Missing 7 yr old boy RICKY HOLLAND - Williamston, MI

[Juliana]

http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw118011_20050705.htm

7 year old boy missing for 4 days. He is bi-polar and has attention deficit. Authorities believe he ran away from home.

[nvfc]

@Juliana

If you can find a picture of him, I will place him on our site.

[Juliana]

@Juliana

If you can find a picture of him, I will place him on our site.


There's a picture at this link. Sorry, I don't know how to copy and save the picture by itself.

http://newscenter.ninn.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11737

[Cynical Suz]

Here is a link to the local paper's latest article:

http://lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050705/NEWS01/507050332

There's a picture there, but it's not a very good one.

Ricky Holland has bipolar disorder and ADD. The authorities believe that he ran away (he has before). He took his backpack, but they don't believe he took his medications with him. Sadly, they're afraid he may have fallen into the river that runs through Williamston. Two experts from NCMEC arrived yesterday to assist.

[fourboys]

NCMEC POSTER (http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewPoster&caseNum=1018213&orgPrefix=NCMC&searchLang=en_US)

[amandab]

From here (http://lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050705/NEWS01/507050331/0/NEWS01) :

On Friday night, Lisa bought the movie "The Pacifier" because Ricky, a Vin Diesel fan, wanted to see it. They watched it together.

The next morning Lisa went out to the store just before 8 a.m. She soon returned because she'd forgotten something. She asked Tim to get the children up and then left again.

Tim knocked on Ricky's door and told him it was time to get up.

"I probably should have opened the door and checked on him, but I trust him," Tim said.

He was putting bread in the toaster when he stopped.

"He was being too quiet," said Tim, who is in the armed forces.

The first thing he saw when he walked into Ricky's first-floor bedroom was the open window.

Next, he noticed the bed had been pushed up to the window - and Ricky's blue backpack was gone.

"This is how this whole nightmare started, and that's what this is," Tim said.


Can a 7-year-old push a bed against a window?

[lady-eowyn]

Can a 7-year-old push a bed against a window?
It would depend on how heavy it was...I think I was probably pushing furniture around by the time I was 7.

And is it just me or does anyone else get frustrated that they don't put better pictures out of a missing child (or adult for that matter)? I think EVERY parent should make sure they have current clear pictures of their child just in case...

[nvfc]

I have added his picture with the news.

I see the Amber Alert has been issued.


This can be e-mailed
http://nvfc.us/content/view/395/1/

[Sam]

I have added his picture with the news.

It says Amber alert on the supplied photo. Could someone clarify?


This can be e-mailed
http://nvfc.us/content/view/395/1/

In Michigan we can have Amber Alerts without witness or vehicles. That's why I was so confused that other states don't. If a child is missing here, it is usually an Amber Alert immediately. The downside is that online local news rarely posts photos of the child so if you miss regular news or do not get the paper, you can read the story online but not have a clue what the child looks like.

[mysteriew]

And on the third day of hundreds of volunteers and about 50 officers searching for Ricky, police said they were no closer to finding him.

Two experts from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children arrived Monday to provide advice and help spread the word.

Meanwhile, Ricky's parents, Tim and Lisa Holland, said the ordeal is taking its toll.

If someone has Ricky, they pleaded, just drop him off where he can tell someone who he is.

"If somebody's seen him," Tim said on the porch at their Douglas Road home, "please tell the sheriff's department."

"Right now I feel numb," he said. "I feel like I have nothing left to give. All I have left is hope and prayer."

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050705/NEWS01/507050331/1002/opinion

Two experts from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children arrived Monday to help with the search for Ricky Holland.

Joe Burgoon and Lee Manning both belong to the nonprofit organization's Team Adam. The 49 members of the team - mostly retired law enforcement agents - travel around the country assisting local authorities. The team is named after Adam Walsh, who was kidnapped and killed in the 1980s.

"These guys bring experience to the scene," Ingham County Sheriff Chief Deputy Vicki Harrison said.

"They also have resources and a network of people and organizations that are able to assist."

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050705/NEWS01/507050332/1001/news

The search for a missing 7-year-old boy suspected of running away from home entered its fourth day Tuesday after police and hundreds of volunteers failed to find him over the holiday weekend.

http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm4886_20050705.htm

[nvfc]

He has been re-classified on the NVFC and this is new.

http://nvfc.us/content/view/395/34/

[Sam]

I sure hope these footprints are a positive sign. I just hope they find him soon before some sicko does.

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050708/NEWS01/507080331

http://www.detnews.com/2005/metro/0507/08/B07-240704.htm

[lady-eowyn]

I was thinking about him yesterday...I do hope they find him soon. I have to wonder if he's with somene? Where is he sleeping? Imagine being 7 yrs old and out there on your own like this

[mysteriew]

Investigators called off the ground search Sunday night, saying they thoroughly checked a more than one-mile radius and have come up empty.

Ricky's parents are still asking people to be on the lookout.

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3576378&nav=0RcebyLp

[mysteriew]

As they head into the ninth day of the search, police are struggling to find leads and keep searchers optimistic.

A possible sighting at the Okemos Wal-Mart turned out to be another false alarm, and his parents pleaded again for anything that will bring Ricky back to them.

"We're still hoping and praying that tomorrow will be the day he comes home," Tim Holland said Saturday night. "If somebody out there has him, please return him. Our family is not whole without him."

Lisa Holland, barely able to talk through tears, urged anyone with even the smallest piece of information to call police.

Police believe he ran away and may be resourceful enough to be eluding searchers, but they aren't ruling out the possibility that someone abducted him after he left home.

Searchers found a second Welch's fruit snack wrapper, and police were determining whether it matches the box in the Hollands' home.

A similar wrapper was found last week near M-52 and Haslett Road but could not conclusively be linked to Ricky, in part because police did not have his fingerprints for comparison.

Authorities believe Ricky, the oldest of five children in the Holland home, packed fruit snacks and other items in his backpack before running away.

The Michigan State Police forensics unit was working Saturday to collect Ricky's fingerprints at his home.

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=41829

[mysteriew]

After nine days of searching - with hopes raised then dashed over possible sightings - volunteers looking for Ricky Holland were told not to come back today.

Ingham County sheriff's officials stopped the ground search at 5 p.m. Sunday for the still missing 7-year-old, who disappeared over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Without confirmed traces within 1.2 miles of his Douglas Road home, officials are 80 percent sure Ricky isn't in the area.

"I want to stress that doesn't mean he's still not out there," Harrison said. "We can't say with 100 percent certainty that he's not there."

Harrison said Tim and Lisa Holland, Ricky's parents, who adopted him when he was about 3, asked that information not be "sugarcoated."

"They took it hard, which is to be expected," she said.

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050711/NEWS01/507110345/1001/news

[ShowerSinger]

Wait a minute. He's JUST 7 years old! A "runaway" at age seven???!!! I don't think so. And he left, when, on his own? How early? Most children I know prefer to sleep in, and be nudged at that age. Not planning to awaken, leave home, sleep under the trees, and eat mud pies from now on. Scaling back the search? What on earth for? He's most likely near the house, if some nut didn't get him. Or maybe there's more to the homefront story. It always bothers me that so many children are diagnosed as bi=polar, and ADD.
Please get home safely, little one.

[OMGosh05]

This is so sad. Do they know what caused him to runaway? I mean besides him being bipolar and ADD? I mean, I guess I can't understand why a 7 year old would runaway, unless he's being mistreated or misses his mother or something.

I hope they find him, ugh I can't even begin to imagine a little 7 year old all alone on the streets. Where is the poor thing sleeping?

I pray that angels are surrounding him and keeping him safe from all those monsters out there.

[Bobbisangel]

Where could this little guy be? He's so little to be out there by himself. When he ran away before I wonder if he had a certain place is was headed for. He's just so little to take off on his own. I wonder if he is around home but hiding and not answering when searchers called his name.

I'd go crazy if they stopped searching. Why not expand the search further from the home? He is little but he could probably do some traveling further than a mile from home if he wanted to. How are those parents supposed to eat or sleep knowing that little guy is out there without food and it probably gets cold at night.

My heart goes out to this mom and dad and I pray that they find that little guy soon. How horrible.

[irishlass]

I'm pretty sure one of the articles I read said that Ricky is adopted, they have adopted all of his siblings except one and they are in the process of adopting that last one. Ricky has gone off on his own before but never for this long. His biological mother, who lives in Jackson, is not considered a suspect. His biological father is in jail in Colorado. Ricky took his piggy bank, 12 fruit snacks and his favorite action figures with him. :(

http://lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050708/NEWS01/507080331
"Authorities have said Ricky, who has attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder and bipolar disorder, is resourceful. They believe he could elude police for this long; they said he became streetwise while living a transient lifestyle with his biological mother.

Casey Jo Gleason, 24, denied Thursday that she lived like that.

"The last time I saw him was when he was 3," she said, "so how could I teach him how to hitchhike and scavenge for food?"

She said she is living in Harrison, about 100 miles north of Lansing, and doesn't have transportation to come help with the search.

Ricky is the oldest of five children in Lisa and Tim Holland's home. They have one biological child, and have adopted Ricky and two of Gleason's other children. They are in the process of adopting the children's other sibling.

The Holland family is staying as positive as possible, said spokesman Rod Weston, who is Ricky's cousin and an editorial assistant at the State Journal.

The younger children adore Ricky, often following him around the house and imitating him. "They don't understand what's going on,'' Weston said.

Police told the Hollands to stay home so they can bring Ricky to them. Weston said that's what's hardest for his uncle, Tim.

"Inside he's screaming, and not being able to do anything is killing him," Weston said."

[melanief]

well he sounds very resourceful and hopefully that means he's still alive. even at 3 a child living under the conditions they mentioned can learn a great deal about survival. anda 7 year old, gone for an unknown amount of time before they noticed him missing could easily get farther than 1.5 miles, right?

