Celina Cass autopsy report back but inconclusive, waiting on toxicology testing
The body of 11-year-old Celina Cass underwent an autopsy early Tuesday, but authorities have stated the results were inconclusive.Celina Cass disappeared from her West Stewartson, New Hampshire home on July 25, 2011 prompting an intense search for the missing fifth grader.She was described as a shy child who loved sports and a photo of Celina wearing a basketball uniform was widely publicized in hopes of finding Celina alive.Those hopes came to a crashing halt on August 1, 2011 when her body was located in the Connecticut River.
Though authorities have not stated how long they believe she had been in the water, senior assistant State Attorney General Jane Young said that her death was suspicious.That statement has caused many to infer there was something evident that led them to believe she did not die of natural causes.Jane Young has not stated why toxicology reports will be performed on the child, a person of interest has not been named.At this point in the investigation, authorities have refrained from using the word “homicide.”
In spite of the fact that authorities have not named a person of interest, growing speculation amongst Internet users, bloggers and those on the Amber Alerts and Missing Children Cases Facebook page have expressed growing concern regarding Celina’s stepfather Wendell Noyes.Noyes was seen collapsing in the street during the search for Celina and was hospitalized briefly.His collapse occurred before searchers discovered her body.A look into Noyes’ past has brought more concern as there are reports he was previously diagnosed as schizophrenic.Still, CNN interviewed Celina’s biological father, Adam Laro, who stated he had recently inquired as to how things were for Celina living with her mother and stepfather.
He reported that she had said everything was fine.
We’ll have more for you when the toxicology reports are in.
As summer comes to a close and school is about to start many families are engaging in last minute vacations and spending times at theme or amusement parks. As the Amber Alerts Examiner for Examiner.com and owner of the Amber Alerts and Missing Children Cases blog, there are several tips that I have that hopefully will help parents and child caregivers keep safety first when out with children. It is imperative that those responsible for children take the time needed to speak to their children about their safety as well as take any steps needed to reinforce information and ensure that children know what to do if an emergency situation should arise. Here are child safety tips for theme or amusement parks.
Familiarize yourself with the amusement or theme park which you will be visiting and understand their rules and guidelines regarding lost children. Children should have a clear understanding of what to do should they find themselves separated from their parents or caregivers or become lost while visiting a park. Ensure that your children can clearly identify those who work at the amusement park as well as uniformed police officers. It is recommended that children who are lost look for someone who works at the park as they will be able to assist them, however, avoid those in costumed characters and teach children to look for those with clearly defined name tags or security guards.
Determine beforehand where the help or information center is for the park. Mark these areas on the theme park map so that if a child becomes lost, he or she can find the closest help center. You may also choose a help center as a designated meeting spot so if you become separated you can meet up at the same location. Make certain that children do not wear labels, tee-shirts or other clothing that displays their names. Avoid writing children’s names on back packs and other accessories as well.
Make certain that your children attend theme or amusement parks while in the accompaniment of a trusted, responsible adult. Ensure that you know who your child is spending time with and pay careful consideration before letting children move around parks unattended.
One of the most important lessons that every parent or child care giver can teach a child is to verbalize if someone tries to grab or abduct them. Sadly, too many children were overcome by fear and walked away with a perpetrator without ever calling out for help or letting someone know they were in trouble. Children should practice yelling in order to make them feel more comfortable with the reality that should someone try to abduct them, it is okay to yell on the top of their lungs for help. Have your child practice by screaming, “Help, this person is a stranger and trying to take me,” or something similar to that effect. Your child may feel uncomfortable at first, but it is the best way to prepare your child to use his or her voice should an abductor try to kidnap him or her.
The best way to keep children safe is to ensure that you have taken all necessary preventative steps and supervise your children when out. By keeping these tips in mind, you can rest assured knowing your child will know what to do if he or she becomes lost.
Charisse Van Horn is an experienced freelance writer. You may follow up on missing children cases at her Amber Alerts Examiner column or on her Facebook group.
Circumstances: Hasaan was allegedly abducted at gunpoint on August 1, 2011 by an adult male. They may be traveling in a black 1996 2-door GMC Yukon with silver rims and California license plates 4WAY944, similar to the one shown above. The vehicle has a Harley Davidson sticker in rear window and an orange "GT" sticker on the side. Hasaan was last seen wearing a red coat, a red Cincinnati Reds baseball hat and black jeans.
The body of 11-year-old Celina Cass has been found in the Connecticut River in New Hampshire, prompting an investigation. During a press conference held live by the Senior Assistant Attorney General, Jane Young, it was learned that an autopsy will be performed hoping to determine the exact cause of death.
On HLN’s Nancy Grace, Charlie Jordan from the Colebrook Chronicle spoke to host Deborah Norville and provided an update on the case.
