Found Deceased MT - Selina (Selena) Not Afraid, 16, I-90 rest area between Billings & Hardin, 1 Jan 2020

[adot0902]

Theoretically speaking if we had names of people involved, how do names work while looking up in state databases? For example what would Selina's "legal name" be?

 

[mickey2942]

Theoretically speaking if we had names of people involved, how do names work while looking up in state databases? For example what would Selina's "legal name" be?

Whatever name is on her birth certificate, would be her legal name.

 

[Dave F.]

Theoretically speaking if we had names of people involved, how do names work while looking up in state databases? For example what would Selina's "legal name" be?

In searching Montana state databases, it is always best to try searching for surname only. The slightest variation will result in "Nothing Found". The state usually enters an alternate name with the surname words run together. For example is is easier for the search algorythm to find "John Oldperson" than "John Old Person". Also, it is quite common to shorten names to "John Old". If you suspect the person might have a criminal record, try searching "John Oldperson Mugshot". General search engines such as Google are less rigid, and will often offer the spelling as it will be found in state records. IMO

 

[PommyMommy]

@Cryptic
In this specific case, the disappearance did not occur within the boundaries of a reservation (I assume).
Does this mean that the Big Horn Sheriff's Department is responsible for the investigation or, because the individual involved is a tribal member, is LE of the specific tribe responsible for the investigation?

Good to see you here, rkendmar. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is leading the investigation. MOO

Welcome to Websleuths, @Ears! Good to have you with us.

 

[Dave F.]

It is about time? The FBI has always followed up on any reported missing Native American women.

The problem has always been the lack of communication from the tribal police. They wouldn't refer the women as missing, assuming that they had gone off somewhere, or they didn't want FBI investigation into "family" situations.

Today's issue of the local Billings Gazette newspaper has an "un depth" examination that echoes your sentiments. Some has been done to change the way MMIW cases are handled, but there is much left to do. IMO
No cause of death found for Kaysera Stops Pretty Places; investigation still active

 

[mickey2942]

Today's issue of the local Billings Gazette newspaper has an "un depth" examination that echoes your sentiments. Some has been done to change the way MMIW cases are handled, but there is much left to do. IMO
No cause of death found for Kaysera Stops Pretty Places; investigation still active

I wish that I could write my experiences with crime, missing women, child abuse, and other activities on native reservations in Montana. Suffice to say, it is unusual to meet a family on the rez, who doesn't have a family member in prison, missing, dead from violence, or addicted to drugs.

It bothers me to no end, when federal law enforcement officers are blamed for the problems, or not doing enough. They are at the end of the story, not the beginning.

 

[raysgirl1126]

What in the world.

 

[raysgirl1126]

Sorry if this has already be answered (i'm still catching up) why was an Amber Alert not issued?

 

[Seattle1]

Sorry if this has already be answered (i'm still catching up) why was an Amber Alert not issued?

Good question. Seems she met the criteria unless she was considered a runaway.
Also, Montana does not require a vehicle description for AA.

AMBER Alert Program - Montana Department of Justice

 

[PommyMommy]

Initial reports were that Selena walked into a field near the rest area not that she was abducted. MOO

JAN 3, 2020
Search continues for missing Montana teen
[...]

In memory of Amber, the program was called the AMBER Plan – America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response.

In Montana, officials also have the option of issuing a Missing/Endangered Person Advisory.

AMBER ALERT
To initiate an AMBER Alert, call 9-1-1 and provide your local law enforcement agency with all the information you can about a suspected child abduction. To activate the program, all of the following criteria must be met:

• There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that a child has been abducted or has disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
• The missing child is age 17 years or younger, or has a proven mental or physical disability.
• The law enforcement agency believes the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.
• There is enough descriptive information about the victim and abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child.
• The child’s name and other critical data elements, including the Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer.

The AMBER Alert system is not used to track runaways, missing children, or children involved in custody disputes. The program is restricted to child abduction cases that could be life threatening.

MISSING/ENDANGERED PERSON ADVISORY
A MEPA Advisory is initiated solely by Montana law enforcement agencies
using the following criteria:

1. Do the circumstances fail to meet the criteria for an AMBER Alert?
2. Is the person missing under unexplained, involuntary or suspicious circumstances?
3. Is the person believed to be in danger because of age, health, mental or physical disability, or environmental or weather conditions; to be in the company of a potentially dangerous person; or is there some other factor that may put the person in peril?
4. Is there information that could assist the public in the safe recovery of the missing person? The initial advisory will include any available information, like name, age, physical description, date of birth and where the person was last seen. It might also include information about whether the person has a health condition or physical or mental disability.

[...]

 

[Seattle1]

The Montana rules for Amber Alert require more than a just reasonable assumption that a child has been kidnapped. I don't know why the process is now very rigid, but have been vocal myself about use of the alert system for cases that I considered to be non-emergency custodial disputes rather than kidnappings. Perhaps it became necessary to tighten the rules.
A "Missing Endangered Person Advisory" for Selina Not Afraid was issued Jan. 1, 2020 at 8:46 pm. It has expired, but still remains up in the state alert system. Attorney General Tim Fox, who is responsible for the Amber Alert, is from Hardin. He has been very supportive of finding Selena, IMO.