[Jeana (DP)]

Seven years old is so young. I would be so sick with worry I don't know what I'd do. I hope to God that he'll be okay.

[KatherineQ]

What an odd thing for the police to say, to stay home so they can bring Ricky home to them.

I've never seen that done before, telling the parents to stay put right there, except in cases where it seems pretty obvious they're dealing with a family murder. Like in the Scott Peterson case, they said you go stay right there.

This sounds really like a VERY VERY odd police reaction to me.

[mysteriew]

What an odd thing for the police to say, to stay home so they can bring Ricky home to them.

I've never seen that done before, telling the parents to stay put right there, except in cases where it seems pretty obvious they're dealing with a family murder. Like in the Scott Peterson case, they said you go stay right there.

This sounds really like a VERY VERY odd police reaction to me.

It would also be done if the parents are so distraught that they are unable to follow directions, or maybe that more time would be spent taking care of them that could be better used during the search. Also, they would say that if the parents are disabled.

[SadieJane]

Apparently he is pretty clever for a little kid. I read on AMW's website that he ran away before and hid in a tree while people where searching for him below. Didn't say a single word. I think the police will find him eventually and bring him home. I hope his parents get him help-- he obviously has some trust issues from his birth parents giving him up and being adopted.

[ShowerSinger]

Can't the local national guard or police bring in infrared detectors to get this child home?

[Sam]

They are checking local rivers now and the adoptive parents have taken lie detector tests to help police rule them out as suspects. Reports of sightings continue to come in. Unless he has some help, i.e. a friend supplying food, I find it hard to believe after all this time he is just running around hiding. As hot as it has been here, he would be hungry and dehydrated by now.

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050712/NEWS01/507120335/1001/news
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3585795&nav=0Rcec3X5

[irishlass]

I saw some news footage of Lisa Holland and she was crying so hard she could barely speak. :( Starting me bawling, too!

They think he had anywhere from $3 to $5 in his piggy bank. I just can't imagine anyone at a convenience store not noticing him if he came in to buy some food or a drink.

Does anyone know this area well enough to know if there are any creeks or waterways where he could be getting water to drink? It sounds like, even as young as he is, he knows how to take care of himself.

My biggest fear is that with all of the news about him being out there, pedophiles in the area will have heard about it, too. Some sick-o might go out looking for him, and catch him. Even though he's run away before he's never been gone this long before. I got the impression from seeing the parents on TV that they think he would be home by now if he was able.

He did take 12 fruit bars and they have only found 2 wrappers (not sure if they're from Ricky or not.) This is a parents worse nightmare. I can't imagine that I would not be absolutely losing my mind if my child disappeared. I don't think they make drugs strong enough to dull that kind of pain.

Praying for Ricky and his family.

[KatherineQ]

I think this search has been hampered by very poor picture graphics. I've only seen two headshots - both look like baby pictures - one with long hair, one with a crew cut.

I think they need to make it CLEAR this child would look like a very heavy 4 year old, and they need to describe his hair.

To mistake a 13 year old boy wearing a red t-shirt for this boy - it seems like searchers frankly have no idea what they're looking for.

[KatherineQ]

There's something about this story that doesn't sound right to me.

The window was open, the bed was pushed up against the window, in a first floor room? The dad knocked on the door of a 7 year old to wake him up, but he didn't go into the room, even after hearing no response? Because he "trusts" him, although he's got ADHD and bipolar?

I don't believe it. I think that's why the cops are telling them to stay out of it, because they don't believe it either.

Prayers he's found safe. I just . . . don't believe what they're saying.

http://www.amw.com/missing_children/case.cfm?id=33109

[magnum]

Has anyone read that they are through with land searches and are now searching the Cedar River, the same name as the river Evelyn was found in. I do not know if it runs through several states or just has the same name.

[Sam]

Police issuing cards in search for boy

WILLIAMSTON - Dive teams searched the Red Cedar River on Tuesday, but had no findings to report on the search for Ricky Holland.

The Ingham County Sheriff's Office has scheduled a news conference in Mason today to introduce the Deliver Me Home cards with Ricky's picture on them that will be issued to area residents.

At least 62,000 cards will be issued in the search for the 7-year-old boy who police believe ran away from home July 1.

Ricky is 3-foot-5 and weighs 55 pounds. He has blond hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a gray shirt and red pajama-style pants. Anyone with information about Ricky's disappearance is asked to call sheriff's officials at 676-8211.

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050713/NEWS01/507130342/1001/news

I fear the same thing IrishLass.

[irishlass]

http://lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050713/NEWS01/507130370

Published July 13, 2005

Post Office to distribute flyers on missing Williamston boy
Midday update

By Tricia Bobeda
Lansing State Journal

MASON - The Ingham County Sheriff's Office is teaming up with the United States Postal Service to deliver 65,000 flyers with a photo and information about 7-year-old Ricky Holland.
Holland has been missing since July 1.

This is the first time the Deliver Me Home program has been used in Michigan. It began in February of 2004 and is a collaboration between the USPS and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Letter and rural carriers will deliver the posters in nine surrounding ZIP codes today and Thursday.

The ZIP codes included in the mailing are Fowlerville, Morrice, Perry, Webberville, Williamston, Michigan Center and three separate Jackson codes.

For more of this story, read Thursday's Lansing State Journal.

Contact Tricia Bobeda at 377-1213 or tbobeda@lsj.com (tbobeda@lsj.com).

[gagesmom314]

What a horribly sad story. I honestly hope that he is found and found safe. I personally do not think from what we have heard that the parents have anything to do with it. I ran away once when I was about 7 however, I didn't have the guts to stay gone more than an hour or two. I was a wuss as a child and I get the feeling that this child is not a wuss. I also have the feeling he can take care of himself pretty good. I pray for his safe return home.

[Sam]

The Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation is offering a reward. Maybe this will help keep people on the lookout since the search has ended.

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3591237&nav=0Rcec6hY

[Sam]

I hope he is hiding around these farms and stealing food. Now, they just need to get LE out there and find him.
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050714/NEWS01/507140344/1001/news

[Sam]

A very nice feature by AMW.

http://www.amw.com/missing_children/case.cfm?id=33109

[lady-eowyn]

I am amazed that they have not found this child yet...I hope and pray that one of those 69 sex offenders have not gotten hold of him. It does sound like the boy was very resourceful, especially after reading about the transient lifestyle his biological mother lead. I'm even more amazed at the resourcefulness of this child though!

[*02]

follow this link for updated info: http://www.weyi.com/home/1661032.html

There was a possible sighting this morning, July 15, at approximately 4:30am in Clayton Township. Loren Bunger was driving when he spotted a duffel bag and then a child in a ditch on Bristol Road.

Let's all hope that it is Ricky and they bring him home.

[Sam]

:waitasec: follow this link for updated info: http://www.weyi.com/home/1661032.html

There was a possible sighting this morning, July 15, at approximately 4:30am in Clayton Township. Loren Bunger was driving when he spotted a duffel bag and then a child in a ditch on Bristol Road.

Let's all hope that it is Ricky and they bring him home.

It turned out to be a woman hiding after a domestic abuse situation.
http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/1700947.html

[RPPaolin]

I am praying this little boy is found safe.

[mysteriew]

In a strange chain of events, a couple's argument inadvertently touched off a massive search for a missing boy and led to the discovery of the decomposed body of an adult hidden in a thicket.

http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-30/1121525403216830.xml

Joanne Putman lives just up the street from the Hollands. She says the family moved in on the first of May and mostly keep to themselves. She's never even seen Ricky outside playing, but she knows he has run away a few times - he was found once in her neighbor's kitchen.

"In talking with family, he asked for someone to cook him some eggs. The sheriff came and took him home. A few days later he was in another neighbors home asking for a peanut butter sandwich," Putman said.

That second time, Putman says, Ricky had a bag with him full of clothes and asked his neighbor if he could live with them.

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3603073&nav=0RcecDpo

[Jovin]

........."In talking with family, he asked for someone to cook him some eggs. The sheriff came and took him home. A few days later he was in another neighbors home asking for a peanut butter sandwich," Putman said.

That second time, Putman says, Ricky had a bag with him full of clothes and asked his neighbor if he could live with them.

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3603073&nav=0RcecDpo

This is such a sad case....what is wrong in that home that would cause this child to run and to beg for food at a neighbour's and ultimately want to live with them...complete strangers, most likely. This is a sad case that should have been reported to authorities at that time. It's not natural for a child to do things like this unless they're extremely unhappy in the home atmosphere.

This needs further investigation, that's for sure, and I hope it's not too late for this poor little boy. God bless him.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v676/Jovin43/JesuslovesthechildrenJovin-vi.gif

[Sheromom]

It's a strange case; that's for sure. Some children with SEVERE ADHD, as he has been labeled, can be very difficult to manage. They think of something and DO it without any concern for the consequences. I worked with a kindergarten boy with severe ADHD. It was a difficult year for everyone in that class! The boy would disappear and we would have to search for him. Sometimes he even escaped the room. He ate chalk and crayons and was so dangerous that we couldn't let him use scissors. Not that I'm making an excuse for the family but it may be that the boy was uncontrollable; from long before this family even had him. After that one year, I really don't think I could handle a child with severe ADHD. They can be very scary. I pray this little guy is safe somewhere and gets the help he needs!

[Linda7NJ]

This is such a sad case....what is wrong in that home that would cause this child to run and to beg for food at a neighbour's and ultimately want to live with them...complete strangers, most likely. This is a sad case that should have been reported to authorities at that time. It's not natural for a child to do things like this unless they're extremely unhappy in the home atmosphere.

