So Who REALLY goes missing?

         by Cynthia Caron                       

                                                             

Alzheimer's:  This disease touches many lives. Those with cognitive disorders are at risk of becoming a missing person due to confusion and becoming lost or wandering. Many of those who have gone missing have families that depend on us to help locate their missing loved one.

Developmentally Challenged
 Those who are developmentally challenged are very much at risk and we work with many families whose missing loved ones disappear who are developmentally challenged.  There is a higher rate among those who are young adolescents due to their vulnerabilities. They are always considered endangered and may qualify for a "Silver Alert", depending upon the laws set forth in their state.

Autism

  With the increasing amount of loved ones diagnosed with autism each year, an increase also occurs with those who suffer with autism who go missing.  We've noticed that many of those who have autism, and go missing, are usually children or teens.  Depending on the level of their cognitive awareness determines the probability of where we may need to focus in locating them. Those who are higher functioning may be "wandering" the streets and find themselves in situations in which they are at risk of becoming harmed and/or taken advantage by others. Some are manipulated and persuaded to leave the comforts of their homes with false promises of "love" in which they are invariably "preyed upon" and are at high risks of danger. 

Those who are at a lower level of cognitive awareness may wander from their family and are highly drawn towards water. Studies are ongoing as to why and unfortunately many that become missing for more than 48 hours are commonly located passed away in a death by water. (Lakes, streams, ponds, pools, etc.)

Special and Medical Needs

From Diabetes, epilepsy to traumatic brain injury, (Stroke or brain damage) those who have possess any of these condition "types" are also at risk of becoming a missing person due to a medical incident/accident to confusion from cognitive awareness.

Emotional Disorders  

 Commonly known previously as "mental illness."  A large number of families of missing come to us whose loved ones have battled emotional disorders and have disappeared.  Families are already very exhausted, stressed and many have spent years helping their loved family members by advocating for them and assisting them through their low emotional states. Emotional disorders is a very difficult "find" for a missing loved one because many have the intelligence capabilities that can keep them missing for a very long time. 

While they may not be plagued with a lower intelligence level, they are in fact at-risk due to their emotional disorders, which in many cases can have disastrous outcomes including self-harm and suicide.  Those who are at higher risk of becoming a missing person are loved ones who have chosen to go off their medication(s). 

Some of the most common diagnosed loved ones who go missing are those who suffer with depression, Bi-polar disorder or Schizophrenia. Many times they are young adolescents who are in the process of receiving a diagnosis but disappear prior to it being confirmed. (This is very common in those between the ages of 18-24 and are college students.)

Accidents 

Missing loved ones become missing due to numerous "accidental situations" such as off road vehicle accidents, those lost in mountains while hiking or even "freak" accidents and can become a missing statistic due to not being able to locate or find them timely. A large majority located deceased are also known to have gone missing from a public gathering in which alcohol was served.

One does not have to be intoxicated or legally drunk to suffer an accident which can be fatal. Far too often we assist families of young college age students (primarily young men) who leave a public gathering, pub or nightclub (under the influence and not legally intoxicated) only to be located deceased with a death by water. (Same common to those with cognitive disorders, above.)

LostNMissing established the campaign, and website, "Friends Don't Leave Friends Alone" [2] as the same young deaths we believe could have been avoided had the person left with someone else and did not stray off alone from their friends.

Divorce/Separation/Break-Up
 It is very unfortunate but it is known that many women, and men, who go missing and are in the process of a separation from their spouses, or boyfriend/girlfriends, may disappear and a very high rate is due to foul play and by the hands of those they were leaving. This is a very complicated missing person case as families are enduring not only the pain of their loved one missing but also in states of confusion as to why law enforcement processes seem so complicated.

 Families find there are many barriers, due to the legal system and laws, that stand in the way of finding their missing and loved family member. In nearly all cases the family already is aware that their missing will not be located safely and this adds to the stress and trauma.  Detectives and investigators must adhere to the law of "just cause" in order to find needed answers.  This frustrates law enforcement, as well.  While many may want to do full "homicide investigative procedures", if there is not "just cause" to enable them...their "hands are tied." (Example: Luminol spraying a home, arresting a potential suspect and "making them talk" are just two examples of many tactics families expect, but is halted due to laws that protect those who are suspect.)  Because a case may turn to a homicide investigation, or may be classified as missing with foul play, organizations are limited in what information is presented to them (and sometimes to the family, as well) to enable finding the missing loved one.

