Found Deceased NC - Maddox Ritch, 6 w/Autism, Gastonia, 22 Sept 2018 #2

[Charlot123]

I will say, his choice of words is odd. In this interview, he keeps saying Maddox "is out there in the dark, alone", several times. He gave this interview about 6 days after Maddox went missing, so right before he was found? If he thought someone snatched his son wouldn't he be asking for that person to bring him back? But he seems set on the fact that M is "is out there in the dark, alone".

I think that expressive speech is not easy for dad, especially given the circumstances. I don't have the transcript, but I heard the interviewer asking the dad about the night, him walking out, and my understanding was, that feeling the cold and the darkness, the dad would think, if I, an adult, am uncomfortable, how should my kid feel there, all alone? Something like it. JMO.

 

[Backstroke10]

My son is high functioning on the autism spectrum also and I am impressed and elated that you have the insight that you have shared. I am my son's best and only friend (he's 20 and has never had one friend in his life) and I can only pray that he will be able to be as introspective and understanding as you are to the plight of what he and others affected by autism go through, not day to day, but minute by minute. For me to hear that you have a husband, children....well, that bring me to tears and gives me hope for my precious son.

Thank you for sharing that. You sound like the most wonderful mother and your son is very blessed to have you as his mother and friend. From reading your kind, thoughtful, loving post, I have no doubt your son will have a happy and fulfilled life.

 

[Natusry]

@TNChick: do you have a link where it’s confirmed that dogs didn’t pick up his scent? I’ve heard that too but haven’t found it to be more than a rumor.

 

[MsFacetious]

I don't know specifically about brush/bush environments but I do know that many autistic kids have a very high pain threshold. So thorns and bushes might not affect them as much. My son is rarely in pain and he does MixedMartialArts and gets hit and kicked and he has never, ever complained about pain from training. Btw, nor is he heat or cold sensitive either but Im not sure if that is across the board for those on the spectrum. Water...weird...when he was about 2, he and his dad and brother were fishing on a river bank. Dad and brother were sidetracked by something and looked away for a split second only to look back and see a diaper floating in the river. They got him within seconds thank god. But he had on a diaper that floated to the surface and so did the bottle he was holding....aaarrrgghh

There is also the sensory issues however. So while pain tolerance main not inhibit them, the sensory aspect might. Scratching plants for example may or may not annoy certain kids to a point where they cannot tolerate it.

So it's really just so varied it's hard to know.

The park worker who made the 911 call doesn't think Maddox was ever in the park, and the dogs couldn't find his scent.

My opinion? He was put there after he was already dead.

The FBI has confirmed that Maddox was in the park, alive, the day he disappeared.

@TNChick: do you have a link where it’s confirmed that dogs didn’t pick up his scent? I’ve heard that too but haven’t found it to be more than a rumor.

Yes, I've always wanted to see this.

 

[IceIce9]

Thanks for the link! I just watched it, and am still catching up with the thread. I haven't formed a concrete opinion yet on if the dad had anything to do with his disappearance. I go back and forth; this is suspicious, nah it's not suspicious at all. Usually I make up my mind pretty quickly, but not with this one.

I will say, his choice of words is odd. In this interview, he keeps saying Maddox "is out there in the dark, alone", several times. He gave this interview about 6 days after Maddox went missing, so right before he was found? If he thought someone snatched his son wouldn't he be asking for that person to bring him back? But he seems set on the fact that M is "is out there in the dark, alone".

JMO, I don't want to tell anyone how to grieve or react in this situation.

I thought it was odd when he mentioned that he had passed two lie detector tests, and also when he stated that he knew he was the number one suspect. Also that he hadn’t mentioned that he had diabetes and neuropathy as a reason for not being able to catch up with Maddox during earlier interviews when asked the question.

Not saying that the dad had anything to do with his disappearance, just that his words are odd.

He stated, “I know I am the number one suspect” but suspect in what? Number one suspect in letting his son get too far ahead of him?

