NC - Mom of 3 who vanished 24 years ago while Christmas shopping found ‘alive and well’.

[Bluebear15]

She wasn't reported missing for two weeks. That's very telling to me,

Maybe she would love to have contact with her kids, but if she did that then someone else would find out where she was. I won't judge her as she could've been running from an awful situation.

 

[Bluebear15]

Every time that law enforcement refuses to take a missing person's report or follow up on a family's concerns because the person is an adult etc. This is why. How many missing could have been recovered if not for delays in starting a search? There is just no way that I can't feel anger toward MHS. There are ways that could have let the family know she was alive. Without wasting all of the resources both professional and volunteer over the years.

Another thing. 24 for years of providing zero support for her children. I hope the state comes after her for retroactive child support.

Why 24 years of child support? Her kids were 19 (an adult), 14 and 7, so at most 11 years. And state wouldn't come after her...it would be up to the father to sue her.
Jmo

 

[Zengarden]

Wow so sad for the kids. We don’t know why she left her old life. Could be number of reasons. This story shocks me more than the Guthrie case though. Wish I could find the old thread.

 

[Zengarden]

Why 24 years of child support? Her kids were 19 (an adult), 14 and 7, so at most 11 years. And state wouldn't come after her...it would be up to the father to sue her.
Jmo

Hmmm could be on to something with this thought.

 

[tlcya]

Why 24 years of child support? Her kids were 19 (an adult), 14 and 7, so at most 11 years. And state wouldn't come after her...it would be up to the father to sue her.
Jmo

agreed, 11 years at most. However, IF the state provided benefits to the household after her departure they could absolutely go after her to recoup what was paid out on behalf of those children until their adulthood.

 

[britinsussex]

Aside from all the obvious reactions to this story

She seems to not have ventured very far

Super creepy

Seriously, not far! The world is really not that big. I live in the UK. I was visiting my parents in the US town they retired to and ran into a guy I dated in high school! He was on vacation with his family. How did she never run into someone she knew?

 

[ChatteringBirds]

It's possible she broke laws by not supporting her two youngest children.

If there were "domestic issues" why would you leave your children in that setting?

I am not saying she was a victim of domestic violence (DV). But if she was, some victims of DV do leave their children behind, because it's the only way to completely get away from the abusive partner. Otherwise if you take the children, you are either on the lam forever for abducting them or you are forced to coparent with your abuser.