FL - Coralrose Fullwood, 6, found murdered, North Port, 17 Sept 2006

[blaize]

Online Chat Community Springs Up Around Coralrose's Death

By HEATHER ALLEN Sarasota Herald-Tribune
(source)

Published: Nov 26, 2006

NORTH PORT - After they tuck their children into bed, or send them off on the school bus, a handful of people rush to their computer screens to chat about Coralrose Fullwood, the first-grader who was slain here two months ago.

No one has been arrested in connection with her death. And while life in North Port has returned to normal, an online community of strangers is still trying to make sense of the tragedy.

Their discussions begin early in the morning and often end late at night. The online chatter began shortly after news of the 6-year-old's death broke, and in the span of two months more than 2,350 messages have been posted on the Herald-Tribune board, "Missing Girl Found Dead."

Despite their anonymity, these strangers have built a community. Together, they discuss their theories about the case, share prayers for Coralrose and beg for any new information, trying to connect the dots themselves.

They are mothers and grandmothers, as well as a few curious folks who come to the message board throughout the day, some for hours at a time, sitting at keyboards in Florida and elsewhere.

And although their conversations sometimes stray from the little girl that took them there, these strangers have been able to do something the media has not: talk to Ellen-Beth Fullwood.

(Continued @ Source)

 

[Taximom]

Online Chat Community Springs Up Around Coralrose's Death

By HEATHER ALLEN Sarasota Herald-Tribune
(source)

Published: Nov 26, 2006

NORTH PORT - After they tuck their children into bed, or send them off on the school bus, a handful of people rush to their computer screens to chat about Coralrose Fullwood, the first-grader who was slain here two months ago.

No one has been arrested in connection with her death. And while life in North Port has returned to normal, an online community of strangers is still trying to make sense of the tragedy.

Their discussions begin early in the morning and often end late at night. The online chatter began shortly after news of the 6-year-old's death broke, and in the span of two months more than 2,350 messages have been posted on the Herald-Tribune board, "Missing Girl Found Dead."

Despite their anonymity, these strangers have built a community. Together, they discuss their theories about the case, share prayers for Coralrose and beg for any new information, trying to connect the dots themselves.

They are mothers and grandmothers, as well as a few curious folks who come to the message board throughout the day, some for hours at a time, sitting at keyboards in Florida and elsewhere.

And although their conversations sometimes stray from the little girl that took them there, these strangers have been able to do something the media has not: talk to Ellen-Beth Fullwood.

(Continued @ Source)

Blaize, what a find! Thanks for posting it.

It's very interesting that EBF does not have a lawyer telling her not to participate on internet forums, etc.

 

[blaize]

Blaize, what a find! Thanks for posting it.

It's very interesting that EBF does not have a lawyer telling her not to participate on internet forums, etc.

It's very interesting indeed but EBF seems to be a very strong minded independent person who goes her own way. she's quite articulate about her loss & the situation she and her family finds themelves in. I guess she feels that communicating via a message board is more direct than allowing a reporter to interpret her words.

It also seems that EBF posted under a different screen name too; (Source)
Bartoe said a message posted on a heraldtribune.com message board under the screen name "efullwood" on Sunday was from Ellen-Beth Fullwood. It appeared to be in response to people who have blamed the family for Coralrose's death.

"If it makes you all feel safer by blaming us, then you go ahead. The worst has happened to us," the message said. "The sticks and stones you throw cannot truly hurt us ... I can face my maker with nothing but a messy house on my conscience, can you say the same?"

Also from the same article FYI about EBF's work;Ellen-Beth Fullwood, plans to return to her job as a speech therapist in Port Charlotte today for the first time since Coralrose was found Sept. 17

 

[Taximom]

It's very interesting indeed but EBF seems to be a very strong minded independent person who goes her own way. she's quite articulate about her loss & the situation she and her family finds themelves in. I guess she feels that communicating via a message board is more direct than allowing a reporter to interpret her words.

It also seems that EBF posted under a different screen name too; (Source)
Bartoe said a message posted on a heraldtribune.com message board under the screen name "efullwood" on Sunday was from Ellen-Beth Fullwood. It appeared to be in response to people who have blamed the family for Coralrose's death.