This needs further investigation, that's for sure, and I hope it's not too late for this poor little boy. God bless him.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v676/Jovin43/JesuslovesthechildrenJovin-vi.gif
Many children in abusive homes, removed and later adopted have isssues like hoarding food, running away and bonding issues. Many will ask teachers, coaches, neighbors if they can move in with them.

I do hope they find him, quick!

[dannyodie]

have the police used a scent tracking dog, I know there was a search of the area, but did they ever use a dog? if not, they still could use one, a dog will be able to smell a scent in grassy areas for months, the scent is not useally good for very long on asphalt pavement. I wonder if maybe a neighbor could be holding onto him? but the worse case is that he may have gotten into a car with someone that could have stopped after seeing him up and down the road. or the foster parents may have done something with him since he was a child that was hard to deal with.

[Sheromom]

The bad deal is, he may well have ASKED someone to take him; to feed him, etc.. I haven't heard of any dogs being used. The dad's statement about "trusting" him seemed odd to me. Then again, I guess that was an ongoing issue in the home. Just wish they would find him.

[irishlass]

have the police used a scent tracking dog, I know there was a search of the area, but did they ever use a dog? if not, they still could use one, a dog will be able to smell a scent in grassy areas for months, the scent is not useally good for very long on asphalt pavement. I wonder if maybe a neighbor could be holding onto him? but the worse case is that he may have gotten into a car with someone that could have stopped after seeing him up and down the road. or the foster parents may have done something with him since he was a child that was hard to deal with.
"Police have searched for Ricky using bloodhounds, helicopters and community volunteers. All they found was a soccer ball and a trail of candy wrappers."

http://www.americasmostwanted.com/missing_children/case.cfm?id=33109


I think somewhere they said there are 69 registered sex affenders in his area. :( They have a current picture of him on the front page now.

http://www.americasmostwanted.com/missing_children/brief.cfm?id=33109

[Sam]

No news on Ricky yet, but more information about body found.

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3612166

[mysteriew]

The search for 7-year-old Ricky Holland has gone national.

Millions of television viewers saw the missing Williamston boy on a Saturday "America's Most Wanted" telecast, garnering three tips - including one from southern Illinois - for Ingham County law enforcers.
While investigators were pursuing tips from the Flint and Lansing areas, the one from Wood River, Ill., was a dead end.

Jenkins said the aiding Wood River, Ill., police agency talked to the person who reported seeing a boy matching Ricky's description about 1:45 p.m. Saturday at a local Auto Zone store.

The little boy seemed to be an adult male's willing companion, and the store didn't have an in-house camera to record their interaction, Wood River police reported.

"There's really nothing else we can go on," Jenkins said. "It's pretty much a dead end."

According to Joy, someone reported seeing a boy fitting Ricky's description recently riding in a pickup near a Flint area mall. And investigators still are trying to talk to a Lansing area tipster who left a message for investigators.

By Sunday evening, a child's shoes reported found at a Clinton County rest area over the weekend also were ruled out as a lead.

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050718/NEWS01/507180337/1002/opinion

[Bobbisangel]

It is hard to imagine that this little boy is still out there by himself unless something awful happened to him. If he was going to the homes of people along his way someone would have called LE. If a little boy came to my house and asked for something to eat I would fix him something to eat and while he was eating I would call LE. You would have to know that something was wrong.

I wonder if he ever talked about finding his bio mother? He may have went looking for her not even knowing where she is. Just a thought. This poor little kid is also Bi-Polar. Just from talking to another mother who has a young girl that is bi-polar they can really be a handful. I can't imagine this little guy out there with no meds. I sure wish he would be found. This is not looking good.

[blueclouds]

No updates? anyone hear anything further? I keep thinking about this little man. :(

[Sam]

Nearly 1 month into the search for 7-year-old Ricky Holland,authorities say they still have few clues into the Williamston boy's disappearance. The Ingham County Sheriff's Department is scaling back resources and getting few new leads, b ut they say they're still hopeful someone will come forward with information that will jump start this case. After a 2-week search of the fields near Ricky's home,officials now say he may be far from Williamson.

Vicki Harrison, Ingham County Sheriff's Chief Deputy: "A s time goes along, and we don't find him in that area, it leads you to believe he's not in that area."

That means the search area is constantly expanding, b ut as that search branches out,little information is coming in.

Vicki Harrison: "We're not getting new leads from outside the state. That's died down."

Without new leads, the sheriff's department has scaled back resources. Detectives are still following up on tips from the public. They've also re-interviewed the family,and now they are re-checking with sex offenders in the area as well.

Vicki Harrison: "When you're talking about an investigation of this magnitude, you just want to go back and recheck some of those things."

And while so far the large number of leads have produced little results, t he sheriff's department says they are still asking for the public's help.

Vicki Harrison: "Give us 1,000 of them, it will be that 1,001st that leads us to him."

Ricky is 3-foot5 with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen the night of July 1st. Anyone with any information should call the Sheriff's Department at 517-676-8211. There is a $5,000 reward in the case.
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=3653703 :( :(

[gagesmom314]

Any new news? I have thought of this child often.

[mysteriew]

Though a formal search has ended, the Hollands want folks to know their help is still needed, and until they know their son is safe for sure, the Hollands offer this earnest plea, "Ricky, if you see this, just please come home."

The Holland family is offering $2,500 of their own dollars in addition to the $5,000 dollar reward being offered.
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=3667408

[reb]

sooooooooooooooooooo...

have they actually done a full search of the homes of the 50 (or 100, or 500, or whatever it was) sex offenders who are residing comfortably in the area? (*DUH!!*)

bet they'll find a clue or 2 if they do that.
then again, they probably don't want to infringe upon their "god-given right to privacy" or anything.

[lostfaith]

I find it very hard to believe that a seven year old could make it on his own for 31 days, a week, maybe, but NOT 31 days! So, either he did run away, but now something else has befallen him, like an injury in the woods, or someone bad found him first. Or, there is a adult helping him, like family memebers on his birth mom and dad's side. LE does not seem to be focusing on the foster family, I am sure that was the first thing they did, so I am assuming they feel confident the foster family is not involved. Seven is just too young to be THAT resourceful!

[irishlass]

I agree with you, lostfaith, this has been way too long, something has happened to this poor little boy. I can't believe he is still in the area. :(

[Bobbisangel]

sooooooooooooooooooo...

have they actually done a full search of the homes of the 50 (or 100, or 500, or whatever it was) sex offenders who are residing comfortably in the area? (*DUH!!*)

bet they'll find a clue or 2 if they do that.
then again, they probably don't want to infringe upon their "god-given right to privacy" or anything.


There should be a law that LE can walk into a registered sex offenders home or any home in which they are staying at any time. After Jessie Lunsford it only makes sense to me. If the cops had only gone in and checked that mobile out Jesse would still be with her daddy. I think registered sex offenders should lose every right they ever had when they first lay a hand on a child.

This little guy didn't just vanish into thin air. Something awful must have happened to him. He's to young to know how to survive out there on his own.
I hope he is found so that his parents can find some peace.

[kimberdawn]

Any updates on Ricky?

[PrayersForMaura]

Any new news? I have thought of this child often.
Me too, poor little boy.

PS ... What is the area code to call in tips if we see Summer?
I'm just curious ... I pray for her, too. So sad, all these missing people :(

[miimaa]

Doesn't is seem VERY strange that a 7 year old boy could disappear without a trace? My son is 21 and when I come home I can tell just by looking around what he did that day.

[KatherineQ]

Here's a story from August 1st. Sure sounds like a credible sighting to me - the article is written kind of oddly, and it's a mystery, with a shoe print matching Ricky's why the cops decided the sighting was actually an adult woman, not a small child.

But anyway. Sounds hopeful that somehow he's still out there.

http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/1700947.html

[fourboys]

Investigators dig up yard of home to parents of missing child

Ingham County
August 12, 2005

Investigators in the search of a missing Ingham County boy are having an excavating crew dig up the yard of the child's parents' home.

Officials with the Ingham County Sheriff's Department came to Ricky Holland's parents' home in Williamston with a warrant around 2 p.m. Friday.

The seven-year-old boy disappeared from his home on July 2.

A massive search got underway with residents and friends participating, and the case gained national exposure.

Investigators initially believed Holland had run away, that he had sneaked out a bedroom window and was possibly traveling by foot somewhere in Michigan or had hitched a ride elsewhere.

Since then, there have been numerous sightings of the young boy, but nothing has panned out.

Immediately after the child disappeared, the family told police they had lost a dog recently and had buried it in their back yard. Our NBC affiliate in Lansing tells us police did find dog bones in that shallow grave, but police have moved on to another location in the yard and continue to investigate.

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3716325&nav=0RcedHRC

[Paradise]

I really think something else had to have happened...there's no way he could be out on his own for this long with 12 fruit bars and $5 to $7. They must really suspect the foster parents by going to the lengths of digging up their yard. This is really sad...I hope he's found safe.

[lostfaith]

I really think something else had to have happened...there's no way he could be out on his own for this long with 12 fruit bars and $5 to $7. They must really suspect the foster parents by going to the lengths of digging up their yard. This is really sad...I hope he's found safe.

Yes, that is a lonnnnnnnnggggg time for a 7 yr. old. I wonder what prompted them to finally start searching the yard more. I hope those parents did not do anything to him. But, after this long, I can not believe he is on his own.

[fran]

Perhaps LE felt that the parent's explanation of burying a dog in the back yard was to cover up, just in case, LE brought in 'cadaver dogs.' Whatever the answer is, after all this time, it can't be good.

JMHO
fran

[Mellen]

Well, the only thing the found in the yard was dog bones.

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050813/NEWS01/508130324/1002/opinion
WILLIAMSTON - The Ingham County Sheriff's Office, with help from Michigan State University's anthropology department, dug up a dog's body Friday in Tim and Lisa Holland's backyard.

