Here it is only four weeks before Christmas. It is the time of year when children wait patiently for Santa to come visit so they can see what they got for Christmas. The adults gather around with their loved ones. Everyone looks around and is thankful for what God has given them.
Unfortunately it isn’t so easy for others. Parents of children that are no longer with them or that are still out there in the world missing. Some know of an abused child that is a member of their family, but they can’t seem to get anyone to help them protect that child. How sad is that?
Until the past few years I never realized there was so many children missing in this world. My eyes have opened up since I began covering a story about a little girl, Caylee Anthony that was missing from Florida but wasn’t reported missing for 30 days. Almost 6 months later little Caylee was found dead. Her body was stuffed inside a laundry bag which was then stuffed inside a garbage bag and she was thrown away like trash. Caylee’s mother has been arrested for her murder and is waiting to go to trial now.
Then I covered the case of missing Adji Desir also from Florida. This little boy was outside playing in his grandmother’s yard where he couldn’t possibly have been hurting anyone. Then suddenly he disappeared. This has been since January 10, 2009. Little Adji has never been found to this day. No signs of where this child went to. No one saw anything. How could this have happened? How can a child disappear and stay gone without someone knowing about what happened to him? Where is Adji???
One month later, Haleigh Cummings disappeared from her bedroom in Putnam County Florida. This case has been a very bazaar case. Lies after lies, fingers being pointed at all the players, on both the mother’s side and the father’s side of the family and even at the babysitter’s side of the family too. Everyone wants to blame the other one yet no one has been arrested for Haleigh’s disappearance. Did Haleigh have enough of her drug inflicted family and just pack a bag and run away from home on her own? I should think not. I seriously doubt a five year old would be able to pull that off. There is someone out there that has the answers but who? How come no one has come forth and told what happened to the child that has captured America’s heart? The father, Ronald Cummings, the babysitter/stepmother Misty Croslin, the brother of Misty Croslin, Tommy Croslin, and two others are now sitting in jail on drug charges. Although LE is claiming it has nothing to do with Haleigh’s disappearance, why does it appear that all investigations on the case have come to a halt? Are they still working the case? If so, how come no one hears any news, other than when one of the key players is sentenced or when a member of their family goes to jail, or is released from jail? For close to two years now we have followed this case, and we wake up every morning wondering if today will be the day that we will hear something about what happened to Haleigh. Where is Haleigh???
Another case that really hit the public hard was Somer Thompson from Florida. She was on her way home from school but she never arrived. This precious little girl’s body was found in a public landfill in Georgia. Little Somer had been assaulted and she died of asphyxiation. Fortunately the man responsible for Somer’s death has been arrested. I pray he will never be free again to do this to another child again. http://www.bloggernews.net/124142
Recently another case of a missing child caught the attention across the world. A little girl that had fought and won her battle with cancer but she lost her leg and wore a hearing aid, Zahra Baker from North Carolina, disappeared and the world watched and listened for any news on the case waiting for the news if she was dead or alive and on what happened to her. The result ended tragically when the announcement had been formally made that little Zahra’s remains had been found and identified as that of Zahra’s. Needless to say a lot of hearts have been broken by this news as everyone was praying she would be found live although as each day passed the odds for that grew less and less. Her stepmother is in jail on unrelated charges but from what the public can see it appears that the stepmother, Elisa Baker and Zahra’s father are responsible for what happened to her but as of yet no one has been charged with her murder. What happened to little Zahra Baker? And who is responsible for what happened to her?
Unfortunately a missing child report does not always mean the child is not small. A missing child can be an adult too. We report on adults missing as well. The one that comes to my mind that I personally reported on is Zachary Pittman. The 26 year old man disappeared one night after a small argument with his sister. He walked away into the night and has never been seen again. His mother, Christy Ragas, is determined to find out what happened to her son. They are from Pearl River, Louisiana, a small town where everyone knows everyone. Trust me I know, because I was raised in a town 10 miles away from there. Christy has pretty much accepted that Zach is no longer alive but she has that drive in her that most any mother would have in her to find her child and at least lay him to rest the proper way. Where is Zach? What happened to him? Someone somewhere knows something but like the other missing children cases, no one is speaking up.
These are only a few cases we have covered on BNN, there are several more. We don’t write about the cases on a daily basis because there have not been any new developments to report on, but these kids deserve to be remembered. They should never be forgotten. My prayer list is getting longer each day but I still pray for each of them every night to either be found or to get the justice they deserve.
