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

[mks762]

If I have a question regarding the fact that MAYBE, PERHAPS Maddox went off on his own sooner than dad is saying, then, who am I harming??? It's called a thought, a question, a theory.

So what is your theory? If the father did take his eyes off Maddox for 30 seconds what difference does that make? I'm just confused as to why the father's actions are being so scrutinized if you aren't saying he killed his son? I'm sure he feels horrible and I'm sure we've all been distracted when we should have been paying closer attention, whether it was to an autistic child playing at the park or texting while driving (which could cause an accident) but luckily for us it didn't result in someone dying. I guess I just don't understand the point of analyzing every move the father has made since his son died if we are in fact agreeing that the dad did not kill Maddox.

 

[heartgoesout]

I've seen plenty of posts indirectly eluding to the father being neglectful and just a page back someone said his speech was like someone who had been in prison. Everything the father has said and done have been ripped apart and looked at.

Said with much respect towards everyone on this thread...
because this is a crime sleuthing website... and he lost a child that ended up dead with a very, very confusing story even the FBI questioned.

 

[heartgoesout]

Raises glass.

 

[Cartie]

Said with much respect towards everyone on this thread...
because this is a crime sleuthing website... and he lost a child that ended up dead with a very, very confusing story even the FBI questioned.

Some are respectfully and some are not.

 

[Starkville]

We have not been shown any evidence that Maddox drowned (or any COD).

Just because a body is found in water doesn’t mean COD was drowning. Just because a body is found burned doesn’t mean COD was fire.

Water and fire are both good ways to destroy evidence.

 

[MissMalowe]

Just a reminder/info for those who may be new or not aware: If you feel a post has broken Websleuths TOS, you can report posts to an admin, which may be a more productive option.

Also here is Rules and Etiquette which includes the rules regarding the forum being victim friendly and what that means.

Websleuths is a victim friendly forum. Attacking or bashing a victim is not allowed. Discussing victim behavior, good or bad is fine, but do so in a civil and constructive way, and only when such behavior is relevant to the case.

www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/etiquette-information.65798/

 

[Natusry]

Curious, I’m an autism mom too and agree that I would have never let my child run 30 feet away around water. But I’m also human and have made mistakes while caretaking. And my daughter happened to be on the severe end of the spectrum so it was more obvious to me than some of Hannah’s friends with autism that she required even closer care. And, lastly, I was lucky to grow up in a city with ample resources for new parents with autism. I was given training and so much to help me understand how to care for Hannah and the extra risks.
Before blaming the father for possibly just being human, perhaps as an autism mom we can advocate to make sure North Carolina is a state with better resources for new parents and to advocate for further education for law enforcement on handling autism elopements more efficiently.
Let’s bring autism parents and all parents together and make this a Chance to help the next parent. Not shame them.

 

[Starkville]

Ian Ritch said: “Maddox was my only child and he will be the only one i will ever have,"

Dad of Maddox Ritch takes to social media with emotional post

<modsnipped sleuthing of non pois is not allowed>

 

[Natusry]

Maddox was her only son and he was her entire life as illustrated by her and many of her friends who have sadly had to come out and defend her character.

 

[IceIce9]

So what is your theory? If the father did take his eyes off Maddox for 30 seconds what difference does that make? I'm just confused as to why the father's actions are being so scrutinized if you aren't saying he killed his son? I'm sure he feels horrible and I'm sure we've all been distracted when we should have been paying closer attention, whether it was to an autistic child playing at the park or texting while driving (which could cause an accident) but luckily for us it didn't result in someone dying. I guess I just don't understand the point of analyzing every move the father has made since his son died if we are in fact agreeing that the dad did not kill Maddox.

Even LE has been pleading with the public to contact them if they witnessed Maddox and/or the father and friend at the park that day.

His actions are being scrutinized because some of them are odd and his statements are puzzling. My own opinion, but I feel like he has not been entirely truthful or has left some details out of his story.

Do you think it is unusual that he said in an interview that he knows he is the number 1 suspect, when his child was missing? Or that he has stated that he took and passsed two lie detector tests?

 

[Hippononymous]

Do we know when the autopsy results will be available? (Sorry if this has been stated).