‘I know I’m the number 1 suspect,' says dad of missing 6-year-old

 

[IceIce9]

"I went to the front of the lake where the parking lot area was, I turned back around, I met my girlfriend, went straight back, She went the other direction, I went one direction to look for him, and I went so far, turned around because I didn't see him any further, so I went back, went straight to the office and got staff."

There is an element of sensitivity regarding returning "straight back" to locations.

Parents know when asking their son/daughter what did they do after school while they are at work. They say, nothing Mum/Dad i came "straight" home. It can be applied to most situations when the question of time is involved. This sends up a red flag of, uhg ohh. They could have said they came home. Adding in the word "straight" is unnecessary and is often employed to convince. I didn't do anything else i came "straight" home.

Did he do anything else before he went "Straight" back to xyz.? Now, this may mean nothing, however, add in the fact of the mystery "stuff" he gave to his girlfriend in this time zone increases my suspicions, not of involvement (the passing of Maddox) but maybe something that caused them to take their eye of Maddox.

Maddox had on an orange shirt and “three people” obscured dad’s view of him? Did he ask those three people which way the boy in the orange shirt ran?

Unless the three people were running directly behind Maddox you would think dad would have been able to see him once he ran on past them. Especially since he was wearing an orange shirt.

 

[IceIce9]

"I went to the front of the lake where the parking lot area was, I turned back around, I met my girlfriend, went straight back, She went the other direction, I went one direction to look for him, and I went so far, turned around because I didn't see him any further, so I went back, went straight to the office and got staff."

There is an element of sensitivity regarding returning "straight back" to locations.

Parents know when asking their son/daughter what did they do after school while they are at work. They say, nothing Mum/Dad i came "straight" home. It can be applied to most situations when the question of time is involved. This sends up a red flag of, uhg ohh. They could have said they came home. Adding in the word "straight" is unnecessary and is often employed to convince. I didn't do anything else i came "straight" home.

Did he do anything else before he went "Straight" back to xyz.? Now, this may mean nothing, however, add in the fact of the mystery "stuff" he gave to his girlfriend in this time zone increases my suspicions, not of involvement (the passing of Maddox) but maybe something that caused them to take their eye of Maddox.

ETA:

Maybe doing something they should've have been doing while supervising a young child on a day out?

Has it been reported what the “stuff” was that he took out of his pockets before he started running after Maddox? I think I have listened to all the interviews but I don’t remember that question being asked.

 

[heartgoesout]

Agreed

Without an msm link or press release from LE we don't know the exact spot where she saw Maddox. But we can extrapolate to narrow down a small area using the information we have. The lady was at a church picnic so we suppose they had rented a shelter. She saw Maddox heading towards the office.

Here's a park map from Gardener1850 post #1008:
https://www.cityofgastonia.com/images/files/parks_recreation/documents/RankinLakeMap.pdf

Compare this to the Google map of the same area:
Google Maps

It's likely the lady was in or near one of the shelters. She didn't specify. Based on the maps and information it's highly likely that she saw Maddox somewhere near Shelter #10 or #11. That narrows it down to approximately 350 ft. I'm afraid that's the best we can zero in for now.

agreed I fgured the pavilion would make sense. but the only msm link there is says her and her mother were taking a walk

 

[heartgoesout]

So maybe he had to throw in ...I emptied my pockets and gave the stuff to her... because upon Police arriving she had items on her that would typically belong to him and Police questioned it. He gives very little detail about everything else so why that very specific detail about your pockets?Why would she have his pocket contents? Oh because before I started chasing after my son that I had a “straight line of vision” but was “blocked by threee people” emptying my pockets was the first thing on my mind.
One of too many contradictions. I’m thinking she may have had those pocket contents before that moment and if so why?

 

[IceIce9]

The questions I wish reporters would have asked during the interviews:

“Did your girlfriend chase after him too? “

Presumably Dad and girlfriend were walking together since he stated he took the stuff out of his pockets and handed it to her before he took off running after Maddox. If they were walking behind Maddox it would make sense that she ran after him too, and perhaps would have been able to run faster? But I haven’t seen anything that indicated that she did. He just said that he handed his pocket stuff to her.

“What did she do after you handed her your pocket stuff?

