Deceased/Not Found CO - Aarone Thompson, 4, Aurora, 2003 *A. Thompson guilty*

[mysteriew]

Isn't the grandfather just asking for custody of the one boy...the bio brother of the missing little girl? I wonder whose father this grandfather is...the dad's father or the father of the mother who lives in a shelter? If he is the father of the mother who lives in the shelter the little boy would probably be alright. He wouldn't live around his dad so the dad wouldn't be able to get to him. Also, this grandfather might just suspect the father of murdering his grandaughter.

I believe the two grandfathers who have been in the news and who are fighting for custody of the chidren are Thompson's father and Lowe's father. I don't think anything has been said about Lynette's (the mother's) father. Though the maternal grandmother has been in the news.

 

[mysteriew]

A judge Thursday affirmed a gag order over a custody case involving the children who lived in the same house as Aaroné Thompson, who has been missing for almost a month.

Aaron Thompson, the father of Aaroné, and his live-in girlfriend, Shelley Lowe, left the Arapahoe County courthouse Thursday holding hands and keeping silent as reporters tried to discover what occurred in the four-hour, closed-door hearing regarding the custody of their children.

Thursday, no one was talking to reporters outside the courtroom on orders from Magistrate Jeff Holmes.

Lowe's attorney, Leta Holden, wouldn't say whether she had resigned from the case, as she said she was intending to do six days earlier in a news conference outside her office.

Walter Gerash, a Denver defense attorney who said he would advise Lowe, also was in the courtroom.

The pretrial hearing, which by law must occur 14 days after the initial shelter hearing, exists for a judge to deny the county's allegations or rule that the facts show the children should remain in county custody.

The judge may also permanently place the children or accept the parents' pleas, depending on the matter. Regardless, a disposition hearing would be scheduled within 30 to 45 days.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_3292339?source=rss

When Shelley Lowe and Aaron Thompson return to court today to argue for the return of their children, the couple must convince an Arapahoe County judge they won't flee the state while police investigate the disappearance of Thompson's daughter.

While citing concerns for the children's safety, county officials also suggest the couple would leave the state since they have no ties to Colorado. Thompson and Lowe are persons of interest in the suspected homicide of Thompson's daughter, Aaroné.


In a court document obtained this week by The Denver Post, a caseworker states that the couple have refused to be interviewed and recommends that the infant and seven children remain in Arapahoe County custody.

"Because the parents have not yet been willing to speak with the caseworker or police, there is no way to monitor the safety of the children during the ongoing investigation into Aaroné's whereabouts," the caseworker wrote in a Nov. 28 report.

The caseworker cites alleged statements by Lowe that suggest Lowe was "planning to leave the state to give birth so that the Department (of Human Services) wouldn't take her."

The county alleges that the children have been abused, neglected and mistreated; that they lack proper parental care; that their living environment is dangerous; and that they haven't been provided a proper education or medical care.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_3288468?source=rss

 

[mysteriew]

Just last week, Holden, who represents Lowe, announced that she had asked the judge to be taken off the case after her client granted an exclusive interview to the Rocky Mountain News and Denver's 7 without her knowledge.

Holden wouldn't comment about whether her request was denied, but a well-known local criminal defense attorney, who has agreed to work with Lowe, referred to Holden as his "co-counsel" in the case.

Walter Gerash, who attended the hearing, said the gag order was issued "to protect the children" and that his role is to protect Lowe from any criminal liability that could stem from the homicide investigation.

Eight children in the couple's care - including a baby girl born two weeks ago and Lowe's brother - have been placed in the county's social services system.

"The family is disturbed at the inhumane nature of (child protective services) literally snatching the child from the womb," said Sam Riddle, a family friend.

But Denver family law attorney Rich Harris said, "It's a very big deal" for social services to take the baby away at the hospital, and they "must have a lot on Aaron and Shely to take such a drastic measure."

Harris said the hearing Thursday was likely an evidentiary proceeding, which is often followed by a trial to determine if the children should be kept from their parents or placed with relatives. Thompson's mother, Earia Cloman, and her husband, Jessie Cloman, of Michigan, already have said they're interested in caring for Aaroné's brother.

This week, Jessie Cloman was in town to spend some time with the boy, Riddle said.
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4302096,00.html

 

[PrayersForMaura]

AURORA, Colo. — At least seven times, someone called to warn the children were in danger. Child-abuse investigators were told of beatings with a belt, deplorable living conditions in an overcrowded motel room and parental neglect of a developmentally disabled girl.

