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

[heartgoesout]

“I mean know I’m the number one suspect when it all starts, that’s plain and simple”

When all what starts?
At this point Maddox was a lost little boy.
I do agree the reporter initiated the word suspect. This is what is so difficult about this case. <modsnipped not victim friendly>

 

[Starkville]

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.

Thank you for answering my question. That is absolutely heartbreaking. My heart goes out to the Ritch family.

 

[MsMarple]

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?

I agree. Today LE confirmed that Maddox was in the park. They are no longer asking for people who were there to come forward so they either spoke to the possible witnesses or have evidence elsewhere that he was indeed in the park. I still have questions and await the autopsy report and/or an update from LE.

As someone pointed out upthread this is a sleuthing forum. IMO that's what draws us to WS in the first place. Those of us attracted to true crime IMO are curious by nature, try to think logically and of course want to help solve crimes. So we tend scrutinize every detail and question every aspect of a case.

My understanding has always been that we are allowed to speculate and offer theories as long as they are based upon the facts of the case. For the most part I believe that's what we've done here. In nearly every case initial information is slight and often confusing. Over time the facts become clearer and the theories become tighter. MOO.

 

[Gardener1850]

“I mean know I’m the number one suspect when it all starts, that’s plain and simple”

When all what starts?
At this point Maddox was a lost little boy.
I do agree the reporter initiated the word suspect. This is what is so difficult about this case. While I seriously question dads wording on this and other comments, as do so many others across the board, I also see the flip side.

The investigation into Maddox being missing. He was treated as one but that doesn't mean he is saying he is a suspect at that point. He goes on to list things he believes LE did in order to clear him. LE haven't named him a suspect so we have to treat the dad as a victim on this board. Those are WS rules (JMO and I'm not a mod).

 

[heartgoesout]

The investigation into Maddox being missing. He was treated as one but that doesn't mean he is saying he is still a suspect at that point. He goes on to list things he believes LE did in order to clear him. LE haven't named him a suspect so we have to treat the dad as a victim on this board. Those are WS rules.

Absolutely. We are allowed to discuss him per the rules. I agree there is a fine line. However this IS a websleuthing website. It’s what we do here on a sleuthing site. Again I know it’s hard to tell tone, I mean no attitude and my words are with a light tone.

 

[heartgoesout]

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.

Which interview are these quotes from?

 

[Alethea]

Which interview are these quotes from?

“I mean, I know I’m the number one suspect when it starts. That’s plain and simple,” Ian said in response to Begnaud on whether he felt he was being treated as a suspect. Ian said authorities have asked for phone records, to search the cars and to search the house. “Everything that they’ve asked for I’ve given them right off the bat.”

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

 

[Lillymac]

I agree. Today LE confirmed that Maddox was in the park. They are no longer asking for people who were there to come forward so they either spoke to the possible witnesses or have evidence elsewhere that he was indeed in the park. I still have questions and await the autopsy report and/or an update from LE.

As someone pointed out upthread this is a sleuthing forum. IMO that's what draws us to WS in the first place. Those of us attracted to true crime IMO are curious by nature, try to think logically and of course want to help solve crimes. So we tend scrutinize every detail and question every aspect of a case.

My understanding has always been that we are allowed to speculate and offer theories as long as they are based upon the facts of the case. For the most part I believe that's what we've done here. In nearly every case initial information is slight and often confusing. Over time the facts become clearer and the theories become tighter. MOO.

Agree...just hate the wait!

OT...I have been searching for info on a case from several years back. A man and woman were murdered in their retirement home, I believe in Georgia. His body was found in the garage and she was later found in the waterway that their home backed up to. If you remember their name, would you share it with me so I can look it up? Thanks.

 

[drama_farmer]

Agree...just hate the wait!

OT...I have been searching for info on a case from several years back. A man and woman were murdered in their retirement home, I believe in Georgia. His body was found in the garage and she was later found in the waterway that their home backed up to. If you remember their name, would you share it with me so I can look it up? Thanks.

Dermond

 

[kath4557]

Wouldn't it be smart to err on the side of not making false accusations? Early on, people were blaming the father on this thread because that had happened in other cases. It got worse when the park ranger didn't think he was in the park. Those accusations were clearly wrong. Now we get that the father was basically - not a good enough father (or was in jail???). If your accusation is wrong, you've made a bad situation worse. What is the benefit to you? Its like being the school yard bully and picking on the weakest kid.
If there is something suspicious, we'll know soon enough.

Exactly!
I do not believe there is anything suspicious with Dad's interviews. He simply does not articulate well. Heck, you should hear me on the phone trying to order a pizza if there is conversation in my home. I'm totally thrown off guard and sound like I'm up to no good

 

[heartgoesout]

Alethea I mean the first post you had quoting what dad said. (It’s not the same wording, are you quoting from a different interview?).

 

[MsMarple]

The investigation into Maddox being missing. He was treated as one but that doesn't mean he is saying he is a suspect at that point. He goes on to list things he believes LE did in order to clear him. LE haven't named him a suspect so we have to treat the dad as a victim on this board. Those are WS rules (JMO and I'm not a mod).

In an old interview with Marc Klaas he said something to the effect that parents and family members must do everything possible to clear themselves in order for LE to move on and investigate what actually happened. Family is always looked at and members may feel angry or upset over the questions, suspicions, etc. but that's the only way to free up precious time so LE can search for the child. Wise words IMO. I think that's what Ian was doing and it wouldn't surprise me if it left him uncomfortable even though he knew it was necessary. MOO.

 

[LietKynes]

Dermond

Sad, horrifying case !
Gave me the chills.
I believe it's still unsolved ?

 

[tnith]

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?

LE will always do whatever they believe will result in solving/closing a case. Omissions, leading, bizarre wording, baiting, etc etc.

Those who've been here awhile know. Heaven help anyone who is new to deciphering these tragedies; might as well be plucking hens teeth.

 

[Gardener1850]

In an old interview with Marc Klaas he said something to the effect that parents and family members must do everything possible to clear themselves in order for LE to move on and investigate what actually happened. Family is always looked at and members may feel angry or upset over the questions, suspicions, etc. but that's the only way to free up precious time so LE can search for the child. Wise words IMO. I think that's what Ian was doing and it wouldn't surprise me if it left him uncomfortable even though he knew it was necessary. MOO.

Yes, exactly.
JMO.

 

[Lillymac]

Sad, horrifying case !
Gave me the chills.
I believe it's still unsolved ?

Yes it is horrible. Thank you both.
drama_farmer

 

[IceIce9]

His perception was his perception. If he felt something was off and felt uncomfortable with the events, actions and behaviors of the day, his concern and heart was with a missing little boy, not being careful of his words about the adults who he strongly felt were odd.

Agreed.


I don’t understand why some are being so critical of the park employee’s words and perception of the of the situation. He cared enough to call 911 even though he didn't even know Maddox’s name. In the recording of the call you can tell that he is upset by the situation, and is concerned about the child who had been missing for the past hour.

I am still confused about the location where Maddox’s dad lost sight of him. Here it says that they were walking around the track when he got away from him, and there is a fence behind the trees so he couldn’t have gone far. Does anyone know how high the fence is?

Park employee who called 911 describes first hour of search for missing 6-year-old

 

[heartgoesout]

I don’t think anyone can say with certainty the location where dad says Maddox ran away from him.

 

[Vyri]

..little Maddox just wondered off, playing hiding in the brush and was in his own personal enchanted forest-the presence of the woods and his new found freedom, that is how..his accident came about bc of natural independent actions. It was only until it was too late in the evening, darkness setting in- that possibly he was aware he was in trouble to be alone. Four feet of water is dangerous to a youngster even to those with enough basic knowledge of swimming. Elements that played additional parts to his drowning were darkness and the babe left alone without parental support, that he was very much used to receiving. Believing his Father has enough guilt - he will be exonerated eventually.

Wishing Maddox is at peace in the arms of the angels in heaven.

Sincerely
Vyri
Astrologer/Kabal Artist

 

[Harmony 2]

A new thread is open for discussion. This thread is closed.

NC - NC - Maddox Ritch, 6 w/Autism, Gastonia, 22 Sept 2018 #3