I think Selena was at risk of hypothermia (especially if she had been drinking alcohol) from the time the van drove away without her. Perhaps the description of Selena running to a field is being used against her. Also can't help but think of Serenity -- another girl lost in the dead of winter.

Montana AMBER Alert Criteria
To initiate an AMBER Alert, call 9-1-1 and provide your local law enforcement agency with all the information you can about a suspected child abduction. To activate the program, all of the following criteria must be met:

• There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that a child has been abducted or has disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
• The missing child is age 17 years or younger, or has a proven mental or physical disability.
• The law enforcement agency believes the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.
• There is enough descriptive information about the victim and abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child.
• The child’s name and other critical data elements, including the Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer.

The AMBER Alert system is not used to track runaways, missing children or children involved in custody disputes. The program is restricted to child abduction cases that could be life threatening.

 

[rkendmar]

I am wondering if the van, in which the 5 "adults" and Selina traveled on New Year's Day, was searched by LE?
MOO

 

[Seajay]

It is about time? The FBI has always followed up on any reported missing Native American women.

The problem has always been the lack of communication from the tribal police. They wouldn't refer the women as missing, assuming that they had gone off somewhere, or they didn't want FBI investigation into "family" situations.

I said new coverage, not FBI follow ups. My point being that we are hearing about this case. Typically, we do not hear about missing indigenous women because as you say, they are not considered missing by their tribe, just going off somewhere. FWIW

 

[PommyMommy]

I am wondering if the van, in which the 5 "adults" and Selina traveled on New Year's Day, was searched by LE?
MOO

Yes, it was.

Hardin teen's disappearance looking 'suspicious' as search continues
The van has been impounded and searched. Detectives found nothing suspicious inside, Big Hair said.

 

[rkendmar]

Yes, it was.

Hardin teen's disappearance looking 'suspicious' as search continues
The van has been impounded and searched. Detectives found nothing suspicious inside, Big Hair said.

Thanks, PM.
I'm unable to access the Billings Gazette due to its paywall.

 

[Dave F.]

Thanks, PM.
I'm unable to access the Billings Gazette due to its paywall.

The Gazette paywall is a random pop-up. My suggestion is to try it again. JMO

 

[Ears]

About Selena's twin sister:
<<The letter states that the circumstances surrounding Not Afraid’s death are not completely clear.

“It is believed that it was an accident and that Zoey did not really want to die,” >>

School officials address death of 11-year-old Riverside student

And Heavy stated that hit-and-run driver who killed the older sister was never found.

 

[mickey2942]

Yes, it was.

Hardin teen's disappearance looking 'suspicious' as search continues
The van has been impounded and searched. Detectives found nothing suspicious inside, Big Hair said.

Driving with an open container of alcohol? Nothing to see here...

 

[Dave F.]

I think Selena was at risk of hypothermia (especially if she had been drinking alcohol) from the time the van drove away without her. Perhaps the description of Selena running to a field is being used against her. Also can't help but think of Serenity -- another girl lost in the dead of winter.


https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/billings-mt/59101/january-weather/329450

Montana AMBER Alert Criteria
To initiate an AMBER Alert, call 9-1-1 and provide your local law enforcement agency with all the information you can about a suspected child abduction. To activate the program, all of the following criteria must be met:

• There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that a child has been abducted or has disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
• The missing child is age 17 years or younger, or has a proven mental or physical disability.
• The law enforcement agency believes the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.
• There is enough descriptive information about the victim and abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child.
• The child’s name and other critical data elements, including the Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer.

The AMBER Alert system is not used to track runaways, missing children or children involved in custody disputes. The program is restricted to child abduction cases that could be life threatening.

The last two sentences are:
"The AMBER Alert system is not used to track runaways, missing children or children involved in custody disputes. The program is restricted to child abduction cases that could be life threatening."
Selena was last seen wearing a knit hat, wool sweater, woolen pea coat style jacket, jeans and sensible ankle high boots. It was 50 degrees F at 2:00 pm when she walked away from the rest stop, and the low for the early morning hours was expected to be 36 degrees. I don't see any reasonable basis, 6 1/2 hours after she walked away from the van, for LE to declare that death from hypothermia was an immediate risk.
Neither the Big Horn County Sheriff or the Montana Department of Justice has been timid in pursuing this case. IMO
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/billings-mt/59101/january-weather/329450

 

[Dave F.]

Driving with an open container of alcohol? Nothing to see here...

It is not illegal in Montana for passengers in a vehicle to have open containers, in some circumstances. On the other hand, a person who is on probation for a drug or alcohol related offense will likely go back to prison just for being in proximity to alcohol. Probation hearings are not public information, so we would never know. I think we need to let the sheriff do his job. IMO