GUILTY WI - Reena Williams, 3, Town of Swiss, 14 Aug 2012

[imamaze]

Danielle,

I am so sorry for your loss. It must be devestating and my heart goes out to all of you. Welcome to Websleuths, I am sorry its under these circumstances. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Ima

 

[pferrin]

Welcome Danielle thanks for filling in the blanks here. Please stay around and sleuth other cases with us.

We sleuth cases here and try to put ourselves in others shoes. It is difficult for family to read what is written about cousins, sisters, mothers, fathers..etc. I respect you for defending your family. We look at this and other cases from a different vantage point than family. We look solely at what happened to the child and why.

Please understand our disposition will be different than yours.

Again welcome. So sorry for your loss.

 

[Danielle Swab]

We look solely at what happened to the child and why.



I understand and I wanted to give you the missing facts. It is a human quality to discuss tragic events and I get that. I just had to fill in the missing pieces. I'm not saying that Reena being left alone was not not irresponsible, but I just could no longer take the comments where people where speculating ideas which damage my cousin. As for looking at cases, this has impacted me in a way which I never would have imagined. I will assist if there is ever another case of a missing person in my town. I have Drew Peterson and Christopher Vaughn case going on near me. I now feel guilty for not helping look for Stacey Peterson. I also can understand with personal experience what families members of people missing go through to a degree.
Thank you again for listen to me and hopefully this will help us all to think a little different. GOD Bless you all and keep you all safe!

 

[pferrin]

DanielleI am so glad you are here. And I agree about the speculation. You are able to know truths that none of us here know. I feel for you and your family. It must be horrible to face this kind of loss and then media carp on top of the pain.

We all make mistakes..each of us. Most are never force to deal with a situation like yours and your family. I pray that you will each will find some peace during this time.

I prolly would not have the courage that you are showing by being here. God Bless yall.

 

[whatnow]

I truly understand the heart break for the loss of this little girl and I am sorry for all those who are grieving her loss. My heart goes out to you. It saddens my heart for so many reasons, I too have a wondering toddler, and it took me once of finding him in a place he shouldn't had been while just turning my back for just a second... I learned from this after catching him trying to sneak out my back door. The fear and panic I had after that led my spouse and I immediately to run to the hardware store and buy better locks he can not reach as well as a high chair I can buckle him up in and gates for the house. I have a pool in my back yard and even though he "knows" not to get on the ladder or even touch the pool there is this daring side of curiosity that thrives within him to do it just because it's water and it looks soooo fun (he's only 3). I don't allow him to play outside with out me being right out there with all my attention. The parents will now live with the mistake they made with their daring little girl for the rest of their lives. The choices are ours to protect our children and if we don't.. well things like this happen. The opportunity for them to change their mistake was there on what sounds like a number of occasions that very same day. Like the facts or not some one neglected to watch this child. It doesn't matter as to where they live exactly, where the mother worked, what kind of breed the dog was, if they are staying in a casino or not, who the father is, what kind of drink the father/step dad/ partner went in to get, if mother is sleeping, if she was buying smokes or cloths or hell even joy shopping... what is a concern is that this little girl deserves justice. In my opinion you cant say it was a total accident. Fine you say she wondered off earlier in the day, so don't let her do it again bring her in with you... it was not an accident for someone to leave her outside AGAIN long enough to disappear AGAIN knowing that this is a continuing event for her. The point said was don't you trust your partner.. well yes I do if they treat my children as I do.. my rules.. my guide lines.. if they don't care for my children as I do then I would never. Just like I don't take my child to a daycare that believed it was ok for children to run around in the road and play with toys. My point is you can't blame one parent this is a two way thing in my opinion. Most likely she did as he did, as he did as she did.... if you catch my drift. This isn't something new for this couple obviously.. cause it's happened before....

 

[whatnow]

I don't mean this in a mean way.. it is harsh facing the mistakes made. It's just heart breaking that a little tiny precious soul had to be lost in these mistakes when it really could had been prevented. My prayers go out to this family, friends, and everyone who was able to get involved in the search. My husband and I wanted to be there so bad, sadly I couldn't find a sitter.

 

[Jules71]

I truly understand the heart break for the loss of this little girl and I am sorry for all those who are grieving her loss. My heart goes out to you. It saddens my heart for so many reasons, I too have a wondering toddler, and it took me once of finding him in a place he shouldn't had been while just turning my back for just a second... I learned from this after catching him trying to sneak out my back door. The fear and panic I had after that led my spouse and I immediately to run to the hardware store and buy better locks he can not reach as well as a high chair I can buckle him up in and gates for the house. I have a pool in my back yard and even though he "knows" not to get on the ladder or even touch the pool there is this daring side of curiosity that thrives within him to do it just because it's water and it looks soooo fun (he's only 3). I don't allow him to play outside with out me being right out there with all my attention. The parents will now live with the mistake they made with their daring little girl for the rest of their lives. The choices are ours to protect our children and if we don't.. well things like this happen. The opportunity for them to change their mistake was there on what sounds like a number of occasions that very same day. Like the facts or not some one neglected to watch this child. It doesn't matter as to where they live exactly, where the mother worked, what kind of breed the dog was, if they are staying in a casino or not, who the father is, what kind of drink the father/step dad/ partner went in to get, if mother is sleeping, if she was buying smokes or cloths or hell even joy shopping... what is a concern is that this little girl deserves justice. In my opinion you cant say it was a total accident. Fine you say she wondered off earlier in the day, so don't let her do it again bring her in with you... it was not an accident for someone to leave her outside AGAIN long enough to disappear AGAIN knowing that this is a continuing event for her. The point said was don't you trust your partner.. well yes I do if they treat my children as I do.. my rules.. my guide lines.. if they don't care for my children as I do then I would never. Just like I don't take my child to a daycare that believed it was ok for children to run around in the road and play with toys. My point is you can't blame one parent this is a two way thing in my opinion. Most likely she did as he did, as he did as she did.... if you catch my drift. This isn't something new for this couple obviously.. cause it's happened before....