Police obtained a search warrant in an effort to confirm it was a dog buried in the yard and not the couple's missing 7-year-old son, Ricky Holland, said Detective Sgt. Roy Holliday. Ricky was last seen July 1.

Ingham Undersheriff Matthew Myers said authorities obtained a warrant and performed the dig "just to be on the safe side."

Holliday said the Hollands were not home at the time.

Ricky disappeared from his Williamston home after his parents tucked him into bed July 1. Police believe he may have run away but have not ruled out the possibility that he then was abducted. His disappearance has drawn national attention.

Myers said the Hollands called the sheriff's department a couple of weeks ago to let them know that their dog died and they were going to bury it in the backyard.

Holliday said the investigation has shifted but would not elaborate. He also would not say if the Hollands are suspects at this time.

The Hollands' attorney, Neal Rockind, said Friday that his clients were frustrated about the day's events.

"They want to get the investigation focused in the right direction," Rockind said. He said that direction is away from the Hollands.

"My fear about what the police did today is that people will stop trying to find that boy," Rockind said. "He's out there, and we want him to come home."

Holliday encouraged anyone with information to call the department.

[lostfaith]

Well, the only thing the found in the yard was dog bones.

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050813/NEWS01/508130324/1002/opinion
WILLIAMSTON - The Ingham County Sheriff's Office, with help from Michigan State University's anthropology department, dug up a dog's body Friday in Tim and Lisa Holland's backyard.

Police obtained a search warrant in an effort to confirm it was a dog buried in the yard and not the couple's missing 7-year-old son, Ricky Holland, said Detective Sgt. Roy Holliday. Ricky was last seen July 1.

Ingham Undersheriff Matthew Myers said authorities obtained a warrant and performed the dig "just to be on the safe side."

Holliday said the Hollands were not home at the time.

Ricky disappeared from his Williamston home after his parents tucked him into bed July 1. Police believe he may have run away but have not ruled out the possibility that he then was abducted. His disappearance has drawn national attention.

Myers said the Hollands called the sheriff's department a couple of weeks ago to let them know that their dog died and they were going to bury it in the backyard.

Holliday said the investigation has shifted but would not elaborate. He also would not say if the Hollands are suspects at this time.

The Hollands' attorney, Neal Rockind, said Friday that his clients were frustrated about the day's events.

"They want to get the investigation focused in the right direction," Rockind said. He said that direction is away from the Hollands.

"My fear about what the police did today is that people will stop trying to find that boy," Rockind said. "He's out there, and we want him to come home."

Holliday encouraged anyone with information to call the department.


Well, geez! It sounds from that article that they only buried the dog a couple of weeks ago, he has been missing since July 1st. AND, the family called LE to tell them they were burying the dog. To me that makes me really think that the family is innocent, sounds like they are cooperating. The media made it sound, at least to me, like the dog had been buried before July 1st, and that maybe the family told them the dog was there cover up any smells that dogs picked up on.

[Paradise]

Well, geez! It sounds from that article that they only buried the dog a couple of weeks ago, he has been missing since July 1st. AND, the family called LE to tell them they were burying the dog. To me that makes me really think that the family is innocent, sounds like they are cooperating. The media made it sound, at least to me, like the dog had been buried before July 1st, and that maybe the family told them the dog was there cover up any smells that dogs picked up on.
Yeah definitely. It sounds like they're trying their best to cooperate with LE. I think I also read in an article somewhere that they both took lie detector tests and passed. I wonder why they'd suspect the parents enough to dig up their yard after they passed?

[lostfaith]

Published August 16, 2005

Local news briefs

Advertisement


Sheriff sends schools posters of missing boy

MASON - The Ingham County Sheriff's Office sent a letter to schools in Ingham County, Perry and Fowlerville asking officials to be on the lookout for anyone trying to enroll 7-year-old Ricky Holland. Each school also was sent a missing poster with Ricky's picture and other information.

Ricky - missing since July 1 - is about 3-foot-5 and weighs 55 pounds. He has blond hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a gray shirt and red pajama-style pants.

The letter also asked schools to watch for Ricky trying to get on a school bus, Ingham County Sheriff's Lt. Jeff Joy said. Bus drivers have been instructed to allow Ricky on a bus if he tries to board, then take him to school, where police should be notified.

Joy said Monday that there were no new leads in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call 676-8211.

[kimberdawn]

Just wondering if anyone had any updates? Still praying and hopeing he is found alive

[gagesmom314]

I found this when I Googled his name today. It is from September 6.

Ricky Holland's Home Searched
Lori Dougovito



Two months after he went missing and nearly one month after the Ingham County Sheriff's Office dug up his backyard, four search warrants are executed at Ricky Holland's Williamston home.

One was for the home, the second and third for Tim and Lisa Holland's vehicles and a household computer. The Sheriff's Office does not want to say what the fourth was for yet.

document.write('');The Sheriff's Office says they are looking for evidence into his disappearance. The Holland's attorney calls the search misguided.

[Tristan]

I just found this thread today, not sure why I hadn't seen it before.

I am baffled as to what could have happened to this little boy.
Is there reason to suspect that someone planned to take him and told him to
run away on that night?

It just doesn't make any sense...to disappear like that without a trace.

Please post any updates. :-)

[Bobbisangel]

For some reason LE is focusing on the parents now. I can understand the parents letting LE know that they buried their dog in the back yard...just in case a neighbor saw them digging in the back yard and thought it had to do with Ricky. I don't know if I would have thought to let LE know that my dog had died and we were burying him in the back yard. Probably wouldn't have even crossed my mind. They did the right thing I guess.

It would be interesting to know if LE is focusing on the parents because they have a good reason or because all other leads have been exhausted. It's been a long time since this little one went missing. I doubt if he is out there just wondering around all by himself. So many things could have happened to him out there by himself. I wish LE would find out something and that this little guy was safe somewhere. Probably wishful thinking though.

[tabloidtrisha]

Hi,

I have never posted here at Websleuths but lurked often :-)

I have been following the Ricky Holland disappearance since the beginning at is certainly a troubling case to say the least.

I have set up a forum, a blog and a site for Ricky if anyone is interested in visiting or participating.

The blog is located here: Richard Holland Vanished (http://richardhollandvanished.blogspot.com/)

The site is located here: Where is Richard Holland? (http://home.earthlink.net/%7Etabloidtrisha/index.html)

The forum is located here: Richard Holland is Missing (http://forums.cjb.net/richardhollandi.html)

The web presence is relativly new but there are links to the sites at The Charley Project. I am hoping for more visitors and hoping that one of the sites will produce some sort of resolution to his disappearance.

I believe at this point it is highly unlikely that he will be found alive.

Thanks for reading...

tabloidtrisha

[fourboys]

Thank you for posting this,
I will add the links to Ricky's thread on my site as well

http://www.angelsmissing.com/forum/RICHARD-RICKY-HOLLAND-MISSING-t1828.html

[tabloidtrisha]

Thank you for posting this,
I will add the links to Ricky's thread on my site as well

http://www.angelsmissing.com/forum/RICHARD-RICKY-HOLLAND-MISSING-t1828.html
Thank you fourboys. I appreciate it very much and appreciate that you have a thread at your site for Ricky. The more the better to get the word out about this little guy.

[fourboys]

Police search home of missing 7-year-old for third time in two months

Published October 4, 2005
By Kelly Hassett
Lansing State Journal

WILLIAMSTON — For the third time in less than two months, Ingham County sheriff’s officials executed a search warrant this morning at the family home of missing 7-year-old Ricky Holland.

“We were looking for something specific,” Detective Sgt. Roy Holliday said. “We found it.”

He did not say what the item was; he also would not describe Ricky’s parents, Tim and Lisa Holland, as suspects.

Ricky was last seen July 1 when he went to bed around 9:30 p.m. No arrests have been made.

Lisa Holland answered the door this morning at the home and referred all questions to her attorney.

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A...04001/1001/news (http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051004/NEWS01/51004001/1001/news)

[Hammerized]

WILLIAMSTON — For the third time in less than two months, Ingham County sheriff’s officials executed a search warrant this morning at the family home of missing 7-year-old Ricky Holland.

“We were looking for something specific,” Detective Sgt. Roy Holliday said. “We found it.”
That does not sound good. :(

Thank you for this update.

[SewingDeb]

Thank you for the update.

[Norma]

The Detroit area newscast was suppose to have a story on Ricky last night; but they mentioned they would air it another day because of the news of the local people who died on the boat in NY.

The one thing they did mention was for all hunters (as it's now bow-hunting season) are to be on the lookout for anything that might be related to his disappearance (or to look for his body).

Hopefully, they'll air it tonight.

[tabloidtrisha]

Thank you for the update on Ricky's story.

I read the newest update and that story said that investigators seized a bed comforter. That really does not sound good at all.

About a week ago someone visited the blog and forum I have set up for Ricky, claiming to be the victim's advocate for the family.

She pretty much did damage control on some of the items or questions that were raised.

One question I had raised was why the Holland's had not been in the MSM. Her explaination was that Tim Holland's job is high security. He had to get permission to appear in the local media and his employer forbade him from appearing in the MSM due to security reasons.

I am wondering why Lisa could not appear in the MSM. I don't believe that she has a high security job. As far as any job is concerned, when a child is missing I would think a parent would tell an employer to shove it if they said they could not go on television to help find their child.

One thing that troubled me about this case from the beginning was Lisa stating she left to go to the store at about 8 a.m. "forgot something", returned to the home, told Tim to wake up the children and then she left again.

I just want Ricky found and found alive; but I fear there will be a different outcome.