"If it makes you all feel safer by blaming us, then you go ahead. The worst has happened to us," the message said. "The sticks and stones you throw cannot truly hurt us ... I can face my maker with nothing but a messy house on my conscience, can you say the same?"

Also from the same article FYI about EBF's work;Ellen-Beth Fullwood, plans to return to her job as a speech therapist in Port Charlotte today for the first time since Coralrose was found Sept. 17

Yes, she does appear to be a strong woman. My personal opinion is "you go girl" and that she is innocent of any crime against Coral Rose. I just hope she isn't hurting her own legal case in any way.

 

[txsvicki]

Oh good grief. Everyone, even Beth Fullwood has to have more on their conscience than just a messy house. Maybe she was talking only about the murder of her daughter. I know one thing, I can say that I wasn't married to a man who views child and I wouldn't be criticizing all the authorities publicly if someone in my family were murdered and I could risk losing my children permanently. I would really have trouble believing that any poster on that forum is really Beth Fullwood. There's lots of mean people out there who might try to impersonate her just to cause trouble. Who is the "Us" that she is saying that everyone is blaming? There were only children and 2 adults in that home. I hope this poster isn't trying to defend Dale.

 

[blaize]

Oh good grief. Everyone, even Beth Fullwood has to have more on their conscience than just a messy house. Maybe she was talking only about the murder of her daughter. I know one thing, I can say that I wasn't married to a man who views child and I wouldn't be criticizing all the authorities publicly if someone in my family were murdered and I could risk losing my children permanently. I would really have trouble believing that any poster on that forum is really Beth Fullwood. There's lots of mean people out there who might try to impersonate her just to cause trouble. Who is the "Us" that she is saying that everyone is blaming? There were only children and 2 adults in that home. I hope this poster isn't trying to defend Dale.

It looks as if the reporter, HEATHER ALLEN of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, checked out her sources and it really is/was EBF posting so that aspect seems legit. As to what she has to say about Dale;
"After her husband, Dale Fullwood, was arrested for possession of child , posters on the message board debated whether or not Ellen-Beth knew about the files and whether she would end the marriage. In her post, she describes how she felt when Dale was arrested: "I understand now what Dale had been into, but at the time it felt like someone had ripped out my heart. That pain was almost equal to the pain of losing my Rosie."

And although grieving with strangers online may sound strange to some people, one of Ellen-Beth Fullwood's relatives said it was a way for her to cope.

"People are starting to learn from other people's tragedy, they learn to come together," said the relative who posts as "pressit." "They try to prevent it from happening to someone else." (source)


It doesn't sound like she's trying to defend him but it does sound as if she's feeling embattled.

 

[SewingDeb]

Has anything else come out about someone breaking into the house since Ellen returned? That has to be scary. I can understand why she would feel embattled.

 

[Bobbisangel]

I wonder if LE has any suspects in CoralRose's murder. I wonder if they think the dad is guilty or if it could have been someone else...maybe a sexual predator in the area. I still think it was someone who knew the little girl because of the quilt. Someone who cared for her wrapped her in her quilt.

I can understand how shocked the mother must have felt if she had no idea that her husband was looking a child online. First your child is murdered and then you find out that your husband is a pervert. She is probably scared to death of what she may find out next.

 

[txsvicki]

It looks as if the reporter, HEATHER ALLEN of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, checked out her sources and it really is/was EBF posting so that aspect seems legit. As to what she has to say about Dale;
"After her husband, Dale Fullwood, was arrested for possession of child , posters on the message board debated whether or not Ellen-Beth knew about the files and whether she would end the marriage. In her post, she describes how she felt when Dale was arrested: "I understand now what Dale had been into, but at the time it felt like someone had ripped out my heart. That pain was almost equal to the pain of losing my Rosie."

And although grieving with strangers online may sound strange to some people, one of Ellen-Beth Fullwood's relatives said it was a way for her to cope.

"People are starting to learn from other people's tragedy, they learn to come together," said the relative who posts as "pressit." "They try to prevent it from happening to someone else." (source)


It doesn't sound like she's trying to defend him but it does sound as if she's feeling embattled.

