GUILTY NY - Levon Wameling, 9 months, Utica, 29 May 2013

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Post information & support for Levon's case here:

NY NY - Endangered Missing: Levon Wameling (9 months) - Utica - 20-May-2013 - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community



Discuss Levon's case here:

NY NY - Levon Wameling, 9 months, Utica, since 29 May 2013 & just reported - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

 

[necco]

As a woman who has chosen not to have children, I agree.

JMOO and based solely on my own experience and personal observations, there can be a lot of pressure to have kids. I feel that many times people assume that you're going to have kids someday, and it is a real curiosity if you say not, especially if you enjoy other people's kids. Again IMOO becoming a parent is often seen as an inevitable part of growing up. It can be very challenging sometimes to feel that I am not doing what is expected of me (becoming a mother) even though I know that it is the best choice for me personally.
But I think that is part of being an adult - doing what you believe and know in your heart is best, because ultimately you (not the people pressuring you) are the one who will have to live with your decision. Especially when you're talking about having a baby, now your choice affects not only you but this child! I'm not talking about Levon's mom btw...just in general. (And I sure hope that just because I'm writing from a woman's perspective it doesn't come across like I put all the responsibility on for family planning and child care.) I hope I haven't disrespected or offended anyone. I think that being a good parent is hard work and I wish that people wouldn't take on the responsibility and then not do their best by the child.

Sometimes the most important parenting decision you can ever make is not to become one. I love kids. They love me. I'm the fun adult. But, I have chosen not to become a parent for a myriad of reasons.

 

[PlainJaneDoe]

While he wasn't willing to talk on camera, yet, Jevon Wameling, the father of missing baby Levon Wameling, had a lot to say about the May 29 disappearance of his nine-month-old son, Levon Wameling.

Wameling addressed the first and foremost question on everyone's mind: why didn't he immediately report his son missing to police instead of waiting two weeks to bring the baby's disappearance to light?

"I was hoping to find him and not have to tell his mother that I lost our son. I mean, that is the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life," said Jevon Wameling.

Wameling added that he doesn't blame people for drawing conclusions about him having a role in his son's disappearance.

"I'd be wrong to be mad at people for looking at me like that," said Wameling.

Wameling told police he was locked out of his apartment and was trying to get back in when his son vanished from the front porch. He said he planned for Levon and had wanted a son, badly.

He says he didn't harm his only child.

"I would never hurt my baby. He's got my full name...That's all I've ever done in my life I was proud of," said Wameling.

Wameling said he has been out looking for his son and hanging flyers with his photo on them.

http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Fath...tml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

He hoped he would find him so he wouldnt have to tell?! :facepalm: what?! What kind of logic is this?! I mean yes that is my thought process when I come home from a night out without my ID - I retrace my steps to see if I can find it before I schlep on down to the DMV for a new license - but that's an inanimate object that can easily fall outa your pocket! Not a human being! And even so I do a quick check and if it isn't there, the next morning I'm at the DMV bright n early.

...not that it is even analogous, because according to this guy, he knew exactly where he had out down the baby! So no backtracking required! I mean if that story he told were true, the issue is not that you "lost" your baby, but that he was moved from that spot from someone other than you...right?

Give me a break.

 

[Curious Me]

I'd feel better if Jevon said, "I didn't harm Levon." The way he says he'd "never" do it sounds like a future statement, but JMO. He waited two weeks to report his own baby missing, so whatever he says now is most likely going to be a lie.

As far as him saying having Levon and giving him his name is the only thing he ever did in his life that he's proud of, well that is just pitiful. Pitiful!!! He doesn't get a medal for being a sperm donor. He failed to take care of his baby and shame on him. He needs to talk right now and tell the truth.

Oh, how I wish they'd find Levon!

"Father of missing baby talks about his son"
http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Fath...tml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

"I would never hurt my baby. He's got my full name...That's all I've ever done in my life I was proud of," said Wameling."

 

[AstroKitty]

Something just "feels" like he didn't maliciously harm the child. I can't put my finger on it. Did he neglect this child? Yes. Even if his story is true (and I don't believe that it is), that is an admittance of neglect. I don't feel like he beat or murdered the child in cold blood.. I do think he was pre occupied and something happened to the baby and he panicked. I have no idea if this makes any sense. Let me clarify before I'm lynched - I am not saying he's a great or even "good" parent. I don't think either parent was fit. I just don't believe he intended any harm but harm happened due to neglect. He strikes me as the cowardly type that fears prison (he's never served serious time IMO) and he knows this would absolutely send him off for 10+ years with all his priors looming. He waited 2 weeks and would have waited a month if he could have, anything to save his backside.