 

[Natusry]

@IceIce9: I don’t think its unusual at all. He would have to be pretty dense to not Realize he’s the number one suspect. That’s obvious. On top of it, he was practically interrogated by many of the early reporters who seemed convinced it was foul play. I’ve actually seen reporters give more respect to CONVICTED murderers than they extended to his father.

 

[MissMalowe]

Do we know when the autopsy results will be available? (Sorry if this has been stated).

I don't think any reports have given an expected date or timeframe. Gastonia PD made a FB post today (it's linked 2-3 pages back) and in it, it mentioned they were awaiting autopsy results, but again, no expected time given.

 

[IceIce9]

@IceIce9: I don’t think its unusual at all. He would have to be pretty dense to not Realize he’s the number one suspect. That’s obvious. On top of it, he was practically interrogated by many of the early reporters who seemed convinced it was foul play. I’ve actually seen reporters give more respect to CONVICTED murderers than they extended to his father.

I guess to me it just seemed strange to even be thinking that anyone was a suspect when Maddox had run away from him and he said he thought he was lost in the woods.

 

[Cartie]

Even LE has been pleading with the public to contact them if they witnessed Maddox and/or the father and friend at the park that day.

His actions are being scrutinized because some of them are odd and his statements are puzzling. My own opinion, but I feel like he has not been entirely truthful or has left some details out of his story.

Do you think it is unusual that he said in an interview that he knows he is the number 1 suspect, when his child was missing? Or that he has stated that he took and passsed two lie detector tests?

I'm guessing that he did this due to the many accusations made against him and unfortunately his wording has made people scrutinise him more

 

[Alethea]

I guess to me it just seemed strange to even be thinking that anyone was a suspect when Maddox had run away from him and he said he thought he was lost in the woods.

The reporter asked him, "Do you feel like you're being treated as a suspect?" and he said "Well I understand as the child's father I would be the first person they looked at." As in, he understands that when a child goes missing LE will always look at the family first. I don't think it was weird, I think the reporter was just being aggressive.

 

[JC40]

I guess to me it just seemed strange to even be thinking that anyone was a suspect when Maddox had run away from him and he said he thought he was lost in the woods.

It's the interviewer who says to him about LE possibly treating him as a suspect, which he then follows with him mentioning number 1. He didn't bring up the idea of being a suspect until it was brought up,

 

[Gardener1850]

I guess to me it just seemed strange to even be thinking that anyone was a suspect when Maddox had run away from him and he said he thought he was lost in the woods.

The father was asked FIRST by the reporter if he was being treated like a suspect (While Maddox was still missing). The reporter used the word "suspect" first. Then the father agreed that he understood that he would be the first suspect because his child was missing under his watch. Any parent who has a child go missing is treated as a POI/suspect and checked out. That's SOP. The father went on after that to detail all the things he willingly gave over to LE when they asked-- search of his cars, search of his house, search of his phone and taking 2 polygraphs (which he says he passed). His making a statement that LE did all these things while Maddox was missing does NOT mean he is a suspect. LE has NOT said he is a suspect. So far the FBI said his account of events seems accurate and they have evidence Maddox was in the park the day he went missing. And the Gastonia police also said today that they have a timeline and have confirmed Maddox was in the park. There is no reason to doubt the father's account of events at this time or to pick apart his words, as all that does is hurt grieving family members. If LE comes out and says he is a suspect or arrests him that will be a different matter. MOO.

 

[Lillymac]

One thing I keep coming back to is, would the LE deliberately lie?

They have said that Maddox was in the park and everything fits with what the parents have said. (Paraphrased)

Also, if the LE suspected the Dad was involved in foul play, wouldn't they arrest or detain him?

 

[Alethea]

I guess to me it just seemed strange to even be thinking that anyone was a suspect when Maddox had run away from him and he said he thought he was lost in the woods.

The reporter asked him, "Do you feel like you're being treated as a suspect?" and he said "Well I understand as the child's father I would be the first person they looked at." As in, he understands that when a child goes missing LE will always look at the family first. I don't think it was weird, I think the reporter was just being aggressive.