What are they trying to prevent though? Another murder of a child or having kids taken away due to a dirty home? I haven't read a word about anger at the murderer or trying to find out what happened to the real victim in all this, only anger and criticism towards local strangers who may post their suspicions, and at all authorities. Looks like the thought that a child murderer is out there would be terrifying. I still don't understand who the "us" is that she thinks that everyone is blaming. The other children most likely didn't kill Coral Rose, and it doesn't look like she had anything to do with it hopefully. I just think she better be careful about criticizing publicly so much for the sake of the other kids. They are the most important thing to consider. Maybe Beth is angry and afraid that she may be charged with the murder. I agree that the comforter is very suspicious as well as the body being found so close to home. It seems like the murder of poor Coral Rose has been forgotten.

 

[blaize]

What are they trying to prevent though? Another murder of a child or having kids taken away due to a dirty home? I haven't read a word about anger at the murderer or trying to find out what happened to the real victim in all this, only anger and criticism towards local strangers who may post their suspicions, and at all authorities. Looks like the thought that a child murderer is out there would be terrifying. I still don't understand who the "us" is that she thinks that everyone is blaming. The other children most likely didn't kill Coral Rose, and it doesn't look like she had anything to do with it hopefully. I just think she better be careful about criticizing publicly so much for the sake of the other kids. They are the most important thing to consider. Maybe Beth is angry and afraid that she may be charged with the murder. I agree that the comforter is very suspicious as well as the body being found so close to home. It seems like the murder of poor Coral Rose has been forgotten.

It could be anger at LE not arresting anyone yet but I don't think Coralrose has been forgotten by anyone, including LE, (Source)

"Child killings have an even higher clearance rate, and cases are often closed quickly because it is fairly easy to identify where the child was supposed to go and whom he or she was supposed to come in contact with, narrowing the window of potential killers, Moss said.

The fact that no suspect has been named two months after Coralrose's death does not mean the case is going cold, police said.

Evidence, including anything that may have come in contact with the girl, is still being processed and "subjects" are being reinterviewed.

"You don't rush those cases," Moss said. "You're not only responsible for solving the case. You're responsible for keeping the person behind bars."

& from that post by no1noz (Source)

The moment I realized Coralrose, my wild rose, was not in the home was what i thought was the worst moment I had ever felt. But then it got worse. My baby was gone forever. I sat in the police station and she came to me and told me she was ok and we kissed and hugged and she left. I prayed I had had a psychotic break, but no it was true. MY BABY GIRL WAS DEAD. No-one would tell me any more than that.

The "Victim's Advocate" told me how my life would never be the same how i would always have a hole in my heart. This minutes after learning of her death. NOT helpful.

Then came questions and more questions and a voice stress test (which I passed). Finally i was released.

Next I had to face a worse issue: telling my other children their sister was gone. If anyone could have seen their faces at that time. My G-d i am haunted by it.
.
.
The police and FDLE are doing everything in their power to bring justice to my daughter. She deserves a story. Not just what she has now: "I went to sleep and woke up dead" SHE deserves better. Whatever the story is, it needs to be told.
..
Dale Fullwood seems all the more suspicious because he erased the child from his computer the day before Coralrose was murdered; coincidence or something more sinister?

 

[txsvicki]

I didn't think that LE forgot about the murder at all. I was talking about the posts that are being quoted and they seem to be more about the Fullwood's outrage at the actions of all of the authorities than about the murder and what could have happened or any fear of it happening again and how it might affect the safety of the family. I wonder if someone from LE may be on that local forum trying to get more info or evidence to hold against the family. I think they should all keep their mouths and computers shut.

 

[txsvicki]

I was a little surprised to find postings from Coral's mother on-line regarding the on-going investigations of her daughters murder and her husbands child arrest. Her choice of hat - No1Nos - caught me off guard too.

I will have to go back and double check, but there may have been an early mention of a back problem which would explain Ellen revealing that she had plenty of proof of her inability to maintain a spotless home.

My curiosity finally got the best of me and I went to that Herald forum and read some of the posts. I noticed a quote from Mr. Vanderwoude, the kids grandfather, in an article and he says that the kids grades have went from straight A's "down, down, down". I know there was lots of talk about the two boys having autism and know there are different forms of it. If the kids could make straight A's, would they also be capable of helping around the home? My grandsons can help around the house with ADD, a fine motor disability, OCD, and learning disabilities but they have never made an A on their report card.