But those calls spanned six years and went to three child-protection agencies in two states. None was deemed serious enough to warrant taking custody of any of the children.

Until last month, that is, when 6- year-old Aarone Thompson was reported missing. Investigators believe she has been dead up to 18 months, and police call her father and his girlfriend "persons of interest."

More: http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/gen/ap/CO_Enterprise_Aarone.html

 

[BarnGoddess]

I suppose we won't hear anything more until an arrest because of the gag order. Nothing in the Rocky Mountain News today.

 

[BarnGoddess]

There was a little news in the Rocky Mountain News today:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4311059,00.html

Police, DA team meet on Aaroné
Spokesman says group went over investigation so far

Aaroné Thompson was reported missing Nov. 14.
STORY TOOLS
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By Javier Erik Olvera And Jeff Kass, Rocky Mountain News
December 13, 2005
Aurora police met with a prosecution team from the Arapahoe County district attorney's office last week to share the latest details of their investigation into the disappearance of Aaroné Thompson.

Aurora Police Sgt. Rudy Herrera said Friday's meeting is "not an indication that we're prepared to present a case filing to the district attorney's office, but it was to go over what we've gleaned from the investigation."

He said police are still analyzing forensic evidence, much of which was gathered from the East Kepner Place house where the girl lived with her father, Aaron Thompson, his girlfriend, Shely Lowe, and seven other children. Herrera declined to detail the type of evidence that has been collected in the investigation, which has included out-of-state trips, a thorough search of the three-level house and a forensic dig in the backyard.

Police have become increasingly tightlipped about the homicide investigation, which began Nov. 17 - three days into an extensive search for the girl that began immediately after her father reported she had run away after a fight.

Police say they believe the child is dead and may have been killed sometime within the past 18 months. Thompson and Lowe, who say Aaroné was alive when she left their home Nov. 14, have since been named persons of interest in the case.

Herrera said the police department is "pleased by the progress" that has been made in the investigation, but he added that the department is not interested in rushing the case and it could take much longer before it's handed to the DA's office.

Arapahoe County District Attorney spokeswoman Kathleen Walsh would only confirm that the meeting took place.

Both Thompson and Lowe, who deny any wrongdoing, are preparing for potential charges that could be made against them. They're working with high-powered and well-known criminal defense attorneys. David Lane has agreed to work with Thompson, and Walter Gerash is working with Lowe.

On Monday, family friend Sam Riddle again urged the police to come forward with information to support their remarks that Aaroné is a homicide victim.

"If the police really have an evidentiary bombshell that would let us know what happened to Aaroné, the community deserves to know," Riddle said. Riddle said the longer the police investigation drags on, the more he believes authorities formed a conclusion that Thompson and Lowe were "persons of interest" before they had the evidence to back it up. All of the seven children who lived with Aaroné and a baby girl born about two weeks ago have been placed in Arapahoe County's care. Thompson and Lowe are fighting to either regain custody of the children or have them placed with relatives.

 

[Greywing]

Just for you Mysteriew

Alvertis Simmons called into Peter Boyles show this morning .... WOW!

A little background (in case no one remembers) he is an activist here in Denver, was instrumental in the Million Man March, very outspoken about the black community here. Anyway he was instrumental in hooking Lowe and Thompson up with the well-known attorneys. Anyway he called into the show BECUZ something had been bothering him and he wanted to get it out (he said). He described sitting in Walter Gerash's waiting room last week or week and half ago with Aaron Thompson while Shelly Lowe was in talking to Gerash. Kept asking Aaron what he wanted to do next for Aarone ... prayer vigil, organize another search, talk to the police, etc. ... and Thompson said he didn't know - wanted to wait til Shelly got back. Then Alvertis got a call on his cell phone from someone (a friend) advising him that an email was circulating that Aurora police had found Aarone's body in the backyard of the Thompson house. Alvertis was still with Thompson - got off the phone. Described Thompson as sitting in chair - head kind of down chin in chest. He told him about report that Aarone had been found. Says Thompson's chin sunk further in his chest , said nothing for about 30 seconds and then asked "where?". When Alvertis said in backyard Thompson said there was no way they could have ever found her body in the backyard. Simmons was very troubled by reaction and response becuz Thompson never asked if she was alive ... said expression on his face scared him and Thompson's reaction was more like he was afraid he'd been caught. And then when he said that police could have not found her in the backyard it was as though he knows where she is.