[Bobbisangel]

I wonder why it took three trys to find the comforter? I thought maybe they found his backpack hidden away somewhere in the house when it had been said that he took his backpack and a pair of shoes. If LE had found his backpark hidden in the attic or somewhere like that it would be pretty telling.

You would think if there was DNA on the comforter.. like a lot of blood.. the comforter would have been destroyed before now. Strange. I look forward in finding out where this case is going. I really hope the parents didn't harm this little guy. It does look like that is what LE is thinking though.

[tabloidtrisha]

I wonder why it took three trys to find the comforter?

You would think if there was DNA on the comforter.. like a lot of blood.. the comforter would have been destroyed before now. Strange. I look forward in finding out where this case is going. I really hope the parents didn't harm this little guy. It does look like that is what LE is thinking though.
The second search warrant served, LE seized the two family vehicles as well as the family computer. I am thinking that perhaps when they examined the interior of the family vehicles they found fibers from the comforter. Perhaps this is why they did not take the comforter during the second search warrant as there was no need at that time. Of course we do not know who's bed the comforter belonged on, but I am thinking it was Ricky's. I am also thinking that perhaps when they came to the scene the first time there was no comforter on Ricky's bed. Finding the fibers in the vehicle and then looking at pictures most likely taken at the scene revealed no comforter on Ricky's bed. I am just putting my thoughts out here. I am hoping I am so wrong.

[Bobbisangel]

The second search warrant served, LE seized the two family vehicles as well as the family computer. I am thinking that perhaps when they examined the interior of the family vehicles they found fibers from the comforter. Perhaps this is why they did not take the comforter during the second search warrant as there was no need at that time. Of course we do not know who's bed the comforter belonged on, but I am thinking it was Ricky's. I am also thinking that perhaps when they came to the scene the first time there was no comforter on Ricky's bed. Finding the fibers in the vehicle and then looking at pictures most likely taken at the scene revealed no comforter on Ricky's bed. I am just putting my thoughts out here. I am hoping I am so wrong.


I wonder if, like you said, there was no comforter on the bed during the first two warrents and then low and behold it was on his bed the third time around. If so, it must have been throughly cleaned before putting it back on the bed. If this theory is true then this is not looking good for the parents or little Ricky.

[fourboys]

Police again search missing boy's home
Hollands' lawyer says authorities seized comforter

Published October 5, 2005
By Kelly Hassett
Lansing State Journal

WILLIAMSTON - Police seized a bed comforter Tuesday from the home of missing child Ricky Holland, the family's attorney said.

It's the third time in less than two months that Ingham County sheriff's officials executed a search warrant on the Douglas Avenue home.

Tim and Lisa Holland say they last saw their son - who was 7 at the time - on July 1 when he went to bed.

Neil Rockind, the Hollands' attorney, called the search warrants "a lot of grasping at straws."

"The Hollands have nothing to hide," the Farmington Hills attorney said. "There's nothing malevolent or nefarious or even suggestive of their involvement in anything."

Continued at link:

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051005/NEWS01/510050355/1001/opinion

[kimberdawn]

It has been stated that Ricky had a history of running away....... If my child had the medical and emotional problems that Ricky is said having , and a history of running away, I would have made sure there was some sort of door and window alarms in place. The parents SHOULD HAVE made sure there was no way he could get out without their knowledge..... but I have a feeling the parents know what happen ( and likely had something to do with it). I HOPE I AM WRONG, but so many things are just not right with this. I feel so sad for little Ricky, sounded like he had a rough life , then adopted by people who should have made sure he was loved and safe :(

[fourboys]

Police take samples from missing boy's parents
Hair, prints taken from Hollands, who are called 'persons of interest'

For the first time Friday, police described the parents of Ricky Holland as "persons of interest" after executing search warrants at their home for the fourth time in about two months.

Ingham County sheriff's officials took hair samples and fingerprints from Tim and Lisa Holland this time, said their attorney, Neil Rockind.

The Hollands said they last saw their son, who was 7 at the time, on July 1 when he went to bed.

"The Hollands are suffering too much, and I'm sickened by it," Rockind said. "The Hollands' civil rights are being violated."

Rockind said the term "persons of interest" has no definition.

"They're not suspects, so leave them the hell alone," he said.

Continued at link:

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051015/NEWS01/510150344/1001/opinion

[Bobbisangel]

LE must have a reason to ask for hair samples, etc. If the parents had nothing to do with Ricky's disappearance then there shouldn't be a problem giving LE anything that they want.

As far as a job keeping me out of the media if my child was missing I say B.S.
I wouldn't imagine that the media want to talk to the father about his job or what it involves. The father's name has been in the media for months now and the employer must realize that. Someone should be standing up and pleading for this little guys return and it should be the parents. All of this nonsense just makes the parents look guilty...IMO

[NanaMcZoo]

Parents of missing 7 year old now called "persons of interest"
coreAdsCreate('wnsz_20', 'loc', '100');http://woodtv.images.worldnow.com/images/static/gfx/pxl_trans.gif



(Williamston, October 15, 2005, 9:15 p.m.) The parents of a missing boy from the Lansing area are now being called "persons of interest"

7 year old Ricky Holland disappeared from his home July 2nd, and has not been seen since. Friday investigators served their 4th search warrant to the home in the past 2 months. They took hair samples and fingerprints from both Ted and Lisa Holland.

Ricky Holland's disappearance has sparked massive searches across the state, and even garnered national T.V. exposure.


The above is from Wood TV 8,Grand Rapids,Mi


I say it's about time !!!

[tabloidtrisha]

LE must have a reason to ask for hair samples, etc. If the parents had nothing to do with Ricky's disappearance then there shouldn't be a problem giving LE anything that they want.

As far as a job keeping me out of the media if my child was missing I say B.S.
I wouldn't imagine that the media want to talk to the father about his job or what it involves. The father's name has been in the media for months now and the employer must realize that. Someone should be standing up and pleading for this little guys return and it should be the parents. All of this nonsense just makes the parents look guilty...IMO
Below is a comment left on my blog Ricky Holland Vanished (http://richardhollandvanished.blogspot.com/) from someone professing to be the family victim's advocate. The post was on 9/23/05. I am not sure that she/he is the victim advocate or not but she left several posts on the forum (http://forums.cjb.net/richardhollandi.html) I have for Ricky as well.



"...Ricky's parents have not been silent. Due to the situation of having a foster child in the residence (by law the child had to be shielded from any media coverage)and Tim's job is VERY high security. He had to get permission from his employer just to be allowed to go on local news and speak to local media. He was not allowed to appear in the national media.

Tim and Lisa have been very active in the search for their son Ricky and Tim's employer has printed up tens of thousands of flyers that they have travelled across the state to distribute."

tabloidtrisha

[Norma]

I don't know how active they are.

I live on the east side of the state of Michigan. Only once have I ever heard a single word about Ricky locally (Detroit area). And it was only because I follow missing children's cases that I was able to catch the reference anyway.

[BabyGirlsMom]

Any news/updates on this child? This case bothers me a little more than usual and I don't know why. It just keeps popping into my head!:waitasec:

[docwho3]

(I am not too familiar with this case so I hope I have not looked at the wrong map.)
In looking at a map of nearby Williamston area it looked as if there was also a railroad passing nearby. If that's correct I wonder if the trains slow down as they pass by there sometimes-or if it might have just slowed down or stopped one time during the first few days when he went missing.

If there was a train I have to wonder if there was also some transient types riding and are there any transient camps along the rail route.

Also I wonder if anyone looked at old platte maps of the region to see of there are any old springs or wells or cisterns (old homes sometimes had those) or old mines or caves etc mentioned that aren't currently known about.



Late thought:
Too bad no one thought to put up a few of those motion sense cameras to snap picks out in the wooded areas (like the wlderness animal photo buffs sometimes rig up.) They might have caught some pics of the boy.

[Norma]

Hunting season opens in about a week, so maybe something will be found then.

Hard to believe that there is never any news out about him missing.

[ShowerSinger]

Below is a comment left on my blog Ricky Holland Vanished (http://richardhollandvanished.blogspot.com/) from someone professing to be the family victim's advocate. The post was on 9/23/05. I am not sure that she/he is the victim advocate or not but she left several posts on the forum (http://forums.cjb.net/richardhollandi.html) I have for Ricky as well.



"...Ricky's parents have not been silent. Due to the situation of having a foster child in the residence (by law the child had to be shielded from any media coverage)and Tim's job is VERY high security. He had to get permission from his employer just to be allowed to go on local news and speak to local media. He was not allowed to appear in the national media.

Tim and Lisa have been very active in the search for their son Ricky and Tim's employer has printed up tens of thousands of flyers that they have travelled across the state to distribute."

tabloidtrisha

I'm sure this is someone related to the family. STILL, I don't buy it for a minute. TOTAL BS! I stewed on this ever since you posted it Tt, and Gimme a break! (Thanks for posting it, though!) NO WAY! NO HOW! There is NO JOB so important as to not being ALLOWED to/get PERMISSION to search for your missing child. To me, that is sooooo lame! Makes 'em look guiltier. If, that's possible...and it surely is!
Sorry, you were put in this family, little one. Praying for the detectives working this, and those that truly loved him.

[fourboys]

Searching for Ricky Holland

Posted: November 8, 2005

About 40 police officers mapped out and searched the Ella Sharp Park in Jackson for five hours on Tuesday looking for signs of Ricky Holland.

The search scanned the 560-acre park but turned up nothing.

Lt. Jeff Joy of the Ingham County Sheriff's Office says they were acting off a recently received tip.

Holland's adoptive parents are still considered "persons of interest." It's reported they lived by the park five weeks before Ricky went missing.

The Holland's attorney also released a statement Tuesday restated both Lisa and Tim Holland passed a polygraph test denying involvement with their son's disappearance during the initial investigation. The attorney also says Tim Holland recently passed another polygraph test denying his involvement. That test was administered by another examiner.