“Well, it was really the way we hoped things weren`t going to end, but they did develop that way, unfortunately. It went from a missing persons, Deborah, to a suspicious death. I mean, this is going to be very hard for the community. In back of me is the school that Celina was going to be entering 5th grade in this fall. So it`s a very sad situation.”
Speculation has rested upon Celina’s Facebook page as some have wondered if it holds any clues to her disappearance. Others have questioned whether or not her stepfather, Wendell Noyes, may be involved as he was the last person to see her. Wendell Noyes stated that he last saw Celina on July 25, 2011 when he said good night to her as she was on her computer. Deborah Norville asked Jordan if he had any information regarding what may have happened to Celina or who could have put her body in the river.
He replied, “Actually, at this point, they`re very tight-lipped. I mean, this is, you know, an ongoing investigation. But it is -- it would indicate to me that she has been in the water probably since last week because of the condition. They did not identify immediately that it was a young girl. T hey said they had what they believed was a human body. And it took them about three or four hours to confirm that it was -- you know, it was this girl. So you know, that tells us a little bit about the situation, I think.”
Charlie Jordan also weighed in on speculation surrounding Cass’ death, “Well, this is very much a blended family. There are several brothers and sisters from different fathers in the household. And I think -- you know, we`ve heard some troubling things about the stepfather, and we`re just hoping that this was not part of it.
But one of the things that was kind of telling, as far as we`re concerned, is about 48 hours after she was reported missing, they put the home into a police circle, you know, or yellow tape. That lasted for about 48 hours. And then Friday, the tape came away and the family came back. Today, with this new development, the tapes went back up around the home just down the road from here. So that again makes you wonder. We did ask at the press conference what to make of that. And they said, ‘Well, that was the last place she was seen,’ so of course, we`re going to continue our investigation there.”
Please join our Amber Alerts and Missing Children Facebook Group for the latest on the Celina Cass case and other missing children cases.
Milford Man Sentenced for Production of Child Pornography
Press Release
Milford Man Sentenced for Production of Child Pornography
JUNE 8, 2012
BOSTON - A Milford man was sentenced to 18 years in prison in federal court in Boston today. Investigation led to an international child pornography case involving the abuse of dozens of children.
Robert A. Diduca, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 18 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. On Nov. 17, 2011, Diduca pleaded guilty production, distribution, and possession of child pornography
U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz said, “I hope that today’s sentence sends a strong message that the government will bring all of its resources to bear on child exploitation investigations and prosecutions. Protecting children is one of our highest priorities, and we will continue to aggressively and proactively root out anyone engaged in the exploitation of a child.”
“I want to commend the investigators in this case, whose tireless efforts resulted, not only in the arrest of Mr. Diduca, but to a worldwide investigation, culminating in dozens arrests and the rescue of nearly over 130 children,” she added.
“Thanks to international cooperation and first class forensic analysis by HSI special agents here in Boston, along with our Massachusetts State Police partners, an individual arrest in Milford has led to a network of child pornographers that has spanned the globe,” said Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Boston. “An individual photo discovered on Mr. Diduca’s computer has led to 33 arrests and 138 children being saved worldwide. Eight of those arrested live in the United States. Today’s sentence should serve as a stern warning to those inclined to abuse children or share images of child pornography: there isn’t a place in the United States, on the Internet, or the planet in which you are truly safe. The international law enforcement community is united as one when it comes to investigating child pornography. We will investigate you, we will prosecute you, and we will bring you to justice.”
Diduca engaged in an online chat with an individual being separately prosecuted in Arizona, persuading him to sexually abuse a four-year-old child and take sexually explicit photos of the child. Diduca provided the individual with a camera and suggested how the child should be posed.
Diduca was also a member of an online forum for those with a sexual interest in children, and sent a pornographic image of a child via email. An investigation of that distributed image led to the identification of the child, and the arrest of a Dutch national in the Netherlands, who was charged with production, distribution, and possession of child pornography, as well as the sexual assault of 87 minors.
Forensic evidence revealed over 27,000 images of child pornography in Diduca’s possession. He has been held in custody since his arrest on June 2, 2011.
U.S. Attorney Ortiz and Bruce M. Foumart, Special Agent in Charge of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today.
The case was investigated by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, the Massachusetts State Police and the Milford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael I. Yoon of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit in coordination with the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
This case was being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
BOSTON, Mass. - A Milford man was charged today in federal court with Distribution of Child Pornography.
ROBERT DIDUCA, 47, was charged in a criminal complaint with Distribution of Child Pornography. The criminal complaint alleges that DIDUCA knowingly distributed a visual depiction involving the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
According to court documents unsealed today, DIDUCA was a member of an online forum for those with a sexual interest in children, and sent a pornographic image of a child via email. An investigation of the image led to the identification of the child, and the arrest of Roberts Mikelsons in the Netherlands, where Mikelsons is charged with production, distribution, and possession of child pornography, as well as the sexual assault of 87 minors.