Alvertis stated he now feels that Aarone is in fact dead. Says maybe accidental but parents are not doing the right thing. You have to understand the activisim of Alvertis Simmons to understand how BIG this is. It's HUGE that he would ever say anything like this. His concern is that the media and community coverage in finding Aaron is dying down and he wants "that little baby found" and "noone has the right to hurt and baby even if it is the parents". I suspect that this interview will probably appear in the future on the khow website. www.khow.com But for Alvertis to say that his gut is telling him that Aarone is gone and may have been gone for awhile is tremendous. And Alvertis also said that he feels the right thing is being done as far as the other children - doesn't think they should be turned back over to parents. I had to come into work and they were still talking. But the last thing I heard Alvertis Simmons say was something about how the other children were going to be affected all of their lives .... BRAVO Alvertis!

 

[kathrynr448]

...for sharing that news. I hadn't heard or seen anything about Aarone lately (tho I admit I'm not good at keeping up with local news). The parents have taken questionable actions from the start, IMO. I'm afraid finding her (without a specific tip) is like the old needle in the haystack. Perhaps something will shake loose due to this incident.

 

[Greywing]

...for sharing that news. I hadn't heard or seen anything about Aarone lately (tho I admit I'm not good at keeping up with local news). The parents have taken questionable actions from the start, IMO. I'm afraid finding her (without a specific tip) is like the old needle in the haystack. Perhaps something will shake loose due to this incident.

You're welcome Kathryn. And I agree with you regarding the questionable actions of parents ... I really hope the Aurora police are keeping a tight lip because they are getting their ducks in a row rather than they've reached a dead end.

 

[BarnGoddess]

Thank you so much Greywing. I can get KOA out here on the plains (175 miles east of Denver) but have trouble getting KHOW. I'd listen to streaming, but my computer at work has lost sound. I appreciate your efforts on our behalf. Thanks again.

 

[kathrynr448]

You're welcome Kathryn. And I agree with you regarding the questionable actions of parents ... I really hope the Aurora police are keeping a tight lip because they are getting their ducks in a row rather than they've reached a dead end.

I hope so too. The other children may have provided key information that only the police are aware of.

 

[mysteriew]

Just for you Mysteriew

Alvertis Simmons called into Peter Boyles show this morning .... WOW!

Thank you Greywing! More and more seems to point to T& L. And I agree that for an activist to take up a position against the parents, means he has no doubt in his mind. If he had any doubts at all, he would have kept his mouth shut and just gradually backed off from supporting the family. That must have happened while they were doing the dig at the family home, and it sounds as though once Thompson realized that they hadn't found her body, that he gained confidence, and that is why they had the news conference not long after that.
By them meeting with the DA, and nothing coming out of the meeting I am afraid they just don't have what they need for prosecution. DA could be hesitant to go to court without a body, or they could be waiting for more forensic evidence to be completed. But most likely they wouldn't have had a formal meeting with the DA's office, unless they felt they were close to having enough for prosecution. Hopefully, they will get there soon.

 

[mysteriew]

Police haven't talked much about the Aaroné Thompson case since her father reported her missing Nov. 14.

But nationally known criminologists have theories about what is happening.

Henry C. Lee, an internationally known forensic scientist based in Connecticut, said police don't need a body for a conviction. But they do need evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to show a homicide occurred. That means blood, bone chips or body parts, he said.

Detectives probably are searching records, looking at credit card receipts, determining how many times the vehicle was fueled, watching for unusual travel patterns, seeing whether the family had sold a car, he said.

Deputy Chief Terry Jones said Monday that police won't be releasing much information.

"It's going to be a slow, deliberate and arduous process," he said.

Thompson, through his attorney, had requested all investigative notes and the interviews with the children. But that request was thrown out at a court hearing last week, according to family spokesman Sam Riddle.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_3303560?source=rss

 

[Rle7]

Just for you Mysteriew

Alvertis Simmons called into Peter Boyles show this morning .... WOW!

