ACTIVE SEARCH SD - Serenity Dennard, 9, Children’s Home Society, Pennington County, 3 Feb 2019 #2

[SkipperKey3]

Two new videos on Lynne DiSanto's FB page for anybody interested. One is Lynne explaining why she is interviewing family, including the bio-mom, and the second is a short message from the bio-mom. (You will probably be critical of the bio-mom's message, but listen to Lynne's take on the bio-mom as well.)
And Lynne also said that it was a nice enough day yesterday that she went to the Home herself and spent two hours hiking around and looking into places like rock outcroppings and in the brush and whatnot, just looking for Serenity herself. She didn't have any luck, but she felt it was important to try.

 

[livstabler]

From Lynne DiSanto SD Senate District 35:

****HELP FIND SERENITY****
This Sunday at 11a we will be gathering to do a volunteer ground search of the area where Serenity was last seen.
Bring hiking boots and warm clothes.

This will be the FIRST ground search done by volunteers and we need all the people we can get.
I will be there in a bright yellow shirt to provide instruction and logistics, so look for me in CHS parking lot!
Please SHARE!​

 

[Bugurl747]

From Lynne DiSanto SD Senate District 35:

****HELP FIND SERENITY****
This Sunday at 11a we will be gathering to do a volunteer ground search of the area where Serenity was last seen.
Bring hiking boots and warm clothes.

This will be the FIRST ground search done by volunteers and we need all the people we can get.
I will be there in a bright yellow shirt to provide instruction and logistics, so look for me in CHS parking lot!
Please SHARE!​

A call to action...Awesome ! So, the weather has finally let up and will allot for such a search?

 

[misgrn]

BHCH isn't going to reveal many details regarding their policies and procedures to the general public. They also have likely been told to remain silent until all the investigations into the homes actions are completed. Even then, the public will get limited information about the investigation.

I am sure BHCH/CHS are also remaining quiet because it is highly likely there will be lawsuits filed by both DG and CD.

No, HIPAA doesn't prevent them from sharing but they also don't have the transparency other businesses do. Keep in mind they also have kids that have been removed from their parents due to abuse and neglect. Those parents may be trying to find their child(ren). Having knowledge of their policies and procedures could aid that parent in finding or getting access to thei child. So much of what these facilities deal with is confidential and there are very good reasons for that.

Even if someone tries to get information via the FOIA, there are exemptions which may apply here.

I don't think the interviews really hurt. I think Lynne is just trying to keep awareness out there and anything that gets people to see Serenity as a person may help draw people in. I didn't see it as necessarily exploitative since they communicated with her. I am sure they discussed beforehand which subjects were okay. It is hard because people find fault with those that don't talk and those that do. I can understand why DG wanted to talk. People were being very harsh in comments about her, not that the interview helped with that.

I think Lynne is just interviewing the people that will talk to her. I would imagine she at least tried to reach out to BHCH. She mentioned talking with LE. She is likely doing a lot behind the scenes too.

That area has a blizzard watch or warning and could get a bunch more snow so the search could be impacted by that. At least with searching being open to the public, more people will likely search on their own too. I know some have already been out searching on their own. People seemed pretty happy that they finally asked for volunteers so hopefully that means the get good numbers when searches are being done.

 

[swedeheart]

i know this is a grim question, and i apologize if it's been asked, but have they searched the home with cadaver dogs? maybe she never ran away at all. maybe the "sighting" (off the grounds) was not her or a misremembrance. it's unacceptable that a 9 yr old can disappear off the face of the earth for over a month from... well, from anywhere!

 

[misgrn]

i know this is a grim question, and i apologize if it's been asked, but have they searched the home with cadaver dogs? maybe she never ran away at all. maybe the "sighting" (off the grounds) was not her or a misremembrance. it's unacceptable that a 9 yr old can disappear off the face of the earth for over a month from... well, from anywhere!

They searched with cadaver dogs but never specified where specifically. One should hope the searched all the buildings and property just to be sure but we have no confirmation.

 

[SkipperKey3]

<snip>
That area has a blizzard watch or warning and could get a bunch more snow so the search could be impacted by that. At least with searching being open to the public, more people will likely search on their own too. I know some have already been out searching on their own. People seemed pretty happy that they finally asked for volunteers so hopefully that means the get good numbers when searches are being done.

I see that. Today looks to be sunny and nice there, but then over the next 48 hours beginning tonight they are looking for as much as 18-24 inches of new snow. Not good. However, once the system passes, the long range forecast is calling for temps mostly in the mid-40s for daily highs and little to no precipitation for the next week, and with partly or mostly sunny skies much of the time. No more bitter cold. Hopefully that will help get rid of that snow. No doubt there will still be plenty there when they search on Sunday, though - unfortunately.

 

[SkipperKey3]

i know this is a grim question, and i apologize if it's been asked, but have they searched the home with cadaver dogs? maybe she never ran away at all. maybe the "sighting" (off the grounds) was not her or a misremembrance. it's unacceptable that a 9 yr old can disappear off the face of the earth for over a month from... well, from anywhere!