If convicted on these charges, DIDUCA faces at least five and up to 20 years imprisonment, to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. He remains in custody until his detention hearing on June 9, 2011.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston and Massachusetts State Police Colonel Marian J. McGovern made the announcement today. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Milford Police Department. In coordination with the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael I. Yoon of Ortiz's Major Crimes Unit.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On May 13, 2011, the dead body of a female was reported found near where 18-year-old Sarah Townsend went missing. Sarah Townsend has been the subject of a New Jersey search after she left her home to go to school and subsequently disappeared. Her car was later located and contained her purse and cell phone by the water of Sherman’s Pond. It was in Sherman’s Pond that a female body was retrieved, however it is too soon for a positive identification to be made, but all likelihood indicates it is the missing 18-year-old, Sarah Townsend.
It is unclear whether foul play was involved or if Sarah Townsend did something to take her own life. More details to come as well as a positive identification and cause of death. At this point in the case, there are no suspects or evidence of foul play.
Stay tuned for updates in what is turning out to be a very sad discovery in the
case of Sarah Townsend.
Skyler Kauffman was only nine-years-old when she disappeared from the Souderton apartment complex where she lived in Pennsylvania on May 9, 2011. An Amber Alert was issued by the Pennsylvania State Police but the search for little Skyler would end in tragedy.
She was reported missing at 7:11 pm and was last seen at 5:00 pm. Her shoe (an UGG clog) was later found in the apartment complex’ basement near a large pool of blood. During an extensive search for Skyler, a detective noticed a young man who lived in the complex who had blood on his sneaker. The alert detective spoke to the man and requested that he be allowed to search through his apartment. The man was 24-years-old, James Lee Troutman and he lived in Apartment #33 of the same complex. Troutman agreed and the detective entered his apartment.
Detectives discovered blood stained clothing in a hamper and saw that Troutman had been in the apartment with his fiancée, Heather Clemens. Meanwhile, detectives traced the trail of blood from the apartment complex’ basement to a comforter buried under trash in a nearby dumpster. The comforter contained the gruesome discovery of Skyler Kauffman’s dead body.
During the investigation and through questioning of Troutman’s fiancée it was discovered that Kauffman allegedly abducted, raped and murdered the innocent 9-year-old girl in approximately 15 minutes. James Lee Troutman confessed to authorities during interrogation and described the horrific crime by saying he snapped. By Tuesday, May 10, 2011, James Troutman would be charged with sexual assault, kidnapping and first degree murder.
Jane Velez-Mitchell covered the murder of Skyler Kauffman on Thursday’s episode of “Issues with Jane-Velez Mitchell.” You may read the transcript from her show below.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: A trail of blood led police from an apartment basement to a Dumpster. Inside, they found Skyler`s body wrapped in a comforter. Investigators say 24-year-old Troutman confessed to raping and choking Skyler and repeatedly slamming her head on the floor. Cops found his blood-soaked clothes in a hamper in his apartment.
After throwing her body in the Dumpster, police say the sicko took a shower and sat down for dinner with his fiancee. That`s right, I said fiancee. This fiancee says she heard screams coming from the basement Monday night but never imagined it had anything to do with her boyfriend.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My first concern is for the family that had to experience this horrible tragedy at the hands of the person that I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Police were called to Troutman`s apartment three weeks ago after little Skyler and another girl got locked inside his bathroom. Hello! If that`s not a red flag, what is?
Straight out to criminologist Casey Jordan. What do you make of this sicko who cops say has confessed to doing this, and then took a shower and had dinner with his fiancee?
JORDAN: Yes. Clearly, extremely emotionally disturbed. Listen, this guy fits in his behavioral issues and what we`ve learned from his fiancee, really, the profile of what you would call a fixator or preferential child molester. They talked how he was extremely socially awkward. The girlfriend said he has Asperger`s Syndrome.
But really, when you stop and look at her -- I think she`s 20 or 21 years old -- doesn`t she look like a young teenager? And just that we know that he had Victoria`s Secret pictures taped up on his wall in the bathroom in which he allegedly locked these girls three weeks ago. So much of what we`re hearing is really just kind of a trail that leads you back this guy.
The signs were there. And I`m sure the police are going back over that incident three weeks ago and wondering if it could have been prevented.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, they are saying they did nothing wrong. I`m going to get to that in a second.
But first, I want to bring in one of my heroes, Diena Thompson. Skyler`s murder has some striking parallels, tragically to your daughter, Somer. Seven-year-old Somer went missing in October 2009. Two days later, her body was found in a landfill.
