WV WV - Aliayah Lunsford, 3, Lewis Co., 24 Sep 2011 - # 1

[Darcyline]

Not having a recent picture really bothers me because a year makes a world of difference at that age. My nephews looked like different people every year of their life until one got into the 5+ age range and less change happens year to year. I just cannot believe that no one in the world, mother or not, snapped a photo of her that is even from 2011.

 

[Melanie]

How do we know she has a computer/internet connection? I know she has a Facebook page, but that's inconclusive- she might have had it for a few years and no longer has a home computer and/or she accesses it from the library or something. The time stamp may or may not be accurate, as I think Aliayah look older in that photo than the Christmas photo, and certainly doesn't look 21 months. Edit: Scratch the last part, looking at it again my memory of proportions was way off.

All that said and acknowledging the potential issues (digital cameras are useless without a computer and can be an unnecessary expense if you are broke, my cell phone pictures are so low quality that they don't look my kids the few times I've pulled it out), I do wish there were more and better pictures of this sweet little girl.

Like I said, I'm merely speculating. That's what we do here at WS I didn't state it as fact.

Thanks so much!

Mel

 

[lynnb]

I just thought of something...if Aliayah was raised in the foster system when mom wasn't "home", that may explain the shortage of photos.

she may have only returned to her mother's care recently

 

[SnoopyDoobyDoo]

Not having a recent picture really bothers me because a year makes a world of difference at that age. My nephews looked like different people every year of their life until one got into the 5+ age range and less change happens year to year. I just cannot believe that no one in the world, mother or not, snapped a photo of her that is even from 2011.

I can. Say mom (and possibly grandma) don't have a camera. Maybe there's a family get together during a holiday and the camera comes out, but the little girl hides. She wouldn't be the first. I have spent the last six months trying to chase my older child down (good-naturedly- if he was really upset about it I wouldn't do it, another possibilty) while snapping pictures, because he inevitably runs away and/or obscures his face. Even with two digital cameras at my constant disposal, I have managed maybe 10-15 usable pictures if he were to disappear tomorrow. If I had to rely on friends/family get togethers, there would almost certainly be none.

Edit- And Lynn's line of though is certainly possible as well.

Like I said, I'm merely speculating. That's what we do here at WS I didn't state it as fact.

Thanks so much!

Mel

Sorry, I misinterpreted your post. When you said "We know mommy has internet", I assumed you meant an internet connection and I had missed this information.

 

[lynnb]

http://www.weirtondailytimes.com/page/content.detail/id/570989.html
Alton said it's too soon to say whether the child wandered off or was taken.
"We've all got our own senses about it, but at this point, it's just like she vanished out of midair," he said.

What does that mean?

 

[Melanie]

I can. Say mom (and possibly grandma) don't have a camera. Maybe there's a family get together during a holiday and the camera comes out, but the little girl hides. She wouldn't be the first. I have spent the last six months trying to chase my older child down (good-naturedly- if he was really upset about it I wouldn't do it, another possibilty) while snapping pictures, because he inevitably runs away and/or obscures his face. Even with two digital cameras at my constant disposal, I have managed maybe 10-15 usable pictures if he were to disappear tomorrow. If I had to rely on friends/family get togethers, there would almost certainly be none.

Edit- And Lynn's line of though is certainly possible as well.



Sorry, I misinterpreted your post. When you said "We know mommy has internet", I assumed you meant an internet connection and I had missed this information.

Ahhh...sorry bout that. When I said that she has internet -- meaning she can access FB somehow. Maybe it's not in her home - who knows. Just like you mentioning that perhaps she didn't have it in the home. We're both on the same page

Mel

 

[wfgodot]

http://www.weirtondailytimes.com/page/content.detail/id/570989.html
Alton said it's too soon to say whether the child wandered off or was taken.
"We've all got our own senses about it, but at this point, it's just like she vanished out of midair," he said.

What does that mean?

"There is no evidence of a specific scenario; we have only our subjective feelings about what has happened."

 

[lynnb]

OT- breaking news on JVM- Steven Powell sexually obsessed with Susan
These shows are ridiculous....how can they call that breaking news?

 

[JeannieC]

Not to mention grandmothers, aunts, cousins, neighbors, friends etc...
This little girl is adorable. How could she walk by anyone and not have her picture snapped? She's too dang cute

I believe I read upthread that cell phones don't work in that area. I believe someone mentioned it for searchers. I know all the times I've been to WV my cell wouldn't work in a lot of areas.

