LA - Ahlittia North, 6, abducted & murdered, Harvey, 13 July 2013

[Donjeta]

If a 6 yr old were to take off by herself OR an adult said gather up your things because we are leaving, do you really think they would take their toothbrush and toothpaste?

Some children would and some wouldn't I suppose. My fourth grader would never remember to take his toothbrush unless instructed, he'd take something to read and maybe some money but he's just not the practical type. But the last time my four year old packed for a night at the granny's he packed a teddybear, a toy car, a toothbrush and a Playstation game (there is no Playstation at granny's place) and threw a tantrum because he couldn't find his favorite toothpaste to pack.

 

[SCHMAE]

Another thing re: toothbrush is perhaps shes' been recently to the dentist and A ) had cavities so they are working extra hard to up her brushing skills and the perp KNOWS this..... or B ) had a wonderful dental visit and the dentist praised her brushing efforts, making her really proud of them and shes' gotten somewhat obsessed with brushing. I don't mean obsessed in an OCD way but you know how a kid that age can get in a phase where they may brush every day twice for 6 months or get up and make their bed first thing for a few months. They kind of have little things they get fixated on for a bit until something new comes around and she's right at a good age for that. She could have said Ok but I HAVE TO have my toothbrush ! Or the perp knew mom , knew the teeth were important and thought ' mom will have m y hide if i don't make her brush her teeth' ( as if it would matter after kidnapping her child. I wish there were just a few more items taken . I don't think random stranger takes toothbrush, no way, no how !

 

[bdawk20]

I wonder if she left with the intent on going back to her Grandma's house.

 

[SilkySifaka]

This is really odd. Not one tip has come in, normally there are dozens in amissing child case even if they don't pan out. People think they saw something, or a car or heard a sound. I rarely think its someone in the house, always give benefit of the doubt but this one makes me wonder. Then again if its such a bad neighborhood perhaps no one wants to get involved.

 

[GGE]

I hope the lack of tips isn't due to the name being completely wrong on initial reports (Ahitta Hill instead of Ahlitta North). Hopefully the print reports had the correct name, since they're not so quickly or easily corrected as online reports are.

 

[Donjeta]

I hope the lack of tips isn't due to the name being completely wrong on initial reports (Ahitta Hill instead of Ahlitta North). Hopefully the print reports had the correct name, since they're not so quickly or easily corrected as online reports are.

It might have had a effect on the tips from the people who know her personally but hopefully her family and friends have been questioned. I don't think her name would matter that much when it comes to the tips from the people who saw her photo in the news and saw a similar child or a suspicious car or heard noises in the night

I wonder if it would be better to use facial shots in missing child reports. The sparkling outfit she wears in hers may distract from her face a little. At least that's what happened to me. I read this thread yesterday and this morning I remembered the sparkly green dress but I had no clear mental picture of what she looked like otherwise. Which probably wouldn't help me recognize her if I saw her wearing shorts and a T-shirt now.

 

[jenlag]

It might have had a effect on the tips from the people who know her personally but hopefully her family and friends have been questioned. I don't think her name would matter that much when it comes to the tips from the people who saw her photo in the news and saw a similar child or a suspicious car or heard noises in the night

I wonder if it would be better to use facial shots in missing child reports. The sparkling outfit she wears in hers may distract from her face a little. At least that's what happened to me. I read this thread yesterday and this morning I remembered the sparkly green dress but I had no clear mental picture of what she looked like otherwise. Which probably wouldn't help me recognize her if I saw her wearing shorts and a T-shirt now.

Exactly. Candid shots are always best, however time and time again with missing persons cases, the photos submitted are the ones from the mantle which look nothing like the true everyday person.

The lack of tips is just odd. There's always a speculator, someone willing to offer something they've noticed about the family.

 

[terracotta]

<modsnip>.

I know what you mean. It just seems odd. After seeing so many cases of this situation..child disappears at night...door open..no sign of forced entry...it really makes me first look at the family, not intruders or outsiders.