Police say neighbor -- yes, a neighbor -- Jarred Harrell kidnapped Somer as she walked home from school. He allegedly sexually assaulted the child before killing her.
Two months before Somer`s death, Jarred`s roommates found a slew of child porn on his computer. They turned it over to police, and they begged cops to do something about it. All cops needed to do was to turn the damn thing on and, bam, there would be your evidence.
Diena, I`m so glad you`re on our show tonight. And every time I see you, I think of your courage in trying to use your horrible tragedy as a force for good. Do you see the same very, very disturbing parallels with your case?
DIENA THOMPSON, DAUGHTER MURDERED: I do. It was a Monday. No reason, no cause, you know, and to rape and murder her and then throw her in a Dumpster, that`s Somer`s story all over again. And Jarred Harrell was 24 when he committed his crime, and my daughter should be 9 right now. So there`s a lot of striking similarities. And I want to say thank you for having me on, Jane.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I`m always honored to have you on, because we can`t just be victims. We have to get proactive, and we have to learn to spot the signs of somebody like this. These guys even look the same.
And yet, cops believed this guy`s story instead of the two little girls who became traumatized and frightened when they were locked inside his apartment. Why? On the other side of the break, we`re going to analyze that. More details on this horrifying murder in a moment.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Also later, has Casey Anthony`s defense revealed this brand-new secret strategy they hope will get Casey off?
But first, cops say a man admits to killing a little girl. Were the signs ignored by cops?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They locked the door on the inside for themselves. The girls came running out screaming and we are struggling to open our front door, even though he said that was unlocked as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: That is the fiancee of an accused killer who had a run-in with the child he is now accused of killing about three weeks ago when the child, 9-year-old Skyler Kauffman, and another little friend ended up in his apartment, and the door was locked and they were screaming.
The cops showed up, and they didn`t arrest the guy, because they believed his story that, "Oh, they accidentally locked the door."
Here`s my big issue. This is another case of reactive justice. Why didn`t cops believe Skyler and her friend`s story that he, Troutman, had locked them in the bathroom? Here is the district attorney.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There is nothing that is of significance that would have led anyone to suspect that this sort of act was a possibility.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Nothing of significance? How about the kids` story that they found themselves locked and they were creeped out because there were semi-naked photos that they saw, that he lured them in because they wanted to use the bathroom?
Are we going to always wait until a precious child is murdered before acting proactively on a sicko in the neighborhood who`s sending off alarm bells, that he is behaving bizarrely? Did the blase attitude of the officers who arrived to scene embolden the suspect go further earth next time around?
Casey Jordan, why couldn`t they have take than guy in and given him a polygraph to see if his story, the girls locked the door accidental, was true? Had they done so, this little girl might be alive today.
JORDAN: I don`t know that the level of detail rose to the probable cause to actually them could have certainly asked him and he might have gone voluntarily.
I don`t know they even asked him to come voluntarily. But neighbors said he was always creepy. I mean, did, they have that sense? It`s unusual. When little girls are playing, for a grown man to say "Would you like to use the bathroom in my apartment."
He offered to show them his bird. He had a birdcage, but I haven`t read anything that says he actually owned a pet bird. All of these details should have made the police really look at him, scrutinize him very carefully. So often, these predatory child molesters do have girlfriends or fiances or wives, because it throws people off and it doesn`t seem to fit what others would expect, but if they trusted the word of these little girls, maybe she would be alive today.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Betty, Ohio -- Betty Ohio, question or thought, ma`am?
CALLER (voiceover) : Yes, thank you, Jane, for taking my call. Did the policeman check now to see if is a predator?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, that is an excellent question. Diena Thompson, again my hero, who has turned her horror into something good, cops need to now find out if this guy is responsible for molesting other girls?
THOMPSON: Yes, they do. They do. You know, I think about that often, like how many other children will come out of the woodworks when something like this happens, because I don`t think this is probably not his first encounter in doing something like this, because I don`t think you go from zero to 60 like that. These creeps need to realize that mommas like me are coming after them, and we`re not going to stop until they stop.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, thank God for you, and we want to be there when you go after them, as you always do. Thank you, fabulous panel.
On May 12, 2011, Jane Velez-Mitchell featured the case of missing teenager Sarah Townsend. Sarah Townsend is 18-years-old and is a white female with blonde hair and blue eyes. She stands 5'4" and weighs 105 pounds. Here ears are pierced and she was last seen when she left her home to go to school. Her boyfriend later found her vehicle abandoned. Her phone and pocketbook were inside the car.
Sarah is missing from Burlignton Township in New Jersey and her family has offered a reward of $10,000 dollars. She has been missing since May 9, 2011. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Sarah Townsend you are asked to contact the Burlington Township Police Department at 1-609-386-2019.
