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

[SkipperKey3]

Actually, this report is earlier (Feb 4) and it's unclear to me whether that information was confirmed by the PCSO. The statement is not attributed to anyone so it may be an assumption made by the reporter. I don't know.

Interestingly, the article also says, "Children's Home Society Executive Director Bill Colson, said Dennard was last seen playing with three other children in the gym when she ran out of the school," which leads me to believe that no staff member saw Serenity outside - just the person dropping off a family member.
MOO

ETA: Emphasis mine

Thanks. It's just the way it was phrased - that she ran across the road and up into the hills - that seems rather definite, and indicative that a staffer actually saw this. Nowhere does it say the people in the parking lot saw her actually go up into the hills. But we know that they have been searching up in the hills. I'd much rather think she was last seen walking north along the road, as has been attributed to the people in the car in the parking lot, for to me that gives her a slightly larger chance of survival, either by being picked up or by finding a building as shelter. The search crews have also checked along the road clear up to Rockerville, though, and I believe all buildings along the road have also been searched. Ah, well, anything to keep hope alive...
I wonder if any of the Home's cameras are pointed toward the road? Probably not.

 

[Bugurl747]

"According to Bill Colson, Executive Director for the Children’s Home Society, Serenity June Dennard wandered from the premises of the social services center during a designated gym time at roughly 11:20 a.m. on Sunday.

Colson explains: “We had two staff and four children who were in the gym together. One child went one direction, and one of the staff members who was with the children went with her, and Serenity went the other way, and another staff member couldn’t pursue her because she had two other children and she was the only staff remaining.”

He then added that they “saw her leave the school building.”

The executive director stated that, during a typical play hour, the society maintains a supervision ratio of one staff member per six children. Prior to Dennard’s disappearance, the staff-to-child ratio was 1:2.

During the search, questions were raised regarding a time discrepancy between when Serenity left the premises and when B.H.C.H. staff called police.

Staff said they first noticed Serenity missing at 11 a.m. and called right away, but authorities later said that a 911 call was placed by the Children’s Home at 12:26 p.m.

During that roughly one-and-a-half-hour gap, staff searched through buildings and nearby structures belonging to the social services organization before calling police at the updated time.

“In some of these types of situations, due to their own experiences and things that they deal with on a regular basis, they do things a little differently, because, quite frankly, it’s not the norm,” Whelchel added.


Deputies also added that they do not plan to investigate the Children’s Home while the search is on-going.

Day 9: Search for missing girl temporarily halted - KNBN NewsCenter1

 

[sodakblackbird]

Are you referring to her birthmom? I don't believe the adoptive mom would even be seeking to take her out of there. Most adoptive moms, like myself, who are seeking treatment for their child have to jump through incredibly hoops just to get their kids in, and typically, you can remove them any time you want. They are not prisoners.

I'm just saying, that if someone was going to try to get a child out of there using nefarious methods.

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

please forgive me and scroll right by if you have already discussed this but why was the staff/youth ratio 1:2 "prior to" her disappearance if it was typically 1:6 during "a typical play hour"?

(from Day 9: Search for missing girl temporarily halted - KNBN NewsCenter1 back on Feb 5)

 

[Bugurl747]

I dont know...the timeline is a real issue for me. If she were missing, unnoticed for hours..sure. There in bad weather, tough terrain..and no adult could catch her and she disappears... just a few minutes after she walks/runs away. I hope to God I'm wrong...but it feels off to me.
I hope whomever visited her said "hey listen, be on the road at such and such a time and we are gonna get you outta here"..
I hope she was just really good at hiding and somehow made it to shelter.
I hope.

I agree, the timeline is an issue for me as well and there are red flags. The facility is in the middle of no where and only a few that would need to corroborate their story. The inclement weather alone would warrant an immediate 911 call, IMO.

The temp on the day she went missing was 38'/0' and almost all single digits a week thereafter.

