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

[ilovechili]

I remember that case and the horribly sad outcome.

I know of a similar one. The child was searched for exhaustively and there were cars on the property that if I recall correctly were being worked on. The child got into a trunk and it was hot. They found the child a day or two later and too late. The Sheriff's Department beat themselves up over the fact they did not check the trunks. I believe they thought of it but felt it unlikely and I believe they thought the child would have had to get the key which I think the child did off of the hook they were kept on and they just did not feel it likely... A haunting case that one is as well... Heartbreaking as they all are... I guess if there is anything to be said it is that such cases teach us... Always check the trunks of vehicles if you have a child missing. Another one, another case, while home schooling is great and many do it for the right reasons, in other cases, it is to hide a child and what is going on... So many things I have learned since joining this site...

 

[SkipperKey3]

You put the facts together in a way I did not understand them. One thing missing however is there was allegedly a second person in the car who waited and watched Serenity head north while the driver was inside reporting it. They kept watching but by the time the driver came back she was out of sight. From what I understand they drove up and down the road looking for her, not the staff at first.

As you say MSM often does not help. I hate them and love them simultaneously. I am upset when we have no news or they do not ask questions or report, but I hate them when they intrude and/or get the facts wrong in their goal as well in their rush sometimes.

I also wonder in the beginning we heard of no such car or people for quite some time. The initial story was a child ran, a worker ran after the child, the other worker stayed in place with two children as Serenity fled from the building. However, that worker immediately called for help, 911 was called quickly and she was searched for (came across like outside as they saw her flee outside) immediately.

The facts we now hear match nor jive with that in any way. It has changed significantly.

Is it possible the person driving the car was an employee? Bringing someone back from a home visit or into the facility for the first time? I would doubt you just "drop off" a child. Is it possible the same person being an employee was the staffer who talked to the wood cutting people as they were driving up and down the road looking for her and perhaps saw the wood cutting people? Or was it someone who went looking after this person went inside and notified the staff?

Who knows...

I have come to realize I do not like it when things do not make sense nor fit together to make sense. And so far, this is yet another case where they do not.

In closing, I think we were hearing about the wood cutters and their effort to find them long before we heard about this vehicle being at the home and seeing her outside. I, like all, would like more facts. Are there any gates at this facility? Can anyone drive in at any time? Can one just walk into the facility no matter who they are or their intent or do they have to buzz and be expected? Can a child just walk out?? With no door alarm or security that stops them from being able to?

Any answers that can be provided would be welcome.

I cannot think of a scenario that would have this child safe and sound and protected but I still hope somehow she is. She is a baby, just 9 years old.

RE: the apparent contradiction with the person watching Serenity from the car, indicating she was heading north, but the staff member looking out and seeing her head into the hills. Keep in mind that this is two different vantage points. I mentioned the ditch (or little cliff) that would have prevented Serenity from just heading up hill at the driveway. So she went to where she could. The person watching in the car did NOT have an unobstructed view - there are, according to Google Maps, trees that surround the parking lot. So that person could have seen her point north, then be obstructed by the trees in the parking lot. The staff member could have looked out, looked across the compound without those obstructions, and saw her then turn and go into the hills. The two aren't mutually exclusive, because of the different vantage points with different levels of visibility, thanks partly to the trees. It is even possible that the person who was driving the car and had reported Serenity outside was not aware that she was subsequently seen going up the hillside into the trees.

Again, not saying that is how it happened, just supposition.

I know all of us want her found safe and sound and brought home.

 

[ilovechili]

RE: the apparent contradiction with the person watching Serenity from the car, indicating she was heading north, but the staff member looking out and seeing her head into the hills. Keep in mind that this is two different vantage points. I mentioned the ditch (or little cliff) that would have prevented Serenity from just heading up hill at the driveway. So she went to where she could. The person watching in the car did NOT have an unobstructed view - there are, according to Google Maps, trees that surround the parking lot. So that person could have seen her point north, then be obstructed by the trees in the parking lot. The staff member could have looked out, looked across the compound without those obstructions, and saw her then turn and go into the hills. The two aren't mutually exclusive, because of the different vantage points with different levels of visibility, thanks partly to the trees. It is even possible that the person who was driving the car and had reported Serenity outside was not aware that she was subsequently seen going up the hillside into the trees.

Again, not saying that is how it happened, just supposition.