In response to this statement, the Ingham County Sheriff's Office has invited the Hollands and their attorney for another interview. At this point, they have refused.

http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/1842566.html

[Bobbisangel]

They refused to meet with LE? That isn't a good thing innocent or guilty.

If both parents passed polygraphs that is good. I wonder what LE found at the house besides the comforter that makes them suspect the parents?

I just wish that Ricky could be found. Maybe a hunter will discovery his body.

[mysteriew]

Below is a comment left on my blog Ricky Holland Vanished (http://richardhollandvanished.blogspot.com/) from someone professing to be the family victim's advocate. The post was on 9/23/05. I am not sure that she/he is the victim advocate or not but she left several posts on the forum (http://forums.cjb.net/richardhollandi.html) I have for Ricky as well.



"...Ricky's parents have not been silent. Due to the situation of having a foster child in the residence (by law the child had to be shielded from any media coverage)and Tim's job is VERY high security. He had to get permission from his employer just to be allowed to go on local news and speak to local media. He was not allowed to appear in the national media.

Tim and Lisa have been very active in the search for their son Ricky and Tim's employer has printed up tens of thousands of flyers that they have travelled across the state to distribute."

tabloidtrisha
Since they brought it up, where does the father work?
The only employers that I can think of with that strict a media policy and that much control over their employees would be the CIA.
Most other employers have realized that a parent with a missing child is not an effective employee and would make exceptions when there is an emergency in their private life. Most employers don't have the type of power required to force an employee to keep quiet in regards to his missing child.
The only power most employers have is a threat against their job if they break the media rule. Possibly they have a contract with the employee and a prohibition against media involvement, but in an emergency like this, most courts would give the family a pass as long as they didn't discuss their job.
So who is the employer, is this the real reason for not talking to the media or is this part of the father's coverup for his own reasons.
Do any of the early articles list any mention of the father's employer? Might be an interesting thing if some investigative media person talked to the employer. See if they would meet with them, or discuss their policies on media contact in regards to personal life.
CIA of course does seem to be the exception to the rule. Due to their own barely hinted at policies of what they do and can do and will do, they do have a lot of control over their agents. Is the father trying to hint that he is an agent of the CIA, and that if he talks about his missing child he could be accused of being a security risk to our country? If so, then is Ricky being missing a result of his father's position? I don't think so, if that was the case then the parents would not be suspects- they wouldn't have their home searched and this would be a federal investigation instead of a local one.
It would be very interesting though to hear from the employer and see what they have to say about their employee using their company and its policies to hide behind.

[beakiebean]

I thought-and someone please correct me if I'm wrong-that the father was in the Army.

Becca

[petra]

I thought-and someone please correct me if I'm wrong-that the father was in the Army.

Becca
check. tabloidtrishas post #76, under her blog update oct 14.

doubt the army would print up flyers or not allow him to appear on media.
think i saw picture of both parents in a july 15/16 article when they spoke to local media. plus his name is out there all over media.

parents have 5 children, i was thinking maybe they are safe house/foster parents for endangered children.....:doh: but this makes it even worse!!!!

Thw whole situation stinks..just wish that this little boy would be found safe and soon.

Maybe family is under witness protection program????

just throwing out ideas...i can not believe their lack of involvement, what must the other siblings think about their security in this family..

BTW some good updates on tabloidtrishas blog:)

[tabloidtrisha]

check. tabloidtrishas post #76, under her blog update oct 14.

doubt the army would print up flyers or not allow him to appear on media.
think i saw picture of both parents in a july 15/16 article when they spoke to local media. plus his name is out there all over media.

parents have 5 children, i was thinking maybe they are safe house/foster parents for endangered children.....:doh: but this makes it even worse!!!!

Thw whole situation stinks..just wish that this little boy would be found safe and soon.

Maybe family is under witness protection program????

just throwing out ideas...i can not believe their lack of involvement, what must the other siblings think about their security in this family..

BTW some good updates on tabloidtrishas blog:) @petra

Someone posted to my Ricky forum (http://forums.cjb.net/richardhollandi-about138.html) today. It is quite an interesting post. I will not post the whole thing here because the post was signed by "guest". The person claims to know the Holland's for a couple of years and it is a look "behind the scences" of what has happened with the investigation. Some of it is troubling, if true regarding police involvement.

Tim is an Intelligence Officer for the U.S. Army according to the post left on my forum.

Thanks for the headsup for my blog :blushing:

tabloidtrisha

[Mr. E]

This may be old news, but I just heard about it. They are erecting a billboard to aid in the recovery of Ricky Holland.

http://www.teamamberalert.net/news/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10644

I haven't heard anything about this boy in a long time. I hope people don't forget about him.

[fourboys]

Parents Talk About Local Missing Boy

Posted: Dec 9, 2005

Police conducted a lie detector test last week on Ricky's biological mother and her husband. The couple says they passed the test. For weeks this summer, police searched through woods looking for Ricky Holland. Ever since, a woman's been searching her soul for memories of that very same boy.

Casey Caswell, Ricky's birth mother: "What I named him when he was born was Ricky Baxter Gann I."

In her pictures, we see the boy wide eyed and smiling from ear to ear. Casey gave up Ricky at age three, she says, for his own protection, but once a mother, Casey is always a mother.

Casey Caswell: "He was my oldest. He was my first. I had him just before I turned 17. Me and Ricky were really close."

Since the search began, this nightmare's consumed her life.

Casey Caswell: "I worry about him every day."

Every day spent both fearing the worst and hoping for the best.

Matt Caswell: "I'm very scared that someone's got him and he won't ever be returned. I'm hoping he will be returned. I've never met him, but I feel close to him. I married his mother. He's not my biological boy, but he's my boy."

Three months after Ricky disappeared, Matt Caswell married Casey, and married into this family problem. He too has lost rights to a child from a previous relationship. He too thinks about it every day.

Matt Caswell: "I look at the pictures every day. It's a constant reminder, and I just think about what it would be like if it was my daughter that came up missing."

Now the couple just wants the truth in this case. The Caswell's say they were not involved, and now they are making a personal plea. They say anyone who has information needs to come forward, and until that time, -the pictures will stay up and they'll keep faith that the one they love will one day come home.

http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=4225529

[dnrslucky1]

IMO Thats a bunch of crap!

[mysteriew]

IMO Thats a bunch of crap!

Hi dnrslucky1. Welcome to WS!
I can see how a mother who either gave her child up (or had the child removed from her, I am not sure which happened) would have her own set of guilt feelings to go through. Then to hear the child is missing, well that would cap it off. Even is she gave the child up voluntarily, that doesn't mean she didn't care for the child. IMO that meant she did care, at least enough to keep the child alive and to then gave him up for adoption, hoping he would do better with another family.

[dnrslucky1]

Mysteriew,

Sorry! I am judging, when I have no right! I just don't know what to think anymore. I live about 15 maybe 20 mins away from there. I seen this on the news when he was first reported missing, and kept watching and waiting! Nothing! Very little news, no posters! When I ask someone if they have heard anything, they will not even know who he is! To me it seems as if no one really cares. I have been in that area and have seen no posters, only a pic on the news. Infact I am amazed that there is a thread about him on here!

[petra]

Mysteriew,

Sorry! I am judging, when I have no right! I just don't know what to think anymore. I live about 15 maybe 20 mins away from there. I seen this on the news when he was first reported missing, and kept watching and waiting! Nothing! Very little news, no posters! When I ask someone if they have heard anything, they will not even know who he is! To me it seems as if no one really cares. I have been in that area and have seen no posters, only a pic on the news. Infact I am amazed that there is a thread about him on here!
It is sad to hear that there is no local coverage, no posters, no search parties looking for volunteeers, no vigils.......strange. Hope they haven't given up!!!

This story needs attention. Ricky should not be forgotten.

[RKnowley]

Being you live so close to the area is there anyway you could try to get this case the media attention it needs and distribute posters or anything that may help find Ricky? I don't know your situation but if you could it would be great for you to email the local media and even email foxnews.com, cnn.com, msnbc, etc.

Mysteriew,


Sorry! I am judging, when I have no right! I just don't know what to think anymore. I live about 15 maybe 20 mins away from there. I seen this on the news when he was first reported missing, and kept watching and waiting! Nothing! Very little news, no posters! When I ask someone if they have heard anything, they will not even know who he is! To me it seems as if no one really cares. I have been in that area and have seen no posters, only a pic on the news. Infact I am amazed that there is a thread about him on here!

[petra]

What a good idea RK !!!!

If dad's job is sooooooo sensitive he can not do anything like this....it would be wonderful to have some WS help. :)

[RKnowley]

It sure would be nice to have WS help and especially nice to have the help of somebody in the area if possible. If not I guess we could all gang up on the national news and ask them to cover this story.

What a good idea RK !!!!


If dad's job is sooooooo sensitive he can not do anything like this....it would be wonderful to have some WS help. :)

[mysteriew]

Being you live so close to the area is there anyway you could try to get this case the media attention it needs and distribute posters or anything that may help find Ricky? I don't know your situation but if you could it would be great for you to email the local media and even email foxnews.com, cnn.com, msnbc, etc.

Actually, that is something that we can all do.
Local news tends to listen more to people from their area. But national news and talk shows will often listen to anyone from any area.
However, one thing covered in this thread is the parents reluctance to talk. Which they explain that is because of his employment, he cannot be in the media. I believe it has been suggested that he is an Intelligence officer for the US Army. Which leads me to a couple of questions. Is the child's disappearance related to his employment? And is there some kind of pressure being put on media to keep this out of the news?
Early on, this story actually had some fair coverage. Then it got quiet. Anyone brave enough to contact the army?