Rockerville February Weather 2019 - AccuWeather Forecast for SD 57702

 

[Bugurl747]

SBM

She was seen by two or three people when she was outside heading away from the Home, only one of which was a staff member. If a staff member was really concerned for her because of her family life, I seriously doubt they would have had her run away from the home in the bitter cold without her winter attire.
I want her to be safe, and I grasp at possibilities too. But the facts seem to indicate that in fact she just simply ran away.

I'm playing devils advocate here...If there was a car or person waiting over yonder for Serenity, wouldn't it be less obvious for her to not have a coat on and then cover their tracks by suggesting that she simply ran away? MOO

 

[carbuff]

please forgive me and scroll right by if you have already discussed this but why was the staff/youth ratio 1:2 "prior to" her disappearance if it was typically 1:6 during "a typical play hour"?

(from Day 9: Search for missing girl temporarily halted - KNBN NewsCenter1 back on Feb 5)

Two adults, four kids in the gym means 1:2, unless my arithmetic is worse than usual.

It sounds like there were usually more kids at play hour, though. Maybe some of them were sick or hadn't come back yet from weekend visits or something? Probably isn't relevant.

 

[Bugurl747]

SBM

The theory that it was prearranged seems just too far fetched to me. And how could anybody know she would be in a position to run at a specific time? Nor would anybody who cared for her well being tell her to run out the door in weather that cold in a roughly timed attempt to meet up, without so much as a coat. None of the witnesses saw her running toward a car or anything like that.

The staff would know her daily schedule, and other staff would know who would be supervising her OR who may not be as diligent in supervising.
If one had her run out of the building to someone waiting for her somewhere in the secluded area, she would only be in the cold for a short period of time, IMO.

As for no staff member catching her, but the time staff saw her, she was already by the road. The building sits quite a way off the road. By the time the staffer got out the door and over to the road where she was, she had disappeared.

That is what I am trying to say, someone could have been close by waiting for her down the road or in the woods in a vehicle or some type of 4 wheeler. There wasn't snow yet so there would be no tracks. Although, soon the snow would start (coincidence?). They would have had quite a head start due to the big delay in the 911 call.

The biggest issue people keep bringing up is the time before the call to LE. Some say 2 hours, but I believe it was just around or over an hour and a half, and this is really not that long. Their first instinct is to go retrieve her. When the first person fails to find her, she gets others to help. They've always located runners before, so there was no reason initially to suggest that this was any different. They search for awhile, but the terrain makes the going slow. They come back down and call LE when their efforts failed to locate her. That all takes time, especially in that terrain. They were worried for her because of the weather, so pushed themselves to keep looking.
I really don't think it is reasonable to call LE the second a child runs - that would happen far too frequently.
I would probably suggest a shorter window as protocol - if the child hasn't been located , call LE - but to suggest they should have been called in the first 15 minutes is actually pretty unreasonable.
All MOO, of course.

If I am not mistaken, someone posted a link showing that there wasn't a big history of runners at the facility. I'll agree to disagree with you on the importance of timing on the 911 call.

 

[ilovechili]

The staff did not see her run across the cattle guard (or more specifically, on the main road BY the cattle guard), that was the passenger/parent. They went in and reported it and that's when the staff saw her cross the road and head toward the hills - that is, if the stories we have pieced together are correct.

I snipped the above part of your post to respond to. This is total speculation but something just dawned one me. Could this car be the help that was called for? There is a staff residence building and/or maybe some were called to come in quickly from other areas, etc? Did they drive up from the staff residence or from somewhere, they saw her, they are there to help find her, in response to the call? It would also explain her then disappearing and running from them if she thought she was in trouble and they were additional staff and her leaving the road. Probably entirely wrong, but "calling for help" has also been confused with "calling 911" so maybe...? There has been scarce detail about this car other than it was in the visitor's lot or of who it was or the reason for being there. It would make sense one ran inside to tell other staff they sighted her and one stayed outside... And that they went looking for her up and down the road if they were staff... Quite a walk as some have said... Total speculation and just thoughts...