 Law enforcement will always take the lead and organizations assist by making pleas to the public for awareness of the missing person.  At LostNMissing we will focus on looking for a "living missing loved one" and respect that law enforcement is looking for a deceased missing person.  By doing this we are making sure the family of the missing receive both aspects of a missing persons' case. When presenting a missing loved one as possibly being "alive and out there" invariably is also assisting law enforcement because the awareness campaign of seeking the missing loved one may bring tips/leads that can help make a break in the case. 

We also know, and have experienced, many cases in which all indicators show the missing may have been a victim of foul play (with homicide investigating) and the missing person is invariably located safely. Unless solid evidence (such as an obvious crime scene) exists, we always go with the hopes that the missing can be found alive and well.

Human Trafficking 

Missing loved ones can become victims of human trafficking and quite a majority that are trafficked is for sex purposes. According to the FBI website, they explain, "It's sad but true: here in this country, people are being bought, sold, and smuggled like modern-day slaves.They are trapped in lives of misery-often beaten, starved, and forced to work as prostitutes or to take grueling jobs as migrant, domestic, restaurant, or factory workers with little or no pay.

 We're working hard to stop human trafficking-not only because of the personal and psychological toll it takes on society, but also because it facilitates the illegal movement of immigrants across borders and provides a ready source of income for organized crime groups and even terrorists."  [2] While primarily those missing are young women, young men are known to have been trafficked as well.

Drugs of Abuse
 When a loved one is under the influence of drugs and/or associates with those who buy, sell or take drugs...this puts them at risk of danger in which they can possibly become a missing person. We've had cases in which those have been located safely and living a life "off the streets" in a drug dazed world and we've had missing loved ones who were located deceased a victim of drug activities, suicide under the influence (or through withdrawal) or due to an overdose.

Of One's Own Choice with cognitive awareness and decision making 

Surprisingly, this is one of the lowest common causes of an adult person's disappearance. Highest among minors. Yet, adults receive very little media and public awareness.

Unfortunately the "general public" has the misconception that this is the "number one reason" someone is missing, especially as it pertains to adult males.

We certainly do need to have this category, and fact is...we wish this was the reason most loved ones go missing as the alternative reasons are not usually with a good ending.  85% of our missing adult cases end each year with the missing adult either located deceased or known to be deceased and no body recovered.

Those  missing, of their own free will, are due to their own choice to leave their present life. Again, a very low percentage of adults, high for teens. (ex: runaways.)  These decisions are made with cognitive awareness, are usually planned and usually are the easiest cases to locate the missing person as they leave more "trails" for investigations to track their whereabouts.  Some of the more common reasons are: To start over a new life, to escape and hide from law enforcement, to experience life outside the rules of a parent/guardian (commonly known as "runaway"), to escape an abusive person by going into hiding or to "live off the land" away from everyone, to start a new life with another person, or due to joining a cult.

Abduction/Kidnapping While rare, abduction is a possible cause for a missing loved one (both adults and children) to have disappeared. Parental abduction is the leading cause of missing children in this particular category along with abduction for trafficking purposes.  Lower on the rate of statistics is the kidnapping for the purposes of rape and/or murder. It is also extremely rare that one is kidnapped for the purpose to extort money in exchange for their safe return. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the major causes for missing children are:

• The most recent, comprehensive national study for the number of missing children estimated in 1999: [3] 
• Approximately 800,000 children younger than 18 were reported missing.
• More than 200,000 children were abducted by family members.
• More than 58,000 children were abducted by nonfamily members.
• An estimated 115 children were the victims of "stereotypical" kidnapping. These "stereotypical" kidnappings involved someone the child did not know or was an acquaintance. The child was held overnight, transported 50 miles or more, killed, ransomed or held with the intent to keep the child permanently.

Over 2,000 go missing in the United States EVERY day in the USA.
No person, no family is exempt from the trauma of having a loved one disappear. Every person, and every family, from all walks of life can have this happen at any time....and feel lost, confused, worried, fearful and will turn to us for help. We are here for those families and hope this public awareness campaign provides more clarity as to the plight families of missing have and the need for the public to assist whenever someone goes missing in their community.

Respectfully,

Cynthia Caron
President/Founder
LostNMissing, Inc.