[dulcinea]

I lived about 20 miles away from Williamston when Ricky disappeared. (I now live 2500 miles away.) There WERE posters put up. He also had quite a bit of radio coverage, which I was pleased about. I don't know about local news as I didn't read the paper or watch local TV stations. Please don't think people in the area didn't care about this little boy. The posters remained several months after he disappeared. I saw them each time I went to the store. It's frustrating how there hasn't been much news as of late, but when all leads go cold I'm not sure how much anyone can say. Ricky is still very much on everyone's mind.

[mysteriew]

Hi Dulcinea, Welcome to WS!
Thank you for giving the local information about the reaction to the disappearance. That is always helpful. Do you know what the general opinion there is, on what happened to Ricky?

[michelle]

I wish they would find something on this little boy....

[Bobbisangel]

I'm sure this is someone related to the family. STILL, I don't buy it for a minute. TOTAL BS! I stewed on this ever since you posted it Tt, and Gimme a break! (Thanks for posting it, though!) NO WAY! NO HOW! There is NO JOB so important as to not being ALLOWED to/get PERMISSION to search for your missing child. To me, that is sooooo lame! Makes 'em look guiltier. If, that's possible...and it surely is!
Sorry, you were put in this family, little one. Praying for the detectives working this, and those that truly loved him.



I don't buy any of it either. Here is a part of what that "family member" had to say which makes the whole statement even more unbelievable:


"...Ricky's parents have not been silent. Due to the situation of having a foster child in the residence (by law the child had to be shielded from any media coverage)and Tim's job is VERY high security.


Because Ricky was a foster child...by law he had to be shielded from any media coverage!!!! Give me a break please. That is so much B.S. It doesn't matter if a missing child is a foster child or not....if the child goes missing their picture and info goes to the media. This was just this person's excuse for the parents not being more involved in the media.

I wish this little boy would be found. I can't imagine where he could be whether it was by the parents hands or he ran away. I don't believe that he is still alive after all of this time. He is just to little to make it out there on his own....unless someone picked him up and is just keeping him which is unlikely.

[mysteriew]

An area resident has mentioned that the posters were put up in the area. LE has been investigating, and there has been no mention that they were not cooperating with LE, LE has also not named them as suspects. The case actually got quite a bit of coverage when Ricky first went missing. Granted the parents weren't saying much, and blaming it on the hubby's job. But if he works for the Army, that wouldn't be unusual if he was in intelligence. It isn't unusual for the media to quit writing about a missing person, after they have been gone a while.
Just because there isn't media coverage, doesn't mean that the investigation is not being worked on. And this would not be the first or last LE dept. that refused to discuss what is happening with media.
I also feel frustrated that he hasn't been found. But I don't know that more media coverage would help here. :confused:

[dulcinea]

I don't know how most people feel about this case. No one talked about it expect to say that it was sad. I do know that lots of local people helped search for him.

When I first heard about this case I just assumed he had run away. If you read about his life before he was adopted by this family, it's not much of a stretch. He was used to going from place to place. His biological mother was a transient. He knew how to survive in unconventional circumstances. I applaud his natural mother for realizing someone could take better care of him. It must have broken her heart to make such a decision.

The more I think about this case and the more missing children cases I read, the more confused I become. I do NOT want to point the finger at his adoptive parents. It just strikes me as odd that they knew exactly what he had taken with him. I know if my child disappeared I couldn't do that. I could maybe tell you what clothes he had on, especially if he took a favorite outfit, but he has so many toys and we have plenty of food in our cupboards that I'm not sure I could tell you what he had taken with him. I have seen a lot of cases where so much detail about those kinds of things is given by people who are guilty and trying to over inform in order to prove their innocence. PLEASE understand that I am NOT accusing anyone, just stating on observation.

[aussiegran]

Welcome dulcinea

I have been watching the christine rudy thread and havent been looking here much but i agree there is something very hinky about this family and their story .I can t believe a 7 yr old can survive so long without being seen,:confused: I think there might be something we havent heard yet.I think I will go back and read up on this boy .

[mysteriew]

New Year's Day will mark six months - 184 days - since Ricky Holland's parents say they last saw him, and police don't appear any closer to solving a case that drew national attention and gripped a community.

Authorities have chased possible sightings, searched the Red Cedar River, followed tips from a July airing of "America's Most Wanted" - even dug up the boy's parents' backyard - but turned up no sign of the Williamston youngster who turned 8 years old in September. Ricky's parents also remain "persons of interest" in the investigation, police said.

Studies indicate that only a small percentage - a fraction of one percent - of missing children are never found.

Still, Tim and Lisa Holland continue to hope for their son's return, said their attorney Neil Rockind.

"They're extremely devastated that Ricky is not in their home, where he should be."
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051228/NEWS01/512280356

[petra]

from ricky hollands blog

http://richardhollandvanished.blogspot.com/2006/01/ricky-holland-vanished-six-months-ago.html

[fourboys]

Adoptive mother of missing boy jailed

Updated: 1/26/2006
By T.M. Shultz, Lansing State Journal

Lansing - Lisa Holland, the adoptive mother of missing child Ricky Holland, is in the Ingham County Jail Sheriff Gene Wrigglesworth confirmed today.

“We're seeking warrants right now,” Wrigglesworth said early this afternoon.

He declined to say what the warrants are for; he said he expects to release more information later this afternoon.

It's not clear if Holland's arrest is tied to Ricky's case.

The child went missing in July 2005 and sparked a massive search that yielded few clues over the next several months.

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=49668

[dulcinea]

Having recently moved far from the general area Ricky was from I am VERY interested to see where this goes. Please keep us informed. I don't know whether to hope this is connected to Ricky or not. I still want to believe he is okay, but it's been so long. I still pray for a happy resolution in this case.

[lymom3]

Lisa Holland, adoptive mother of 8-year-old rocky Holland, will be arraigned this afternoon for domestic assault.

This is not a complaint related to the disappearance of her son rocky, who's been missing since July.

document.write('');Ingham County Sheriffs Deputies tell News 10, its "very likely" that rocky was murdered.

Tim and Lisa Holland have been suspects since this summer. Chief Deputy Vicki Harrison says the case is progressing rapidly.

[WhiteWolf]

I wonder if she was arrested for beating on one of their other children?

[dulcinea]

It's very likely that he was murdered? What does that mean? Is it possible one of the other children told someone Ricky was beaten when he went missing and that's why she's now in jail? This news is confusing.

[fourboys]

The mother of a missing Williamston boy is behind bars, facing changes unrelated to her son's case.

Tim and Lisa Holland are the adoptive parents of eight-year-old Ricky Holland. Lisa was arrested Wednesday night and charged Thursday with domestic assault. She was ordered to not have contact with her husband.

The boy has been missing since July after he ran away from home.

Ingham County sheriff's deputies say it is "very likely" that Ricky was murdered.

The boy's adoptive parents have been suspects in his disappearance since the summer.

Another deputy says the case is progressing very rapidly.

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4416555&nav=0Rce

[tabloidtrisha]

I really thought when Lisa was arrested today we would find out what happened to Ricky. I am disappointed that this arrest appears to have nothing to do with Ricky's disappearance. I think that is just on the surface. From what I have read today there were two separate assault instances by Lisa against Tim, one last night and one just before Christmas. Read my blog entry (http://richardhollandvanished.blogspot.com/) for the complete story. I also was able to capture a picture of Lisa at her arraignment from Windows Media Player for anyone who has not seen a clear picture of her.

Yes, the police did say they believe Ricky was murdered and they are handling the case as both a missing persons case as well as a murder investigation. Poor Ricky. :furious:

I don't understand how the Holland's adoption was finalized this past fall for the last child one month after Ricky's disappearance.

[KatherineQ]

This is so hard to tell what's going on here.

Of note, and interesting that this isn't mentioned in the article, is "was the hair dryer plugged into the wall at the time she threw it at him in the shower?". Throwing a hair dryer at someone is one thing. Throwing a plugged in hair dryer at someone in the shower is attempted murder, premeditated, with a preconceived story of how to cover it up.

Hm.

[tabloidtrisha]

This is so hard to tell what's going on here.

Of note, and interesting that this isn't mentioned in the article, is "was the hair dryer plugged into the wall at the time she threw it at him in the shower?". Throwing a hair dryer at someone is one thing. Throwing a plugged in hair dryer at someone in the shower is attempted murder, premeditated, with a preconceived story of how to cover it up.

Hm.
You have a good point KatherineQ. I am guessing that the hair dryer was most likely unplugged and it is being considered a dangerous weapon because it was thrown at Tim. He just happened to be in the shower at the time of the assault. She got him when he was most vulnerable so to speak.

I am a bit perplexed at Tim being the victim of domestic violence with him being in the Army and an Intelligence Officer. Either way I am glad he brought charges against her if she is exhibiting those behaviors.

I suppose they will say in her defense that she has been under so much stress because of the investigation that she just "lost it".

[Bobbisangel]

Well well, sounds like Lisa might have a problem with anger control. I wonder if she ever lost it with Ricky? Maybe while she is in jail she will break down and confess. Sounds like the home life is getting pretty rocky about now. May be from stress but it could also be the stress of knowing that the possibility of being arrested for Ricky's murder is getting closer and closer. I'm sure that they know that LE suspects them.

I just want Ricky found. If she murdered him then she should just tell the truth and get it over with. I wonder if they are both involved or just one of them. The person who isn't guilty may not even know about the other person.

It will be interesting to see how this all comes out. It really does sound like LE is getting close to an answer. I hope so anyway. Ricky deserves justice.