Not going to that vigil was a terrible choice. This showed to everyone he has no remorse, no care and thinks more about his well being than that of his son. He's choosing to hide out because he's afraid of retaliation among other threats. Now, if it were any of us who everyone had the "wrong idea" about what happened..we would be out there finding our child and going to vigils, holding vigils etc. He's not due to fear for his personal safety (I think). He's a coward. Period.

This entire situation is so sad and so pitiful. I don't know how to really feel, at least beyond the initial sadness for the baby. I want to feel bad for the mom but cannot. I DO feel awful for the siblings, those poor children. I really think this travesty could have been prevented so easily and that's infuriating. Everyone failed Levon. Everyone.

To chime in about the lack of knowledge regarding height and weight. I don't get this either. I have more than 1 child (I had my first before the age of 18) and I kept baby books, health records that were personal and everything in between. 9 months is a milestone. I believe this family is on WIC, foodstamps and medicaid. This means they are required by the state to have well baby check-ups and everything IS recorded. WIC is very hands on. They don't know his weight and height because (to put it simple) they don't care. I weighted my children a lot , not just at the Dr. I would have known their height because of the pediatrician but not off of personal knowledge. Weight though? I'd know it. I don't think I've even read how mobile Levon was either, something else I found incredibly strange too.

 

[The Cheese]

This is a long article.

Jevon Wameling just couldn’t get himself to say what should have been said three weeks ago.

Whenever he talked with the mother of his 9-month-old son Levon, Wameling only got as far as tearfully asking if she’d still love him no matter what.

Then when Wameling’s own mother stopped by, the words just wouldn’t come.
“I tried to say it, but I felt like I had a rock in my throat,” Wameling said Wednesday. “How do I say that to his mother: I lost our son.”

snipped

“I panicked when it first happened. It shattered me,” Wameling said. “Every negative emotion I felt all at once, and it just shut me down. I just wanted it to be a bad dream, and I wanted to wake up. I just lost control of everything.”

Somebody took Levon, that’s all Wameling could think. On Wednesday, Wameling physically climbed a tree in his backyard to show how he had pulled himself into a second-floor window to unlock the front door.

snipped

Wameling said he spent the next days trying to quietly find Levon himself. He started talking to neighbors he had never talked to before, while looking around their yards and homes for any signs of something suspicious.

But Wameling said he never mentioned his missing son, because he didn’t want to “spook” anyone who might know what happened. And Wameling’s own past troubles with the law over the years had made him somewhat wary of police.

Then finally, after two weeks Wameling realized he couldn’t find Levon himself and had to tell police, even if it meant they would throw him in jail, he said.

“I love my son with all my heart, and if I could give my life to get him back home safe, I would,” Wameling said. “He’s the best thing that I’ve ever done in my life, and I just wanted to show that boy everything I knew and raise him, to be there for him.”

snipped

“I’m sick of people trying to make me look like the monster I’m not,” Wameling said. “But I don’t expect everybody to understand. They can’t.”

snipped

For now, Wameling can only wish that every day he opens his front door he’ll find his baby boy right where he left him.

“I won’t even say anything, just give me my son back,” Wameling said in a plea to whoever has Levon. “If and when I get him back, you’ll have to have a pry bar to get him out of my arms.”

http://www.uticaod.com/features/x29...son-back-father-pleas-for-Levon#ixzz2Wicdvak1

 

[Soulmagent]

He hoped he would find him so he wouldnt have to tell?! :facepalm: what?! What kind of logic is this?! I mean yes that is my thought process when I come home from a night out without my ID - I retrace my steps to see if I can find it before I schlep on down to the DMV for a new license - but that's an inanimate object that can easily fall outa your pocket! Not a human being! And even so I do a quick check and if it isn't there, the next morning I'm at the DMV bright n early.

...not that it is even analogous, because according to this guy, he knew exactly where he had out down the baby! So no backtracking required! I mean if that story he told were true, the issue is not that you "lost" your baby, but that he was moved from that spot from someone other than you...right?