Here is the transcript from last night's Jane Velez-Mitchell where she discussed the case and search for Sarah Townsend.
May 12, 2011: Transcript from Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST (voice-over): Tonight.
MONICA MAKOVICZ, COUSIN OF SARAH TOWNSEND: I miss you so much, Sarah. Please come home.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: A desperate plea from cousins of beautiful missing teen Sarah Townsend. Cops say her boyfriend found her car still running, with her wallet and cell phone still inside. Tonight, everyone is asking, "Where is Sarah?"
And...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s like a nightmare.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: A devastated mom cries for her murdered little girl. Cops say a man admits to raping and strangling the precious 9-year-old, and then going home to shower and eat dinner with his fiancee. Should cops have arrested him three weeks ago after they say this little girl ended up in his home.
Also, more drama in the Casey Anthony trial. Has the defense revealed their secret strategy to get Casey off the hook? I`ll have all the shocking details, and I`m taking your call.
Plus, an ISSUES exclusive in the Long Island serial killer case. I`ll talk with the sister of one of the victims of this cold-blooded killer. You will not believe her story.
ISSUES starts now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREA MAKOVICZ, COUSIN OF SARAH TOWNSEND: We know that the car was running and that we just -- we just want her to come home safe.
M. MAKOVICZ: I miss you so much, Sarah. Please come home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Tonight, a stomach-churning nightmare for the family of a beautiful 18-year-old girl missing since Monday. What happened to Sarah Townsend? Why would she abandon her car in a park with the motor running and just disappear? And why does her family keep saying, "Don`t worry, Sarah, we`re not mad at you?" Is there something we don`t know?
Sarah left for school Monday morning and never arrived at school. Tonight, a New Jersey newspaper called "The Examiner" is reporting claims that that very morning, Sarah called a family she babysat for and told them she would not be able to do so that afternoon. If true, was she planning to disappear?
Also, the paper claims, instead of going to school, Sarah called her boyfriend and asked him to meet her at the park. But according to this newspaper, the boyfriend says when he got there, Sarah was gone. The car was running. Her purse was inside. So was her cell phone.
Now, she left for school at about 7 in the morning. Police were called three hours later at about 10 a.m. Sarah`s car, again, running, her cell phone, her purse on the seat. The cops say there was no sign of foul play. They`re treating this like a missing persons case for now, but her family is not convinced.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s OK, honey. It`s OK. Come home. I know something`s holding you, and it`s all right. Please come home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Hundreds of people turned out for a vigil last night for Sarah, but affiliate KYW says one person was noticeably absent, Sarah`s boyfriend. Why? Cops say he is cooperating and that nobody has been named a suspect in this case.
Cops also said they have every reason to believe that Sarah is still alive. So where is she?
Straight out to our exclusive live guest, Colleen Makovicz, Sarah`s aunt.
Colleen, thank you so much for joining us. We know this has to be an extremely difficult time for your family, and we want to do what we can to bring Sarah back home safe and sound.
Now what do you know about these claims by a local New Jersey newspaper, "The Examiner," that she didn`t intend to go straight to school but rather asked her boyfriend to meet her at the park, which is not on the way to school, and that is precisely where her car was found, running with the door open, her purse and cell phone inside -- Colleen.
COLLEEN MAKOVICZ, AUNT OF SARAH TOWNSEND (via phone): Thank you, Jane, for being so kind to my daughters last night and for keeping Sarah`s face and information out there
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Absolutely.
C. MAKOVICZ: I do not know anything about what the newspaper is saying. This is news to me. We are doing our best to get Sarah back here, try to keep her face out there and her information.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I thought the most significant thing in the article, and we just spoke to the reporter of the article, because we don`t just publish anything.
C. MAKOVICZ: I know that.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And this reporter told us that she spoke with law enforcement sources and so she`s sticking by her story. She says that Sarah called a family that she always babysits for and says, "I`m not going to be able to make it this afternoon." Do you know about that?
C. MAKOVICZ: I don`t know about that. I`m hearing it from you for the first time. I haven`t been able to keep up with all the newspapers. But anything is possible. We`re keeping a very open mind on this. We don`t care what the reason is. We want her home, and we want her safe.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: OK. Now, there`s one strange detail we keep hearing over and over in this case. We`ve heard it on the news reports and interviews, right here on our show last night. Sarah`s family keeps repeating the same refrain. Listen closely to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURA TOWNSEND, MOTHER OF MISSING TEEN: We just want to tell Sarah that we want -- we love her. She`s not in trouble.
M. MAKOVICZ: Sarah, we love you so much. And please come home. We`re not mad at you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s OK, honey, it`s OK. Come home.
