Feeling helpless NVR
A dear friend of mine had her 19 y/o daughter go missing this week. She and her younger sister were in Fort Collins, CO visiting friends they grew up with as they do each summer since moving to Wyoming.
The younger sister who is 18 met their mom to pick them up on Monday. The other talked to her mom, said she would like to go to a birthday party at a park, that she had a ride and "I love you mom and I'll see you a little later." Her friends took her to one end of the park. She told them not to bother driving around to the other end, she could walk to the other side for the party. They let her out of the car. She never made it to the party. Apparently, no one saw anything and if they did they have not come forward.
The police were useless, as all Colorado police seem to be and told mom not to bother calling the hospitals because they hospitals call the police when someone is a Jane Doe (not true). They put up flyers and searched everywhere with no clues. THe police, ever so effective, refused to take a missing persons report until she had been gone for at least 48 hrs and refused to help anyone look for her. Rather than understand that this is NOT the kind of kid who runs away, that is how they classified her, so they have been of no help.
I know this girl pretty well. She is close to her mom. She is street smart and pretty level headed. If she did a runner, I would be extremely surprised as it is out of character for her. Her mom is worried sick and I know that the longer this drags on the less likely it is that they will have a good outcome and the more likely it is that she will be found dead. I feel sick, I feel helpless and like I am not much good to my friend. If any of you have any ideas on what to do next, please let me know. THe news stations aren't taking it, the police aren't taking this seriously and I feel like I should be doing something.
Oh my goodness... that is terrible. I can only imagine what that would be like... :'( :'( :'(
The only thing I can think of is how hard it must be on her mother, since the location she has gone missing in is not 'home'... That must make it all the more difficult. Possibly helping in that aspect??? I'm not sure how... possibly going to her house and camping out there in case she needs info, paperwork or an item from home sent to her or faxed to police??
I don't even know what to say, I'm so sorry. :'(
I can't stop thinking about this...
what about helping to make a website verison of the flyer with contact info?
OMG, I don't know how to help except to pray for her safe return. This is just awful and I only hope nothing horrible has happened to her. It makes me sick that the police weren't more helpful.
While they waste their time on petty issues, a young woman's life is at risk.
Please keep us posted.
Hugs
Di
Somebody saw something. Do they have any park cameras that could be looked at?
This is every mother's/familiy's nightmare. I am so sorry. It's easy to feel helpless with something like this but if you're close to the mother and she needs something, hopefully you'll be the person she turns to for help. Be there for her (I know you will). I wouldn't think there is much you can do in the searching aspect or making the police cooperate. Can you offer any meals? If I were in this situation (the mother's) preparing food would be the last thing on my mind. I'd be eating bags of candy and cookies (and I'm not being flip). Helping her keep her physical strength is important, too.
That is horrible. I'm so sorry. Continue to be there for your friend.
I can't really think of anything particularly helpful...I just wanted to say I'm thinking about your family and they (And you) have my sincere sympathies.
I've seen myspace pages for missing kids before, maybe you could try that.
how awful. praying for her safe return.
I can't imagine how they feel.
Oh my, I am so sorry for you and your friend. We'll keep her in our thoughts.
Can you share her name at this point?
One thing you could do is rent her a room at an Extended Stay-type hotel; I'd imagine that she'll be in Fort Collins for some time.
Please keep us posted on the progress.
I am really sorry to hear about this. I can't imagine what they must be going through and will pray for her safe return.
I have a few suggestions, and I apologize if you've exhausted these resources already. These may be dead ends to but they're worth trying.
1) TV news stations are oftentimes reactive to what runs in the newspaper. So contact the daily and community news reporters covering Fort Collins, CO. They might pick this up, especially if this case involves unusual circumstances. Have a copy of the police report, her photo and other helpful details readily available.
2) Submit a news tip or information via an online news source such as www.coloradoan.com. The e-mail address for the news, crime and community reporters who cover Fort Collins should be available on this site so write to each of them directly.
3) Contact government leaders, especially the councilmember who represents Fort Collins, CO. It likely will be difficult getting him or her on the phone, so ask to speak to the field deputy, or whoever the Councilmember's rep is who represents the area.