I agree with your post 100%! This darling little angel deserves justice and I hope she gets it.

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[CarrieBean]

Reena is my cousin's daughter, which makes her my 2nd cousin. I have a few things to say and correct some errors. First, I do not agree with leaving any child alone. Now, I'm am going to clear a few things up. One, Reena was greatly loved and adored! My cousin and our family are having a very difficult time with this. Reena was and is Jenna's joy! Don't ever question that or the love my cousin has for her daughter. The dog was not theirs it belonged to the neighbors. Reenas father had to be dragged out of the canal once the police arrived! They would not allow family to search why? Not sure. The dog took Reena's father close to where she was ,and he was only a few steps away from finding her when they dragged him out of the canal. As, for them shopping when the autopsy was being done ... The police according to procedure didn't allow them to take a thing from their home not even bottled water. The casino where my cousin works is putting them up until they are allowed back into their home, so they had to buy new clean clothes and other personal items. She wasn't joy shopping! Did no one notice the bags under Jenna's eyes?
Now, my father was a well respected Chicago Police officer, so I am very well are aware of standard procedures which the fine officers in WI did and are doing.
How many of you work nights and have your partner watch your children so you can sleep? How many of you work more than one job and are parents? Do you trust your spouse to watch your children? Why not?!!! Jenna and Tom are very aware of what may or may not come down in the future. They also lost their baby girl who they loved deeply!!! This was Jenna's only daughter. They are very distraught over the loss of Reena. I hope this clears up some questions! Also, this is my cousin !!! I know her and her heart. I also, know this is not easy for her at all! Also, know the media is Not showing the whole story! Maybe, there are other parents who will learn from this tragic accident! Instead of making judgement on my cousin pray for her and Reena's father! They are the ones who must live with this on their hearts forever!!! Also, maybe people need to learn not to judge others those of you who are Christians should know this, and those of you who aren't should just not judge, because no one is perfect.
A few thoughts I'll leave you with... Have you ever walked away to answer the phone, do dishes, or run to the bathroom and you have children? Did they get into something you didn't expect them to? And again if your working strange hours should you not let your partner/spouse watch your child?
I do understand you all care for Reena and it amazes me how many people are fighting for a child they don't know, but that just means to me that you all value life! Please know Jenna is heart broken and still in shock.

Thank you for coming here with your thoughts, Danielle.

I have been one of the posters who have been very judgmental here. Normally, not so much, but after hearing LE's thoughts I have gotten really angry.

I do understand what you're saying, and have raised kids on my own for many years (one with CP)...made plenty of stupid mistakes...and learned from them. It's hard to understand why Reena was still running around out on her own.

However it appears to me, or to the public...There are many questions out there.

Why wasn't she watched after she went off the first time?

Why didn't dad "need the cops?"

Why was a 3 year old left alone in the yard? (multiple times, it appears).

Why did Jenna and Tom feel the need for clean clothes and personal items on the first day of their Daughter missing rather than sticking around hoping she'd be back any minute?

I really am sorry this is happening to your family. Reena was a beautiful baby.

 

[hollyblue]

From other missing cases, can any of you remember if the family was asked to leave the home before the child was found? In most cases the family is not asked to leave at all. ?? A search warrant is made for the house, but they aren't ask to leave, iirc.

ETA: I think the case in NH, where the little 11 yr old was found drowned. But, it wasn't while they were searching for her, it was awhile afterwards.

 

[Jules71]

From other missing cases, can any of you remember if the family was asked to leave the home before the child was found? In most cases the family is not asked to leave at all. ?? A search warrant is made for the house, but they aren't ask to leave, iirc.

ETA: I think the case in NH, where the little 11 yr old was found drowned. But, it wasn't while they were searching for her, it was awhile afterwards.

I think in the Isa Celis case they had family leave. Not certain though. I do not believe they did in Sierra Newbold's case. Seems the difference in those two cases is one family appeared involved and the other not. Both disappeared from their rooms at night. I think it is odd in this case because it was not a possible abduction from the home. So why did LE take control of the house? I think it is because of the stories by the neighbors and suspecting neglect and or involvement.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

 

[Jules71]

Danielle,
It was reported Jenna was shopping when they located Reena's body - not when they were doing the autopsy. They located her body at 4:50 pm the day after she disappeared. Are you saying while everyone in the community was searching for this precious child, Jenna needed to buy clothes (or shoes and cell phones)? So Dad was being dragged out of the canal just moments before they found her and Mom was 30 minutes away shopping?