Give me a break.

He probably doesnt even know what he did with his son. He knows something happened and the last time he remembers having the baby was at the door. He probably remembers ten things after that which scare him ,so he hasnt thought farther on it on purpose. MOO.

His phone pings have to show something.

 

[Cubby]

Something just "feels" like he didn't maliciously harm the child. I can't put my finger on it. Did he neglect this child? Yes. Even if his story is true (and I don't believe that it is), that is an admittance of neglect. I don't feel like he beat or murdered the child in cold blood.. I do think he was pre occupied and something happened to the baby and he panicked. I have no idea if this makes any sense. Let me clarify before I'm lynched - I am not saying he's a great or even "good" parent. I don't think either parent was fit. I just don't believe he intended any harm but harm happened due to neglect. He strikes me as the cowardly type that fears prison (he's never served serious time IMO) and he knows this would absolutely send him off for 10+ years with all his priors looming. He waited 2 weeks and would have waited a month if he could have, anything to save his backside.

Not going to that vigil was a terrible choice. This showed to everyone he has no remorse, no care and thinks more about his well being than that of his son. He's choosing to hide out because he's afraid of retaliation among other threats. Now, if it were any of us who everyone had the "wrong idea" about what happened..we would be out there finding our child and going to vigils, holding vigils etc. He's not due to fear for his personal safety (I think). He's a coward. Period.

This entire situation is so sad and so pitiful. I don't know how to really feel, at least beyond the initial sadness for the baby. I want to feel bad for the mom but cannot. I DO feel awful for the siblings, those poor children. I really think this travesty could have been prevented so easily and that's infuriating. Everyone failed Levon. Everyone.

To chime in about the lack of knowledge regarding height and weight. I don't get this either. I have more than 1 child (I had my first before the age of 18) and I kept baby books, health records that were personal and everything in between. 9 months is a milestone. I believe this family is on WIC, foodstamps and medicaid. This means they are required by the state to have well baby check-ups and everything IS recorded. WIC is very hands on. They don't know his weight and height because (to put it simple) they don't care. I weighted my children a lot , not just at the Dr. I would have known their height because of the pediatrician but not off of personal knowledge. Weight though? I'd know it. I don't think I've even read how mobile Levon was either, something else I found incredibly strange too.

Respectfully, I don't know why it makes it any different whether this was "malicious" or not. Neglect is not a less harsh way to die imo. Neglect could be a slow painful death. In general, a malicious death could be quicker and faster, rather than lingering.

I personally do not find neglect as any less than malicious harm to a child. Both are horrible. No child deserves either.....

and the saddest thing about this is because of Jevon's pride he turned down the offer from his sons maternal grandmather and maternal aunt to care for the baby.

While he claims he didn't want to be 'kept from the baby' that doesn't mean the maternal family would have kept him away. It would however mean he'd have to show up clean and sober. With the baby at his place he could just numb out and hope for the best... and we see how that turned out. :stormingmad:

Did no one think Jevon's addiction was a reason for concern with his being the sole caregiver for this baby? :furious:

He knows it. All addicts know it. It's just a matter of whether they'll admit it and be honest with themselves. Right now Jevon's ONLY concern is how he is going to convince Amy he didn't do it. :steamed:

 

[Curious Me]

:tyou: Thanks so much for posting some of that article, The Cheese.

Shocking how suspicious I am after so many missing children end up harmed by a family member. If I'm wrong about Jevon knowing more, than I will have to eat crow or my hat.

I have to ask if there's neighbors who remember Jevon "snoop visiting" them looking around for his baby. How about that man that didn't hear the baby crying anymore? Did Jevon go for a friendly visit there? Did anybody ask him where Levon was?

Did he pass out and forget the baby out in a storm? Forgot his medicine?
Left him alone to go party? Sell him? Smack him in the head? What?!! A whole
community is still looking for Levon. It's so wrong to not come clean about
what happened. Where's Levon?

