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

[PommyMommy]

Investigation into girl missing nearly 5 weeks continues
"Although we still have not found Serenity Dennard, there continues to be a lot of work behind the scenes," the office said in a Friday press release.

[...]

A team of investigators work on the case each day and have conducted 256 interviews so far, the release says. There have been 57 leads reported in South Dakota and other states and each has been followed by the sheriff's office, other local agencies or the FBI.

Someone from the FBI also visited the sheriff's office to review its files and advice and technical assistance, the release says. A video about Dennard produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System is now circulating nationally.

 

[carbuff]

...sitting on my hands...

 

[mrbeansmom]

I wish people knew children who have RAD.

My heart goes out to any adoptive parents who have children with RAD.

The issues are incredible. I could not do it.

There is lots of info on it.

Thank you. As an adoptive parent of six children with significant special needs, I can attest to RAD being the greatest challenge of them all, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Autism. I have two with RAD, both living out of the home now. Our son is 26 now and lives in a group home. He has no conscience at all. Sadly, he will be in a group home for the rest of his life. If he were ever to leave that environment, he would be in prison within a short time. Our teenage daughter is away at a place like where Serenity was, only it's just for teens. She, too, has no conscience, and does not know how to bond at all. She has a history of trying to kill me and our youngest daughter, and one of our cats. She is mild compared to some kids with RAD. She can look you in the eye and lie right to your face without blinking. And you can NEVER know what is true. Both of my kids can do things right in front of you, yet convince you that you never saw what you saw. They are that good at being deceptive. I seriously doubt that Serenity was looking for her adoptive mother, and I think it's really sad that she ended up where she did. This couple was not prepared in any way, it sounds like, to handle a child like Serenity. I find it disturbing the way they related her story. Or, I should say, the way the mother related her story (too many smiles and giggles all the while talking about her as if she were no longer). It was equally disturbing that the father, who actually had custody of Serenity before her being placed at the rtc didn't speak at all. They never spoke about what drove him to place her there, and why he dropped all contact with the mom. And shame on the rtc for not contacting the mom, or even really seeming to acknowledge that she existed, though she doesn't seem like she went to much trouble to be any sort of a presence in Serenity's life. Shame on all of these people. RAD is the worst of the worst that a parent can get with adoption. It's the hardest journey a couple will ever take, and it has utterly destroyed marriages and individuals. It's a lesson in loving the unlovable. What this couple has done has served to solidify in Serenity's mind that family is NOT permanence, and relationships are disposable. That poor tragic little girl didn't have a chance...

 

[Caylee Advocate]

I continue to hold onto the thought that she is okay... somewhere, just wish that "somewhere" could be found. Until she is found I will continue to hold out hope, and hopefully mine and others prayers will come true and she is okay.

 

[SkipperKey3]

Here are some highlights from the YouTube video posted by Lynn Disanto. If you have time, I would implore you to watch the video in its entirety.

-Adoptive Mom, Darcie, saw photo of Serenity on DSS website when she was 3-4 years old. They first met Serenity at the foster family's house. Her and husband Chad were married at the time.
-Serenity came to live with Darcie and Chad March 30 2014
-Adoption final October 23 2014 - it was closed adoption but had contact info from some of the birth family. Serenity had no relationship with bio fam.
-Chad and Darcie Divorced 2015
-Serenity had an adoptive brother, same age, adopted close to the same time. He too went with Chad as they were "buddies and had a great relationship. The divorce didn't seem to affect him as much as it did Serenity"

<snip>

26:25 Serenity Alert Darcie /smiling " It may be too late, as people say, for Serenity but if it can save any other parent from going through the heart ache of not knowing where their child is and help out - it is 200% worth it." I keep replaying this....watching Darcie and listening to her make this comment. I don't know how I feel about it as she had no idea where her child was for months leading up to Serenity's disappearance. MONTHS. It could have been years since she knew where she was or even spoke to her.

That was one question I was left with as well - how long had it been since she had actually seen Serenity or spend any time with her? If Serenity had been in the Home all school year, and yet she didn't know about it, does that mean that she hadn't seen Serenity in all that time? Not even during the holidays? Had she never talked to him about her in all that time either?

 

[Mauig’ma]

It’s no wonder she ran away. I would have too if I were her. All she wanted was to be loved. Bless her beautiful lil soul.

