GUILTY NH - AH, 14, North Conway, 9 October 2013 - #12

[Jacie Estes]

What does it say about these people that they do a 180 on their thoughts about the case. Were they truly interested in helping or was it a morbid fascination? Just curious

Yes, and a lot of people who might never write something like that are "liking" them. Now I do not think it is appropriate to personally attack Abby, but whoever is handling this case needs to get it in their head that people are doing what people will often do when they become frustrated or disgusted: they're taking it out on the easiest target. LE is simply doing a horrid job of handling the public relations side of this. These days it is easy to go online and very accurately gauge how the public is responding. I have read every comment from news sites (where comments are available) and way more than half of them are negative about Abby and her family. I think that is a response more to being frustrated with how this is all being handled than actually thinking poorly of a kid.

 

[Fireweed]

I think LE doesn't know where Abby has been or if she went willingly or was forced and I hope they are being respectful to her and her family and trying to give them some space and not bombarding Abby with constant questioning and interrogation. I believe it will all come out in time. We just have to be patient.

The thing of it is, is that if Abby was with an adult male who "took" her, then she cannot be given time and space right now. She needs to be interrogated. Predators of this type never do it once. They do it until they are caught. I know it is insensitive and not how we wish the world was, but at this point this man could be out there hunting for his next victim. It is crucial that Abby is not given "time" right now. I feel badly for her, but answering questions and catching this guy is just one more thing she is going to have to go through before the time, space, and healing process can start.

 

[Psychic Sleuth]

The thing of it is, is that if Abby was with an adult male who "took" her, then she cannot be given time and space right now. She needs to be interrogated. Predators of this type never do it once. They do it until they are caught. I know it is insensitive and not how we wish the world was, but at this point this man could be out there hunting for his next victim. It is crucial that Abby is not given "time" right now. I feel badly for her, but answering questions and catching this guy is just one more thing she is going to have to go through before the time, space, and healing process can start.

Based on LE's statements, I think we might eventually find out that Abby went willingly. It is STILL A CRIME and I believe that is what LE is trying to say. What I don't know is whether this person kidnapped her, lured her, if they had a romantic willing relationship or what have you. Most kidnappers do not let their victims go, and it's possible Abby may be trying to protect this person to some extent. If LE feels like Abby might be protecting this person, then they have to proceed very carefully. There is a lot we don't know IMO.

 

[bakerlady]

New Hampshire's Castle Law

New Hampshire [4] Not required to retreat if he or she is within his or her dwelling, its curtilage, or anywhere he or she has a right to be, and was not the initial aggressor. An individual may respond to a threat of serious bodily injury or death by displaying a firearm or other method of self-defense. Deadly force is justified if the aggressor is about to use unlawful, deadly force, is likely to use any unlawful force against a person present while committing or attempting to commit a burglary, is committing or about to commit kidnapping or a forcible sex offense, or is likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony against the individual within their dwelling or its curtilage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_doctrine

Sorry I'm not following what you are trying to say here.

I'm saying if I was Zenya I would not feel safe living in the same home where this perp could return to do more harm.

 

[gngr~snap]

Gobsmacked!

All posts are MOO

 

[Redux]

Yes, and a lot of people who might never write something like that are "liking" them. Now I do not think it is appropriate to personally attack Abby, but whoever is handling this case needs to get it in their head that people are doing what people will often do when they become frustrated or disgusted: they're taking it out on the easiest target. LE is simply doing a horrid job of handling the public relations side of this. These days it is easy to go online and very accurately gauge how the public is responding. I have read every comment from news sites (where comments are available) and way more than half of them are negative about Abby and her family. I think that is a response more to being frustrated with how this is all being handled than actually thinking poorly of a kid.

Except that the LE can't give something they don't have. If Abby can't remember or is protecting someone, LE may be having a hard time ascertaining just what went down here. Even if she's providing some details, they might not have enough to declare one way or another what happened.

And I respectfully disagree with the last sentence to a degree. I have seen people express their frustration with how this is being handled, but there are just many comments where Abby and/or her family are being called terrible names. Personally, if I'm frustrated with LE, I state that....there's no way I'm going to inadvertently transfer my frustration to the victim when they've already been through enough. I guess I can't speak for others, but I would tend to think that most (not all) people aren't going to start slamming the victim because they don't like the way the LE is handling the situation.

Of course, there are always going to be trolls who post evil just to stir the pot, or people who don't know anything about the case who just toss their opinion into the ring, but I think most of these people calling her names mean what they're saying.

 

[Redux]

Just to add, I do think that if LE knows more than they're saying, they should be putting it out there to quench the rumors and mudslinging that is going about.

I'm just not sure they have much of anything more to offer than what they already have for whatever reason.

 

[AnaTeresa]

The thing of it is, is that if Abby was with an adult male who "took" her, then she cannot be given time and space right now. She needs to be interrogated. Predators of this type never do it once. They do it until they are caught. I know it is insensitive and not how we wish the world was, but at this point this man could be out there hunting for his next victim. It is crucial that Abby is not given "time" right now. I feel badly for her, but answering questions and catching this guy is just one more thing she is going to have to go through before the time, space, and healing process can start.

Frankly, I will defer to the professionals. If they think she needs time, then she needs time. We know so little, I don't think it's appropriate to be arm chair quarterbacking.

I'm shocked at the sense of entitlement people are showing over this case. I also think people have lost perspective regarding the passage of time. It has been five days since she has returned. FIVE. We do not know what condition she returned in. We do not know her physical or mental state. It's easy to sit here and say what she "needs" to do - but we have no idea what's going on behind the scenes.