 

[Cubby]

“I love my son with all my heart, and if I could give my life to get him back home safe, I would,” Wameling said​

Read more: http://www.uticaod.com/features/x29...son-back-father-pleas-for-Levon#ixzz2WjEsjpZM​

The above say's it all imo. All he's doing now is trying to make plea's with God. ​

If his son really gave him purpose as he claims, demonstrate it by being truthful regarding what happened to Levon. If he blacked out and doesn't remember, say so. Whatever it was, the best thing that he could do is tell the truth. ​

 

[Cubby]

Does anyone really believe he was snooping looking for Levon, or snooping to see if he could figure out what the neighbors knew.....

Where is Levon?

 

[Soulmagent]

Does anyone really believe he was snooping looking for Levon, or snooping to see if he could figure out what the neighbors knew.....

Where is Levon?

Oddly enough I believe he might of. If he was so drugged up he didnt know what happened ,he might have wanted to see if anyone else saw something that would point him in the right direction.

He is probably sleuthing the case with us ,except with a few more clues as to his own state of mind.

MOO.

I think hypnotic therapy might help. Can one be ordered into that by the court?

 

[Cubby]

IDK anything about hypnotic therapy. I am not getting the impression Jevon is speaking about having lost Levon in a "I misplaced him" type of way. I think he is speaking about having lost him as in having found him deceased, but doesn't remember how it happened, or what he was doing when it happened.


He mentioned the blanket and car seat not being missing with Levon. I hope LE has both in custody and are forensically testing both.

Who drove that night? Why was the car seat not in a car?

Additionally, I think his description of his emotions, are his describing the shear panick of knowing he effed up. So badly there was no going back and fixing it. He's kidding himself by thinking- it won't be so bad if I don't lose my girl, in addition to having just lost my son. He wants Amy to give him another chance so he can forgive himself. That is why he is waiting to try and make a statement with her.......

Please let this child be found soon! He deserves to not be out there in the elements somewhere-alone.

 

[AstroKitty]

Respectfully, I don't know why it makes it any different whether this was "malicious" or not. Neglect is not a less harsh way to die imo. Neglect could be a slow painful death. In general, a malicious death could be quicker and faster, rather than lingering.

I personally do not find neglect as any less than malicious harm to a child. Both are horrible. No child deserves either.....

and the saddest thing about this is because of Jevon's pride he turned down the offer from his sons maternal grandmather and maternal aunt to care for the baby.

While he claims he didn't want to be 'kept from the baby' that doesn't mean the maternal family would have kept him away. It would however mean he'd have to show up clean and sober. With the baby at his place he could just numb out and hope for the best... and we see how that turned out. :stormingmad:

Did no one think Jevon's addiction was a reason for concern with his being the sole caregiver for this baby? :furious:

He knows it. All addicts know it. It's just a matter of whether they'll admit it and be honest with themselves. Right now Jevon's ONLY concern is how he is going to convince Amy he didn't do it. :steamed:

I always sense a bit of dislike when you quote me or respond to whatever opinion I have. But,we are thinking alike - I think we just both choose different words or phrases to express it. I agree completely in your sentiments regarding their addictions and occupational choices - and the destruction it's caused these children.

 

[AstroKitty]

:tyou: Thanks so much for posting some of that article, The Cheese.

Shocking how suspicious I am after so many missing children end up harmed by a family member. If I'm wrong about Jevon knowing more, than I will have to eat crow or my hat.

I have to ask if there's neighbors who remember Jevon "snoop visiting" them looking around for his baby. How about that man that didn't hear the baby crying anymore? Did Jevon go for a friendly visit there? Did anybody ask him where Levon was?

Did he pass out and forget the baby out in a storm? Forgot his medicine?
Left him alone to go party? Sell him? Smack him in the head? What?!! A whole
community is still looking for Levon. It's so wrong to not come clean about
what happened. Where's Levon?

I don't believe he went around looking for his kid at all. Sadly I know many addicts/people that behave like him (cowardly, tail tucked - but manipulative completely). I can almost understand (this doesn't mean I agree or empathize!) his train of thought here.

I can so see Jevon taking the pills he seems to partake in (selling and doing), and nodding out. Morphine and xanax are a helluva combo, but he has some toleration for both - even combined - the effects of the drugs wouldn't be to him what they would be to most of us. In other words, he still has some wits about himself while intoxicated. I think it's more of a possibility that he got high, didn't have the child in a safe area and something happened (be it chocking etc) - he panicked and did god knows what. I do not see him leaving the child on the porch or even leaving with the kid tbh. There are parts of his story that stick out: only in a diaper / at night / returned to find the child not where he left him. I think those are the only bits of truth.