 

[blaize]

I didn't think that LE forgot about the murder at all. I was talking about the posts that are being quoted and they seem to be more about the Fullwood's outrage at the actions of all of the authorities than about the murder and what could have happened or any fear of it happening again and how it might affect the safety of the family. I wonder if someone from LE may be on that local forum trying to get more info or evidence to hold against the family. I think they should all keep their mouths and computers shut.

I have no doubt that LE are monitoring the Herald Tribune forum but I also don't doubt that EBF is quite aware of that fact. She seems to be posting in response to what other poster's have said on that forum and not in the sense of structured press releases etc.

I didn't read her posts as her family's position at all more so as her own opinions. I'm not sure what you mean by "trying to get more info or evidence to hold against the family"?

 

[RiverRat]

DCF will reveal accusations against the family


Synopsis: Dale and Ellen-Beth Fullwood to appear in court today for their arraignment for custody of the four children, taken from them by the Department of Children and Families. The court is also hoping for a clarification as to who will be representing Ellen-Beth and the children.


SARASOTA - Dale and Ellen-Beth Fullwood will find out what the accusations against them are at their custody hearing arraignment today.

Dale and Ellen-Beth are scheduled to appear at 9:30 a.m. before Circuit Court Judge Rick DeFuria at the North County courthouse.

If neither parent shows up, DeFuria said at the Oct. 25 hearing, the Fullwoods might lose the right to claim their children.

The other issue to be decided is who Fort Myers attorney John Coleman is representing, if anyone.

Coleman has acted as the attorney of record for Dale, Ellen-Beth Fullwood, and their four children at all hearings after the state Department of Children and Families removed their four children from them after the death of their 6-year-old daughter, Coralrose, on Sept. 17. Coralrose was found murdered at a construction site two blocks from her Calabash Lane home in North Port.

The court claimed the living conditions in the Fullwood home were deplorable.

DeFuria ordered temporary custody of the children to their grandparents, Saul and Doreen VanderWoude of Fort Myers. He said the parents could not be around their children unless they were supervised by one of the VanderWoudes.

On Oct. 23, Coleman requested to withdraw from representing Dale during the custody hearing. However, court officials yesterday said Coleman might be trying to remove himself completely.

In his Oct. 23 motion, Coleman said the reason for the withdrawal is because Dale is being represented by the public defender's office on the criminal charges, and it created a "conflict of interest" between Dale and Ellen-Beth that "would prevent this from going any further."

DeFuria said the criminal matters have nothing to do with the custody hearing.

"He can say all he wants. Unless he files the proper papers, what I say is the way it is," DeFuria said. "He (Coleman) does not officially represent anybody but the children."

However, DeFuria said Coleman's motion to withdraw contradicts what he has done in the past, and what is filed with the court.

On Oct. 11, Dale Fullwood was arrested on two counts of possession of child . He is being held at the Sarasota County Jail on $50,000 bond.

At earlier hearings, DeFuria said Coleman represented the children, Dale and Ellen-Beth, and the grandparents (Saul and Doreen VanderWoude).

But on Oct. 25, DeFuria said the only appearance record filed showed Coleman representing the children.

DeFuria asked all attorneys involved to call Coleman and have him decide whom he is representing.

DeFuria assigned Debra Salisbury to represent Dale Fullwood in the custody hearing. And if Coleman does not file an appearance record, Ellen-Beth will not have representation.

 

[RiverRat]

November 29. 2006 12:34PM


Hearing for Coralrose's parents postponed


By HEATHER ALLEN



[email protected]


The dependency hearing involving Dale and Ellen-Beth Fullwood was postponed today when a Sarasota judge ruled that the attorney representing Ellen-Beth Fullwood posed a conflict in the matter.

John Coleman, a Fort Myers attorney, who had represented the Fullwoods, the maternal grandparents Saul and Doreen VanderWoude as well as the Fullwood children was removed as her attorney.

After he was arrested on two counts of possession of child , Coleman filed a motion asking that he no longer represent Dale Fullwood because the arrest could pose a conflict in the dependency case.