A little background (in case no one remembers) he is an activist here in Denver, was instrumental in the Million Man March, very outspoken about the black community here. Anyway he was instrumental in hooking Lowe and Thompson up with the well-known attorneys. Anyway he called into the show BECUZ something had been bothering him and he wanted to get it out (he said)

Here's a news clip about the incident:

(CBS4) AURORA, Colo. Community activist Alvertis Simmons said Wednesday he is cutting ties with the father of a missing girl in Aurora and his girlfriend.

Simmons said Aaron Thompson and Shely Lowe were at the law office of Walter Gerash last week when Simmons claimed to receive a phone call telling him that Aarone Thompson's body had been found in the backyard of the family's home.

Simmons told CBS4 News that Aaron Thompson reacted strangely to what turned out to be false news.

"Had that been me, I would have been asking 'where is she,'" Simmons said on the radio talk show. "I would have been asking 'is she alive, what's going on with her.' None of that came out of his mouth. And he had a look on his face that scared the hell out of me."

Rudy Herrera with Aurora police told CBS4 the department found Thompson's reaction 'pretty revealing'.

http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_348151231.html

 

[petra]

This is big when Simmons cut ties. Hopes he helps LE with the search.

Prayers for little Aarone.

 

[AdoraBlue]

Kudos to Mr. Simmons for standing up for what he believes to be right.

 

[mysteriew]

An interdenominational fundraising luncheon Saturday collected money for Aaron Thompson and Shelley Lowe to buy Christmas gifts to give their eight children when they are allowed to reunite Friday.

Thompson, who recently lost his position as a security guard and whose two cars are being held as police evidence, is short on cash, said the Rev. Acen Phillips, who arranged the fundraiser at Aurora's Radisson Hotel. http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3320394

 

[mysteriew]

Another strange moment in the case of Aarone Thompson Saturday night as a church celebration brought the girl's father and police together in the same room.

Saturday night's event at the Radisson Hotel in Aurora was a celebration of the first anniversary for a new Birth Baptist Church.

Aarone Thompson and Lowe were invited to attend. So was Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates.

There were handshakes and forced smiles between the couple and Oates as they all crossed paths in the room. It appeared that only a few words were said before Oates left the event without directly answering any questions.

"No, I came here to honor Rev. Phillips and his congregation," Oates told CBS4 as he left the hotel.

The celebration quickly turned into a fundraiser of sorts for the Thompson family.

Thompson and Lowe were set to visit their 8 children on Dec. 23. The children have been in protective custody for about a month.

"At first we couldn't see each other's children but they requested to see us both, so yeah, that's wonderful that we get to see them including our newborn," Lowe said.

"And bring presents to them," Thompson added.

Cash and checks were donated to help the couple buy those gifts. It was a surprise that brought tears to the couple's eyes.
http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_352121548.html

 

[Greywing]

Another strange moment in the case of Aarone Thompson Saturday night as a church celebration brought the girl's father and police together in the same room.

Saturday night's event at the Radisson Hotel in Aurora was a celebration of the first anniversary for a new Birth Baptist Church.

Aarone Thompson and Lowe were invited to attend. So was Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates.

There were handshakes and forced smiles between the couple and Oates as they all crossed paths in the room. It appeared that only a few words were said before Oates left the event without directly answering any questions.

"No, I came here to honor Rev. Phillips and his congregation," Oates told CBS4 as he left the hotel.

The celebration quickly turned into a fundraiser of sorts for the Thompson family.

Thompson and Lowe were set to visit their 8 children on Dec. 23. The children have been in protective custody for about a month.

Ho ho ho .... I congratulate the police chief on making an appearance. I'm sure in was unnerving for 'the people of interest' but I hope it serves as reminder that his child is still missing. Radio maybe interesting tomorrow AM.

Seriously though I think it is a good thing that visitation has been arranged ... the other children are innocent victims in all this.

 

[mysteriew]

Ho ho ho .... I congratulate the police chief on making an appearance. I'm sure in was unnerving for 'the people of interest' but I hope it serves as reminder that his child is still missing. Radio maybe interesting tomorrow AM.

Seriously though I think it is a good thing that visitation has been arranged ... the other children are innocent victims in all this.

My understanding is that this was not a planned meeting, and it wasn't set up as a fundraiser for the Thompson's. It was an anniversary get together for one of the churches. And someone brought the Thompson's. Chief left early. Then the collection was taken up for the Thompson's. I would love to know what was said in their conversation.