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

[Jim_M]

I in no way disagree but it does not mean mistakes are not made nor are all the same. That is just me though. Some doctors are better than others. Some teachers are. Some parents are. Some servers are. Some plumbers are. Some contractors are. Some homes are. Some employees are. Etc.

If it results in a conversation on safety measures, cameras and more or a good look at an overall subject, I do not see it as a bad thing.

jmo though.

ITA. They need to make the necessary changes, to aid in preventing any future Serenity's. It's as simple as that.

 

[AgeofAquaruis]

The details of Serenity being removed on Christmas Day are in RR, bio mom's, interview with Lynne DiSanto. She discusses that bio dad was in jail, she was in prison and her parents were caring for Serenity. She says that her parents dropped Serenity off for a Christmas Eve visit with the other grandma, bio dad's mom who has schizophrenia. Grandma went into a "schizophrenic state" and called the police saying the neighbors were coming in and rubbing lotion on them to sedate and sexually assaulting them. The next day the responding officer's supervisor called DSS/CPS for a welfare check on Serenity and found her in a diaper with marker all over her so DSS/CPS took Serenity into custody. RR says her parents were not approved to keep Serenity because they had felonies. Then RR's time got extended. She goes on with more info after that but that is the main part of how Serenity ended up in state custody. More at:

WTH? Why? Why did the maternal grandparents drop her there? They were not approved.
Why did the children's home just let her take off?
This poor child.

 

[Seattle1]

<modsnip>

In the adoptive mom's interview, it sounds as if it was joint in the beginning with regard to custody (although I think she was with Chad more) and she saw her at first. She claims at some point he moved and she had no idea where they were.

There is also a boy they adopted around the same time and she claimed Chad was pretty close to the boy, way more so than Serenity. He had both children.

The mom's interview is worth a watch if you have not seen it. Chad and wife refused for a long time to give an interview and it appears to me that when they did it was likely all preplanned as to what could be asked, etc. jmo.

Both adoptive parents irk me, just a personal opinion. While the bio parents made many mistakes without a doubt, one can hear their regret and they do not deny mistakes.

Neither adoptive parent takes any responsibility, not one bit imo.

Mom's interview shows she never read Serenity's history fully and some other things. Not impressed, but jmo. She "claims" Chad and wife moved away and she had no contact information for them and that was when she stopped seeing Serenity. It is anyone's guess what is true or not from either parent.

Mom's interview with the senator if you have not seen it.

Thanks for posting this video especially as it provides some insight to the majority of Serenity's life (age 4-9).

Darcie described meeting Serenity at her foster home for the first time, and recalls her first impression of Serenity as a happy, excited child. She was not described as shy or withdrawn, sad, listless appearance, not smiling, not interested in playing with Darcie, etc.

At age 4, beginning March 2014, Serenity came to live with adoptive parents Chad, Darcie, and their 4 year old (adopted) son, and her adoption was final October 2014.

Darcie provided she's a nurse, and seemed familiar with reactive attachment disorder (RAD), deemed applicable to Serenity. Reportedly, Serenity had also been receiving professional therapy for this disorder ever since she was under the care of children social services, and Darcie reportedly was continuing the recommended practices including rocking the 4 year old child to sleep at night.

Unfortunately, within about 6 months of adoption, Serenity's routine and stability was interrupted when Chad and Darcie divorced. Darcie states they had joint custody but Chad was the custodial parent-- along with his 21 year old gf/wife. However, from the beginning, it doesn't appear that the Chad and Darcie planned or adhered to a routine schedule for child exchange.

Chad was described as the parent best suited to act as disciplinarian -- which leads me to ask, how much discipline does a 4 year old require? Was discipline the focus versus love, nurturing, and making Serenity feel safe and secure -- especially given the circumstances? Were Chad's expectations of Serenity reasonable? Was he comparing her to his 4 year adopted son that he reportedly had bonded with? Were the parents continuing recommended practices and therapy?

I believe it would be naive and irresponsible to think any progress Serenity made March - October 2014+ would not be affected/lost when her home life was disrupted again.
This especially as the same disruption during foster care has consistently been blamed for her problems!

I just find it troubling that in the last 5 years (age 4 -9), primarily in the custody of Chad and his wife per Darcie, that Serenity's behavioral problems got worse -- to the point of requiring placement in a children's home-- versus her issues stabilized.

