I have a light bulb glimmering in my head.
It has been established by MPR that DT texted SP to ask how the kids were doing. This means that he WAS watching them. At that time, he either called her or texted her to let her know Somer was not with them.
We know by now Somer had a history of running off and showing up later "...just as DT or the babysitter would be phoning all of the neighbors looking for her" (she would suddenly show up).
Why, at this particular time, did DT go into panic mode? If Somer usually did this and went to play with other little friends, and SP had not contacted the neighbors (he didn't seem to think it was out of the ordinary), why did DT not just contact neighbors or come home... We have no record that anyone called 9-1-1. Why did DT go out to the park and start searching - get a gut feeling something was wrong this time, call CPC, flag down cop, then they all met at her house.
Somer routinely ran off and showed up later (I surmise after the other kids had gotten home). Somer did not show up...no big deal...AT says she got into a fight and ran ahead...nothing unusual...what is different here? Please someone turn on this light for me. Thanks in advance.