Instead of celebrating, people are making demands. And in my opinion, there's something terribly wrong with that.

 

[Jacie Estes]

People can't live in fear. Castle Laws are in place for people to protect themselves. Proper equipment and training help people to do just that. Even a barking dog is a deterrent.

Sorry I'm not following what you are trying to say here.

I'm saying if I was Zenya I would not feel safe living in the same home where this perp could return to do more harm.

 

[Rivernh]

Somewhere further up this thread someone remembered an attempted abduction near Conway with a blue pickup truck. That was in fact, in June, in Gorham, about 20 miles north of North Conway..
I'm sorry I'm not quoting whover posted it, I can't seem to find it again!

http://www.newhampshire.com/article/20140608/AGGREGATION/140609137/-1/news

 

[Psychic Sleuth]

People need to remember that no matter how the events transpired Abby is a child. People also need to remember that LE may not have all the facts or know exactly what happened. They may feel that Abby is holding back info or not being totally truthful. On the other hand it's possible that Abby was drugged (or worse) this entire time and truly doesn't know or remember everything. Nobody should be pointing fingers or calling anyone names IMO. I think it will all come out eventually.

 

[Redux]

Somewhere further up this thread someone remembered an attempted abduction near Conway with a blue pickup truck. That was in fact, in June, in Gorham, about 20 miles north of North Conway..
I'm sorry I'm not quoting whover posted it, I can't seem to find it again!

http://www.newhampshire.com/article/20140608/AGGREGATION/140609137/-1/news

It was actually posted in the comments section of a MSM article, and someone on here said something like "interesting comment on that article"....might be why you couldn't find the post.

Thanks for posting that article. I was trying to find it online but couldn't.

 

[Fireweed]

I am willing to believe the LE does not have a lot of facts right now, but that still is not something that should stop them from making a carefully crafted statement in order to quell some of the rumors and accusations that are, quite frankly, getting very out of hand on every single comments section I have read.

And yes, though Abby may have gone "willingly" that does not mean that the man who took her is not currently headed somewhere to pick up another girl. Very often these guys have a whole slew of girls they are "working" at any given time. In fact that is often their M.O. in case one chickens out or changes her mind.

I agree with the sentiment of letting the professionals do their jobs, but based entirely on the outcome of this case (they could not find her this whole time? really?), and the way they are handling the PR now, I have no problem questioning the entire level of professionalism among those responsible for this case.

 

[PoirotryInMotion]

I am willing to believe the LE does not have a lot of facts right now, but that still is not something that should stop them from making a carefully crafted statement in order to quell some of the rumors and accusations that are, quite frankly, getting very out of hand on every single comments section I have read. <snipped for space>

I agree with this sentence, but it also may be true that LE has no 'facts' to share that would quell the various rumors--or, that sharing those pertinent facts would impede their investigation. (That's my conclusion, at this point.) Which is unfortunate, but that's the way certain cases go.

 

[margarita25]

I am sick to see that there is a sketch (but glad of course that the public can be informed so as to help).

When I logged in and saw that a sketch of an adult male had been posted, I got that really sick feeling again that I've always gotten in this case (with the exception of the optimistic feeling I posted coincidentally the night/time she returned home). jmo

 

[Psychic Sleuth]

I highly doubt LE is worried about "quelling rumors" at this point. Is that really their responsibility? And no matter if they make a statement or not, the rumors will abound. It's just the nature of the beast and happens in every MP case.

What they do have a responsibility to do is carefully, methodically and responsibly investigate the facts of what happened and prosecute any and all those involved with any wrong doing. I have no doubt that they are doing this to the best of their ability. They also have a responsibility to make sure the victim and her family are treated respectfully and cautiously. This is a child and whatever happened to her could seriously affect her for the rest of her life. They do have a responsibility to make sure she is protected and handled carefully to some extent.

 

[margarita25]

(I'm scared to ask...what is catfishing...I don't want to google it and need brain and eyebleach later, so if someone please could gently explain, tia.)

 

[margarita25]

(going back to earlier threads to crosscheck stuff against latest sketch, etc...I think I remember us posting some stuff about attempted abductions nearby, etc)

eta: good stuff above (especially the fb link about the 2 rsos driving around, the one that tlcya also thought was interesting); I tried to multiquote but it was a big fail. also good, the article mentioning a blue truck

 

[Dixie811]

(I'm scared to ask...what is catfishing...I don't want to google it and need brain and eyebleach later, so if someone please could gently explain, tia.)

Catfishing is using a false or made-up identity online to fool someone into thinking you are someone else. For example: if Abby had met an 'eighteen-year-old boy' online and in reality it was a middle aged man.

 

[PoirotryInMotion]

On a slightly different note, while I am thankful for the addition of an artist sketch concerning this case, I see no real reason to search possible RSOs in the area for matches (JMO). I'm sure LE has already done that--and if relevant, they've also probably shown possible photo matches to AH for her response.

Personally, I believe the sketch was made and is being circulated because the man is NOT someone already in police records. All we've been told about this person is that Abby has identified him as the one who "drove her away." The wording seems purposely pretty vague, and it doesn't automatically mean the guy we're looking for is necessarily a pervert--or even a criminal. (Eg. Maybe she was hitchhiking that day, he picked her up and dropped her off somewhere, and LE wants to question him in order to track AH's next contact.)