It's obvious there were (and still are) issues between the adoptive parent's that were not resolved in the best interest of their children, and that's not right....

I'm sad and worried for this child.

MOO

Reactive attachment disorder - Symptoms and causes

 

[ilovechili]

Thanks for posting this video especially as it provides some insight to the majority of Serenity's life (age 4-9).

Darcie described meeting Serenity at her foster home for the first time, and recalls her first impression of Serenity as a happy, excited child. She was not described as shy or withdrawn, sad, listless appearance, not smiling, not interested in playing with Darcie, etc.

At age 4, beginning March 2014, Serenity came to live with adoptive parents Chad, Darcie, and their 4 year old (adopted) son, and her adoption was final October 2014.

Darcie provided she's a nurse, and seemed familiar with reactive attachment disorder (RAD), deemed applicable to Serenity. Reportedly, Serenity had also been receiving professional therapy for this disorder ever since she was under the care of children social services, and Darcie reportedly was continuing the recommended practices including rocking the 4 year old child to sleep at night.

Unfortunately, within about 6 months of adoption, Serenity's routine and stability was interrupted when Chad and Darcie divorced. Darcie states they had joint custody but Chad was the custodial parent-- along with his 21 year old gf/wife. However, from the beginning, it doesn't appear that the Chad and Darcie planned or adhered to a routine schedule for child exchange.

Chad was described as the parent best suited to act as disciplinarian -- which leads me to ask, how much discipline does a 4 year old require? Was discipline the focus versus love, nurturing, and making Serenity feel safe and secure -- especially given the circumstances? Were Chad's expectations of Serenity reasonable? Was he comparing her to his 4 year adopted son that he reportedly had bonded with? Were the parents continuing recommended practices and therapy?

I believe it would be naive and irresponsible to think any progress Serenity made March - October 2014+ would not be affected/lost when her home life was disrupted again.
This especially as the same disruption during foster care has consistently been blamed for her problems!

I just find it troubling that in the last 5 years (age 4 -9), primarily in the custody of Chad and his wife per Darcie, that Serenity's behavioral problems got worse -- to the point of requiring placement in a children's home-- versus her issues stabilized.

It's obvious there were (and still are) issues between the adoptive parent's that were not resolved in the best interest of their children, and that's not right....

I'm sad and worried for this child.

MOO

Reactive attachment disorder - Symptoms and causes

All good observations. I had forgotten some of those things, like that she is a nurse. It was the first interview that I watched and it was some time ago. She did rock her. It is difficult to understand her not seeing her for some time but then again, it is hard to say how hard perhaps his ex and wife may have made that for her.

This child's life seems to have been one upset after another. It is nothing but sad.

Your thoughts about Chad and wife are something to think about. Per her bio father, she had bonded in her younger years and was in his opinion like any child. She did go through quite a bit from that point on though.

Chad and wife are the ones who resisted interviews and did not seem to like the attention being called to the case, nor the senator, etc. jmo. They were the last to finally give an interview. I also believe the bio family and Darcie and husband communicate with regard to this matter and are working somewhat together and supportive of each other which is a good thing. I cannot remember where I read that but it was on here in some article or another.

All cases get to me but this child caught my heart. It seemed to have so little attention in the beginning and now having learned of her years of life and all she has went through makes it even more heartbreaking.

I do not think the odds of her being alive are very good but one can hope.

 

[AgeofAquaruis]

So do I have this right that the adoptive mother was unaware that Serenity had been in Children's Home since July 2018?

I also note that at 6:00 on the tape, the adoptive mother claims that a therapist told her to treat Serenity younger than her actual age? That's called "re-parenting," a method used in Attachment Therapy. While it's okay to treat a child as younger – if it's the child who initiates the request – it's considered bad practice for the parent to initiate it.

AT — Reparenting Methods

So sad for this sweet child.

 

[human]

Thanks for posting this video especially as it provides some insight to the majority of Serenity's life (age 4-9).

Darcie described meeting Serenity at her foster home for the first time, and recalls her first impression of Serenity as a happy, excited child. She was not described as shy or withdrawn, sad, listless appearance, not smiling, not interested in playing with Darcie, etc.

At age 4, beginning March 2014, Serenity came to live with adoptive parents Chad, Darcie, and their 4 year old (adopted) son, and her adoption was final October 2014.