It certainly isn't being reported as a "misrememberance". The couple who saw her outside went in and reported it. I don't think they knew who the girl was, they just saw a girl outside. I think they did a thorough search inside, as Serenity had on several occasions hid inside. But it hasn't been said if dogs were used inside or only outside. It just seems to me that if she had stayed inside, she would have been found by now. MOO

 

[flashy09]

So just my morning thoughts but really thinking about how massive the search appeared to me and with dogs, helicopters, etc I really feel like she would have been found. The people that saw her outside of the home did not say she was running, right?? So if she is walking and dealing with rough terrain in the the woods how far does she get? Did the dogs ever pick up any scent any distance from the home?

I think two things could have happened. Someone offered her a ride and felt sorry for her - she could have told any sort of story about the home and her parents - and is rescuing her in his/her mind. A local that is self employed, lives in those woods, disenchanted with society themselves, etc.

Or a malicious person saw a golden opportunity of an unsupervised 9 yr old in a remote area and she is being held Jayme Closs style or worse.

*just a question - the people who saw her by the entrance were parents dropping off a child, correct? They are not the "woodcutters?" Where did the woodcutters see her and how long after the other couple?

 

[SkipperKey3]

So just my morning thoughts but really thinking about how massive the search appeared to me and with dogs, helicopters, etc I really feel like she would have been found. The people that saw her outside of the home did not say she was running, right?? So if she is walking and dealing with rough terrain in the the woods how far does she get? Did the dogs ever pick up any scent any distance from the home?

I think two things could have happened. Someone offered her a ride and felt sorry for her - she could have told any sort of story about the home and her parents - and is rescuing her in his/her mind. A local that is self employed, lives in those woods, disenchanted with society themselves, etc.

Or a malicious person saw a golden opportunity of an unsupervised 9 yr old in a remote area and she is being held Jayme Closs style or worse.

*just a question - the people who saw her by the entrance were parents dropping off a child, correct? They are not the "woodcutters?" Where did the woodcutters see her and how long after the other couple?

No, she didn't seem to be running. Should she have been found? It is very rugged terrain with a lot of little places to hide. It is not easy to search, from what I have been told. And there is a lot of wilderness there. By the time the dogs got there it had started snowing and the temps had dropped to single digits - both of which hampers the dogs abilities. That would have been some three or four hours later, at the earliest. She could have wandered quite some distance in that time, although the terrain and the cold would certain restrict that. When she got too cold to move, she could have found a little cubbie space to crawl into in order to try to keep warm - and they just haven't found it yet. So it is definitely not a given that she was picked up by anybody. It can't be ruled out, though.

The people that saw her outside were a couple that was dropping off a child. They were in the parking lot and they saw Serenity up on the road. They reported it to staff, then got in their car and reportedly drove up and down the road looking for her, but didn't see her again.

The woodcutters never saw Serenity. All they saw, apparently, were people looking for Serenity. That was probably within the first two hours, while staff was outside looking but before LE got there, but of that I'm not certain.

 

[ilovechili]

From Lynne DiSanto SD Senate District 35

Interesting turn of events today. Evidently some friends and family of Serenity's Adopted Dad, Chad, have decided to go after my coverage of this story. I'm getting messages that "I need to stop talking" about this.
So let me state on the record, I have no knowledge of Chad being involved in the disappearance. I have never stated anything of the sort, nor has anyone I have interviewed.
Chad and I have spoken a couple times (the first time he called me). I'd asked if hed like to do an interview or make any public statement regarding Serenity's disappearance, or his knowledge of the event, and he declined.
I will not force, or pressure him.
I am focused on ONE THING, FINDING SERENITY.

Why in the he** would any parent want a missing child to stop being talked about?? The public is trying to get her some coverage and he simply wants the fact she has not been found to just go away??

I try not to judge but I do not like what that says to me about him.

 

[ilovechili]

Now I am curious. If she (DiSanto) has never accused anybody of anything, but is only interviewing people in the hope of finding Serenity, why could he (Chad) or his family have any objections to that? The whole point was to get the message out there, to keep Serenity and the search for her at the forefront. Why would he have an issue with this? I would think he would be front and center of all efforts to find Serenity! Why would he or his family tell anybody to "stop talking" about finding Serenity???

Poor little Ren.

I agree, this is really disturbing. This says things about him and they are not good things. This case in my opinion has had too little attention and the parents should want the focus on finding her and all of the help they can get towards that.

 

[ilovechili]

I have followed Lynne's activities with this case. She has not accused anyone. She started trying to raise awareness about Serenity missing. She then interviewed the bio cousin and another family member about the Serenity Alert and Serenity's early life but that was done at Starbucks and it was really hard to hear them. So she did a interview with just the bio cousin. Then she interviewed adoptive mom, Darcie and her husband. Lynne stated she was hoping to do an interview with Chad as well. She said they had talked a couple times.

Chad and his wife had had friends and family defending them and telling people to stop talking all over social media so I am guessing the brutal reaction to Darcie's interview didn't help things. Lynne didn't say it was Chad threatening her, just family and friends. I actually am not really surprised with the things I have seen.

