It’s been three years since Jaliek Rainwalker disappeared from his home in Greenwich, NY and today a search for the 12-year-old will resume. Divers will descend on an area of the Battenkill River in Middle Falls that they had not previously been able to search. This is the first the time this portion of the body of water has been deemed safe, and it is possibly an area Jaliek’s father mentioned when he was working with authorities.
The last 34 months have been a roller coaster ride for investigators as they have conducted numerous searches, followed hundreds of leads and have tried to work with Jaliek’s adopted parents. Reportedly, police say his mother and father are no longer cooperating with the investigation, Jaliek has not been seen, and they fear the worst. Barbara Reeley, Jaliek’s adopted grandmother, has not given up hope. She is well known by the community and is doing everything she can to help investigators find her grandson. Reeley was even charged with burglary when she allegedly broke into her daughter’s home to look for evidence in this case. Police say she uncovered the yellow pullover fleece Jaliek was last seen wearing, but still no one has been charged with any crimes in this case.In March 2010, investigators released a new age enhanced photo of what Jaliek would look like today, hoping the image and the attention would jog the memories of those who may have information.
If you know anything, please contact investiagtors: (518) 692-9332
Almost six months have passed since Shantina Smiley and her 8-year-old son Azriel Carver went missing off a beach in Washington State. Sadly, Azriel’s body was found shortly after they disappeared, but there’s been no sign of Shantina. She has vanished. I spoke with Lt. Chris Mealey from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office recently and he said, “It’s still an open case and if we get information we will move on it as quickly as we can.” He also said that the leads have fizzled out and there is a chance she went into the water with her son, but they have no official confirmation on that.
I confirmed with the Medical Examiner’s office in Tacoma that Azriel’s death is officially ruled an accident and drowning is the cause of death. The area where his body was found is west of Tacoma, Washington, and about 12 miles from where Azriel and his mom’s mini-van was found on a private beach. Azriel’s father flew in from Lancaster to help look for his son initially, and was near the location when Azriel was found. Several memorial services have been held on Grand Island in memory of the child and Shantina.
BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Great news! Judges in France just ruled that Jean Paul will go home with his mother Berenice. The panel granted custody to Berenice (which she had in America all along). FOX San Antonio has a reporter imbedded with Berenice and they broke the news just a few hours ago. We do not know when Jean Paul will return from France, but this is a positive leap in the right direction… More to come..
Jean Paul Missing
This case was running through my mind this morning. I was searching through my files and the date December 18, 2009 popped up. That was the last time I brought you the case of Jean Paul who was taken illegally from his bus stop. Since then, a grand jury issued a felony indictment for the felony offenses of kidnapping, aggravated perjury and interference with child custody against his father, Jean Philippe Lacombe.
Fundraisers are underway to help find missing 7-year-old Kyron Horman. On September 1, 2010 supporters are asking folks to dine at Godfather’s Pizza. A quarter of the proceeds that day will go to the search to help find Kyron. In addition, organizers are looking for any businesses or private persons to donate plain white t-shirts. They have a printer, and will print information about Kyron on the shirts for free.
Kyron has been missing for almost three months. He was last seen on June 4 with his step-mother, Terri Moulton-Horman, at his elementary school in Portland, Oregon.
A brand new website Bring Kyron Homehas launched to help find missing 7-year-old Kyron Horman. The goal is to continue to raise awareness of the case, spread the word, download and distribute fliers in various languages and report strange or suspicious activity. Kyron went missing on June 4, 2010 in Portland, Oregon. He was last seen at the Skyline Elementary school where he attended a morning science fair with his step-mother, Terri Moulton Horman.
The case has had many bizarre twists and turns since then, but to date investigators have not named a suspect or person of interest. A grand jury has been behind doors for weeks hearing testimony and information from people who knew Terri, or who may have information about Kyron. Investigators told me they’ve received thousands of leads in this case, but none have led them to Kyron.