NamUs-Victim Advocate (NH)

Office: 603.965.4621
24-hr Cell: 603.548.6548
www.lostnmissing.com

LostNMissing Inc., is an all-volunteer national tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "code") and qualifies as a public supported organization under Sections, or Categories: P99 (Human Services - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C.); M99 (Other Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness, and Relief N.E.C.); I01 (Alliance/Advocacy Organizations). LostNMissing is organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of New Hampshire. We never charge a fee for our services.

Would your kids avoid stranger abduction? My son did.

by Angela Dove

Here’s the story. (Plus tips on how to prepare your child!)



THE INCIDENT

The woman in the car didn’t see my husband. Instead, she saw my 7-year-old son, seemingly alone on the sidewalk outside of the store. She pulled her car up to the curb next to him and called out, “Come here, little boy! Do you want to pet my puppy?”

My son shouted “No!” and backed away just as my husband rounded the stone pillar outside the building where he’d been watching our son run off some of his shopping boredom. The woman caught sight of my husband. “My puppy really is friendly,” she said with obvious discomfort, then drove off. Quickly.



A LARGER DANGER

Now let’s be clear about this: I could describe the woman. I could describe the car. I could name the place where we were. But all of that might give the impression that the danger inherent in this situation is coming from one person in one location. That’s not true. While we gave that information to the police, the fact is, we as parents cannot identify all the dangers facing our children. To pretend we can is to offer them and ourselves a false sense of security—to potentially disastrous results. So instead, let me say this: My son was prepared. He did what he was supposed to, in part because we had acted out this exact same scenario with him and his sister.

As a mom I resent having to tell my kids their world contains people who would take great pleasure in hurting them. I don’t want that to be true, but I don’t have the power to change it. Instead, my only power is to give them tools to protect themselves when those dangers arise. That’s what my mom did, and it worked.

I was ten when a stranger pulled to the curb ahead of where I was walking home alone from school. My mom had warned me and had acted out scenarios with me, so instead of being ignorant of the danger, I veered off the sidewalk and up to the closest front door; that car peeled away from the curb so fast the tires left dark marks on the street. The memory of that moment was enough to impel me to talk to my kids about the dangers of abduction pretty early in their lives.


TRAINING YOUR KIDS

While it’s important to talk to your kids about “stranger danger,” giving your kids the experience of acting out dangerous moments will prepare them better than your words. Think of it like a fire-drill. You can tell your kids, “If the fire alarm goes off, immediately leave the house, go next door to Mrs. Thompson’s, and call 911.” But many families (and every school) practice by walking the kids out of the house. Actions reinforce information, especially in children. So just like walking your kids through a fire drill, you should also act out the most popular ways strangers may try to lure them toward a vehicle or into a secluded area.

First tell your children what to do if approached by a stranger. Shout. Run. Get to a crowded area or another adult.

Second, have a parent or grandparent—a trusted adult—use the following lines on your kids.

“Do you want to come pet my puppy/kitten?”

“Can you help me find my lost puppy/kitten?”

“Do you want some candy?”

“I’m lost. Can you give me directions?”

“I’m friends with your mom/dad and they asked me to give you a ride to where they are.” (For this approach, make sure your kids know (1) you will never send a stranger for them and (2) any family friend who is really supposed to get them will know your family’s secret safety word. Tell them, “Even if nice Mrs. Thompson says we asked her to get you, do NOT go with her unless she knows our secret safety word, APPLESAUCE.”)

Some abductors will forgo any friendliness and instead prey on a child’s fear. They may say, “Get in the car now or I’ll hurt you.” “—or I’ll kill you.” “—or I’ll kill your family.” They may even have a weapon.

In each of these situations, have your child shout “No!” and head toward the nearest adult.

At our house we even placed our hand around our kids’ wrists and talked about what to do if a stranger tried to grab them. Sometimes adults and children alike can freeze in panic if their would-be abductor grabs them. It’s a different level of psychological play at that point, but survivors know not to give up the fight at that point.

When practicing the grab scenario, we had our kids shout, “This is a stranger! This is not my parent! This is a stranger!” (Kids shouldn’t just rely on shouting “Help!” as other adults might possibly believe they are unruly children being removed from public by a frustrated parent.) In our re-enactment we skipped the part where our kids kick or hit the stranger, but we made certain they understood they should do anything in their power to get away, or at least slow the person down while drawing as much attention to them as possible.


