Sorry for the new username, I used to be here as Abby Normal, but I can't seem to find a way to access my old account. :banghead:
I live here in town, and I just wanted to say that there are tons of us who are not firearm enthusiasts. I only know two people who openly admit to owning guns. Bentonville is a different and growing community than some people may remember from past time in the area, and surely your circle within a community alters what you know of a town as well. There are so many transplants here now, that you can't really sum us up.
As others have stated, this is a "bad side of town" but bad is relative. I would walk through there at night alone without any hesitation. Assuming I trusted the family and parents, I would let my children attend a birthday party there. I drive through that area without any thoughts of safety or risk. None. All in all, Bentonville is generally a safe place to live.
Regarding the police force, they've been to my neighborhood to help me find my child. :blushing: I consider them extremely competent. They were on top of the situation, they secured the area, they searched my home, they eyed me with the appropriate level of suspicion. They used technology to get her photo circulating internally and had a great deal of manpower sent over. When they found out we were dealing with developmental delays and a possibly hiding child, they changed tactics immediately. When they found the child hiding, they were warm and kind and patient.
I would not describe any of them as good ole boys, though I'm sure some of what is implicated by the term exists. I've not met a police force yet that did not have some sort of brotherhood to it. I think the fact that they invited the FBI in is a good sign that they just want what is best for the case, and not a turf war or to prove anything of themselves. I think they are aware that this is big and want to make sure it is done by the books.
As far as the details of this case, I think you all know as much as we do. The fact that they state clearly that she passed away in the abandoned home implies to me that it was less likely unintentional abuse or neglect gone to far. The fact that they say there is not a public threat, implies that they already have a pretty good idea of what happened. The fact that they needed a search warrant is very suspicious to me because, as I stated, they were searching my house multiple times within 15 minutes. Perhaps they wanted it to be rock solid before removing anything from the home so any evidence obtained would hold up in court.
All the rumors I've heard about it have now been stated in the media, so I don't have any information that you do not. The only other word on the street is that the mom's boyfriend has a rock solid alibi, with video footage proving he was at work.
