OR - Eldon Smith, 4, dropped from bridge, Portland, 23 May 2009

[SeriouslySearching]

I checked and there are only 2 Amber Alerts out: Haleigh and Emanuel (1yo) out of CO.

Maybe they are not wanting the public's help at all, but are wanting to reach family who may recognize the children of those ages are gone. It is the only thing I can think of for a lack of their descriptions.

 

[Reannan]

I sure hope they give the public something to work with!!! It would be nice to give us names of who they suspect did this horrible thing!!

 

[Reannan]

I keep looking at the picture Scandi posted of that bridge. I don't see how the children could have been thrown from that bridge and lived that long!! Could they have been harmed and thrown in the water from the shore???

 

[SuziQ]

Can't tell if this is live..screen on the right.
http://www.koinlocal6.com/default.aspx

ETA: I think this was from way earlier today.

 

[scandi]

Oh, Scandi! You are so much a member of the WS's family!!! You have been here for a long time, and we have read about, prayed about, and cried over SO many horrible events. It is ironic that an event as horrible as this would happen so close to your home. God Bless you, and God Bless both of those children, and the family that loved them. God Da## anyone that intentionally harmed them! I guess I have to realize that no matter how long I read this stuff, I will never become immune to being hurt and horrified at what happens. I will also never, ever, stop caring and praying for everyone involed.

Hi Reannan, Yes, we have gone from desperation to find clues to absolute elation when we get little jewels of information in so many cases we have weathered together. ;}

I just got back from my little drive and went across the Sellwood bridge, drove the river N and worked my way back over the bridge and found a spot on the west side across from where the children were found. At least I think that may be the spot as there were 3 orange rafts {Coast Guard maybe} quite close together with a few other small boats close to them.

When I first went across the bridge I caught eye of a long yellow boat shaped like a canoe but bigger, hanging close to the river's edge not far from where those orange rafts were. At 7pm it is still hot and sunny with a bit of a breeze. If there are any clues the river can give up, let it be the reason.

On the news just now they are saying private citizens are helping to search as we speak, that LE is now talking to the parents, including the Mother, and on channel 12 they say they will have an update on their 10 O'clock News from the police involved. Not a presser, just a promise I think given to that news channel.


I am still haunted by the thought this little 7 yr old girl could only scream and not speak after she was rescued. My heart just breaks for her and the trauma she has been thru. xox

 

[SuziQ]

Thank you for the update Scandi!

 

[SuziQ]

This is on the front page, but not in the story yet.

BREAKING NEWS:

Mother of 2 found in river arrested for murder of son, attempted murder of daughter -- FULL STORY

 

[scandi]

Thank you for the update Scandi!

You're welcome SuzieQ, When I first started over the Sellwood bridge I saw the Channel 8 news van pass me, going back towards Portland. I figured they had done an on scene interview or spot that would be on the 6pm news, I missed that, but will watch channel 12 at 10pm to see what they say about the arrest. xox

 

[scandi]

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_052309_news_willamette_children_screaming.bc504c3.html

Here's an update.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Great job reporting, Scandi! Thanks so much!

This sounds worse by the minute. To know it was intentional and the mother is responsible is hard to take. I can't imagine what she put this little girl through before she tossed her into that dark, cold water in the middle of the night. How heartwrenching. I hope she can recover from this horrific trauma.

 

[mysterygirl]

Unbelievable.

It seems to be happening all the time now. I wonder if this world is coming to an end.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Amanda Jo Stott-Smith was booked into Multnomah County Jail on the charges earlier in the afternoon, police said. Officials also announced that Smith's 7-year-old daughter, who survived for several hours in the chilly river's waters and swift currents, remained hospitalized in serious condition, but that she was expected to live.

~snip~

The boy, Eldon Jay Rebhan Smith, was dead.

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_052309_news_willamette_children_screaming.bc504c3.html(Bolded by me)

Earlier in the afternoon?! Then why were they still reporting they didn't know who the children were and asking for help to ID them?!

It also says they were in the water for several hours?

 

[SuziQ]

I think mom needs a pair of cement shoes.