I know all of us want her found safe and sound and brought home.

That does make sense and when one is not in an area or intimately familiar with it, we sit back and think why was she not found immediately. When I follow cases in areas where I know the area, I have a better understanding of it may not be as easy as someone sitting states away could imagine.

If, however, this is the case, the staff member saw her going into the hills subsequent to the person in the car coming in? I would have to look back but what was the time period? Did they immediately then go into the hills where the staff member saw her and look for her as quickly as they could? While the car did not know and headed up and down the road? (Which I could see if someone saw one thing and then someone else saw another and it was not communicated and the person in the car had left...) I know it is easy to judge but I would think there would be immediacy right then searching outside and quickly right then and there if a staff member saw her heading into the hills and in that direction, and a call for help. Again, I know it is easy to be an armchair quarterback so to speak...

We do all want her found safe and brought home--I think everyone's desire is that in each and every case where there is still hope. When there is not, I think everyone's desire is to have the perp brought to justice.

We all agree on that basic hope and I think it plays into why things can be discussed civilly most of the time

 

[YaYa_521]

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Thinking of Serenity today praying she's safe and sound somewhere.

There's a ton of love, care and concern for you all around the world, Serenity. Happy belated Valentine's Day! Wherever home is in your heart, get there safely.

 

[LaborDayRN]

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Thinking of Serenity today praying she's safe and sound somewhere.

There's a ton of love, care and concern for you all around the world, Serenity. Happy belated Valentine's Day! Wherever home is in your heart, get there safely.

Beautifully written! Thank you! I think we all share the same sentiment.

 

[rsd1200]

Just checking in. Hoping they'd found her.

 

[human]

Then their tips from the computer is related you think to an adult and not to her having access? The article earlier said they had 20+ tips from a computer forensic eval.

I hope she was taken and that it was by someone she knew. That is about the only scenario I can see where she may be alive and safe and unharmed.

Any thoughts on the ten businesses they obtained video from?

Someone from the area or more familiar with it may be able to answer that for us as well.

Yes, I think it is related to an adult and not her.

My best friend works in such a facility and the kids do not have computer access except for educational materials. The facility is residential and has public school teachers.School district computers are really locked down but the facility in SD is totally private? so maybe things are different and I am looking at it through a lense where the facility I know of is more tightly run.

The child / adult ratio in SD is very good.

I cannot fathom how she could make a plan to run at a certain time, be sure that the situation is such that a staff member will not capture her and meet someone at a certain location at a prearranged time.

Maybe she is a genius, though, for all I know

 

[human]

I hope all computers/laptops in the facility have been forensically searched.
Kids are tech-savvy these days!
My 6 year old brother has been using nan iPad since he was 3 and he knows his way around a cellphone....

IMO

But can he program a computer and get around firewalls?

 

[LaborDayRN]

But can he program a computer and get around firewalls?

This has me thinking....I know that by junior high kids have been able to get around firewalls on their school supplied electronic devices. Does anyone know what the age range is at the facility? Is it possible that and older child had befriended Serenity and that child had either gotten to old to stay at the facility or been sent home for another reason? In other words, could the plan to leave have been formulated with an older child or teen?

 

[Jim_M]

This has me thinking....I know that by junior high kids have been able to get around firewalls on their school supplied electronic devices. Does anyone know what the age range is at the facility? Is it possible that and older child had befriended Serenity and that child had either gotten to old to stay at the facility or been sent home for another reason? In other words, could the plan to leave have been formulated with an older child or teen?

That brings my thought process back around to, "Why run at that moment? Why when they were in the gymnasium?"

Would SD not realize she needed a jacket for outdoors? She must have known it was cold outside, right?

 

[LaborDayRN]

That brings my thought process back around to, "Why run at that moment? Why when they were in the gymnasium?"

Would SD not realize she needed a jacket for outdoors? She must have known it was cold outside, right?

My original thought was that the opportunity arose, so she ran. But you're right. She had to have known it was super cold outside!

 

[SkipperKey3]

My original thought was that the opportunity arose, so she ran. But you're right. She had to have known it was super cold outside!

It has been 58 degrees and sunny on Friday, and 61 and sunny on Saturday (the day before) but on the day she ran the temperatures had dropped drastically. Was she aware of the extreme cold that had moved in after a couple of nice days? I don't know.