At that time, he was appointed a public defender for the case involving the Department of Children and Families and the Fullwoods.

Now, both Dale and Ellen-Beth have court appointed attorneys to represent them in the dependency case.

An arraignment was scheduled today, but because Ellen-Beth Fullwood was appointed a new attorney, that matter will be postponed.

Coralrose Fullwood, 6 was found dead two blocks from her parents North Port home on Sept. 17. No one has been arrested in connection with her death.

Her siblings were taken from her parents’ custody on Sept. 18. Judge De Furia then had the children placed in their maternal grandparents Fort Myers home.

 

[j2mirish]

November 29. 2006 12:34PM


Hearing for Coralrose's parents postponed


By HEATHER ALLEN



[email protected]


The dependency hearing involving Dale and Ellen-Beth Fullwood was postponed today when a Sarasota judge ruled that the attorney representing Ellen-Beth Fullwood posed a conflict in the matter.

John Coleman, a Fort Myers attorney, who had represented the Fullwoods, the maternal grandparents Saul and Doreen VanderWoude as well as the Fullwood children was removed as her attorney.

After he was arrested on two counts of possession of child , Coleman filed a motion asking that he no longer represent Dale Fullwood because the arrest could pose a conflict in the dependency case.

At that time, he was appointed a public defender for the case involving the Department of Children and Families and the Fullwoods.

Now, both Dale and Ellen-Beth have court appointed attorneys to represent them in the dependency case.

An arraignment was scheduled today, but because Ellen-Beth Fullwood was appointed a new attorney, that matter will be postponed.

Coralrose Fullwood, 6 was found dead two blocks from her parents North Port home on Sept. 17. No one has been arrested in connection with her death.

Her siblings were taken from her parents’ custody on Sept. 18. Judge De Furia then had the children placed in their maternal grandparents Fort Myers home.

as usual r/r--- thanks for your attention to this case and all the updates- :blowkiss:

 

[txsvicki]

I have no doubt that LE are monitoring the Herald Tribune forum but I also don't doubt that EBF is quite aware of that fact. She seems to be posting in response to what other poster's have said on that forum and not in the sense of structured press releases etc.

I didn't read her posts as her family's position at all more so as her own opinions. I'm not sure what you mean by "trying to get more info or evidence to hold against the family"?

Well, Beth said that people seem to be blaming "us", but I'm still not sure who the "us" is that she is talking about. I just meant that maybe they are looking to see if Beth might say something about Dale or defending him, or the other kids, or what had been going on in the family in the days before the murder. All the criticism and complaints but lack of anger at the murderer could even be held against her by the child welfare people somehow. I would think she'd be almost paranoid about the whole thing and not say a word to anyone except an attorney or her closest friends and family.

 

[Reannan]

OK....I am tired, but did I just read that the attorney (Coleman) was dismissed because he was arrested for posession of child ? Dear God, say it ish't so.

 

[Ang50]

b/c the dad, not atty, was arrested for child .

It's typical in most child protective actions that each parent will have an attorney. It would be a conflict of interest for this atty to represent both b/c at some point they are probably going to have to start pointing fingers at each other.

 

[blaize]

Well, Beth said that people seem to be blaming "us", but I'm still not sure who the "us" is that she is talking about. I just meant that maybe they are looking to see if Beth might say something about Dale or defending him, or the other kids, or what had been going on in the family in the days before the murder. All the criticism and complaints but lack of anger at the murderer could even be held against her by the child welfare people somehow. I would think she'd be almost paranoid about the whole thing and not say a word to anyone except an attorney or her closest friends and family.

Ah I see. I don't think she's defended Dale at all once she found out what he'd been doing.

She doesn't seem to have said anything that the child welfare people could use against her, what she does seem to have done is build up a ground swell of support from the members of that message board and in some ways changed the public perception of her as a totally bad mother. The thing is she's not the only family member posting on that forum. As I seem to recall her sister?? or sister-in-law?? is also posting and was the one to call her out on the forum.

I think you're right about feeling paranoid though but as we've seen here on websleuths families of victims are more apt to come onto message boards and ask for help or express frustration about the loss of their loved one & the stage LE are at in the investigation when it's felt that that a case may be in need of publicity or that it might be slipping into a cold case situation.