A. MAKOVICZ: I`m just saying we`re not mad...
M. MAKOVICZ: For running away, or if anything happened if that`s what happened.
TOWNSEND: We want you to know that we love you. You`re not in trouble.
A. MAKOVICZ: We`re not -- we`re not mad at her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now, take a look at this article from the local New Jersey paper, "The Examiner." One thing popped out at me. It says here that a school official says that Sarah Townsend had made plans to attend the prom with an Allentown High School student.
When asked if the boyfriend, who went to her car, is that Allentown High School student, the official said there are two boyfriends involved. She had a friend that she was going to the prom with and another friend, meaning the boyfriend, who went to her car.
What do you know about that, because we understand -- correct me if I`m wrong -- that the boyfriend who went to the car is 20, so he`s not in high school, presumably, any more.
What do you know, Colleen?
C. MAKOVICZ: That`s correct. He is 20 years old, and he does not go to high school.
I`m not certain of who she was going to the prom with. I believe it was a friend. She was going to two proms. She was going to the Florence High School prom. She was going to the Allentown prom. She purchased two dresses. She was excited to be going to these proms.
The morning that she disappeared, she was discussing hair dos, what she -- how she should wear her hair to each one of the proms. So we don`t believe that sounds like a girl who would hurt herself or disappear. And we don`t understand, if her car is found running, and she wanted to run away, why would she leave her cash behind? You can`t trace cash.
Why isn`t there some scent being picked up outside of the car if she was going to go off and hurt herself? It just doesn`t make sense to us.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, Dr. Dale Archer, I have to ask you. Colleen, thank you so much. I want to ask Dr. Dale Archer, does this show signs of anybody -- like this girl wanted to hurt herself?
DR. DALE ARCHER, PSYCHIATRIST: No Jane, absolutely not. The thing about suicide is when you start thinking about suicide, you want to be found. You don`t do it in secret where no one can find where you are.
And typically, it`s for one of two reasons. Either, A, you`re mad at someone. You want to get back at them. Or, B, you feel that people would be better off without you around and paradoxically, you don`t want them to worry about you. You want them to know that you`re dead. So I would say suicide is absolutely not in the equation now.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: What about Sarah`s boyfriend? Now, we first saw him side by side with Sarah`s parents. Listen and look at him. He`s off on the side.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sarah, baby, I know you`re out there. Just come back, please.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now, one point, he walked hand in hand with Sarah`s mother, but at last night`s vigil, the boyfriend was reportedly a no-show. Casey Jordan, criminologist, in missing persons cases like, the intimate partner, the boyfriend, a husband, is always the first person the cops talk to unless there`s another person who`s obviously responsible, because they have to eliminate him. And again, they`re not even saying that this is necessarily a crime. They consider her alive. This guy is not a suspect.
So, we have to be very, very careful here. ISSUES contacted Burlington P.D., and they say they`ve talked with this boyfriend, and he`s cooperating and they stress he is not considered a suspect. What are your thoughts?
CASEY JORDAN, CRIMINOLOGIST: Well, my first thought is that if nobody is a suspect, that means everyone is a suspect. It means they haven`t ruled anybody out. They`re going to look very carefully at the boyfriend. They`re going to try to find out what -- details about the young man she`s going to go to the prom with.
But really, I think you picked up on it earlier, Jane. There is some kind of strange family dynamic about "we love you. We`re sorry. Please come home." There had to have been, in my estimation, some kind of blowup at the house that upset her.
And I don`t know whether she`s abducted or whether she is maybe attention seeking and staged her own disappearance. I think we all recall the runaway bride. But only the family knows what happened that would make them reach out to her and say repeatedly, "You`re not in trouble."
Did she say something to them that got them upset? Was there some kind of family squabble where she would want to teach them a lesson and scare them with a disappearance?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, let`s take a look at the route that Sarah would have taken to get to school Monday morning. She reportedly left her home in Florence, New Jersey, Monday before 7 a.m. She was supposedly driving to her school located in Allentown, New Jersey, but her car was found in a park in Burlington, New Jersey, which is in the total opposite direction of her school.
Add to that claims that that very morning she called the family that she normally babysits for and said she would not be able to babysit later. You`ve got to wonder, could she have had some plan to run away? But her dad says she`s not a runaway. She`s a very active, popular, liked, well- respected. She`s not -- she doesn`t fit the profile of a runaway, Dr. Dale Archer. Very short.
ARCHER: She doesn`t fit the profile of a runaway. And not only that they could have just said, "You`re not in trouble for being gone. We want you to come back." Id doesn`t necessarily mean there had to be an argument that morning that triggered her to leave.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think that she obviously had a plan to do something unusual, because she didn`t head to school, and she called this family to babysit and said, "I`m not coming today."