This is horrible news & a parents worst nightmare. I will be praying for her safe return.
Stay strong LadyDragonfly
LadyDragonfly1,
I'm reallly sorry for your friend. I hope her daughter will have a safe return home.
I pray the police will be more helpful in finding her.
I also think it's a good idea to post pictures of her in the Internet in a missing person's profile. Someone will eventually could come up with some information if they see her.
Definitely bring the police's refusal to investigate before she's been gone 48 hours to the Media's attention. That is so wrong even if the young women is 19 years old. In a case like this where she was last seen definitely on her way somewhere and she never arrives and the people (especially parent) are 100% sure that she wouldn't just go off on a spree, the police here would be all over the case due to past experiences. Colorado police should be told to try to be at least as smart as police in Texas! If she wandered off the road or trail to look at something and fell, she needs not to have to wait 48 hours before she can expect help to come! Cops in Texas know this. My anger's starting to boil over this!!!! >:(
I'm praying for your friend's daughter. I know God will know exactly who am asking for but I'd feel more "effective" if I knew her first name. Could you post it or her initials? God does answer prayers all the time!
Bypass the police if you have to. The first 48 hours are the most crucial. Definitely let the local media know.
http://www.yellowbook.com/?A=1&Q=%20categories%3a+missing+persons+bureaus&WH=Fort+Collins%2c+CO
I don't know what that is, but it looks promising. It may be a private investigator.
You can also call other police and officials in the area. The website will be down this weekend, so you can call. http://www.co.larimer.co.us/sheriff/
Fort Collins Police Services: (970) 221-6540
Telephone Numbers
Fort Collins Police Services
300 Laporte Avenue
P.O.Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Emergency - 911
Non-emergency - 221-6540
rdavis@fcgov.com
General Directory
(all phone numbers are area code 970 unless otherwise indicated)
Abandonded Vehicles 221-6540
Bad Check/Forgery 221-6559
Chief of Police
221-6550
Internal Affairs 221-6831
Hiring and Training 221-6832
Press Information 221-6628
Comments on Police Conduct 221-6831
Information Services Director 221-6840
Records 221-6540
Property/Evidence 221-6835
Investigations Division Captain 221-6556
Investigations Information 221-6560
Crimes Against Persons 221-6560
Crimes Against Property 221-6560
Fraud/Forgery 221-6559
Fugitives Unit 221-6560
Victim Services 224-6089
Youth School Team 221-6560
Larimer County Drug Task Force 416-2560
Patrol Captain 221-6839
Crime Prevention 221-6833
Patrol Officers 221-6555
Special Events Permits 221-6555
Traffic Enforcement 221-6842
Media:
http://fcgov.com/media/
I don't really know what to say. I'm 20, and I am ever vigilant. My worst nightmare is being abducted or attacked. I hope it all turns out well, and she's home real soon. Makes me glad to be in New Zealand where every abduction or attack is taken seriously by the police ans they each have a lot of media coverage.
I'm really sorry that happened to your friend and am outraged by the blaise police attitude.
Definitely contact the news media. A family goes on vacation and the daughter becomes missing. It's a news story. I'd contact all of the news media. If there is public attention the police will help more.
Colorado has a missing children department that can become involved after the initial police report is filed: http://cbi.state.co.us/mp/default.asp
I've read your posts. You are a compelling writer. You could contact the newspapers, find a reporter who would be interested in the story, and then write a "press release" and email it to your contact. Write the story like a newspaper article with quotes from the mother and send in a picture. That way the reporter can use it with only a bit of modification instead of finding the time to write an article from scratch - that makes it more likely to be used.
Fort Collins Newspaper: http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage
Denver newspaper: http://www.denverpost.com/
Other newspaper: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
I've read your posts. You are a compelling writer. You could contact the newspapers, find a reporter who would be interested in the story, and then right a "press release" and email it to your contact. Write the story like a newspaper article with quotes from the mother and send in a picture. That way the reporter can use it with only a bit of modification instead of finding the time to write an article from scratch - that makes it more likely to be used.
I agree!
This is so weird but I actually had a dream about her last night.
Please keep us updated Lady D.
This is the thread about the lost girl that I said I'd bump to near the top. So glad she's no longer lost! :)