I find it sad though. The focus should be on raising awareness in case someone has her and/or finding her remains. I don't understand a lot with this case. The family could have reached out, raised awareness and such by just telling people a little about her, they didn't have to give us private details but personalizing a missing person is usually helpful.

They have a missing child! He has and still has a chance for his own interview if he does not like something! They have someone that is getting some attention to the fact their child is missing! I personally do not care what he thinks--most parents who had a missing child would do anything and if it also meant putting up with some things they did not like hearing or that people can say, so be it--or go set the record straight but let attention be brought to the fact she is missing and this case.

Neither of these adopted parents imo did one thing to bring attention to her case, that I saw anyhow. As you said, they did little to personalize her or show the public a little of who she was. I guess at least the mother now has and I guess at least we know now she did have RAD apparently.

 

[ilovechili]

Considering the custodial family and the home won't talk about it all, I don't see what it hurts. At least someone cares enough to talk about Serenity and keep her in the mainstream...

I agree, no one else has seemed to. I am glad to see that it is getting more attention now although I would have liked to have seen that long prior.

 

[flashy09]

No, she didn't seem to be running. Should she have been found? It is very rugged terrain with a lot of little places to hide. It is not easy to search, from what I have been told. And there is a lot of wilderness there. By the time the dogs got there it had started snowing and the temps had dropped to single digits - both of which hampers the dogs abilities. That would have been some three or four hours later, at the earliest. She could have wandered quite some distance in that time, although the terrain and the cold would certain restrict that. When she got too cold to move, she could have found a little cubbie space to crawl into in order to try to keep warm - and they just haven't found it yet. So it is definitely not a given that she was picked up by anybody. It can't be ruled out, though.

The people that saw her outside were a couple that was dropping off a child. They were in the parking lot and they saw Serenity up on the road. They reported it to staff, then got in their car and reportedly drove up and down the road looking for her, but didn't see her again.

The woodcutters never saw Serenity. All they saw, apparently, were people looking for Serenity. That was probably within the first two hours, while staff was outside looking but before LE got there, but of that I'm not certain.

Thanks for clarifying. Wow, I wonder if that couple still dropped off the child! So she was on the road and then just disappeared. For whatever reason I don't sense she went that far into the woods (and I am no psychic, lol, just my gut feeling) on purpose.....but I suppose she could have gone to hide or get away from the cars and then gotten completely lost like the California girls did. I just can't imagine her blindly blazing a trail as far as she could. Branches in the face, eyes, burrs, mud, ice, etc.

Although - this is a silly question I am sure - does RAD alters all sense of attachment? Not just to humans, but maybe when she runs away she does not think of food/shelter/water needs and perhaps she really had no rational thought of her welfare or fear of being alone? I guess there is also the sad possibility that she didn't care about herself and knew exactly what she doing and the likely outcome.

I remember hearing she has a history of running away - where did she go or try to do then? That might give some clues to how her mind works in this situation.

Now back to the Mother. How did she appear to not know what RAD stood for? From what I have learned in the past few days, RAD is a bombshell diagnosis and massive factor in the child's life and takes exceptional dedication, patience, resources, devotion, etc!! Not the kind of disorder you forget about or is just a little side note. I understand being nervous on camera and I also have moments where I feel like I am losing my mind and can't think of the word, but that was a BLANK look like she truly had zero idea what it stood for and, whoa, why was the lady even asking for such crazy details!

Perhaps the adoption agency is to blame for not fully explaining to her the ramifications of the disorder. Should you even be allowed to adopt two kids at the same time if one has RAD? Did she have any experience with foster children beforehand? For all my criticism of the mother, having basically a set of 3 yr old twins and one with RAD would be impossible to imagine.

 

[carbuff]

Do we know for a fact that Serenity had been diagnosed with RAD? Or are we just assuming or extrapolating?

 

[PayrollNerd]

Do we know for a fact that Serenity had been diagnosed with RAD? Or are we just assuming or extrapolating?

Darcie, the adoptive mother, stated Serenity had RAD in her interview with Lynne DiSanto the SD Senator. That was the reason Chad, the adoptive father, retained physical custody, due to a strong disciplinarian was needed.

 

[flashy09]

It was an extremely difficult interview to watch. How do you gloss over the child’s folder to learn about the child’s history, meet with the child’s therapist, to not know what RAD stands for, to finish your shift at work, and to wait a few days before talking to residents home staff...I’m crushed. Poor Serenity, may she now be serene.

Also, she has notes behind the Frozen box and she stares at them to remember the dates she fosters and adopts Serenity (when she is "3 or 4" yrs old). It's hard to feel Serenity meant anything to her.

 

[Julia966]

I'm sure I'm not aware of the difficulties inherent in the search, but I can't believe this child hasn't been found yet!

 

[flashy09]

Do we know for a fact that Serenity had been diagnosed with RAD? Or are we just assuming or extrapolating?

I went back and listened again and it actually just says she had "RAD like behaviors". I don't know if she was officially diagnosed or not.