FL - Somer Thompson, 7, Orange Park, 19 Oct 2009 #34

[LLLindsayy]

My best guess is that they found something on or near her body that led them to the Gano house. Some say the dogs would have picked up her scent early on that led them there if that were the case. Well, it's not like her scent led them anywhere else either. Maybe that was their best guess - based on surrounding objects - since they had no scent to follow?

 

[dar107]

snipped by me.

don't forget about Sandra Cantu.

I was referring to male DNA that would be found if that was the case. I am not familar with the Sandra Cantu case. There are so many awful cases out there. I will never understand what happens to a human's brain that they could harm another human being in these ways.

 

[houndstooth]

My best guess is that they found something on or near her body that led them to the Gano house. Some say the dogs would have picked up her scent early on that led them there if that were the case. Well, it's not like her scent led them anywhere else either. Maybe that was their best guess - based on surrounding objects - since they had no scent to follow?

My best guess is that the dogs led them right to her.

 

[Dee10]

Just for the record:

What's the Difference Between Female DNA and Male DNA?

Answer: The "female" DNA sequence is incomplete because it lack DNA from the Y chromosome. http://sandwalk.blogspot.com/2008/05/whats-difference-between-female-dna-and.html

So if she had DNA under her fingernails for example, they would be able to tell if it was from a male or female.

 

[liz b.]

I read that a female who wished to remain unidentified called LE on Monday night ( time unknown) and told them they should search both the Gano House and the dumpster there. She also stated this to a journalist in a newspaper interview. It was not stated that she was a neighbor, and at this time she is still unidentified.
The house was not searched until Thursday and Friday.

 

[LLLindsayy]

I was referring to male DNA that would be found if that was the case. I am not familar with the Sandra Cantu case. There are so many awful cases out there. I will never understand what happens to a human's brain that they could harm another human being in these ways.

8 year old Sandra was kidnapped, raped, murdered, and stuffed in a suitcase and thrown in a pond by her female Sunday school teacher. Early 2009.

 

[Noway]

I also initially thought Sam was the one to release this article to benefit his custody case.

However, it was pointed out to me that the judge already had this information. That was my DUH moment for the day.

I have no link to the source that the judge had the information so it may be considered rumor.


Also, regarding the after-school care (snipped from article on Jacksonville.com)

Thompson also told the investigator the school suggested the children attend an off-campus YWCA day-care program. But she said it ended before she could pick them up from work and she couldn’t afford the cost of picking them up late.


Thompson was later told the day-care program was at the school and that school officials were trying to arrange for Somer to attend for free or at a reduced rate. She said she would consider the option, though the children weren’t sent.


This YMCA program at GPE closes at 6 p.m. This information was found on GPE website (phone number to call) and the cost and hours provided over the phone. And since it says "the children weren't sent," I believe all children were going to be included, not only Somer.

 

[Noway]

~snipped again~

Somer and her three siblings got lost at least once walking from Grove Park Elementary School

Somer Who would have been 6
ST Who would have been 6
AT Who would have been 9
AC (?) Who would have been 12 at the time

How close to their house were they? What woods? So many questions, so few answers.

 

[hoppyfrog]

Guys--

I am so sorry. I awoke at 4:30 a.m. and finally realized why you were confused about some of the things I posted. I tried to be so clear and realized exactly where I hadn't been clear.

I decided to post a correct when I got up in the a.m., but then I awoke a 8 with a migraine. Ugh.

So I am just now getting to it. Bear with me. I will post some clarifications shortly.

Hoppy
mod

 

[nursebeeme]

Hope you are feeling better Hoppy!

 

[hoppyfrog]

Hope you are feeling better Hoppy!

I am. Maxalt is a wonderful Rx.

Hoppy

 

[eyes4crime]

this is the original article (POSTED #11) - the event was investigated in 2008 and closed 2 weeks later.



The unidentified worker told the Department of Children and Families that Somer and her three siblings got lost at least once walking from Grove Park Elementary School and were found in woods with a stranger. The worker indicated that Somer’s mother needed to pay more attention to the children’s safety and get them into day care at the school.

But a two-week probe by Children and Families concluded the allegation about the children getting lost and being found with a stranger had no basis. It also found Diena Thompson properly arranged for her children to be taken to and from school, about a mile away, and that it was acceptable for them to walk home when necessary. Day care was suggested to her as an option, but not a requirement.