 

[human]

That brings my thought process back around to, "Why run at that moment? Why when they were in the gymnasium?"

Would SD not realize she needed a jacket for outdoors? She must have known it was cold outside, right?

A gym probably is big and they are perhaps running already. In a hallway, she could more easily be stopped.

So many kids in this type of situation like to run. Teachers do not like to put their hands on kids nowadays.

We were trained in restraint methods but I never ever intended to use them no matter what. The risks are too great for someone saying something about a teacher touching a child.

I know where my friend works they call in special staff when a kid runs or is out of control

 

[NYatheart]

I can’t believe this precious girl is still missing. I check here every day praying for an update.

Where are you Serenity?

 

[Jim_M]

My original thought was that the opportunity arose, so she ran. But you're right. She had to have known it was super cold outside!

So, in your theory, this person could have assured her they would be waiting. Possibly using gym time as the catalyst. SD would not be worried about a coat; there'd be a warm vehicle waiting for her. But where? How far away? Oh my I so want this to end like all of our recent 'found' cases!

 

[LaborDayRN]

So, in your theory, this person could have assured her they would be waiting. Possibly using gym time as the catalyst. SD would not be worried about a coat; there'd be a warm vehicle waiting for her. But where? How far away? Oh my I so want this to end like all of our recent 'found' cases!

I really want that too. My theory is probably wishful thinking but I just hate the thought that she succumbed to the elements.

 

[ilovechili]

Yes, I think it is related to an adult and not her.

My best friend works in such a facility and the kids do not have computer access except for educational materials. The facility is residential and has public school teachers.School district computers are really locked down but the facility in SD is totally private? so maybe things are different and I am looking at it through a lense where the facility I know of is more tightly run.

The child / adult ratio in SD is very good.

I cannot fathom how she could make a plan to run at a certain time, be sure that the situation is such that a staff member will not capture her and meet someone at a certain location at a prearranged time.

Maybe she is a genius, though, for all I know

If I could have one question answered right now, it would be how long she had been there. Had she just arrived or been there for some time... My next would relate to security, alarms, ability to get outside or inside... Next would be the difference in weekdays versus weekends and staff. And depending, that may be my first question and the first the second... And the third would remain the third.

The child/adult ratio is what we have been told. I guess I am somewhat cynical in that we can be told that is protocol, it does not mean it was what was occurring on this Sunday... Without cameras who knows? Maybe some took a smoke break or wanted to make a private phone call and said hey cover for me... I hate to be that way but facts are nice, not just statements by someone who had the 911 call time wrong... By at least one and one-half hours not by minutes... That alone makes me question everything... Somewhere along the line that was way wrong... I so much am not accusing anyone but that is a fact and to anyone with a brain cell it has to make one wonder...

I will probably be attacked for that remark.... Just saying though again, has the story changed? Yes it has.... I would like to believe for the best reasons and not any sinister reason... Probably just a PR thing and hoping she would be found quickly...

But she has not been...

 

[akazia1978]

I've worked in one of these facilities. I lasted a year and a half as staff....most staff only last 6 months. Ours had zero electronic access. There was a school, and a residential area with different units based on age and sex. We had a number of runners, in fact it was almost daily. We only had walkie talkies, so it was a matter of first radioing other staff to chase the runner, and then if not located to call 911 so the police could help locate them. These facilities are not pleasant places. We used face up restraint techniques and "quiet rooms".
The facility I worked at is actually not isolated from the city which is pretty unusual. I do have to say though, I wouldn't blame a child for wanting to run. The children in these places have generally been through horrific life situations, throw them all together and it's hard to describe unless you have worked in one. You cannot however leave your particular unit to chase a runner, you have to call in other staff and it depends how much coverage there is on each unit. There were not any door alarms where I worked, it was not a lockdown facility....but it is easy to get momentarily distracted if other children are having issues, and then you get a runner.

 

[akazia1978]

I'll also add that most of the time, the children that ran didn't have any particular plan, they just wanted out. Most were located same day, although we definitely had a few teens that were not located for a month or two.

 

[katydid23]

I am sure she knew it was cold outside and she needed a coat. But many of the kids exhibit symptoms which may include impulsivity, irrational actions and/or poor choices being made spontaneously. They may have PTSD, ADHD, defiant disorder, etc etc. I cling to the hope that a distant family member somehow rescued her in a planned event.