My prayers also are for the families left behind. During the holidays it has to be even harder for them, especially when they have other children to think about as well. They are forced to put on a smile for them when in their hearts they are crying for their lost loved ones. To the families of Adji, Haleigh, and Zach, I pray that one day these precious children will be found and once again your family can celebrate the holidays again.
In the meantime to the public, please keep praying. I have not forgotten these children and I never will. Please help me keep their names out there so they will never be forgotten. They need to be remembered. God bless them all.
Jan Barrett
26 users commented in " Missing, Abused, and Murdered Children – Please Don’t Forget Them "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackBeautifully written. I too follow these stories.
I do want to comment on Haleigh’s situation.
In this case, we know, that 2-3 people besides Haleigh do know what happened to her. What is left to investigate??
The people involved would rather sit in jail for years on drug charges than admit to murder and possiblity get the death penalty. Misty messed up bad that night, real bad, and for some reason, her brother isn’t talking. What else needs to be investigated that hasn’t already been done??
Every day i receive email alerts of children that go missing for one reason or another and it breaks my heart, i guess it must be the sign of the times because when i think back to when i was a child the children could play in the streets or even in the woods and i never heard of any child coming to harm.
I can only hope and pray that one day children will be safe in this world.
Jan, very well written! Your compassion shines through. This is a very sad time of year for all the families of missing loved ones. Christmas is the time of year for family gatherings and the sound of children giggles. My heart breaks for those missing children who will not see Christmas this year and the missing adults who will not be able to hear the giggles of their children as they open their gifts. I will continue to lift these families up prayer. I feel that is the most important thing I can do for them!
I have grieved through the story of Caylee Anthony, Haleigh Cummings, little Adji and many more children. Living in North CArolina not too far from the area Zahra Baker was living, has just about torn the heart out of me and many others. We watch and listen each day for some news on these children without ever hearing a word. Zahra’s father and step-mother are responsible for her death and disposal. Not even enough decency much less love, to give that child a proper burial. I just hope and pray that the truth surfaces in all these cases and these precious children can rest safe in Gods arms. How anyone can harm a child is beyond my understanding and I am not sure I want to understand that. My children have always been my reason to live and now my grandchildren hold that place in my heart also. I can not imagine harming any of them or allowing anyone to harm them. Children are gifts from God to be cherished and nurtured, not disposed of when they get in the way of party time. We all need closure from these cases and I do not see it in the near future. It does appear that someone would come forward with information to either clear or convict the persons responsible for their deaths or disappearances. Hell has a special place for the persons who are responsible for this terrible act and Heaven has a special place for these precious children who have been victims.
Good evening Jan. Thank you for this.It is such a sad situation isnt it? I to believe people in this world are growing wickeder by the day.As one remarked.I to remember playing out doors,walking to the walk in movies with friends.Playing out side in the summer with street lights on in our front yard, with neighborhood children(at dusk) walking to the store alone for a soda.Maybe once every now an then we would hear of a child going missing-off in a big city some where,but it was rare.Im sure it was happening then also.Because of the little boy who was on the milk carton for 30 yrs,whose never been found.But nothing like today.
But there is a very violent thing going on now.Mother murdering their own.That truly floors me,because wemon are usualy nurturers.People see things out of order some report it,some dont.But so many times DCF will check an thats it.How many homes have been checked,only to later hear the child has been murdered by a parent.Or In the little S. Davis childs case,a perverted friend of the parent.With the mother allowing it to happen.
We know theres vile sick men out to lurk an snatch our little ones,just look at the Preditor/RSO regestory.There so many not accounted for that haven been caught yet.
Seems the children of this world arnt safe any more, some even in their own homes. An that is so very sad.They deserve a safe loving home life,an a happy child hood.
Jan i know what you mean following these cases,has been a real eye opener to just how many are missing,an how crazy Precious Halieghs case has been,the surrounding drama.It makes my heart weep for Her.Children who are suffering now that we know nothing about-YET. Thinking of Zackary i pray his mother gets anwsers some day. Teens,as well as grown adults as you mentioned,vanished.How can this be ? It hasnt been in the last few months a body was found here at the beach in a wooded area, Had been there for a while according to Reports.We still havent found out where the Drexal teen is that went missing from ocean blvd here at the beach,on spring break.I had two friends One found dead by hunters (case never solved)One went missing at a old closed country store making a phone call.Vanished in thin air.Another i didnt know found cut up in a dumpster,i dont know if that case was ever solved,she wasnt from the small town i grew up in.But found there.