REAL LIFE HAPPY ENDING

Seven-year-old Brittney Baxter of Georgia put these skills to the test when a stranger in WalMart tried to abduct her on February 9, 2012. She screamed. She kicked. She hit. And the guy dropped her—and was arrested within the hour. There are a ton of heartbreaking stories out there, but parents wanting to empower their kids with a real life happy ending might want to share Good Morning America’scoverage of the story: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/girl-fights-off-abductor-walmart-15545656

Our family, too, celebrated a happy ending. Even though my son was never in danger—his dad was nearby and watching the whole time—he nevertheless did exactly what he was supposed to do. He yelled. He got to an adult. He remembered the safety rules. And you better believe he got high-fives and ice cream after that.

Angela Dove is an award-winning columnist and author of the true crime memoirNo Room for Doubt: A True Story of the Reverberations of Murder (Penguin Group, 2009). For information about television, radio, and personal appearances visit www.AngelaDove.com

The Tragic Loss Of Sarah Haley Foxwell

By Cynthia Caron

At only 11 years old,  young Sarah Haley Foxwell, was eagerly looking forward to Christmas.  Hugs and whispers with her friends as she spoke of the neat things she would love to receive for Christmas and eagerly awaiting Christmas morn to rip the wrapping from her presents.  Unfortunately, Christmas morning did not happen for Sarah.  Instead, her body was recovered from a field in the Rum Ridge area of northern Wicomico about three-quarters of a mile south of the Maryland- Delaware state line.  The news of Sarah's death was a shock to the more than 3,000 volunteers  who put aside their own Christmas plans and gathered that morning at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in order to help search for Sarah.  Her young body was discovered by police officials who will carry the horrid memory of happening upon the lifeless body of a once happy giggling child.  A candlelight vigil was held the evening before.

Thomas J. Leggs, 30, lived in a building on the grounds of his parents' Salisbury, Maryland home, not far from the residence in which Sarah resided with her Aunt along with her younger sister.  Her aunt is the legal guardian for both Sarah and her sister while her biological parents live out of state.  Sometime on Tuesday evening, December 22, Leggs came into the home by utilizing a key that was hidden on the premises.  It is stated he removed Sarah from her bedroom.  This was reported the morning of December 23 when it was discovered that Sarah was missing.  The evening of December 23, Leggs was arrested and charged with burglary and kidnapping in Sarah's disappearance.  During his police detainment he was very uncooperative and refused to divulge what he did with Sarah.  Leggs is listed on sex offender registries in both Maryland and Delaware, however, that did not prevent him from the charges of abduction and murder of sweet Sarah Haley Foxwell.  Authorities will not disclose how Sarah died.

Another young life lost to a monster that we call a child sex predator.

How can parents protect their children?

·         First, understand that nobody is immune from the potential tragedy of a child abducted from their family.  It can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time.

·         I cannot stress the importance that parents need to be proactive in knowing who lives near and where their children play.   When planning a purchase to buy or build a new home, the first place a parent needs to research is the registered sex offender registry site provided by the government.  It is free. The following link will show you detailed information on sex offenders who reside in your neighborhood.  Be sure to check this site monthly. See http://www.familywatchdog.us/

·         Consider installing alarms in homes with small children.  For those that may find alarms costly, check your department stores and discount stores as they carry window alarms that are very inexpensive, some as low as $2.00.  Always be sure that all entry doors into your home are locked, especially at bedtime.  Hang decorative door hangings in the entry way into the children's sleeping quarters. These can be bells, bamboo sticks and other noise-making items that can alert you to someone entering or exiting the child's room.  (Just be sure to use these for older children. Young children and toddlers can be accidentally choked should they become entangled.)  Consider a laser beam alarm across the doorway.  These are also inexpensive, however, it would not do well in homes with pets that may roam from room to room.  Baby monitors are extremely useful and should be used until the child is of age in which they may need their privacy.

·         Another useful item is a bed alarm.  These are used by parents who may have children who tend to wander, sleep walk or children prone to having seizures.  They fit under the sheet and an alarm sounds when pressure is removed, such as a child is no longer resting on the mattress.  These can range from $90 - $300 and can be purchased from most medical supply stores. 

·         Never give out information to others regarding passcodes to garage entries or hidden keys" to your home, except to family members and very trusted and perhaps to a very well known neighbor.

·         Always, at all times, know who your children are associating with and NEVER allow a minor child to play and sleep over at your home without the permission of their parents.  It is not up to a minor child to tell you, the adult, that they have their parents permission to spend the night.  You can be charged with interference should the family of the child wish to press charges in the case of a child spending the night in your home without their parents permission.