If you have any information, please contact the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Tipline: (503) 261-2847
UPDATE: Investigators in Arizona found skeletal remains about two miles away from where toddler Sylar Newton went missing. Authorities have not released the identity or cause of death, but the remains are believed to be those of the missing 2-year-old. More to come on this case…
Sylar Newton Missing (family photo)
Sylar Newton mysteriously vanished out of his sleeping bag on July 25th at the Beaver Creek Campgrounds in Arizona. The area is about an hour south of Flagstaff. Since then, authorities from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office have poured more than 4,000 man hours into finding the child. Deputies have received additional help from the FBI and forensic specialists,and this is a 24/7 operation. Officials announced today that the case is no longer a missing person investigation, but similar to the Kyron Horman case out of Oregon, it is now an official criminal investigation. Unlike Kyron’s case, authorities have come out publicly and stated that they don’t believe Sylar wandered away from the campground, and they presume he is dead.
UPDATE – 4:38 p.m. Oregon State Police officials say Issak Glenn was thankfully found safe about 20 minutes ago by two men driving on a dirt road near Big Creek. He has been reunited with his family members who were on the ground searching for him since yesterday. Authorities say he quickly ate a sandwich and drank water.
Investigators in Florence, Oregon are actively searching for 5-year-old Isaak Benjamin Glenn. Isaak was reported missing yesterday afternoon at the Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park. He vanished around 5 p.m. and hasn’t been seen since. Searchers are currently on foot canvassing the area where the child went missing and are interviewing anyone who was staying at the park last night. The area was chocked to capacity with campers. Local investigators and members from the fire department are also assisting with the efforts.
UPDATE: Sadly, Emmett’s body was found a short time ago about one mile away from his home. Investigators have the area marked off and have not released his cause of death. More to come on this case…
The search continues for two missing toddlers in Arizona. Investigators say Emmett Trapp vanished on Monday night from his home in Dewey, and Sylar Newton disappeared from a campsite near Flagstaff on July 25, 2010. The location of Emmett’s disappearance is a little over an hour from where Sylar went missing. I spoke with investigators and it appears at this point the cases are not connected, but there are many similarities.
Case similarities:
• Both Sylar and Emmett were last seen wearing diapers and both are believed to be wandering in their bare feet
• Both children were discovered missing after their mothers and custodial mothers woke up to find them gone
• The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is searching and investigating both cases
• Both toddlers went missing in very rural areasThe family dog wandered off with Emmett when he disappeared, but later returned without the child.
Sylar Newton mysteriously vanished out of his sleeping bag nine days ago at the Beaver Creek Campgrounds in Arizona. The area is about an hour south of Flagstaff. Since then, authorities from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office have poured more than 4,000 man hours into finding the child. Deputies have received additional help from the FBI and forensic specialists,and this is a 24/7 operation. Officials announced today that the case is no longer a missing person investigation, but similar to the Kyron Horman case out of Oregon, it is now an official criminal investigation. Unlike Kyron’s case, authorities have come out publicly and stated that they don’t believe Sylar wandered away from the campground, and they presume he is dead.
Sylar was reported missing around 1:45 a.m. on July 25, 2010. Since then, crews have not only combed the area where he went missing, but have dug through hundreds of tons of waste at the Gray Wolf Landfill. Sylar was camping with his custodial mother, Christian Priem.
Sylar was last seen wearing a diaper without shoes.
If you have any information, please contact: Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at 978-771-3260
UPDATE:I just spoke with Sgt. Bill Goodin, and he did confirm to me that Amber was found in the middle of the night. He says a tip came in that she was at a local gas station and when police arrived on location, she was gone. I spoke with Amber’s father, James White, and he did tell me that his daughter called him directly and said, “they decided to let me go.” He raced to the store where Amber called from and picked her up. White says Amber is extremely tired, she is resting right now, and he is “relieved” that his daughter was found alive. He cannot talk about the specifics of the case or where his daughter may have been held over the last few days, but he did tell me that more arrests may be made in this case. White also said that Amber was found in white pajama pants.
Michelle Sigona is a crime fighting, victims advocate extraordinaire, but for Michelle -- the good fight doesn't stop there. In her spare time, she is a volunteer firefighter -- and now, she is tackling the issues and cases that mean the most to her....