 

[Bugurl747]

Serenity's mom is active on at least 1 Facebook group, I'm not sure why she hasn't spoken out, other than the fact people have heaped accusations at her.

It would be VERY hard for someone to arrange to get a child out of there.

All communication is monitored, and recorded, even in person visits. Visitors have to be approved ahead of time. If I remember right there is a limit to how many people can be on the visitors list.

I know I had to be buzzed in and show identification each time.

The issue I have is that those doors are supped to be locked at all times and only unlock with a pass code or if the fire alarm is pulled.

Thanks for the response! What if it wasn't a supervised or planned visit in the sense that it would be documented?

Are you connected to Serenity in some regard? And am I reading correctly that you have visited the Children's Home specifically where Serenity was? If so, you should consider becoming verified as an insider:

Verified Professional and Insider Members

 

[PommyMommy]

FEB 9, Updated FEB 22, 2019
Weather on day girl went missing significantly hurt search efforts
Whelchel said there is still no evidence that Dennard pre-planned an escape or was taken by someone once she left the Children's Home. He also said the search has turned up no evidence from her, such as clothing or items she may have been carrying.

The couple that the sheriff's office was initially looking for hadn't seen Dennard, but a staff member who was looking for her, Whelchel said. However, a woman dropping a family member off at the facility did see Dennard at a nearby cattle gate around 11 a.m.

He said the woman saw Dennard after dropping the relative off and was backing up her car, which had another passenger inside. The woman got out of her car and went inside to tell the staff that there was a girl outside. Meanwhile, the other person inside the car saw Dennard walk north up the road. By the time the woman returned to her car, Dennard was gone, and she couldn't find her as she drove up and down the road.

 

[Jim_M]

FEB 9, Updated FEB 22, 2019
Weather on day girl went missing significantly hurt search efforts
Whelchel said there is still no evidence that Dennard pre-planned an escape or was taken by someone once she left the Children's Home. He also said the search has turned up no evidence from her, such as clothing or items she may have been carrying.

The couple that the sheriff's office was initially looking for hadn't seen Dennard, but a staff member who was looking for her, Whelchel said. However, a woman dropping a family member off at the facility did see Dennard at a nearby cattle gate around 11 a.m.

He said the woman saw Dennard after dropping the relative off and was backing up her car, which had another passenger inside. The woman got out of her car and went inside to tell the staff that there was a girl outside. Meanwhile, the other person inside the car saw Dennard walk north up the road. By the time the woman returned to her car, Dennard was gone, and she couldn't find her as she drove up and down the road.

I recall discussion about hypothermia and that a victim typically discards clothing as they feel they are ‘heating up.’ The fact that they have not found any items of clothing during the searches could mean what?

That she crawled/climbed into a hiding spot before she got to the point of delusion?

That she really did get whisked away?

Or....?

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

Two adults, four kids in the gym means 1:2, unless my arithmetic is worse than usual.

It sounds like there were usually more kids at play hour, though. Maybe some of them were sick or hadn't come back yet from weekend visits or something? Probably isn't relevant.

Yes, it was 1:2 that day, even though it was usually 1:6. Seems odd, was there something going at the center or with one of the youth such that they needed a lower ratio that day/time? May be totally relevant IMO.

 

[Bugurl747]

At nine years old, it would be my guess that the visitation the day before with her parents and new baby sister was disturbing.

As the hours passed after they left, poor Serenity had many thoughts floating through her mind. We don’t know the real reason she is in this home, so it would be difficult to figure out what this little girl was thinking.

However, I would imagine there was a big play going on in her mind that she had been sent away and this new baby sister got to replace her. Wouldn’t we all have similar thoughts?

My opinions only.