 

[Melanie]

Not having a recent picture really bothers me because a year makes a world of difference at that age. My nephews looked like different people every year of their life until one got into the 5+ age range and less change happens year to year. I just cannot believe that no one in the world, mother or not, snapped a photo of her that is even from 2011.

I know! I just so happen to be putting together a holiday album for the UK grandparents, and the changes in my son from one year to the next is amazing. I'm glad I have all these photos (although he seems none to pleased).

I wonder about her Birthday. She just had her 3rd birthday on JULY 29, 2011. What - not a single birthday photo? Was it even celebrated.

OMG - I must have 100 piccies from my sons 3rd. We're not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination (1 income family), but I do make sure that each year is special in its own way.

I just wanna cry --

Mel

 

[lynnb]

I believe I read upthread that cell phones don't work in that area. I believe someone mentioned it for searchers. I know all the times I've been to WV my cell wouldn't work in a lot of areas.

But you don't need service to use the camera on a phone

 

[lynnb]

http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=108621
"Christmas Day, when she was going to open up her presents, she always opens up the biggest ones first and the smallest ones for last. She was really, really proud of what she got for Christmas. I just want her back home," Wendy Swiger, Aliayah's aunt, said.

Her family says Aliayah would not wander off on her own, and family and acquaintances shared stories about a girl who loves cats and dogs, saying her smile could light up a room.

"She was a special little girl. She wouldn't go to no strangers. She was pretty close to the family, and we just want her home," Sherri Prunty, Aliayah's aunt, said.

 

[Melanie]

Going back to post #142, there appears to be 21 registered sex offenders in Weston, WV, as of July, 2011. I would certainly like to hear the LE has cleared all of them. One, is a mere 1 mile away.

Source: http://www.city-data.com/so/so-Weston-West-Virginia.html



Mel

 

[lynnb]

There is also a video posted with this story
http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=108621

In the video, the reporter states that no one from Aliayah's family would talk on camera

 

[Melanie]

http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=108621
"Christmas Day, when she was going to open up her presents, she always opens up the biggest ones first and the smallest ones for last. She was really, really proud of what she got for Christmas. I just want her back home," Wendy Swiger, Aliayah's aunt, said.

Her family says Aliayah would not wander off on her own, and family and acquaintances shared stories about a girl who loves cats and dogs, saying her smile could light up a room.

"She was a special little girl. She wouldn't go to no strangers. She was pretty close to the family, and we just want her home," Sherri Prunty, Aliayah's aunt, said.

Maybe auntie can provide us with a picture of her smile that lights up a room then. Why is she a "special little girl". That's a very odd statement to me.

And of course she's close to the family - she's 3.

I'm not buying what she's trying to sell, and would like to see someone come forward with some decent pictures first.

Sorry - just a gut feeling..

MOO

Mel

 

[fhc]

http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=108621
"Christmas Day, when she was going to open up her presents, she always opens up the biggest ones first and the smallest ones for last. She was really, really proud of what she got for Christmas. I just want her back home," Wendy Swiger, Aliayah's aunt, said.

Her family says Aliayah would not wander off on her own, and family and acquaintances shared stories about a girl who loves cats and dogs, saying her smile could light up a room.

"She was a special little girl. She wouldn't go to no strangers. She was pretty close to the family, and we just want her home," Sherri Prunty, Aliayah's aunt, said.

Why are they talking about Aliayah in the past tense???

 

[lynnb]

Maybe auntie can provide us with a picture of her smile that lights up a room then. Why is she a "special little girl". That's a very odd statement to me.

And of course she's close to the family - she's 3.

I'm not buying what she's trying to sell, and would like to see someone come forward with some decent pictures first.

Sorry - just a gut feeling..

MOO

Mel

No, according to the aunt she "was" a special little girl:banghead:

 

[JeannieC]

But you don't need service to use the camera on a phone

True but if the cell phone won't work in that area why would anyone have one?

 

[lynnb]

True but if the cell phone won't work in that area why would you have one?

good point

 

[bessie]

Some folks mentioned they saw a Christmas tree in the background, which makes me wonder if it was a "Santa lap" picture. Sometimes kids cry in those pictures...even well-adjusted and great kids.

MOO and other disclaimers.

It's not a Santa picture. A woman, her mom I suppose, is holding her in the photo. I can't make too much of the pouty face. During the holidays, kids get cranky and tired from too much excitement and eating a lot of goodies, etc., just like adults.