“What was the pocket stuff? Was it so bulky or heavy that it would have prevented you from running after Maddox? Was she able to put the pocket “stuff” into her pockets, or did she perhaps have a bag that she put it into? If she was carrying a bag was it so large or heavy that she was unable to run alongside you to chase Maddox?”

“Did Maddox’s Mom know you and Maddox were going to the park with your girlfriend?”
I wondered all along if the reason he referred to her as “friend” until he was asked “male or female friend?” And he said “female” and was asked “girlfriend?” before he admitted it, was because Maddox’s Mom wasn’t aware.

My opinion only. And I really don’t think Dad or girlfriend had anything to do with harming Maddox. I am just trying to make sense of the timeline, actions, and direction, and it just isn’t adding up.

As a side note, I have personally responded to several serious or emergency situations, and never even given a thought to what was in my pockets. I seldom carry a bag or purse when I hike, walk, attend sporting events, etc. but shove everything into my pockets.

Once I ran all the way up to the top row of a stadium from the ground when someone was screaming for help, saying her mother needed help. I couldn’t hear her until I wssnesrly to the top, but other people lower in the section were screaming and waving their arms. I was halfway up when my new cell phone went flying out of my pocket and I head it hit the steps and go clattering down.

Twice I have jumped into a lake, fully clothed, to save someone and never thought about losing or ruining what was in my pockets.

It isn’t that I thought about my pocket “stuff” and didn’t care, the thought that I had “stuff “ in my pockets never even came into my brain.

Just seems like an odd thing to worry/think about pocket “stuff” in a serious situation. But just my own opinion. Your mileage may vary.

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

My apologies if this has already been posted:

“Gastonia park where Maddox Ritch vanished will reopen Wednesday”

http://amp.wsoctv.com/news/north-carolina/after-6-year-old-maddox-ritch-s-body-found-search-for-clues-continues/844652348?__twitter_impression=true

 

[mommabear23]

That was my first thought too. When my grandson took off at the zoo the one thing I did was yell "Stop!" But people did watch me chase after him. In fact one man stood and watched and later when we passed each other he laughed and said "Good to see you caught up with him" in a joking manner. I believe he waited to see if I would catch him and was possibly ready to help.

I also spent some time at our local park this week observing people with kids. The park is big but nothing like Rankin. There are only 3 exits and they go onto quiet streets. But there's a steep gravel path that leads down to the beach on the north part of Puget Sound. I sat on a bench near there.

Sure enough without exception when little ones ran for the path the adults yelled "Stop!" but no one actually called out to me or anyone else to catch them. So my conclusion was that in relatively safe areas people don't tend to ask others for help but many do yell to the child.

What we don't know is how Ian normally reacted when Maddox ran uncomfortably far ahead in other settings. The parking lot may have been a concern but it's a park and IMO parents are more relaxed in that type of setting than walking on a sidewalk next to a busy street.

We also don't know how Maddox responded to stimuli such as having his name called or his parent yelling "Stop!" So without that information we can't really judge if Ian's reaction was appropriate.

What puzzles me more is the distance Maddox traveled. Like Alethea said it's really far off. And muddy and covered in heavy brush according to the neighbor. How did he manage to navigate the rough terrain? But then again, kids are so unpredictable.

This is a really good point! I have been guilty of this myself, if I truly felt that that person could catch up with their little one. Not ideal, but just how I reacted. So, how many people would think that the dad wouldn't catch up with his child (who obviously isn't a toddler)? Anyway, your comment stuck out even though it's a few pages back.

 

[IceIce9]

My apologies if this has already been posted:

“Gastonia park where Maddox Ritch vanished will reopen Wednesday”

http://amp.wsoctv.com/news/north-carolina/after-6-year-old-maddox-ritch-s-body-found-search-for-clues-continues/844652348?__twitter_impression=true

My apologies if this has already been posted:

“Gastonia park where Maddox Ritch vanished will reopen Wednesday”

http://amp.wsoctv.com/news/north-carolina/after-6-year-old-maddox-ritch-s-body-found-search-for-clues-continues/844652348?__twitter_impression=true

They are still asking for witnesses to come forward.