 

[SkipperKey3]

Pennington County Sheriff's Office asks national agencies for help in finding Serenity Dennard

There haven't been any ground searches in awhile. They are still looking at phone records. The article, in part:

The Pennington County Chief Deputy Willie Whelchel said last week members of the FBI met with Pennington County investigators. Whelchel says though deputies have followed many tips from phone calls and social media, there is still no sign of Serenity.

Due to the cold weather, the last day of the search was on February 13th. The sheriff's office is still waiting for the ice to melt to resume action.

"Obviously due to weather that's created some issues in the actual physical searching part of this. That will be something if she is not located between now and then, we will definitely pick back up. We're still organizing and planning for that once we get a break in the weather and some of this snow gone and all that," Whelchel said.

Deputies are looking through the Black Hills Children's Home phone records and computer logs to see if Serenity reached out to anyone outside the home.​

 

[PayrollNerd]

On her official Facebook page, Lynne DeSantos SD Senate District 35, has responded to some questions after Serenity’s adoptive Moms interview.

Sweet Serenity, I’m sorry so many have failed you in the past. Please send us a sign so we can bring you home!

 

[ilovepierre]

Serenity was failed by so many
I don’t know much about RAD, but I do know that it is hard on both the child and the parents/caregivers.

IMO

 

[bradfordsleuth]

Thank you. As an adoptive parent of six children with significant special needs, I can attest to RAD being the greatest challenge of them all, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Autism. I have two with RAD, both living out of the home now. Our son is 26 now and lives in a group home. He has no conscience at all. Sadly, he will be in a group home for the rest of his life. If he were ever to leave that environment, he would be in prison within a short time. Our teenage daughter is away at a place like where Serenity was, only it's just for teens. She, too, has no conscience, and does not know how to bond at all. She has a history of trying to kill me and our youngest daughter, and one of our cats. She is mild compared to some kids with RAD. She can look you in the eye and lie right to your face without blinking. And you can NEVER know what is true. Both of my kids can do things right in front of you, yet convince you that you never saw what you saw. They are that good at being deceptive. I seriously doubt that Serenity was looking for her adoptive mother, and I think it's really sad that she ended up where she did. This couple was not prepared in any way, it sounds like, to handle a child like Serenity. I find it disturbing the way they related her story. Or, I should say, the way the mother related her story (too many smiles and giggles all the while talking about her as if she were no longer). It was equally disturbing that the father, who actually had custody of Serenity before her being placed at the rtc didn't speak at all. They never spoke about what drove him to place her there, and why he dropped all contact with the mom. And shame on the rtc for not contacting the mom, or even really seeming to acknowledge that she existed, though she doesn't seem like she went to much trouble to be any sort of a presence in Serenity's life. Shame on all of these people. RAD is the worst of the worst that a parent can get with adoption. It's the hardest journey a couple will ever take, and it has utterly destroyed marriages and individuals. It's a lesson in loving the unlovable. What this couple has done has served to solidify in Serenity's mind that family is NOT permanence, and relationships are disposable. That poor tragic little girl didn't have a chance...

It takes a very special kind of person to adopt 6 children, let alone 2 with RAD.
Thank you for sharing your personal insight and helping me gain a new perspective on what may have led to this childs tragic situation.
Serenity's pretty smile hid so much sadness.

 

[Catmommy]

Sooo many what ifs here. Perhaps I should take a seat on my hands as well.

 

[FruitSnack]

Hopefully with her diagnosis out there, people will be more aware of mental health with children. It’s not all just adhd or autism. Serenity should be the face of RAD and make awareness to all. This could be a big eye on the effects on children and families. We need more treatment, therapists, family therapist, early intervention, education to teachers in mainstream schools and education to the public.
Spread this beautiful face around the county and let RAD be known. It’s not just a kid acting out. It’s mental illness and it’s hard.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

On her official Facebook page, Lynne DeSantos SD Senate District 35, has responded to some questions after Serenity’s adoptive Moms interview.

Sweet Serenity, I’m sorry so many have failed you in the past. Please send us a sign so we can bring you home!

I cannot find the desantos page.

ETA I found it after I found the correct spelling of her name - DiSanto

 

[ilovechili]

...sitting on my hands...

Me too.

 

[YaYa_521]

Never give up hope.

Link to the Sheriff's post: Pennington County Sheriff's Office

You'll always be in my thoughts and prayers, little Miss Serenity.

*PommyMommy TY. I'm borrowing your adorable beating heart. It keeps me hoping.