As you all know my family also had a tiny 2 yr old blue eyed ,white haired,darling little boy.Who was brutaly murdered one cold Febuary night.I understand being under a microscope by LE.As well as the great heartache I an my family has from the loss of our precious little one.The pain,Thought of what could we have done to avoid this-((Nothing!!))Thank God the the man who did it is in prison now. If someone has murder in their heart,your unable to stop it.Mother always said by looking at a person,you never know whats in that person heart.How do we as a nation fight against this terrible crimes against these innocent children/teens/adults elderly. We have a powerful goverment,who fights wars an wins.But They are unable to stop this.As they are also unable to stop the drug trade,which sometimes has something to do with some of these deaths.Booze also has caused much abuse in many a family.The word of God is fullfilling everyday,as he spoke of the wickedness that was to become worse.Were seeing the changes through the yrs till today.
God Bless you Jan for using your time in writing for these who are missing who need to be found-And for those who have been murdered who deserve justice.
Yes there are many children that will be very unhappy this Christmas my daughter included.
This will be her 3rd year and 3rd Christmas without contact from her Daddy. All because of a bitter woman, a bios Cafcas officer and an incompetant family court judge.
I was a good Dad and a good husband, but the twisted mind, of a bitter woman, aleinated me from our then 7 year old daughter.
My only fault, I had no job and no money to fight her in court.
Jan – Thank you for this beautiful heart-felt article. God Bless You.
Some time back someone on here mentioned a movie called “Lovely Bones” about a murdered child. I watched it this weekend and I must say it touched me deeply. For all those who have felt the heartache of these cases, I STRONGLY recommend this movie. I cried, I smiled and I cried some more. I’m not sure it would touch just anyone so deeply but for the folks that blog here about missing children, it is a must see. In a way it gave me some closure for some of these cases. In another way it made me angry, frustrated and left me feeling helpless.
I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!
Jan thank you for this warm and heartfelt article. I awake and fall asleep every day praying the answers will come for those families with missing Children whether they are young or older.The families need to know where their children are, although they will never have complete closure.
Zahra Bakers case has really torn me apart. I watched her getting her hearing aides and saw pics of her smiling and by lookig at those pics and interview did I see the abuse she was as enduring. DCF had been notified and been to the home,but nothing ever became of it.Now she is gone. Adam and Elisa Baker are very evil people and they need to be held accountable for what they did to Zahra.jmo
Little Somer Thompson so sweet and innocent. A monster took her life. I pray he will soon be sentenced the death penalty.jmo
Little Adji, the most mysterious of all. Just playing in his yard and disappears. Noone sees a thing. I believe this one to be a stranger abduction and I pray that he is found.
Zachary Pittman a son and a father met with foul play and someone knows what happened. They need to come foward and allow his family to lay him to rest and may justice be served.
Little Haleigh Cummings, there are so many questions in her dsappearance. The lies began the moment the sweet angel got off the bus that day.Lie after lie surrounds her disappearance. I am praying that someone gets a conscience and tells the truth. I truely believe the answers lye in Satsuma.
I pray for the families to find the answers they are looking for and to bring comfort to them especially at this time of year.
I pray that the Christams Miracle for this year is that God will shine his light on where the missing are and bring them home.
JB, I loved that movie. It relly touched me.
I hope you ad a wonderful Thanksgiving.
In case yu did not kow they will be having a memoral on Dec. for Zahra.I put the link to it on Is it Zahras remains article.
oops sorry for the typos. My lap top keys do not always type if I go too fast.