·         Make a firm family rule that computer time is always in the presence of the family.  Children and teens should not have computers in their bedrooms that give them access to the internet.  If you have an older teen and allow a computer in the bedroom, be sure your teen is aware that you have the right to check all their social networking sites to be sure that they are utilizing those sites properly and not at risk of divulging personal information.  Teens and children need to know the importance as to why they should not divulge personal information. Make sure you have that conversation with your children.

·         Always keep your children within your site, know who they are playing with and where they are at all times. Never allow solo walks, bike rides or letting children play outside alone.  Predators look for "easy prey" and a child playing alone is an easy target. 

While we know that we cannot be with our children 100% of each moment, we can utilize common sense and help to look out for one another.  Should you see a child alone, find out where the child lives and perhaps have a talk with the parents of the child.  We need to not look away and start being proactive.  It's the children we want to protect even if it means having a neighbor growl at you for "being nosey."    For more safety tips and ways to protect your children, please see http://www.lostnmissing.com/15.html  You'll find informative video's and eye-opening re-enactments of potential child abductions and the outcomes.

Adults need to work together towards the safety of our children.  Let there be no more Sarah Haley Foxwell's who have to die by the hands of another monster.  Support your local legislation in having stricter laws for child sex predators and do not stand for "slaps on the wrist" from your local judicial systems.  Speak out!  Our children and their lives depend on us, the adults, to keep them safe.

INCREDIBLE CRIMES OF 2009

By Michelle Simonsen, True Crime Writer and Victim's Rights Advocate

ENTER HERE, NO EXIT

Annie Le

In 2003, Annie Le was voted by her high school classmates as "most likely to be the next Einstein". She was currently in the doctorate phase of her education at Yale University in the Department of Pharmacology. She was planning her wedding to her fiancee, Jonathan Widawsky, a Columbia University graduate student.

At 24, Annie Le had her entire life in front of her.

But in September, 2009, it was taken away...five days before her wedding.

Le went missing after entering a Yale University school building. Surveillance cameras capture her walking into the building, but never exiting. Her body was found on her wedding day, five days later, inside a wall of the laboratory in the school basement. Connecticut's medical examiner who performed Le's autopsy found that she had died as a result of "traumatic asphyxia due to neck compression."

After a thorough investigation, lab technician Raymond Clark, was arrested and charged in Le's murder. Clark has yet to enter a plea and will not have another court hearing until January 26, 2010. The motive is currently unclear, as well as the significance of Clark and Le's relationship, if any.

In a sad irony, Le wrote an article for Yale Medical School's B Magazine in February 2009 entitled, "Crime and Safety in New Haven".

A LAST LOOK--PRETTY IN PINK

Sandra Cantu

She was wearing a pink Hello Kitty t-shirt when she died. She was later stuffed inside a small cheap suitcase and dumped into an irrigation pond in Tracy, California, 70 miles south of Sacramento.

8-year old Sandra Cantu was last seen skipping along surveillance footage in her mobile park neighborhood with the intent of playing with a 5-year old girl who lived nearby.

She was never shown coming home.

Ten days later, farmers located the suitcase of horrors. It led them directly to the mother of Sandra's playmate. 28-year old Melissa Huckaby, mother and Sunday school teacher, has been indicted and charged with kidnapping, rape by instrument, and the murder of Sandra Cantu.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Her trial is set to begin on October 18, 2010.

A RARE OCCURRENCE

Only 5 percent of pedophiles in America who abuse girls are female, said David Finkelhor, director of the University of New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Research Center, and the victims are almost always older than Sandra was. "There are cases of a woman acting alone, but more frequently you get a situation where it's a woman working in cahoots with a guy," he said. "What's being described here is very rare." (source)

HELL'S PLAYGROUND

Michael Brewer

While most 15-year olds were unwrapping their Christmas gifts this year, Michael Brewer was having skin graft bandages unwrapped. In a cruel and deliberate assault against the Deerfield Beach, Florida teen, Brewer was burned alive by five of his fellow peers in October, 2009.

The reason? $40, a video game and a stolen bike.

It was determined by five Florida bullies that Michael Brewer should pay for "snitching" on defendant, Matthew Bent, 15, after he was fingered and arrested for stealing Michael's father's bicycle.

