Celina Cass autopsy report back but inconclusive, waiting on toxicology testing

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.

Tips for child safety while visiting theme or amusement parks by Charisse Van Horn

Tips for child safety while visiting theme or amusement parks by Charisse Van Horn

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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.

Hasaan Ford: Missing August 1, 2011

Hasaan Ford: Missing August 1, 2011

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HASAAN AMEER FORD
Case Type: Non Family Abduction
DOB: Aug 4, 1995
Missing Date: Aug 1, 2011
Age Now: 15
Missing City: ANTIOCH
Missing State :  CA
Missing Country: United States Sex: Male Race: Black Height:  5'4" (163 cm) Weight:  110 lbs (50 kg) Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown
Case Number: NCMC1176952
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. Click here for more missing children cases with posters

11-year-old Celina Cass found dead in New Hampshire, criminal investigation underway

 11-year-old Celina Cass found dead in New Hampshire, criminal investigation underway

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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.