Jan–What a beautiful article and a beautiful heart you have for keeping these cases in the spotlight. This time of year is the season for thankfulness and cheer and yet some families are hanging on by a thread because someone turned their lives upside down when tragedy struck–their child is missing or murdered. Every year that goes by is just another year left with no answers. I do not know how some go on, even though I know they have to. Closure is something they never experience because there always is the question of why it happened to them. Their faith is shaken and their lives are at a standstill until the child is brought home or answers are found. Some have been waiting years for that. What do you say to people that experience this loss, whether the child is abducted by family and “hidden”, murdered by family, friends, or even strangers? I want to have comfort in the fact justice will eventually be served, but I see every day that these types of cases like Haleigh, Caylee, Adji, Zahra, and Zachary are not so rare anymore. Until the justice system makes this a top priority and laws are changed these cases will become a typical occurence. I remember watching a Law and Order episode dealing with sexual offenders and a sexual offender stated to LE “Maybe we are not a minority anymore.” Looking at the many that surround our children on a daily basis, hiding in plain sight, leads me to believe maybe he is right. Sexual offenders–especially ones that harm our littlest children–need to be dealt with harshly the FIRST TIME. Abused children that suffer harm from their own family members need immediate and permanent protection. Deal harshly with these people the FIRST TIME around. NO SECOND CHANCES to harm another child. I look at Mark Lunsford’s face or Diena Thompson’s face and you see the grief and the cross they have to bear to protect our children–to lobby for stricter laws and to bring a voice to the missing and murdered children. They and the many others who have made it their mission to speak for our children–when theirs were so brutally taken from them–are my heroes. They are who I am thankful for. Like them I say “NOT ONE MORE”!
Very touching article, Jan.
These abductions are just getting too commonplace and out of hand and I just do not understand. I do not understand how anybody could look into the face of an innocent child and take advantage and hurt a child, any child, any human being. It hurts my very being to realize there are so many discusting individuals out in the world who do this and the sad part of it is, some times it involves the parents-one or both, out of some jealous atupidity, other times, it is repeat offenders who in my opinion, have no business out in the world to hurt again, but they do. Laws need to be changed I believe-This slap on the wrist type of justice is no justice at all.
I pray every day for these missing children/adults. I pray for them to come home.
God bless you Jan and everyone else who is here to stand up and fight for justice for these children!
My prayers are with each and everyone of them and each and everyone of you!
Please help with this petition.
Thank you
Stop the abuse and murder of the children in the U.S.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/16/stop-the-abuse-and-murder-of-the-children-in-the-us/
Marc,
I feel very sad for your situation of not being able to see your daughter that is 3. It sounds out of your control at the moment. However, I do want to tell you this… Write her a letter and buy and wrap gifts for every occasion. Do it now so that the gift are thougthful and are within the time frame that is right. A 3 year old lilttle girl would probably want to go see Tangled so go buy the book and wrap it or a Tangled puzzle. For her birthdays do the same. Include heartfelt cards in all of the gifts. One day when she is old enough and she comes to see you or ask you why were you never there for her, Bring out all of the gifts, cards, letters and celebrate the occasions you missed with her. You are her father and she will never ever forget that. Doing what I say will show her that she mattered to you and will make up for everything. Oh and don’t be bitter in any of your letters. You have no idea what an impact this will make even over the lost years. Good Luck to you!
Curious G
Zahra Update:
“Ten-year-old Zahra Baker’s body was dismembered and her remains concealed in a bed comforter and car cover, then discarded in a Dumpster behind a Hudson grocery store, according to court documents released this afternoon.
The records don’t reveal how the girl died but detail for the first time Elisa Baker’s account of what was done with her stepdaughter Zahra’s body.
Judge Nathaniel Poovey ordered that the previously-sealed documents be released this afternoon.
The documents also show:
— Elisa Baker’s attorney, Lisa Dubs, told an investigator that latex gloves were used while Zahra’s body was dismembered. Dubs also said investigators might find remains in the bathtub drain.
— Through her attorney, Elisa Baker said she and her husband Adam Baker — Zahra’s father — dumped a mattress and box springs at a trash dump in Granite Falls.
— Elisa Baker directed investigators to the Fox Ridge apartments in Hickory. Through her attorney, she admitted that she and Adam Baker wrapped Zahra’s prosthetic leg in a white trash bag and threw it in the apartment Dumpster.
— On Oct. 10, a dog trained in recovery of bodies gave a positive alert for the presence of human remains in or on two vehicles described by police as belonging to the family.”
Curious G – OMG! Your post to Marc really touched me and is by far the best advice I’ve ever heard. I hope Marc reads your post along with every other estranged parent. What a perfect way to bridge the gap with a child. A gap created by adults in their bitter struggles for revenge and control which ultimately only hurt the child.