When I first read the account it just seems like a set up....where Ahlitta is going for sleep over...tooth brush, tooth paste...blanket....I wonder if anything else was reported missing?

I'm hoping she is with a relative. But like the Aunt said in the interview...she doesn't know anyone around there.

Has mom been interviewed by media?

When was she last seen by someone other than her mom or stepdad?

 

[southsleuth]

<modsnip>

If my child was missing I think the last thing I would remember would be a toothbrush or paste. It may be something a LE agent might ask about a teenager (runaway reporting) but a 6 year old? Now if "someone" in the family volunteered that the tooth brush and toothpaste were missing, WTH? Just an odd observance for a 6 year old.

 

[jenlag]

At this point, I could see it either way. If AN was with grandma for a period of time, perhaps grandma was a stickler about hygiene. And if AN was ready to go back to grandma's house, she may have grabbed her blanket, toothbrush and toothpaste.

The concerning part for me though is burglary bars typically have a deadbolt lock that requires a key to unlock them. Was the key accessible? Was she familiar with unlocking them etc?

 

[katydid23]

I wonder how long mom has been with the stepfather?

 

[jenlag]

This news clip covers small clip interviews with the aunt, step dad and friend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0gwctrQRIc

 

[katydid23]

Auntie seems sincerely distraught/devastated. I don't think she knows anything. <modsnip>. JMO

 

[jenlag]

I wonder how long mom has been with the stepfather?

From what I'm finding (FB stuff), it appears they were married in late Nov 2012.

 

[SCHMAE]

<modsnip>.

<modsnip>

Eta Her aunt loves her to pieces

 

[ktgirl]

"So far investigators have focused their search (on) a thick, wooded area just across the street from the girl's home."

http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/JPSO-Six-year-old-Harvey-girl-goes-missing-215376901.html

 

[Jan]

I'm wondering why the girl lived with her grandmother until a month ago. I'm not surprised that there are no tips (or few) if the girl had just lived in that home for a month and didn't know anyone yet. Did anyone see the girl the day/night before she disappeared except for the mother and stepfather? How do we know she was even there that night? I hate to be suspicious but so many past cases have not been exactly as the parents or caregivers presented them. Did they bring in any tracking dogs to try and follow the girl's scent?

 

[AngelaH]

Can someone from the area tell me what area or county Harvey is in? I am trying to find a scanner feed. TIA

 

[ktgirl]

There is a RSO that lives on Max Dr....interesting since the WWL article says " Deputies have also focused their attention on Max Drive, the street just behind the apartment complex." (http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/JPSO-Six-year-old-Harvey-girl-goes-missing-215376901.html)

Also one on Destrehan near Ahlitta's complex.
Another one on Deerwood Dr. not far from Ahlitta's complex/Max Dr.
And as you pan out, many, many more RSOs.

RSO area info:
http://www.homefacts.com/offenders/Louisiana/Jefferson-Parish-County/Harvey.html
To find Ahlitta's neighborhood, you just need to find Destrehan and look south/below Hwy 90 (Lapalco Blvd). According to the news, the apartment complex she disappeared from was on Destrehan near Max Dr. so you can find the area that way (Max Dr. is a short street behind Destrehan Ave that runs parallel to it).

I grew up in Jefferson Parish (parishes are our county equivalents for those of you outside LA) albeit in a different town/neighborhood). The Woodmere neighborhood where she disappeared from has been tough as long as I can remember. About 13 years ago, my friend's boyfriend lived in that area. He worked at the local sno-ball stand. I'd go with my friend to visit him at work and pick him up from his home. Although the area looked "rough," there seemed (at that time years ago, anyway) to be a real sense of community. Kids were outside playing all over. Older kids and adults who were outside seemed to know everyone and look out for them. There were a lot of pedestrians. I don't know how it's changed over the years (especially since everything changed in many places after Katrina) but the community was tight knit & seemed to look out for one another. If it's still like that today, I am sure the neighborhood is actively looking for Ahlitta & trying to help.

 

[ktgirl]

Harvey is in Jefferson Parish. (We have parishes in Louisiana instead of counties.)