I can easily see this being the case and if it was I struggle with the lack of proactive measures in bringing in immediate help in locating a potentially distressed child who ran from a secluded facility in freezing temperatures. MOO

Hypothermia can happen in a short period of time and firmly believe that protocols should be derived from those factors in these type of situations as it would support best outcome.

 

[The Night Watchman]

Yes, it was 1:2 that day, even though it was usually 1:6. Seems odd, was there something going at the center or with one of the youth such that they needed a lower ratio that day/time? May be totally relevant IMO.

Is there camera evidence of the ratio?

I ask because they talk about what is usual as 1:6. If they were not actually staffed as they should be during that period, would the staff admit it? Would they make something up, like "yeah we were actually overstaffed that day", when the ratio was 1:8 or 0:2 for example.

And if a staff member(s) was involved in the disappearance, then the account is obviously in question here. Could they have facilitated a hand off of the child? Or worse?

Sorry, I am starting to question "last person to see someone" accounts lately.

 

[PommyMommy]

I recall discussion about hypothermia and that a victim typically discards clothing as they feel they are ‘heating up.’ The fact that they have not found any items of clothing during the searches could mean what?

That she crawled/climbed into a hiding spot before she got to the point of delusion?

That she really did get whisked away?

Or....?

If she hid, it's entirely possible that she did so without removing her clothing, whether she was delusional or not. Although the odds are against it, I have not given up hope that she was picked up and may still be alive. The odds were against JC. The odds were against Casey.
MOO

 

[SkipperKey3]

"According to Bill Colson, Executive Director for the Children’s Home Society, Serenity June Dennard wandered from the premises of the social services center during a designated gym time at roughly 11:20 a.m. on Sunday.

Colson explains: “We had two staff and four children who were in the gym together. One child went one direction, and one of the staff members who was with the children went with her, and Serenity went the other way, and another staff member couldn’t pursue her because she had two other children and she was the only staff remaining.”

He then added that they “saw her leave the school building.”

<snip>

FEB 9, Updated FEB 22, 2019
Weather on day girl went missing significantly hurt search efforts
<snip>
He said the woman saw Dennard after dropping the relative off and was backing up her car, which had another passenger inside. The woman got out of her car and went inside to tell the staff that there was a girl outside. Meanwhile, the other person inside the car saw Dennard walk north up the road. By the time the woman returned to her car, Dennard was gone, and she couldn't find her as she drove up and down the road.

Those two quotes don't really fit together well, do they? On the one hand, he says the staff saw her leave the school building, but on the other hand it indicates they didn't know she was outside until the woman reported it.
I'm guessing that there is a mistake in the first, and that what the adults in the gym actually said was that they saw her leave the gym, not that they saw her leave the building. But that's just my guess.

 

[SkipperKey3]

SBM
<snip>
If I am not mistaken, someone posted a link showing that there wasn't a big history of runners at the facility. I'll agree to disagree with you on the importance of timing on the 911 call.

Actually, I backed off that. I have since said that as soon as it was apparent that she was out of site and off school grounds, a 911 call should have been made.

 

[SkipperKey3]

I agree, the timeline is an issue for me as well and there are red flags. The facility is in the middle of no where and only a few that would need to corroborate their story. The inclement weather alone would warrant an immediate 911 call, IMO.

The temp on the day she went missing was 38'/0' and almost all single digits a week thereafter.

Rockerville February Weather 2019 - AccuWeather Forecast for SD 57702

When she ran, it was already in the low 20s with a high wind making the wind chills already near or below 0. The air temperature was quickly dropping, and only a few hours later would be in the single digits and snowing.

 

[Jim_M]

If she hid, it's entirely possible that she did so without removing her clothing, whether she was delusional or not. Although the odds are against it, I have not given up hope that she was picked up and may still be alive. The odds were against JC. The odds were against Casey.
MOO

Oh I feel entirely the same about our little run of miracles. I really do hope that the same could play out here for SD