Darcie provided she's a nurse, and seemed familiar with reactive attachment disorder (RAD), deemed applicable to Serenity. Reportedly, Serenity had also been receiving professional therapy for this disorder ever since she was under the care of children social services, and Darcie reportedly was continuing the recommended practices including rocking the 4 year old child to sleep at night.

Unfortunately, within about 6 months of adoption, Serenity's routine and stability was interrupted when Chad and Darcie divorced. Darcie states they had joint custody but Chad was the custodial parent-- along with his 21 year old gf/wife. However, from the beginning, it doesn't appear that the Chad and Darcie planned or adhered to a routine schedule for child exchange.

Chad was described as the parent best suited to act as disciplinarian -- which leads me to ask, how much discipline does a 4 year old require? Was discipline the focus versus love, nurturing, and making Serenity feel safe and secure -- especially given the circumstances? Were Chad's expectations of Serenity reasonable? Was he comparing her to his 4 year adopted son that he reportedly had bonded with? Were the parents continuing recommended practices and therapy?

I believe it would be naive and irresponsible to think any progress Serenity made March - October 2014+ would not be affected/lost when her home life was disrupted again.
This especially as the same disruption during foster care has consistently been blamed for her problems!

I just find it troubling that in the last 5 years (age 4 -9), primarily in the custody of Chad and his wife per Darcie, that Serenity's behavioral problems got worse -- to the point of requiring placement in a children's home-- versus her issues stabilized.

It's obvious there were (and still are) issues between the adoptive parent's that were not resolved in the best interest of their children, and that's not right....

I'm sad and worried for this child.

MOO

Reactive attachment disorder - Symptoms and causes

The symptoms, from your article, are for infants. They react this way because their cries are not answered.

As they age, they seem super friendly and loving. They will sit on anyone's lap. People think they are adorable.

If an older child is too friendly such as a four year ild, that os a scary sign.

Here are the infancy signs——

Reactive attachment disorder can start in infancy. There's little research on signs and symptoms of reactive attachment disorder beyond early childhood, and it remains uncertain whether it occurs in children older than 5 years.

Signs and symptoms may include:

• Unexplained withdrawal, fear, sadness or irritability
• Sad and listless appearance
• Not seeking comfort or showing no response when comfort is given
• Failure to smile
• Watching others closely but not engaging in social interaction
• Failing to ask for support or assistance
• Failure to reach out when picked up
• No interest in playing peekaboo or other interactive games

 

[Stunned]

But as they age, it becomes horrific for the supporting family. Which she did not have.

 

[SkipperKey3]

But as they age, it becomes horrific for the supporting family. Which she did not have.

That's a bit harsh. We only know a little about her home situation. It appears that CD and KD really do care about her, as does DG. The problem is in a communication breakdown between DG and CD. It does sound like CD had SD in outpatient therapy for several years before resorting to placing her at the Home for an 18-month stint. And that he and the family came to see her regularly. I don't think it is entirely fair at this point to say unequivocally that she had no supportive family.

 

[MsGazette]

Two days after Dennard went missing, public warning messages were also sent to 612 landlines and cellphones of residents and businesses within a six-mile radius of the Children's Home, according to Alexa White, deputy director of Pennington County Emergency Management. The messages gave a description of Dennard and asked people to look for her outside their homes or businesses. BBM

I didn’t realize they did this! It’s also interesting to read the timespans of finding others “lost in the wilderness.”

Sheriff's Office narrowing search for missing girl by eliminating areas

 

[misgrn]

WTH? Why? Why did the maternal grandparents drop her there? They were not approved.
Why did the children's home just let her take off?
This poor child.

We only know what RR, bio-mom, said in her interview. I believe it was because the bio-paternal grandma wanted time with her for Christmas. I don't remember what else was said about it but that RR didn't want Serenity to go because Serenity's dad wasn't there. It has been awhile since I watched that interview so maybe I forgot something.

With regards to BHCH, there is only so much that can be done to stop residents from running away. Kids frequently run from placements. I don't know about BHCH since I never worked there but I did work at a placement similiar to them in South Dakota but with 10 year olds and above. We could not touch our residents or really block doors to prevent them from running but I don't know if BHCH staff can. BHCH isn't a locked facility but even if it was, kids run from them too. The staff in the gym couldn't follow because they had two other kids. My understanding is there were two exits from the gym so staff likely couldn't block both doors. Distractions like the first kid running in the building so one staff followed are common tactics to help a peer run too.

I do question the delay in calling 911 and why they searched so long inside after the lady dropping someone off told staff she saw Serenity outside. I also wonder how long it was before a staff started looking for her.