I am sorry for your loss.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

 

[whatnow]

I do understand you all care for Reena and it amazes me how many people are fighting for a child they don't know, but that just means to me that you all value life! Please know Jenna is heart broken and still in shock.

I am sorry for being so up front but here is honestly where the world is stuck... We are fighting for a precious little girl who will never have the chance to go to school, ride the school bus, have a best friend, a sleep over, boyfriend, drive a car for the first time, go to college, find a true love, have children of her own, etc. I am fighting for the obvious the neglected not the neglecter(s). Now I know on your defense it must be hard to choose between family but the facts are the facts. The choices were made and could had been changed but weren't. Now there may have been love in this family but not enough to make a simple change to save this tiny soul. I sit here in tears thinking of how alone she must have felt taking that gulp of water, that panic of not being able to breath, what went through this darling girls mind before she finally let go and god took her on. Reena deserves justice. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me... this is not an accident and that is clear.

 

[CarmelEyesD]

Looks like Mom has deleted all but one photo now from her FB. So sad for little Reena.

All the photos are still on the moms FB...she may have just made them private.

 

[hollyblue]

"There were no signs of foul play," Mike Maloney told KARE 11. His preliminary report was conducted after an autopsy was ordered Thursday.
Maloney said the full report will be ready in four to six weeks.

Reporter on video stating the area was made a no fly zone due to the sensitivity of the investigation.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=987129

ETA: TW's job apparently was part-time:

http://youferral.com/jobpost/show/3881690-part-time-dam-operator-danbury-wi

 

[knowthelaws]

Here are some facts that the news has not brought up. The family was not allowed to take part in the search, why, who knows. The father had to be restrained the night that she went missing, not during the search, as he was not allowed to be a part. Any immediate family was not allowed to be in it. As for the shopping, the family was not allowed to be in the house during the search. It has been noted that the mother was shopping for shoes, cigarettes, and cell phones. With having no way to communicate since you weren't allowed in your house, it makes sense for the phones. Maybe she couldn't grab shoes and possibly had sandals on. I noticed that the reports were that the area was really bad and sturdy shoes were needed. As for the neglegence, I agree, itsure looks like it. But...the family that owned the dog that was with Renna was the family that said she was by them earlier. Possibly could it be that they were worried that it was their dog that knocked her in the water and they were worried that it may come back on them? Just throwing it out there because they are the ones saying that she wandered over there. Still not a reason to not supervise your daughter while she is outside, but does make you think. They always say there is 2 sides to every story and unfortuanately we are only hearing one, and the other side is under investigation so we won't hear anything for a while. Also, I can't blame Jenna for removing or putting her pictures on private. It seems like everyone and their mother is looking for reasons to show she was a negligent mother. I just want to get all the facts before I pass judgement and I don't trust everything the media shows with all the editting they do. The bottom line is, a precious little girl is now gone, we can blame anyone we want, but it won't bring her back. Hopefully there is some good with this tragedy and it prevents something like this from happening again!

 

[Jules71]

Usually they don't want the family to take part in searching because they don't want the family to be the ones to find the body.

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[TobyWong*]

imo, even if the family is asked not to search, I would've, had this been my child, been standing right there watching from the sidelines. Could'nt drag me to the store for anything. Honestly, anyone would've run to the store for them. This was'nt days into the search. I won't even get into the fact that this tiny human had just been brought back to her house because they wer'nt aware that she had wandered. My 11 yr old has to check in every 30 minutes and he's not allowed off my street. No way at 3 would i not have eyes on him. With water at every turn. No way! This is not just running to answer the phone or to grab a quick drink. This is an extended period of time to not give thought to where your beautiful child could be. Not a thought or worry that she might've wandered back to what had her wandering just earlier. This is just not thinking of that child. period. imo. There is no excuse. imo.

 

[hollyblue]

Not saying it's their fault, at all, but I wish the people who had seen her time and time again would have called CPS; it may have saved her. Hindsight is 20/20 tho. Not going to throw blame...I'll let LE handle that. The fact that it was totally preventable ..and it wasn't the first time.. is inexcusable. This baby is no more. jmo

You have lots of little friends in heaven now Reena and a great caretaker. Chase all the puppies you want. :rose:

 

[rachaellouise]

The sad thing is that you can love a child with all your heart and still be negligent by nature.

 

[TxLady2]

Usually they don't want the family to take part in searching because they don't want the family to be the ones to find the body.

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True. LE usually will not allow families to search initially. As far as them not being allowed in the house while they're searching, that's pretty standard as well. In case a body is found, they do not want family being there when that happens, for obvious reasons.

I'm so sad that another precious child is gone. I don't know the reasons, all I can say is, IF this was due to neglect or carelessness on the part of one or both parents, let LE sort it out. It's not our call. Please remember that there are other family members who are hurting, not just the parents.

JMHO