I live in a relatively small town in southern Indiana. A town in which most people still leave their doors unlocked when they go somewhere and everyone knows each other for the most part.

There are only 10 stop lights in our town....all on the same street.

It USED to feel like a safe place to live until last week.

A ten year old girl was abducted from a store in the next town over (same county) which is even smaller than our town. They have 1 stop light.

They issued an Amber Alert for her on Thursday (I'll get to why so long after the abduction in a minute).

Yesterday morning they found her body in OUR town right in between a busy Interstate and Highway. It's now a murder investigation.

My question has been all along.......why was she at the store in the first place? Well.....this little girls parents sent her to the store to buy some toilet tissue....ALONE!

I'm just so P.O.'d at this point. The laziness of these parents cost them their daughters life.

I know that I should feel bad for them.....but I just can't. I'm just so sickened by this whole situation. This town hasn't had a murder in 25 years.....and this one had to be a helpless 10 yr old girl on an errand for her lazy parents. They didn't even report her missing right away. They waited around for HOURS and the store was only 3 blocks away.

The State Police broke through our cable service on Wednesday AFTERNOON (18 hours after she left home)giving her description and where she was last seen. The Amber Alert wasn't even given until she had been missing for 48 hours....supposedly because they couldn't prove that she didn't run away.

The area where she was found is a VERY busy area and had been check by searchers SEVERAL times. The specific area where she was found was VERY open. How this person managed to dump her poor little lifeless body there with NOBODY seeing them is beyond me. It's so close to both the Highway and Interstate that you could feel the wind from the vehicles passing by.

My H drives by that spot 2 times a day on his way to and from work. He said he felt sick driving by there this morning.

I'm disgusted.....outraged.....saddened and horrified that this has happened. This could have been prevented.

Neither of the girls parents acted as concerned as they should have been on the tv. They were even seen outside laughing and talking to people like nothing was going on. Like they were having a winter party.....not a search party for their MISSING daughter.

I'm just so mad right now.

What are some parents thinking these days?

**** ALERT FOLLOWS **********************
Amber Alert Issued for 10 Year Old Indiana Girl
Posted: Thursday January 27 1:15 PM CT


The Crothersville Police Department and the Indiana State Police issued the Amber Alert on Thursday afternoon after it was determined that the girl was likely abducted from her school on Tuesday afternoon. Crothersville Indiana is about 40 miles north of Louisville Kentucky.


Kaylyn Collman, 10 yrs., white female, 4'6", 120 lbs. She has brown eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a red short sleeve shirt, black stretch pants with white stripes and a medium light blue winter jacket. Katlyn Collman was last seen at 4:20 pm on January 25th at Crothersville Community School, Crotersville, IN. and is believed to be in extreme danger.


The suspect is described as a tall white male, 5'8" tall - 6'0", very skinny, 18 to 20 years old, short dark hair, fair complexion.


The suspect vehicle is a white Ford F-150 pickup truck, late 80's or early 90's which was last seen in the Crothersville area.


Anyone with information is asked to contact the Crothersville Police Department at 1-888-58AMBER (888-582-6237) or dial 911.


Visit http://codeamber.c.topica.com/ for more information

<small>[ January 31, 2005, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: AD ]</small>

**** AMBER ALERT CANCELED ****
Amber Alert Canceled for 10 Year Old Indiana Girl
Posted: Thursday January 27 1:15 PM CT
Updated: Sunday January 30 4:22 PM CT

The Crothersville Police Department and the Indiana State Police canceled the Amber Alert on Sunday afternoon after the girl's body was found near Seymour Indiana. Seymour is about 5 miles north of Crothersville. The suspect remains at large.

More information may be available at http://codeamber.c.topica.com/

**** AMBER ALERT CANCELED ****

<small>[ January 31, 2005, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: AD ]</small>

I got this Amber alert on my computer, I live in Ohio, and it made me sick. I have a 10 year old daughter, I would never in a million years let her go 3 blocks alone EVER!!!!!!!!!! I live in sort of a suburb...it's not a tiny town, but that's really beside the point.

I don't let my 13 year old go anywhere alone either, I don't even let them walk home from school....these abductions freak me out.

I'm so sorry to hear that they found her dead, i hadn't heard, I don't really watch the news very often, the Amber Alerts come across the top of my web browser when they're issued....my heart sank when I saw it.

People are so twisted.

-Caren

Dear MP,

My heart sank when I read your post. I am truly sorry for what has happened to this little girl and your community.

You are correct, our children are not safe anymore. Haven't been for a loooong time. It is sooo sad that there are many out there who do harm to children.

I am sure your schools will have programs to educate and warn the children how to protect themselves. This unneccessary strain due to the selfish acts of others is just unforgiveable.

One day hopefully we can look forward to a time when these types of acts w/b of the past. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

take care,
L.

I was going to the store alone when I was eight years old. By the time I was in sixth grade, I was going every single day. Were my parents lazy? Honestly? Yes, they probably were. At the same time, I'm glad I had the freedom. I learned a lot of responsibility that way. I also got in very little trouble, though my bike did get stolen one day. (Every bike I've had since then, except one, has also been stolen. *sigh*)

I'm so sorry this happened. I wonder what was really going on. I also wonder whether there are more or fewer of this kind of heinous crime now versus when I was a kid or when my mom was a kid. I honestly have no idea whether our fears are based on the reality of changing crime statistics, or on the reality of changing coverage.

I can understand your frustration with the parents, and your sick feeling- it is a horriable thing. However before you blame the parents as being lazy- are you saying you have never let your child bike up to a friends house a block or two away? Or have not let your child go somewhere on his/her bike with a friend? The reason I ask is because the same thing could happen doing this as did walking 3 blocks to a store. Anything could happen- she could have been picked up at the end of her street. I have a 8 year old who I let go for bike rides with the neighbor who is also 8 across the road to a bike track- it could happen there. I understand that we are human and we need to blame some one- however there may be other MB parents who have had things happen to their children that is completely out of their control and be blamed for it. No where is really "safe" not even our own homes. Please do not lynch these parents.

duplicate

<small>[ January 31, 2005, 02:14 PM: Message edited by: faithinme ]</small>

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by Just J:
<strong> I was going to the store alone when I was eight years old. By the time I was in sixth grade, I was going every single day. Were my parents lazy? Honestly? Yes, they probably were.

I also wonder whether there are more or fewer of this kind of heinous crime now versus when I was a kid or when my mom was a kid. I honestly have no idea whether our fears are based on the reality of changing crime statistics, or on the reality of changing coverage. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I only quoted portions of Just J's post....

That said, I was also running up to the store to buy bread, milk, toilet paper etc as young as 7 or 8. I played outside all day long in the summer and didn't see my parents unless I needed to eat and couldn't get fed at the neighbor's house, until the street lights went on.

My parents were probably also a bit lazy....there wasn't as much fear then.

I have a ten year old daughter and wouldn't even dream of letting her walk to the end of the block, let alone allow her the freedom I had growing up. I live four blocks from where I grew up!

The death of this little girl is so sad. I can't imagine living through the murder of my child. My heart does go out to this family. The person responsible for her death is the person that killed her.

An interesting bit of info I received at my pediatrician's office...

Violent crime has actually DECREASED in the last 30 years in America. The reporting of crime, media coverage and the fact that people are less ashamed to talk about violent crime than they were in the past has changed. Therefore the perception of a more dangerous society has arisen.

Miss Priss, I, too, am in IN and couldn't believe that they waited 48 hrs. to issue the Amber Alert. A 10 year old assumed "runaway" should have an alert posted immediately anyway because at that age she's subjected to anything/everything and not at an age to make rightful decisions. Obviously, she wasn't a runaway but our system failed and the state of Indiana should be ashamed. It broke my heart when the news indicated she had been found dead. How horrible it must be for her parents. And I'm sure they feel guilt for sending her to the store alone. You're right though...our children are no longer safe in small towns. There's evil lurking in every corner.

It's easy after the fact to say that they should have issued an alert earlier.

We don't know that would have helped - since we don't know the timeline of what happened.

What we do know is that a lot of kids are "missing" for a few hours every day. If all of them were immediately listed on an amber alert, we might have hundreds of alerts each day. The people who set up this system tried to strike a balance. If every "missing" child were listed, the real endangered children would be lost in the crowd. That would defeat the system. News sources would not be willing to devote a half-hour or longer every day listing all the missing kids - and viewers/readers would not be willing to look at all of those listed. By keeping the number of alerts small, they hope to keep the system so that people will notice the alerts and have some hope of really helping the kids most at risk.

By keeping the numbers small, they insure that more attention is focussed on those few.

Every day, far more childre run away - or simply stay out later than they are supposed to, than are abducted.

Usually, they require a witness to the abduction - and some clear idea that the child is at risk. A non-custodial parent not returning a child is not enough to trigger an allert - unless there is evidence that the child is at risk.

It's a far from perfect system, but there is a reason for it being the way it is.

-AD

<small>[ January 31, 2005, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: AD ]</small>

I can understand your frustration, but I do take offense to the statement that the parents were lazy. You don't know the circumstances.

I let my 11 year old daughter go to the Gas station down the road to pick up a slushy from time to time. Now I have heart burn every time she does this, and if she isn't back in what I consider an appropriate amount of time, yes I'll get in the car and make sure she is on her way back. But that does not make me lazy, you've got to let them start growing up eventually.

To say this is the parents fault I feel is jumping the gun. What do you say about about the parents whom teenagers go missing and wound up being abducted and worse? It's their fault because they let their children out of their site? What abouth those college going "adults" that have been adbucted, it is their parents fault because they let their child grow up and go to college? Your statement is a very blanket statement that I for one take offense too.

I think it's horrible and hope that the sick SOB that did this is caught and the book thrown at him. And to make comment on their demeanor, well everyone handles things in a different manner. They could be in denial, god only knows.

My heart goes out to the entire family and to your community!

Not sure why some would take offense at me calling these particular people lazy. It is my opinion of THEM soley.....and I DO know the circumstances.

FTR.......NONE of my children are allowed to go ANYWHERE alone. It's always been that way. All their friends live too far away for them to walk or ride bikes to.

I don't really feel a need to explain the way I feel, but I will so some will understand a little better as to why I've gotten so worked up about this.

First of all...she was sent on an errand and was told to come right back. Her parents didn't report her missing until HOURS later.....even though she was told to come right back.

Second......the parents NEVER required the knowledge of where the little girl was.....ever. She just went where she wanted......the parents never told her to tell them before she went anywhere. It wasn't uncommon for her to be at one end of town at one point and be on the other end of town an hour later. The parents rarely ever knew where she was.

Do I feel for their loss.......hell yes. As a parent it's hard not to.

BUT.....as a parent it's also hard to understand how they could be so careless.

Now....as to me mentioning that her parents were lazy. It wasn't just because they sent her to the store. It's also because they never took the time to know where she was at any given time of the day.


Now....as to the Amber Alert. I know that they have to have a witness to issue one. I'm not saying that the people associated with the Amber Alert did anything wrong.........but the Police Dept here really got things mixed up.

Over our cable service we were told over and over about a white window van pulling an enclosed trailer with out of state liscense plates..........and NEVER heard anything of the White Ford F-150 until the day the Amber Alert was issued.

Also.....the times in which she was last seen kept switching. The fact that the parents sent her to the store was kept from everyone. They made it look like she went to the store straight from school.

AND.......if there was actually a witness in that parking lot....then why did that witness wait for 2 days to tell anyone? Especially if this news was plastered EVERYWHERE and there was NO way to miss it. Even if you didn't have cable or get the newspaper.

There are just too many things that have been left out.

That's all I'm saying about this situation......I just get too worked up about it.

Just curious, but how do you know all these "details". Did you know the family, or is this just what you have heard?

As children we played outside from sunup until sunset too. I'm glad my mom didn't have fear racing through every pulse of her body like we have today.

I logged on tonight because my own beautiful 10 yo DD went back to her dad's and I won't see her for 2 weeks.

I've been thinking alot about pain tonight, and you know there isn't a man out there who could ever hurt me again the way the last one did. I just don't have it in me anymore to love a man that completely anymore, but if any amount of suffering ever came to my DD it would surely kill me. I can't imagine any worst pain then knowing your child suffered from fear or pain, before God came to rescue them.

This thread about this little girl just breaks my heart. What kind of evil is there out there that would bring terror and pain like this to a child. I can't comprehend, just can't compute.

This song is for my little girl and all of our little girls and boys. May they forever be free from terror...

George Harrison, "If Not For You"

If not for you
Babe, I couldn’t even find the door
I couldn’t even see the floor
I’d be sad and blue, if not for you

If not for you
Babe, the night would see me wide awake
The day would surely have to break
It would not be new, if not for you

If not for you, my sky would fall
Rain would gather, too
Without your love I’d be nowhere at all
I’d be lost, if not for you

If not for you
The winter would hold no spring
Couldn’t hear a robin sing
I just wouldn’t have a clue, if not for you

If not for you, my sky would fall
Rain would gather, too
Without your love I’d be nowhere at all
I’d be lost, if not for you

If not for you
The winter would hold no spring
Couldn’t hear a robin sing
I just wouldn’t have a clue, if not for you

If not for you

I find this story incredibly tragic. I also find it tragic that where most people who've replied live, its so unsafe that they wouldn't be happy with their 10 yr old child walking around alone.

In Japan, most children travel on the subway alone or with friends from the age of 7 or so, even in Tokyo, a city of 25 million. Seeing it made me realise how much we've lost in other countries.

2BUA,

I'm not sure why you are questioning me.....but.....

I would NEVER get this worked up about something that I HEARD second hand. I'm sure that ANY person from a small town can tell you that rumors run rampant and second hand news can't be relied on.

The things that I have posted aren't things that I just heard sitting in the local pub. They are facts.

My mouth may get ahead of my brain ALOT........but I certainly don't go around getting pi$$ed off about things I hear. I'm a big believer in the old saying.....you can't always believe what you hear or read.

WOW...it was just a simple question. No need to get worked up about a question.

2B...I just read Miss Priss's response, and I can't see how she was "worked up" at all. She responded politely...in fact she was even a bit humble, in stating that her mouth gets ahead of her brain sometimes. Can't see how anybody could take ANY offence to that.

Your response "Wow"!!! however does seem a bit "worked up".

<small>[ February 01, 2005, 10:07 AM: Message edited by: JanetS ]</small>

JanetS...that's how I took it. No harm done, at least for me anyways. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Some people are going to agree some aren't. Doesn't make anyone's opinion right, wrong, or indifferent.