Then she goes to this park. Maybe she did want to speak to the boyfriend, but while she was waiting, somebody approached her and took her, a total stranger. I pray that`s not the case, but it does happen.
A 7-year-old -- an 18-year-old girl at 7 in the morning, sitting in a park, that`s a bad combo. And that is what I`m concerned about, that none of these people have anything to do with it and that there was some stranger lurking in a park. I pray that I`m wrong. I pray that I`m wrong. We want to find Sarah.
Thank you, Colleen Makovicz. We`re going to stay on top of this sorry.
An Amber Alert has been missing for a four month old baby girl after her mother was found floating dead in a Tennessee River. At this point, there are no leads on the girl's disappearance and there is still a sad possibility that the child is in the River. It appears that foul play is involved as the mother and child were homeless and had moved in with her estranged husband just four days before she disappeared. Shauna Fryar was 28-years-old and had already been the mother of 7 children, six of which lived with other family members. Shauna and her four month old daughter moved in with her husband (whom she had been separated from) just four days before her disappearance.
Casey Anthony is in court this morning as she will appear for Frye hearings on March 23, 24, and 25. Her trial is set to start on May 4, 2011 and the court is set to hear arguments regarding scientific evidence in the case. Casey Anthony will appear at all hearings and entered the Orlando courtroom this morning at approximately 9:00 am.
You may watch the live hearing at Fox 35 or on Tru TV's In Session. You may chat about the case below.
A look at March motions in Casey Anthony case hearings.
1N THE CIRCUIT COURT or THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,
IN AND FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA
STATE OF FLORIDA CASE No. ; 2008-or-15606
Plaintiff,
V.
CASEY MARIE ANTHONY,
Defendant.
_/
ORDER MEMORIALIZING MOTIONS HEARD ON MARCH 2 -1, 2011
THESE MATTERS came before the Court on March 2, 3, 4, and 7, 2011. Attorneys Jose
Baez, J. Cheney Mason, and Dorothy Clay Sims were present for Defendant and Attorneys Linda Drane Burdick, Jeffrey L. Ashton, and Frank George were present for the State. Also, present for certain motions were Tamara L. Gappen, Attorney for Orange County Corrections; Mark Lippman, Attorney for George and Cindy Anthony; and Gregg D. Thomas, Attorney for WFTV and Kathleen Belich.
It is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:
1. Motion to Quash Subpoenas and/or Motion for Protective Order and
Supplemental Motion to Quash Subpoenas:
This Motion, heard on March 2, 2011, was presented by Tamara L. Gappen, Attorney for
Orange County Corrections. Per stipulation of the parties, Deanne Adams and Mary J0 Dykes were released from attending the hearing. The Court ordered that Cindy Corrado, Tammy Unser, Dennis Moonsammy, and Marlene Baker be on 2 hour standby.
2. Motion for Relative of Victim to be Excluded from Rule of Sequestration:
This Motion, heard on March 2, 2011, was presented by Mark Lippman, Attorney for
George and Cindy Anthony. The Court invoked the rule of sequestration, but per this Motion, George and Cindy Anthony, as next of kin to victim Caylee Anthony, were permitted to attend certain proceedings after they both testified. Ftuther, the Court ordered that for future proceedings, this Motion may be re-addressed on a hearing by hearing basis.
3. Motion to Strike Kathleen Belich a/k/a Kathleen Gallagher from Defendant’s
Supplemental Witness List: This Motion, heard on March 4, 2011, was presented by Gregg Thomas, Attorney forWFTV and Kathleen Belich. The Court ruled that pursuant to the journalist’s privilege underž 90.5015, Florida Statutes, Defendant failed to meet her burden to provide a clear and specificshowing that: 1) the information sought from Kathleen Belich is relevant and material tounresolved issues that have been raised in the proceeding for which the information is sought;
2) the information cannot be obtained from alternative sources; and 3) a compelling interest exists for requiring disclosure of the information. Accordingly, this Motion is GRANTED.
4. State’s Motion in Limine:
This Motion was heard on March 4, 2011 and Defendant was in concurrence.
Accordingly, the Court ruled as follows:
Item No. 1 in motion: Any testimony or expression of personal opinion by counsel, or
any witness, that the defendant is guilty or not guilty: GRANTED.
Item No. 2 in motion: Any testimony about irrelevant character traits of Defendant
(for guilt phase only): GRANTED.
Item No. 3 in motion: Any testimony or argument of counsel expressing a personal
opinion that the witnesses are “liars” or words to that effect. GRANTED (except
where evidence exists in support of such information).