The case was closed without any findings of wrongdoing, according to the records provided to the Times-Union last week.

Thompson continues to grieve over Somer’s Oct. 19 disappearance and slaying, which remains unsolved. She said that she has always cared for her children’s well-being and allowed them to walk home on rare occasions when she worked and couldn’t get them a ride. Somer disappeared on one of those days. Her siblings have received rides every day since, Thompson told the Times-Union Wednesday.
“I’m always second-guessing myself as far as them walking home, but I did what I could as a single mother with absolutely no help from anyone else,” said Thompson, 35. “Children should be able to walk home without being afraid of being attacked by a monster.” snipped.....

.......The social worker called the agency’s abuse hot line on Oct. 9, 2008.

“There is overall concern for the safety and well-being of the children,” the investigator wrote, based on the social worker’s statement.

snipped.......... Thompson said a family friend had been transporting the children and that would continue.

.....snipped

........A Children and Families supervisory review of the case on Oct. 12 - three days after the initial report - states that the “risk is low” and that “the children are old enough to walk to school.” It also states that if Thompson can’t afford day care, she shouldn’t be placed in a “financial bind.”

Two weeks into the case, Thompson reiterated to the investigator that her friend was helping with transportation, “but on occasion the children still do walk,” the records show. The family friend told the investigators she had been transporting the children.

The investigator concludes that the “risk remains low” and that Thompson had been very cooperative.

“No services necessary at this time,” the report said. SNIPPED........

BBM
My question: Why was this given to a hot line and not LE? Children in the woods with a stranger doesn't belong with a social worker, it belongs and should be investigated by LE MY OPINION ONLY

ALSO - how did this person know it was a STRANGER? In order to know it was a stranger, the person would have had to know the familiar people in the kids life. mho

The fact this was used by Dad T. to support his custody battle is deplorable - to use the vulnerabilitly of his children when they are grieving is outrageous!

 

[eyes4crime]

~snipped again~

Somer and her three siblings got lost at least once walking from Grove Park Elementary School

Somer Who would have been 6
ST Who would have been 6
AT Who would have been 9
AC (?) Who would have been 12 at the time

How close to their house were they? What woods? So many questions, so few answers.

This was investigated and in two weeks it was found to be UNFOUNDED! I doubt it ever happened. For Dad T to use an unfounded report to support his custody battle is outrageous. mho

 

[Noway]

If a parent isn't acting in a manner that makes their child's safety a priority -- in the eyes of the other parent -- then I would hope it was discussed as part of the custody agreement.

If there is more than this one instance where an agency expressed concern about the safety of the Thompson children, and Diena chose not to take their recommendations and something happened ... then I do hope the judge takes that into consideration.

How many near misses and hits must there be?

JMO

 

[New1]

LE is NOT obligated to tell the public the facts! Mom Diena was going to school to become a nurse...worked at a dentist office, not sure of the hours. Seems to me, EVERY word, movement, gesture and so on pertaining to mom Diena has been picked apart and put through the wringer. NOT ONE piece of evidence points to her. The suggestion that mom Diena wasn't the 'perfect' mom in no way exonerates the murderer. As a matter of fact, it deters from focusing on the real perp. ALL JUST MY humble opinon

ETA: regarding childcare - it was an option that mom Diena said she couldn't afford. If you put one twin in, you must put the other in and that would leave the 10yo going home by herself. So she would have to pay for at least 3 children. Maybe if she was getting her child support that would have happened. mho

Is this a fact? Is it documented somewhere?

 

[Ms Suzanne]

this is the original article (POSTED #11) - the event was investigated in 2008 and closed 2 weeks later.



The unidentified worker told the Department of Children and Families that Somer and her three siblings got lost at least once walking from Grove Park Elementary School and were found in woods with a stranger. The worker indicated that Somer’s mother needed to pay more attention to the children’s safety and get them into day care at the school.

But a two-week probe by Children and Families concluded the allegation about the children getting lost and being found with a stranger had no basis. It also found Diena Thompson properly arranged for her children to be taken to and from school, about a mile away, and that it was acceptable for them to walk home when necessary. Day care was suggested to her as an option, but not a requirement.

The case was closed without any findings of wrongdoing, according to the records provided to the Times-Union last week.