 

[scandi]

Amanda Jo Stott-Smith was booked into Multnomah County Jail on the charges earlier in the afternoon, police said. Officials also announced that Smith's 7-year-old daughter, who survived for several hours in the chilly river's waters and swift currents, remained hospitalized in serious condition, but that she was expected to live.

~snip~

The boy, Eldon Jay Rebhan Smith, was dead.

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_052309_news_willamette_children_screaming.bc504c3.html(Bolded by me)

Earlier in the afternoon?! Then why were they still reporting they didn't know who the children were and asking for help to ID them?!

It also says they were in the water for several hours?

Maybe the 7 year old began to speak after awhile and told them who she and her brother were. Then it would be a matter of locating the family.

 

[SuziQ]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/two_children_found_in_willamet.html

(snip)
Stott-Smith was found this morning about 7 or 8 a.m. on the ninth floor of a parking garage at Fifth Avenue and Yamhill Street, police said. When police approached her, she attempted to jump off the parking garage, and they stopped her.
Police said Stott-Smith drives a 1991 blue Audi, and they are asking for the public's help in case anyone saw a car matching that description on the bridge about 1 a.m. Saturday morning.
The children's father reported them missing Friday night to Tualatin police. According to Portland police, Stott-Smith and the children's father share custody. Police did not identify the father.
The 7-year-old girl was in the water at least 30 minutes, police said.

 

[mysterygirl]

That poor little girl will have to live her whole life without that little brother. Can you imagine the horror?

And notice many of these parents never seem to quite make it killing themselves, only the innocent children. Here's an idea--just kill yourself.

 

[jnTexas]

That poor little girl will have to live her whole life without that little brother. Can you imagine the horror?

And notice many of these parents never seem to quite make it killing themselves, only the innocent children. Here's an idea--just kill yourself.

Even worse she will have to live her life knowing her mother killed her brother and tried to kill her. Hopefully her father is very loving and will get her the help she is going to need.

 

[scandi]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/two_children_found_in_willamet.html

(snip)
Stott-Smith was found this morning about 7 or 8 a.m. on the ninth floor of a parking garage at Fifth Avenue and Yamhill Street, police said. When police approached her, she attempted to jump off the parking garage, and they stopped her.
Police said Stott-Smith drives a 1991 blue Audi, and they are asking for the public's help in case anyone saw a car matching that description on the bridge about 1 a.m. Saturday morning.
The children's father reported them missing Friday night to Tualatin police. According to Portland police, Stott-Smith and the children's father share custody. Police did not identify the father.
The 7-year-old girl was in the water at least 30 minutes, police said.

WOW That sounds like they had her in the box until they arrested her for the A murdr and A attempted murder charges early in the afternoon.

Here if anyone attempts suicide they are arrested, so even tho she didn't jump, the stopping her would be reason to hold her - I think.

Thank goodness this was solved so soon. Now I hope they keep us informed as to how Eldon's big sister is doing. Poor little Eldon. He was screaming too I think. The earlier report said he died right after being found. xox

 

[jnTexas]

WOW That sounds like they had her in the box until they arrested her for the A murdr and A attempted murder charges early in the afternoon.

Here if anyone attempts suicide they are arrested, so even tho she didn't jump, the stopping her would be reason to hold her - I think.

Thank goodness this was solved so soon. Now I hope they keep us informed as to how Eldon's big sister is doing. Poor little Eldon. He was screaming too I think. The earlier report said he died right after being found. xox

Oh how sad. Orayers for the rescue people too. How horrible for them also.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/two_children_found_in_willamet.html

(snip)
Stott-Smith was found this morning about 7 or 8 a.m. on the ninth floor of a parking garage at Fifth Avenue and Yamhill Street, police said. When police approached her, she attempted to jump off the parking garage, and they stopped her.
Police said Stott-Smith drives a 1991 blue Audi, and they are asking for the public's help in case anyone saw a car matching that description on the bridge about 1 a.m. Saturday morning.
The children's father reported them missing Friday night to Tualatin police. According to Portland police, Stott-Smith and the children's father share custody. Police did not identify the father.
The 7-year-old girl was in the water at least 30 minutes, police said.

So where was the GD AMBER ALERT?!?! :furious::furious::furious: