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

[Alleykins]

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.

I think you've got a point. Even if your kid turns up before the police arrive, I think they would rather respond to a well meaning false alarm or jumping to conclusion than have it turn out tragically.

 

[Curious.1]

Treading carefully here, as my theory a few days back was deleted as it was unkind to the father altho I didn't say he hurt Maddox...I agree with a previous poster who mentioned that a parent's guilt over certain details might complicate the investigation and make it harder for LE to accurately track where Maddox was, and when. But mostly I just hope that sweet little boy didn't suffer at any point and I so wish LE would tell us if this was an accidental drowning.

 

[ludakristen]

I've been loosely following this thread for a while and am really stunned by the speculation and finger-pointing. There is literally zero evidence that this guy harmed his son. He isn't guilty of anything, not even neglect. This could happen to anyone and the Monday morning quarterbacking is coming across so hateful here. His son is dead. Give it a rest.

 

[IceIce9]

I've been loosely following this thread for a while and am really stunned by the speculation and finger-pointing. There is literally zero evidence that this guy harmed his son. He isn't guilty of anything, not even neglect. This could happen to anyone and the Monday morning quarterbacking is coming across so hateful here. His son is dead. Give it a rest.

I don’t think anyone is saying that he harmed his son.

I think people are saying there are missing details, contradictions, and some things that don’t make sense.

Apparently LE does too because they are still investigating.

If you listen to the MSM interviews you will see why we are attempting to piece it together.

 

[heartgoesout]

Posted about 15 minutes ago on Gastonia Police Dept page.
“The Gastonia Police Department wishes to express our heartfelt thanks to the public and more than 65 federal, state, and local agencies for all the help in the Maddox Ritch case. Many people have come forward and called our tip line, 704-869-1075. All the public support and multiple investigative means have helped us to put together a timeline, and confirm that little Maddox was at the park. The investigation is ongoing and we are awaiting autopsy results from the medical examiner’s office before an official ruling can be made in this tragic death that has captured the hearts and minds of so many.”

 

[Curious.1]

I've been loosely following this thread for a while and am really stunned by the speculation and finger-pointing. There is literally zero evidence that this guy harmed his son. He isn't guilty of anything, not even neglect. This could happen to anyone and the Monday morning quarterbacking is coming across so hateful here. His son is dead. Give it a rest.

I'm an autism mom and I absolutely won't give it a rest. Ways we can set our kids up for success: risk assess every situation, beforehand and as the day progresses. If a child is a runner, use a restraint appropriate to the child's age and running risk. If the child cannot swim, keep well away from water. Keep vigilant and keep the child as close as kindly possible.<modsnipped against TOS>

 

[MissMalowe]

Just adding a direct link for this already posted statement.
Gastonia PD FB Post
www.facebook.com/GastoniaPoliceDepartment/photos/a.1415869835347516/2276969415904216/?type=3&source=48

Posted about 15 minutes ago on Gastonia Police Dept page.
“The Gastonia Police Department wishes to express our heartfelt thanks to the public and more than 65 federal, state, and local agencies for all the help in the Maddox Ritch case. Many people have come forward and called our tip line, 704-869-1075. All the public support and multiple investigative means have helped us to put together a timeline, and confirm that little Maddox was at the park. The investigation is ongoing and we are awaiting autopsy results from the medical examiner’s office before an official ruling can be made in this tragic death that has captured the hearts and minds of so many.”

 

[mks762]

I've been loosely following this thread for a while and am really stunned by the speculation and finger-pointing. There is literally zero evidence that this guy harmed his son. He isn't guilty of anything, not even neglect. This could happen to anyone and the Monday morning quarterbacking is coming across so hateful here. His son is dead. Give it a rest.

I don't post anymore in this thread because it makes me so sad to read all of the accusatory comments regarding the father. Just keep scrolling, hoping to read some new useful info. It's not going to change so no reason to think it will. I'm sure dad thought it would end up like every other million times Maddox had run a little too far- he'd catch up to him and they'd continue on their walk. Unfortunately "sitting on my hands" in this case means not posting about defending the dad. Pretty upsetting.

 

[MissMalowe]

I don't post anymore in this thread because it makes me so sad to read all of the accusatory comments regarding the father. Just keep scrolling, hoping to read some new useful info. It's not going to change so no reason to think it will. I'm sure dad thought it would end up like every other million times Maddox had run a little too far- he'd catch up to him and they'd continue on their walk. Unfortunately "sitting on my hands" in this case means not posting about defending the dad. Pretty upsetting.

If you have a desire to post your useful thoughts, speculations, ideas, reasonings, deductions, etc. I would implore you to do so.

There are few cases where everyone agrees on absolutely everything here; sometimes it's just regarding the smaller details and sometimes it's about the larger aspects of a case; but I think that overall, members here are generally good about respecting others thoughts and opinions, even if they differ greatly from their own.

I don't think it's fair to say that there isn't any useful info posted, especially since many here share your thoughts and have posted simply that or more in depth to support that.

Admittedly, I have gone back and forth, sometimes daily, because there have been some good arguments made to support differing views from some of the same material. I'm sorry you're feeling this way. By all means, join us!

 

[heartgoesout]

I don't post anymore in this thread because it makes me so sad to read all of the accusatory comments regarding the father. Just keep scrolling, hoping to read some new useful info. It's not going to change so no reason to think it will. I'm sure dad thought it would end up like every other million times Maddox had run a little too far- he'd catch up to him and they'd continue on their walk. Unfortunately "sitting on my hands" in this case means not posting about defending the dad. Pretty upsetting.

I too implore you to post your reasonings on why you don’t question what is being questioned. Please elaborate why you don’t feel this is anymore than an accident. I’m desperately trying to do the same but the opposite keeps happening. I’ve backed my opinion up with links, quotes, etc.. This is a website to search for clues and bounce ideas off others. If this was a support group it would be completely different. I know it’s hard to tell the tone of print but I’m saying that very respectfully.

 

[MyTinkieGirl]

<modsnipped removed quote>


Ummm, yeah, no. That's really not a good way to communicate. That's not part of what a discussion is about. An adult discussion. The wonderful thing, is, there's an agree to disagree type of mindset. The parents are grieving, but, there is also a little boy who gets to be discussed, as well. <modsnipped against TOS> That poster with an autistic child can help bring some perspective to those of us who do not.
No one is actually saying the dad did anything bad or nefarious to Maddox. At least, I'm not.
When I was a child, walkie talkies were a "thing". Maybe young children these days might find them fun, as well.

 

[MissMalowe]

Perhaps I spoke too soon in my earlier post.

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

When a child died in a backyard pool drowning early this summer, I opined about all the ways it could have been prevented and the responsibilities parents have when owning a pool. My post was removed lickedity split. Just sayin...

 

[dfanady]

I can't seem to remember, how many days went by before the search was expanded towards and beyond the highway?

I think it's plausible that Maddox had run a bit further than dad said, and he lost sight quickly. Maddox went either to the parking lot or the path, and someone grabbed him. This person could have made off quickly, and perhaps dumped him late at night from the highway bridge, before the search went in that direction. I know it may be "possible" that he got there on his own, but I'm more inclined to think he would have turned back when he didn't see his dad.

Just my own thoughts.

 

[MyTinkieGirl]

When a child died in a backyard pool drowning early this summer, I opined about all the ways it could have been prevented and the responsibilities parents have when owning a pool. My post was removed lickedity split. Just sayin...

Yeah. You're probably right. Mine might go to the place deleted posts go. Or, snipped. Ah, heck. Now I felt guilty and deleted some stuff from my comment.

 

[4SAM]

Could Maddox had smply slipped on the embankment and fell into the water?

 

[Curious.1]

dfanady I would kindof assume the opposite...an autistic 6 year old would likely have the stamina and running ability to get a mile away, but if someone took him, that would mean a vehicle involved and an adult getting through to the creek (and it looked a bit difficult from the photos). Also an adult on foot would be less physically fit than a wee lad runner IMO, for the general population.

 

[heartgoesout]

dfanady I would kindof assume the opposite...an autistic 6 year old would likely have the stamina and running ability to get a mile away, but if someone took him, that would mean a vehicle involved and an adult getting through to the creek (and it looked a bit difficult from the photos). Also an adult on foot would be less physically fit than a wee lad runner IMO, for the general population.

Or an adult that was there, let’s say fishing and worked his way to that location on foot.

 

[Curious.1]

But wasn't the creek usually very low, heartgoesout? Didn't they say somewhere that with the heavy rain, it had gone up to 2-3 feet deep by the end of the search, when they found him? I don't know much about fishing tho! So I don't know what amount of creek water is enough for fish.

 

[mks762]

Everyone is innocent until proven guilty and burden of proof lies with accusers. <modsnipped not victim friendly>
If we do know for a fact (straight from LE Police confirm Maddox Ritch was at Rankin Lake Park - News - Gaston Gazette - Gastonia, NC ) <modsnipped>
It just seems not many other avenues are being explored, like a stranger taking him. Who else was at the park that day? How many SO's live in the area?? Has there been any suspicious activity here in the past?
<modsnipped not victim friendly> You're all doing amazing work here and I do appreciate and read all the posts, I think I'm trying very hard not to be jaded with this one so that's why I've been keeping quiet.