ETA PICTURE

​

 

[YaYa_521]

Don't they have some operations where 100+ drones can be operated simultaneously? Get enough volunteers in one of those heated mobile labs and get it done? Too expensive? IMO I'd volunteer to stare at a monitor. Crowdsource a search mission? Does anyone even do that yet? We need more CCTV. Everywhere. IMHO

These are really great ideas! I recall reading or watching about drone clubs that gather in like a convention wherein they build, repair, race, show off, etc. their drones and skills. Kinda like a "drone Sturgis rally" but not in Sturgis. That's for us bikers. haha

Imo, your suggestions are awesome, doable, and most likely, many would be happy to volunteer! We should sleuth them out of hiding. They'd love the media attention. Great thinking!

 

[Jim_M]

I watched that interview. I left the thread as I was close to using my hands to write so many thoughts on our sad little girl. All of those happy tears shed for Jayme, came out 10 fold hearing about the life this little 9 year old baby has endured.

I want to express my thanks to everyone posting in here. IMO you've done a wonderful job in conveying so much, and a 'like' does not do any of you justice.

Dearest Serenity, I truly hope you are at peace. I hope so much that you are playing happily with your angel friends. IMO you will always be remembered.

 

[YaYa_521]

I watched that interview. I left the thread as I was close to using my hands to write so many thoughts on our sad little girl. All of those happy tears shed for Jayme, came out 10 fold hearing about the life this little 9 year old baby has endured.

I want to express my thanks to everyone posting in here. IMO you've done a wonderful job in conveying so much, and a 'like' does not do any of you justice.

Dearest Serenity, I truly hope you are at peace. I hope so much that you are playing happily with your angel friends. IMO you will always be remembered.

B&UBM

"IMO you will always be remembered"

I share your opinion. It'll be she's remembered, ALWAYS!

 

[stephlovescheese]

Thank you. As an adoptive parent of six children with significant special needs, I can attest to RAD being the greatest challenge of them all, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Autism. I have two with RAD, both living out of the home now. Our son is 26 now and lives in a group home. He has no conscience at all. Sadly, he will be in a group home for the rest of his life. If he were ever to leave that environment, he would be in prison within a short time. Our teenage daughter is away at a place like where Serenity was, only it's just for teens. She, too, has no conscience, and does not know how to bond at all. She has a history of trying to kill me and our youngest daughter, and one of our cats. She is mild compared to some kids with RAD. She can look you in the eye and lie right to your face without blinking. And you can NEVER know what is true. Both of my kids can do things right in front of you, yet convince you that you never saw what you saw. They are that good at being deceptive. I seriously doubt that Serenity was looking for her adoptive mother, and I think it's really sad that she ended up where she did. This couple was not prepared in any way, it sounds like, to handle a child like Serenity. I find it disturbing the way they related her story. Or, I should say, the way the mother related her story (too many smiles and giggles all the while talking about her as if she were no longer). It was equally disturbing that the father, who actually had custody of Serenity before her being placed at the rtc didn't speak at all. They never spoke about what drove him to place her there, and why he dropped all contact with the mom. And shame on the rtc for not contacting the mom, or even really seeming to acknowledge that she existed, though she doesn't seem like she went to much trouble to be any sort of a presence in Serenity's life. Shame on all of these people. RAD is the worst of the worst that a parent can get with adoption. It's the hardest journey a couple will ever take, and it has utterly destroyed marriages and individuals. It's a lesson in loving the unlovable. What this couple has done has served to solidify in Serenity's mind that family is NOT permanence, and relationships are disposable. That poor tragic little girl didn't have a chance...

Very well put @mrbeansmom. I agree with what you’ve posted. In my career, I’ve worked with a slew of troubled kids, and the kiddos diagnosed RAD tend to be the most challenging. And until one lives with a RAD child (which I haven’t), I just don’t think the immense uphill battle adoptive and foster parents face can be truly appreciated.

 

[Jackielee09]

I’m halfway through interview. I do like the interviewer she asks all the right questions.
Observation number 1. The adoptive parents in way over their head. 2. AM didn’t know she was at children’s home and even more glaring and insane is SHE FINISHED HER SHIFT after learning she was missing. Say what?
The Only victim here is Serenity.
Shame on the people who traumatized her so much as a newborn to 3 that she developed RAD. Absolutely disgusting.
I hope she’s dancing and playing in Heaven.
And why does AM have her dolls? Did she get to have them at the home?
I’m not victim blaming because the ONLY victim is that child.

Ahhhhhhhh “I think she was looking for me”. Ahhhhhhhhhhh you think?