. (Skip to 2:54 in the video if you don't want to hear about the storms, etc.)

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 4, 2019
Pennington County Sheriff's Office
0500 start on the 4th of July. No fireworks, but a beautiful morning for searching for Serenity Dennard with K9 dog teams.

 

[1&2&3]

I think perhaps you have not experienced weather like the weather there?

I have lived in northern Michigan and in the mountains of West Virginia so The ice, snow, and rugged terrain is familiar. Enough winter, then I became a Southern girl where the heat can be high 90’s to 100 for weeks, then add the humidity and one can bake outside or passout from dehydration. So yes, I know both extremes.

 

[NervousNellie]

It is certainly encouraging that they are still searching for Serenity. It is difficult for me to remain hopeful, but closure would be something for her family.

 

[watcher9]

Maybe some could search beyond the outer area they have been searching just in case Serenity went further than they thought?

 

[human]

I have lived in northern Michigan and in the mountains of West Virginia so The ice, snow, and rugged terrain is familiar. Enough winter, then I became a Southern girl where the heat can be high 90’s to 100 for weeks, then add the humidity and one can bake outside or passout from dehydration. So yes, I know both extremes.

So then you can see why it would not be ok to expect people to endanger themselves.

 

[beatrixpotter]

It just makes me so sad to think of poor Serenity still lost. I keep checking in hoping for some kind of update. I really want her found. :/