Now as far as selling his kid; highly HIGHLY unlikely. I'm not a Miss know it all when it comes to unsavory life choices but I've been around the block or two in my time. But in the grand scheme of things - parents don't sell their kid to drug dealers. they just don't. A person buying a kid doesn't exactly mark down the debt owed or anything. In fact, it's MORE money spent. Add in the fact that Levon wasn't feeling too well and now the police are involved? Yeah, I can't see this lil' boy having been sold at all.

This is the type of "Father" that would leave the child unattended to go party, or in the car with the windows rolled up or in the crib with a propped up bottle and no attendance while he was either sleeping it off or getting high. That's how Jevon strikes me. Careless, self involved and cowardly.

I can't help but picture the baby scene out of the film "Trainspotting". I really would like to know why CPS wasn't more involved with this family. The mother has a record for drugs as does the father. She serves time and is sentenced to court mandated rehab (at least 30 days) and he's out on probation or parol for a felony or two. From what I gather they are on assistance from the gov (medicaid etc) - So there was no well baby checks? No social worker that "dropped by"? There wasn't an open CPS case to make sure drugs weren't left in the children''s reach? The grandparents mentioned that Jevon had temp custody (?) but they found it unfair. I'm guessing he had this because she was arrested and gone for an bit of time and looking at more time due to rehab.. but ..C'mon! The system has failed another child/children. This is infuriating. Even worse is how flippant LE etc is coming off. The fact that they didn't allow teams of searchers that is normally working on missing children's cases, or that they then had to ASK for help.

I'm so so so disappointed. This case is one of those that you bite your tongue until your mouth fills with blood. It's hard to not sound political rantish with this, it really is. If there was ever an example case of why foster care is needed - this is it. Both parents have open court cases for serious crimes (or at least felonies) pertaining to drugs. They do NOT need their children exposed to that and until they could get themselves together the children are better off in another home. Not only do I worry about Levon but I worry about his brother and sister. this will haunt them for the rest of their lives. It has already changed them in some element, I'm sure. I wonder if anyone that is caring for them thinks of that? Sucks that I even have put a question mark at the end of that thought.

 

[summer_breeze]

http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Father-of-missing-baby-talks-about-his-son-212216101.html

By JOLEEN FERRIS
Story Created: Jun 19, 2013 at 4:58 PM EDT
Story Updated: Jun 19, 2013 at 5:07 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - He stopped talking to police last week, but he spoke with a NEWSChannel 2 news crew Wednesday afternoon outside his Jay Street apartment where his baby was last seen.

 

[SCHMAE]

Maybe drug rehabs need to have nursery stations in them. How many mothers have to either abandon their baby or just refuse rehab instead? Those are both no win choices.

 

[Cubby]

I always sense a bit of dislike when you quote me or respond to whatever opinion I have. But,we are thinking alike - I think we just both choose different words or phrases to express it. I agree completely in your sentiments regarding their addictions and occupational choices - and the destruction it's caused these children.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come across that way..... My opinions can be strong, but I promise the opinion doesn't carry over to the poster. There is really no one here at WS that I dislike. Promise.

I'm just feeling strongly about the children who are 'lost' due to addiction these days. Seems to be so many of them.....

Hugs and peace~ Cubby

 

[Cubby]

Maybe drug rehabs need to have nursery stations in them. How many mothers have to either abandon their baby or just refuse rehab instead? Those are both no win choices.

Some do. There is an inpatient rehab/treatment facility (at least one that I know of) in Chicago which allows young mothers to house up to two under school age children with them. I don't know how common that is, but I do know it is available here in the Chi town area.

 

[The Cheese]

Day Nine of search and still no sign of Baby Levon

Thursday marks Day Nine of the search for nine month old Levon Wameling, who went missing from the city of Utica more than three weeks ago and still, no sign of the child.

Police continue to search what they call the high probability areas as well as some areas outside of the immediate Jay Street area where the child was last seen.

Officers were seen near the Adirondack Bank building in Utica on Wednesday afternoon going through dumpsters, causing many residents nearby to question if they had found something.

Utica Police say they are merely being thorough and following up on every lead they receive.

http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Day-Nine-of-search-and-still-no-sign-of-Baby-Levon-212329821.html