[SewingDeb]

Ricky Holland's Mother Charged
Lisa Holland, adoptive mother of 8 year old Ricky Holland, was arraigned for domestic assault. The sheriff's office calls the charges unrelated to the disappearance of her son. (full story)

http://www.wilx.com/home/headlines/2236271.html

[fourboys]

The parents of a Williamston boy who has been missing since July are suspects in his disappearance, authorities say.

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/business/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1138368545246310.xml&storylist=mibusiness

[dulcinea]

His body has been found and both of his parents have been arrested.

[jaybird]

Wait, what?! Where did you hear that? Do you have more details?

[KatherineQ]

Here's an article, posted on the web, from an hour ago.

Remains not yet positively identified, but it seems quite likely it's little Ricky.

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=49741

[jaybird]

Oh that breaks my heart. I knew it was unlikely he was still safe and alive but I was holding out hope that someone was taking care of him.

I am SO TIRED of hearing about parents, biological or adoptive, hurting their children!!!

[KatherineQ]

It is such a sad story, you're right Jaybird. What a sweet faced little boy.

On a smaller note how much time, effort and money are wasted each year looking for children when the parents say their child has run off or been abducted that could be put into finding children who really ARE missing, and not murdered and buried and the parents know it.

[hoppyfrog]

Posted about 45 minutes ago:

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4421747

[Bobbisangel]

No wonder they didn't want their faces out there in the news. Maybe someone saw them when they went to get rid of poor little Ricky's body.
On the other hand though, people that have murdered their spouse or children usually don't like to spend much time in the news....it probably isn't due to guilt feelings...probably afraid that they won't be able to keep up the facade.

These people just make me sick. I wonder what poor little Ricky did that they decided warrented being murdered. They knew that little boy had problems when they adopted him. And they kept on adopting more children. Well thank God the other children will no longer be raised by them. All this time they have been complaining about LE looking at them....searching their home, etc, and all of the time they knew right where that beautiful little boy was.

I hope they spend the rest of their lives in prison.....and may they rot in hell when their time comes. You can rest in peace now beautiful little Ricky.

[dulcinea]

It breaks my heart time after time when I see how much people on these boards, who've never these children, care about these children so much when their own parents don't. These people are absolute monsters. Unfortunately (IMO), Michigan does not have the death penalty. Even that would be too good for them. I'll bet they thought they were goingto get away with this. It makes me so sick to think of how they viewed several surveillance videos from area stores to see ifthe children on them were Ricky knowing the entire time where he was. I'm stunned at their audacity to complain that LE were considering them suspects. These people are MONSTERS and I hope they have a long, miserable life in prison. At least maybe now those who loved this little boy can have some peace and may he have a proper burial.

[mindi77]

http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=4419812&nav=0RbQ





Parents of Missing Local Boy Now Labeled Suspects
Jan 27, 2006, 11:31 AM
Parents of Missing Boy Labeled "Suspects"



The Ingham County Sheriff's Department says Tim and Lisa Holland are now suspects in the disappearance of their 8-year-old boy. Ricky Holland went missing from the couple's Williamston home last July.

[mindi77]

http://www.wnem.com/Global/story.asp?S=4421694




Ricky Holland's Parents Arrested In Connection With Disappearance


t a press conference Friday evening, officials said both parents have been arrested, and remains have been found in rural Ingham County while executing a search warrant. Those remains have not been positively identified.

[mindi77]

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4421747&nav=menu44_2



Parents charged in connection with disappearance of adoptive son



pdate, Ingham County, January 28, 2006, 12:15 p.m.) Saturday morning, Tim and Lisa Holland were video arraigned in the Ingham County Sheriff's Department on charges connected to the disappearance of their adoptive son Ricky.

Tim and Lisa Holland are each charged with obstruction of justice for lying to police about Ricky Holland's death. That charge carries a $5,000 bond. The Hollands are also material witnesses in each other's cases. Consequently, they are being held on $1,000,000 bond.

Human remains are being examined at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. They were found Friday near Williamston Road and Ewers Road, just south of Dansville. Investigators are waiting for results of dental records to make a positive identification. They expect those results Saturday afternoon or Sunday. :mad: :mad:

[mindi77]

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060128/NEWS01/601280328/1001/news



Police: Ricky is dead, parents to be charged

By Kevin Grasha and T.M. Shultz
Lansing State Journal

MASON - Ricky Holland is dead, police said Friday.

Tim and Lisa Holland of Williamston were arrested Friday in connection with the disappearance and death of their adopted 7-year-old son, six months after they reported him missing.

Both provided personal knowledge about what happened to Ricky, said Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth.
Advertisement



"What appears to be human remains were located at a rural location in Ingham County," Wriggelsworth said. He would not specify where.

[aussiegran]

In a strange chain of events, a couple's argument inadvertently touched off a massive search for a missing boy and led to the discovery of the decomposed body of an adult hidden in a thicket.

http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-30/1121525403216830.xml

Joanne Putman lives just up the street from the Hollands. She says the family moved in on the first of May and mostly keep to themselves. She's never even seen Ricky outside playing, but she knows he has run away a few times - he was found once in her neighbor's kitchen.

"In talking with family, he asked for someone to cook him some eggs. The sheriff came and took him home. A few days later he was in another neighbors home asking for a peanut butter sandwich," Putman said.

That second time, Putman says, Ricky had a bag with him full of clothes and asked his neighbor if he could live with them.

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3603073&nav=0RcecDpo:( I just went back over the thread and found your post Myst and it has made me cry all over again ,Poor ricky was trying to tell someone what was going on and no one listened.I see the B**tards are trying to blame each other.I hope they rot in HELL.

[mysteriew]

Whoa, I hadn't been in this thread for a while!
In a way, I hope that is Ricky that they found. At least he can now be put to rest properly.
It sounds like the domestic assault split the couple, and maybe "Dad" is talking? Right after "Mom" gets arrested, then they find the body. So they are being held both being held as material witnesses in each other's case. LE isn't going to take any chances of either of them clamming up again. Holding "Dad" under the same charges as "Mom" means that he knows that he still isn't in the clear yet, and that if he clams up, he could go down on murder also. Salt in the wound so to speak, as he is already mad at "Mom" for the domestic assault.

[ketel0ne]

Body of Missing Seven Year Old Identified, Parents Arraigned (http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=49765)

[hoppyfrog]

Here's another link:

http://woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4421747

[hoppyfrog]

There is another longer and more complete thread here at websleuths about this case. Here is the link:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25775

Hoppy

[Bobbisangel]

Poor little Ricky going to neighbors asking for food and then asking if he could live with them. I wonder if anyone ever asked him if he had eaten that day or why he wanted to live with them? Did they just blow him off or just call the sheriff and send him back home? Did the sheriff ask him what the problem was? Sounds like another child that no one paid any attention to when he was trying to tell them that something was wrong. It shouldn't have ended like this.

I wonder why they adopted all of those kids? I wonder if any of the other kids were abused. I hope LE has the good sense to talk to the kids and find out what their lives were really like.

I'd like to know which parent told LE where Ricky's body was. Evidentally they both knew he was dead and where he was this whole time. They knew and they let his little body just lay out there and rot away while they fussed about LE calling them suspects. They complained about LE searching their house. I'm glad that Lisa got mad at Tim and threw that dryer at him because if she hadn't we may never have know what happend to little Ricky.
Glad she let that temper get away from her. Now she can pay the price for what she did and so can her husband.

[petra]

This makes me so sick. Poor little Ricky.

How could children have been placed in this home with these lying monsters??

Hope papa gets court martial....with his (cough) hot shot important army intelligence job that he can't be shown on media????? will he wear a bag on his head during trial???

I am so angry about this.....just disgusted.
Kudos to LE for being more patient than I am.

[tabloidtrisha]

I'd like to know which parent told LE where Ricky's body was. Evidentally they both knew he was dead and where he was this whole time. They knew and they let his little body just lay out there and rot away while they fussed about LE calling them suspects. They complained about LE searching their house.
According to news accounts Tim Holland was the one who led LE to Ricky's remains. He was according to those news accounts inside of a plastic bag and had been thrown down a ravine. The area was approximately 15 minutes, I believe from the Holland home. It was in some sort of hunting preserve. I am surprised no hunters made the discovery. The news accounts said the body was not covered with brush or anything.

I am also just sickened by all of this but I did figure it was at the Holland's hands that Ricky was murdered. I never believed he ran away from home and was abducted by strangers. Poor Ricky.

[hoppyfrog]

Here's a link with more info:

http://woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4431228

Here's part of the article:

"I wasn't confident we'd ever find Ricky's remains," says Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth. "But there were things that happened, even the first day, that would make even an inexperienced police officer think, 'Something's wrong here, this story isn't right.'"

He says, as thousands of community volunteers joined officers and experts from around the country in searching for the boy, Lisa Holland brought him an updated picture of Ricky, then asked the location of the search team mounted on horses. Her other children wanted to see them.

"Never once asked how the search was going, if she could get anything else. Her focus was on entertaining the rest of the kids. This is my 40th year in the business and never have I seen a reaction like that from a parent whose child is missing," says Wriggelsworth.

[mysteriew]

So the hair dryer was plugged in!
I still can't decide if it was Lisa or Tim that actually comitted the murder, though I am leaning toward Lisa. Still it could have been Tim, and the throwing the dryer in the shower merely a reaction to an argument, and a "after all I have done for you, by keeping my mouth shut" type of response. Personally, I don't really care which committed the murder and which participated in the coverup. IMO both should be tried and convicted for the murder.
The way it is, except for Tim leading LE to the body, by both blaming the other, unless one confesses- they are both providing reasonable doubt for the other. I wonder if that was planned? Try them together, like you would any two people who conspire to kill someone else, and let them both take the fall. One may be innocent of the murder, but they assisted with the coverup and endangered the other children by allowing the other parent to remain in contact with them.

[dulcinea]

LE has stated that there is en