Thompson continues to grieve over Somer’s Oct. 19 disappearance and slaying, which remains unsolved. She said that she has always cared for her children’s well-being and allowed them to walk home on rare occasions when she worked and couldn’t get them a ride. Somer disappeared on one of those days. Her siblings have received rides every day since, Thompson told the Times-Union Wednesday.
“I’m always second-guessing myself as far as them walking home, but I did what I could as a single mother with absolutely no help from anyone else,” said Thompson, 35. “Children should be able to walk home without being afraid of being attacked by a monster.” snipped.....

.......The social worker called the agency’s abuse hot line on Oct. 9, 2008.

“There is overall concern for the safety and well-being of the children,” the investigator wrote, based on the social worker’s statement.

snipped.......... Thompson said a family friend had been transporting the children and that would continue.

.....snipped

........A Children and Families supervisory review of the case on Oct. 12 - three days after the initial report - states that the “risk is low” and that “the children are old enough to walk to school.” It also states that if Thompson can’t afford day care, she shouldn’t be placed in a “financial bind.”

Two weeks into the case, Thompson reiterated to the investigator that her friend was helping with transportation, “but on occasion the children still do walk,” the records show. The family friend told the investigators she had been transporting the children.

The investigator concludes that the “risk remains low” and that Thompson had been very cooperative.

“No services necessary at this time,” the report said. SNIPPED........

BBM
My question: Why was this given to a hot line and not LE? Children in the woods with a stranger doesn't belong with a social worker, it belongs and should be investigated by LE MY OPINION ONLY

ALSO - how did this person know it was a STRANGER? In order to know it was a stranger, the person would have had to know the familiar people in the kids life. mho

The fact this was used by Dad T. to support his custody battle is deplorable - to use the vulnerabilitly of his children when they are grieving is outrageous!

Thank you.I agree.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

If a parent isn't acting in a manner that makes their child's safety a priority -- in the eyes of the other parent -- then I would hope it was discussed as part of the custody agreement.

If there is more than this one instance where an agency expressed concern about the safety of the Thompson children, and Diena chose not to take their recommendations and something happened ... then I do hope the judge takes that into consideration.

How many near misses and hits must there be?

JMO

We haven't heard of any other instances.I'm pretty sure we would have by now.It was agreed she did not have to do day care and she was complying and providing rides.It was apparantly agreed upon sometimes the children would walk to school.If the judge or social services thought there was any neglect I'm sure the children would not be with thier mother and they are.They are not finding anything wrong apparantly and I don't feel they will.I pray for Somer and her mother and family and I pray God comforts them and they find little Somers killer.

 

[dar107]

Thank you.I agree.

Yes thank you Eyes. I agree also.I think the point some of us are trying to make is, regardless of the what happened a year ago with Childrens Services, some do not see this as relevant to what happened the day Somer went missing. It is school policy for children within a mile to walk home from school. Somer was walking home from school with siblings this day and ran ahead. She is described as headstrong by those who knew her,I have a daughter like that, when she was 2 people would call her an old soul because she was just so naturally smart and curious and could pretty much carry on an intelligent conversation with an adult. This also gave me lots of headaches though because she was way to wise beyond her years. She is 20 now and is an incredible smart and strong willed young lady. I get the sense Somer was a strong willed little girl. So I do not IMO consider the initial report relavant or newsworthy. Attention grabbing, sure! Also I beleive dad has to have known for some time now about this as someone here in contact with him mentioned how DT was offered daycare and we were told at that time she refused it, which contradicts the article which stated they were looking into getting her daycare at reduced costs, it never said they then were able to offer it reduced or free and she still refused it. This is why IMO the article by dad was mean spirited, especially at the lowest point in DT's life.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

Thank you eyes4crime for posting the original article so we can see the whole story.The reporters notes in that article was very sweet to Somers mother.I respect him for that.

 

[winterrose]

They're looking for a 9 year old in Jax right now.Is it close to where Somer was taken?

Police Looking For Missing Child
Child Last Seen On Westside Near Everest Drive

POSTED: Friday, January 15, 2010
UPDATED: 10:18 pm EST January 15, 2010
Missing Child On Westside Map
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Police said Friday night they're searching for a missing child on the Westside.

The child was last seen in an area near Everest Drive off of Collins Road.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/22252278/detail.html

They just put a photo up on front page...

http://www.news4jax.com/index.html