They are especially wanting to speak to the driver of a white truck who may have been the last to see Maddox.

Who reported seeing a white truck? Could it have been from a camera?

This article mentions again that Dad and friend were walking and says that Dad chased after Maddox but couldn’t run fast due to neuropathy. But did the friend chase too? What did she do while Dad chased?

 

[Julindy]

If you are "just coming into this case", I suggest you go back (way back) and watch the media videos/reports of the father and witnesses, and the mother, and the police statements... and then read all of the comments to get an idea of the posters' different opinions. My advise is educate yourself and decide yourself on what way "you" want to view it.

Good Advice

 

[Backstroke10]

I thought it was odd when he mentioned that he had passed two lie detector tests, and also when he stated that he knew he was the number one suspect. Also that he hadn’t mentioned that he had diabetes and neuropathy as a reason for not being able to catch up with Maddox during earlier interviews when asked the question.

Not saying that the dad had anything to do with his disappearance, just that his words are odd.

He stated, “I know I am the number one suspect” but suspect in what? Number one suspect in letting his son get too far ahead of him?

‘I know I’m the number 1 suspect,' says dad of missing 6-year-old

Excellent point IceIce9 about the suspect part. I didn't think anything of that until you mentioned it in your post. Great observation. Thanks!

 

[Julindy]

One version. From the interview dad's issues are pretty clear, but I also see that he loves Maddox. But what if he and his gf were just distracted, in the park, perhaps looked at one another and talked, or maybe hugged? Imagine - this is when the boy might have taken off, possibly to attract dad's attention (as it was their game), and the couple might have not noticed. And this is the only thing the dad might be unwilling to admit, that he was distracted for too long. Because when they realized that Maddox was not with them, they saw the scene exactly as dad now describes - the jogger, and several people before him. Only there was a timelapse, these people were probably far behind the couple when Maddox took off and did not see him at all. Or maybe he simply ran to the side. I think it is the easiest explanation of what could have happened.

Just my opinion, as I understand we are allowed to offer versions.

This was also my first thought,it would make sense,and they would have to live with it,heartbreaking for them both

 

[kc1023]

Well, if nothing else we've certainly learned to call 911 immediately even if we think we will find our missing loved one and it will be a waste of 911 time and we might feel silly or something. When in doubt, call. Call, call, call. MOO.

 

[Steelslady]

From the start the details in this case are enough to make your head spin. Three adults were chasing him, two adults were chasing, Dad and an unidentified adult were chasing, Dad alone was chasing.

He was running toward the park office, around the lake, the other side of the lake, toward the boat landing, toward the shooting range, toward the parking lot. Over towards that way, this way.

The man on the bench, two kayakers, the woman on the trail, the jogger.

Then Dad has diabetes and neuropathy so he can’t run as fast. Was the unidentified adult able to chase?

And the fact that even after his body was found LE is still begging for people who saw him at the park to come forward.

911 wasn’t called until 40 minutes, awhile, an hour after he ran off.

This sums everything up in a nut shell. I took a small break yesterday from this thread, as every day, I seem to read something new, or details and facts keep changing. My mind is spinning by the time I am through trying to sort it all out. Thanks for this post- it really is mind boggling, seeing it all written out perfectly as to how this has all gone down since poor Maddox went missing. No wonder we're all confused and change our minds back and forth on what might have happened that day!

 

[Steelslady]

Go back and watch the 3 interviews. The GMA, the press conference and David B’s in a row.

Oh no thank you, lol! I am recovering from a nasty sinus infection- if I thought I was a bit light headed from that, I can just imagine what would happen if I tried sorting the interviews all out- I'd be passed out, haha. Seriously, the more interviews I watch or read, the more confused I get.

 

[floridamomma]

Can someone tell if autistic kids have a particular like or dislike to enter difficult bush environments, like many are drawn to water?

One of my kids (who barely escaped being labeled on spectrum) has always chosen the path less traveled. Family walk on a paved trail? He's 10 feet to the side, walking thru woods. He craves stimulation.