The day following the arrest of Bent, he and four others allegedly stalked and confronted Michael in order to assault him. Alcohol was poured over his body while another snapped a lighter setting him ablaze that left him with severe burns over 65% of his body.

Three of the boys have been charged as adults while the other two as juveniles. The three that will stand trial in the attempted murder of Michael Brewer, Denver Jarvis, 15, Matthew Bent, 15, and Jesus Mendez, 16, have pled not guilty and face up to 30 years in prison.

Listen to the 911 call HERE. (Warning: disturbing audio.)

HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN

Shaniya Nicole Davis

The most innate part of human nature is our natural urge to protect our children. What level of atrocity is it when a mother sells her own 5-year old daughter into prostitution?

Antoinette Nicole Davis, 25, stated that she put her daughter, Shaniya, on the couch at 5:30 a.m., and left the room. When she checked back an hour later Shaniya was gone.

According to Fayetteville, North Carolina authorities, Shaniya did not "go missing", as her mother charged.

Antoinette Davis, sold her daughter into sex slavery, where she was later murdered and dumped on the side of a dirty highway like a piece of trash. Shaniya was last seen with Mario Andrette McNeill, 29, as shown in this hotel surveillance footage. He has been charged with the rape and murder of Shaniya. Mommy Dearest has been charged with multiple felonies including human trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution.

Shaniya's father, Bradley Lockhart, has stated that Antoinette Davis sold their daughter into prostitution in order to pay off a drug debt. Preliminary autopsy results show that the 5-year old died from asphyxiation.

Mark Logan, executive and director of the Polaris Project and the former U.S. ambassador to combat human trafficking stated while there are no numbers on how many young children are trafficked by their own parents, there are about 100,000 minors trafficked in the United States each year.

Lois Lee, the founder and president of the non-profit Children of the Night, said drugs are often involved when mothers are found to have sold or traded their children. (Source)

The scariest thing about this case? Antoinette Davis is currently pregnant again!

LOST & FOUND

Jaycee Lee Dugard

In June, 1991, Jaycee Lee Dugard, then 11 years old, was forcibly abducted by two unknown adults at her South Lake Tahoe, California bus stop within eye shot of her stepfather and several classmates. After massive searches, tips and fruitless leads, Jaycee was thought to be gone forever.

18 years later...it is 2009. Investigators are following up on a parolee and while making a house visit, he meets his "daughter" Alyssa. Alyssa is 29 years old and claims the two girls with her, ages 11 and 15, are her little sisters. Something about "Alyssa's" story didn't jive with police.

After further investigation, it was revealed that her name was not Alyssa, but missing Jaycee Lee Dugard. Her two "sisters" are her daughters, Angel and Starlit, born as a result of the relentless rapes she endured over the past 18 years at the hands of Phillip Craig Garrido and assisted by his wife, Nancy.

After Jaycee was abducted in 1991, the Antioch, California couple had kept her captive in their home and in tents and make-shift sheds in their backyard.

Phillip Craig Garrido had already served a not-so-lengthy sentence for the vicious kidnap and rape of a woman back in 1976. The court's physicians had diagnosed him as "a sexual deviant and chronic drug abuser." During his trial in 1977 he testified that he would masturbate in his car by the side of schools while watching young girls.

Both have pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, rape, and false imprisonment and are awaiting trial. Jaycee has shown a great amount of what is called "The Stockholm Syndrome", where a victim has been mentally broken down by their captor, has formed a bond with them, or is sympathetic to them.

When Jaycee was originally asked by police about her relationship with Garrido, she stated "he was a changed man and a great person who was good to her kids. Alyssa subsequently stated that she didn't want to provide any additional information and that she might need a lawyer." (Source)

Jaycee and her daughters are back with her family and learning to remember who she really is and to cope with what happened to her. Carl Probyn, Jaycee's stepfather, confirmed that Jaycee and her daughters are in good health and intelligent, their reunion is going well, and they are proceeding slowly. Jaycee Dugard's aunt, Tina Dugard, about the two girls: "They are clever, articulate, curious girls who have a bright future ahead of them." (Source)

Michelle Simonsen is a victim's rights advocate, crime analyst and blogger for "Michelle Says So", founder of the grassroots consumer boycott, "Boycott Aruba--Justice for Natalee Holloway", an advisory board member of "Survivors in Action", and is a contributing writer for "Now Public", and "True Crime Talk".