Item No. 4 in motion: Any testimony or argument that unidentified members of the
Orange County Sheriff’ s Office, Office of the State Attorney, or any other government
agency “leaked” information to the media, or any third party. GRANTED (however,
if necessary, this information may be addressed at side bar via stipulation of the parties
and proffered outside of jury’s presence to determine the relevancy of the
information).
Item No. 5 in motion: Any testimony or argument that members of the Orange
County Sheriffs Office arranged for the Defendant to be video recorded upon learning
that her daughter’s remains were found. GRANTED (granted because there will be
no reference to video footage)
Item No. 6 in motion: Any testimony or argument that unidentified members of the
Orange County Sheriffs Office, Office of the State Attorney, or any other govemment
agency, who will not testify, committed any alleged improper acts. GRANTED
(however, if necessary, this information may be addressed at side bar via stipulation of
the parties and proffered outside of jury’s presence to determine the relevancy of the
infonnation).
5. State’s Motion to Strike Defendant’s Supplemental Witness List
filed February 14, 2011:
This Motion was heard on March 4, 2011 and the following occurred: Kathleen Belich, a/k/a Kathleen Gallagher is removed as a witness per separate Motion as addressed in paragraph 3 herein.
The State concurs with Defendant that good cause exists for naming Defendant’s
former boyfriend, Kemieth Drupiewski, as a Witness because his testimony would be
relevant as to the date when Defendant's diary was written. Accordingly, Kemieth
Drupiewski is permitted to remain on the witness list.
Defense counsel voluntarily removed Marvin Schecter from the witness list.
6. State’s Motion for Rule to Show Cause: This Motion was heard on March 4, 2011 and pursuant to the Court’s request, the partiesprovided a resolution for this Motion and in compliance with the Court’s Order dated February 4,2011. Accordingly, the Court finding that the resolution and actions of counsel at this hearing tobe satisfactory, no further action will be taken on this Motion.
7. Defendant’s Motion in Limine to Suppress Video Footage (Jail Video):
The State confirmed with the Court that it will not be utilizing this piece of evidence or
descriptions of this video during its Case-in-Chief. Accordingly, at the hearing on March 4,2011, the Court rendered this Motion MOOT.
8. The Court reserved ruling for the below Motions that will be addressed in
separate orders: Defendant’s Motion and Amended Motion to Suppress Statements made toLaw Enforcement Officers. Motion heard on March 2, 3, and 7, 2011.
Defendanfs Motion to Suppress Statements made to George, Cindy, and Lee
Anthony, Maya Derkovic, Robyn Adams, and Sylvia Hernandez. Motionheard on March 3, 4, and 7, 2011.
State‘s Motion to Strike Defendant’s Motion to Exclude Unreliable Evidence
Pursuant to Frye (Chloroform). Motion to Strike heard on March 4, 2011.
State’s Motion to Strike Defendant’s Motion to Exclude Unreliable Evidence
Pursuant to Frye (Plant or Root Growth). Motion to Strike heard on March 4, 2011.
DONE AND ORDERED in chambers at Orlando, Orange County, Florida, this /2 ii
day of March, 2011. Nunc pro tunc to March 2, 2011 and March 4, 201 l for the applicable
BELVIN PERRY, JR.
Chief Judge
Motions heard and ruled upon on these dates.
QERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Order has been
furnished by U.S. Mail or hand delivery, this day of March, 201 1 to:
Jose Baez, Esquire, The Baez Law Firm, 522 Simpson Road, Kissimmee, Florida 34744
J. Cheney Mason, Esquire, J. Cheney Mason, P.A., 390 North Orange Avenue, Suite
2100, Orlando, Florida 32801
0Dorothy Clay Sims, Esquire, Sims & Stakenborg, P_A., 118 SW Fort King Street, P.O.
Box 3188, Ocala, Florida 34478-3188
Ann Finnell, Esquire, Finnell, McGuinness, Nezami, & Andux, P.A., 233 E. Bay Street,
Suite 601, Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Linda Drane Burdick, Jeffrey L. Ashton, and Frank George, Assistant State Attorneys,
Office of the State Attorney, 415 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801
Tamara L. Gappen, Esquire, Orange County Attorney’s Office, Orange County
Administration Center, P.O. Box 1393, Orlando, Florida 32802-1393
Mark Lippman, Esquire, Lippman Law Offices, P.A., 255 South Orange Avenue, Suite
720, Orlando, Florida 32801
Gregg D. Thomas, Esquire and Rachel E. Fugate, Esquire, Thomas & Locicero PL, 400
North Ashley Drive, Suite 1100, P.O. Box 2602 (33601), Tampa, Florida 33602
moved in with her estranged husband just four days before she disappeared. Shauna Fryar was 28-years-old and had already been the mother of 7 children, six of which lived with other family members. Shauna and her four month old daughter moved in with her husband (whom she had been separated from) just four days before her disappearance.