 

[SkipperKey3]

We only know what RR, bio-mom, said in her interview. I believe it was because the bio-paternal grandma wanted time with her for Christmas. I don't remember what else was said about it but that RR didn't want Serenity to go because Serenity's dad wasn't there. It has been awhile since I watched that interview so maybe I forgot something.

With regards to BHCH, there is only so much that can be done to stop residents from running away. Kids frequently run from placements. I don't know about BHCH since I never worked there but I did work at a placement similiar to them in South Dakota but with 10 year olds and above. We could not touch our residents or really block doors to prevent them from running but I don't know if BHCH staff can. BHCH isn't a locked facility but even if it was, kids run from them too. The staff in the gym couldn't follow because they had two other kids. My understanding is there were two exits from the gym so staff likely couldn't block both doors. Distractions like the first kid running in the building so one staff followed are common tactics to help a peer run too.

I do question the delay in calling 911 and why they searched so long inside after the lady dropping someone off told staff she saw Serenity outside. I also wonder how long it was before a staff started looking for her.

Re: the bolded. I don't recall MSM ever stating that they continue to look exclusively inside once she was spotted outside. I can't remember which MSM article now, but I thought they said that they searched exclusively inside until they were told she was spotted outside. BTW, to me this means the door out of the gym that she ran through was an inside door. At any rate, it was my understanding that once she was spotted outside, the search shifted.

 

[girlhasnoname]

I am holding out hope for Serenity to be found soon. Her story is heartbreaking all the way around.

 

[ilovechili]

Two days after Dennard went missing, public warning messages were also sent to 612 landlines and cellphones of residents and businesses within a six-mile radius of the Children's Home, according to Alexa White, deputy director of Pennington County Emergency Management. The messages gave a description of Dennard and asked people to look for her outside their homes or businesses. BBM

I didn’t realize they did this! It’s also interesting to read the timespans of finding others “lost in the wilderness.”

Sheriff's Office narrowing search for missing girl by eliminating areas

I as well do not remember hearing they did this. I do think if more of these kinds of things were shared, it would go a long way with the public. I felt much of the time as if nothing was being done. I do realize it is not their job to inform the public nor their priority but it is a different day and age, and even back before this day and age, people need to see that all is being done that can be. imo and jmo.

 

[AgeofAquaruis]

Two days after Dennard went missing, public warning messages were also sent to 612 landlines and cellphones of residents and businesses within a six-mile radius of the Children's Home, according to Alexa White, deputy director of Pennington County Emergency Management. The messages gave a description of Dennard and asked people to look for her outside their homes or businesses. BBM

I didn’t realize they did this! It’s also interesting to read the timespans of finding others “lost in the wilderness.”

Sheriff's Office narrowing search for missing girl by eliminating areas

2 whole days, this is a 9 year old child we're talking about. Aggghhhhhhhh. Time is of the essence,and it's been wasted.
MOO.

 

[SkipperKey3]

Looks like there is a major winter storm headed that way. While that part of SD won't get the worst of it, it looks like it will still get a lot of snow and wind.

 

[sloane7777]

what ? can anyone link me to her interview , I have been purposely avoiding it but now I want to see.

 

[sloane7777]

found it )

 

[SkipperKey3]

<modsnip> The issue, it seems, had more to do with a communication issue between DG and CD than anything else. We are too quick to jump to conclusions without knowing what was actually happening. Let's not assume that DG had no desire to be part of Serenity's life. Nothing is as simple at it seems.

 

[kay74]

I prayed for her last night. My only worry is, was she thrown in the trash and burned at a landfill. I hate even saying such a horrific sentence. I do pray she was found and is with someone who is good.

 

[misgrn]

Re: the bolded. I don't recall MSM ever stating that they continue to look exclusively inside once she was spotted outside. I can't remember which MSM article now, but I thought they said that they searched exclusively inside until they were told she was spotted outside. BTW, to me this means the door out of the gym that she ran through was an inside door. At any rate, it was my understanding that once she was spotted outside, the search shifted.

I can't find it now but will keep looking, the article I read stated they had searched inside for most of the time from when Serenity ran 10:45 to when the 911 call was placed. Maybe it was poorly worded or I misunderstood. It may have been update too if it was an error. Thanks! It is too late to edit my post accordingly.

Yes, I understood that the gym door exited into a hallway.