JB
Thank you so much! When you grow up without a parent you tend to idolize or fantasize about that parent but truly inside is the anger. You feel unlovable and if you wee to show up at your Dad’s house one day asking him why did you not love me and he came out with a birthday present, letters and other gifts (no matter how big or small) this would make sure that the message was clear “you are loved, you were loved, and you are lovable”
Curious G
Well said. I don’t want to add to your prayer list, but what about Kyron Horman? There’s also the little boy from Masssachusetts, Giovanni Gonzalez. In the last few days the news also reported the 3 missing Michigan boys. What about the 5 kids found a barely alive in PA who were raised in complete isolation, malnourished, and damaged by their experience? What do they all have in common? Dysfunctional parents. In each of these cases, some major craziness was taking place and the children were the victims. I’m not even mentioning the recent reports of parent-cide. All these beautiful babies killed by a psychotic parent. “It takes a village”. I’d It’s time for society and community members to step it up. Report people if you see something that’s just not right. Beg for forgiveness if you’re wrong, but don’t be afraid to speak up. Maybe we can save a few of these children.
Curious G – well, what you said touched me very deeply. So many times we first think of revenge or ways to act out against the other parent. Instead you provided a loving solution that was a Win Win for all parties. It was very refreshing and I applaud you for a well stated comment. I hope it speaks to all of us that while so many of us have “blended families” and there are a lot of missing parents in children’s lives, a tough situation can be dealt with in a very positive way and the results of utilizing your suggestion could mean the difference between a child scarred for life and a child made whole; going on to lead a productive life and becoming a phenominal parent themselves. Again, I thank you.
MassMom – It is reaching an epedimic level with parents killing their kids. We used to preach stranger danger. How do you warn children that the very people they love unconditionally and rely on for safety are the ones they should fear the most. Too many children are dying at the hands of their caretakers and it needs to stop. You are right, we need to be vigilante. We need to speak up and contact authorities anytime we suspect ANYTHING. I’d rather have egg on my face if I’m wrong than have the guilt on my heart if a child lost their life or were injured because I said and did nothing. Well said MassMom.
JB,my daughter bought the book Lovly Bones for me.I couldnt put it down.Many of my friends are passing it around reading it.I have not seen the movie as of yet.I will buy the DVD if its out.To me who ever wrote it,decided not to place the killer first.But allowed us to see what it may be like for a murdered child as well as for a family who suffers through something like that.With the killer being a neighbor.It just goes to show like in Somer Thompsons case.We just never know who may be living in the house down the street,an if they are after a child.
Jan57, just a little warning, don’t get too excited about that film!!
Jan57 – Not everyone will like the film (see Lynn’s comments) but I loved it. It is from the perspective of the victim instead of telling the story of the assailant. I loved that about the movie. It also allowed me to have some closure for all the child murder cases I’ve followed. It let me see it from the murdered child’s side. Was it the best movie I’ve ever seen? No. Did it touch me deeply (due in part to these horrible cases we’ve followed)? Yes.
These cases have scarred me emotionally to a degree and in some small way the movie (Lovely Bones) did indeed give me some closure and allow me to heal. I could imagine all of these children at first angry over what was done to them, reaching out to family, and then finding closure and letting go. It allowed me to visually see these children moving on to heaven where they no longer felt pain or sorrow. So while it may never win any awards, if you’ve been deeply affected by these cases, it can give you some much needed first aid for your broken heart.
An 18-month-old boy is in critical condition after Charleston authorities say he was hanged by his ankles in a closet and repeatedly beaten by three teenagers.
Multiple media outlets reported that 16-, 15-, and 14-year-old boys are accused of abusing Louis Wright of Charleston. The child’s mother, Shakera Wright, is accused of allowing the beating to occur.
Here’s another abuse case that will make your blood boil:
“Police were called to a hospital Tuesday when she brought Louis in with face swelling, fractured ribs, bruises, and lacerations to his spleen, liver and pancreas.
Wright told a social worker the teens “play-wrestled” with him Monday. She said they hit her son until she told them to stop. Arrest warrants say the oldest teen admitted the abuse, calling it wrestling.”
Everyone pray this baby makes it and the mother and teens face the appropriate charges! I swear this world has gone completely insane!
So how do you get wrestling out of hanging this baby by his ankles and beating him? What part of that is “wrestling”? Three TEENAGERS against an 18 month old. Wow, what tough guys! Real men! 🙄 👿
So sad what happens to children these days. I dont think this is any worse then it has been though. What is different now is that we have the internet and hear about sad stories that in the past we never would have heard about with traditional print media.
Its very sad, but nothing new. Sickos have been hurting children since we have existed. You can still let your kids play outside. You can still leave your doors unlocked. Its just that if something bad happens we will all hear about it. Not just the people in your immediate area.
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