2009.03.13 ~ The Today Show *REVISIT*

[Kimster]

Soon after Ron and Misty got married, they appeared on the Today Show. We've talked about so much of this interview in pieces over the last year and yet I didn't find a thread entirely devoted to analyzing what was discussed at that time.

Here are some highlights that I jotted down as I watched it once again tonight:

- The church where they held Haleigh's vigils wouldn't marry them because they "didn't agree with the union".

- Ron said that Geraldo and Crystal made up what Junior said about the man in black

- Misty said she wouldn't talk to LE because she didn't like the new guy that was added to the case. He accused her of lying.

- Misty's story during this interview was that she put Haleigh to bed at 8PM and covered her with a blanket that she washed. She said she then went to bed at 10PM (She discussed where the kids were placed in bed, but I still can't determine which bed was whose?!?)

- Misty said she knows she made inconsistent statements but she's not sure why

- Ron says he wants the media not to pay attention to his personal life and just pay attention to Haleigh and keep her picture out there

- Ron says that the lead detective, John Merchant, doesn't think Misty is a suspect.

Now I have quite a few comments of my own, but am interested in what you all think first. Please keep this thread more analytical than usual. Thanks!

YouTube

YouTube

[Zoe Bogart]

Am I allowed to say the word that popped into my mind was "arrogance"? It envelopes RC and MC. How many times did he mention he "was at work"? How is that an answer to Meredith's question about why he doesn't believe the story of the "man in black"? Why does RC continually look down when he's answering questions about Haleigh? His plea at the end wasn't sincere, imo.

Misty looks to RC when she can't answer Meredith's "tough" questions. We heard from Michelle, the reporter, that LE is satisfied RC doesn't know what happened to the child. Secondhand information, not directly from LE.

The wedding is "what Haleigh would have wanted".

RC and MC claimed they both passed their LDTs. Again, secondhand information, not directly from LE.

RC doesn't like people to pay attention to what he does. He wants emphasis on Haleigh, yet he can't make a plea for her without a smirk, and he doesn't look directly into the camera for more than a few seconds.

I could analyze this thing to death but I won't because I don't want to get into trouble. If I were the pastor of that church, I would have refused to officiate their wedding, too.

[Donjeta]

We need a transcript. I've started one out. Everybody please feel free to add, correct and continue this one. The double question marks are where I wasn't sure what they say.

Ronald and Misty Cummings are with us exclusively this morning. Good morning to you both. Thank you for joining us.
(Misty's gaze shifts, blinking, RC looks down, neither smiles in greeting or says anything that I can hear).
Ronald, your daughter Haleigh disappeared a little more than a month ago and since then you have spoken to the media, taken polygraph tests, both of you have, (Misty nods and swallows) opened up your home, what was your home, to us to see where Haleigh lived, to get a better sense of her - none of that could have been easy for either one of you, so why did you wanna come here today, what are you hoping to accomplish, Ronald?

(They stare steadily on Meredith, jaw set, but he looks down when answering.)
RC: To get the focus back on my daughter is missing, my five year old girl is gone (nods) and I wanna find her.

Why do you think the focus has changed, you said get the focus back on her.

RC: I think it changed to my personal life, and being married and everything else when they should be focusing on my five year old daughter. (showing Haleigh's pics, not him)

Do you think the police have done an adequate job searching for her, Ronald, are you comfortable with the job they have done so far? (His leg moving, looks down again)

RC: So far.

Meredith: ??

RC: Yes.

Meredith: Have they said anything to you about any possible leads at all?
(RC looks down, shakes head, mouth moves in a downward motion).
Meredith: Nothing. Uh, Michelle just referenced your son, your four year old son and the fact that he said that somebody, a man dressed in black, had taken Haleigh out of the, the trailer the night she disappeared. (RC's knee movement continues, Misty has her hands in between her thighs, RC arms crossed) Did he say anything to either one of you? Misty you were there at the time, did he say anything to you at the time?

Misty: Uhhuh.

Meredith: Nothing.

Misty: No

RC: Me either. I'm thinking this is just some of that garbage that Geraldo and Crystal, her mother, have made up (?? here he says something else too ??)
Meredith: Oh you don't even believe that Ronald Jr. said this at all?
RC: (shrug, jaw shifts up) I don't know. I wasn't at home, I was at work.

This last shrug unfailingly makes me feel he knows something. He dodges the question and seems a bit smug to me while mentioning his alibi. But his alibi has nothing to do with what the reporter asked him. She doesn't inquire whether he saw a man in black take Haleigh that night, she asks if he believes that Jr said this at some point later.

The opening remark is interesting as well. He wants to get the focus back on Haleigh being missing instead of being married, and what better way to achieve it than to visit the Today show with your newly wed bride on your honeymoon the morning after the celebration?

[azwriter]

Originally Posted by Donjeta

We need a transcript. I've started one out. Everybody please feel free to add, correct and continue this one. The double question marks are where I wasn't sure what they say.

Ronald and Misty Cummings are with us exclusively this morning. Good morning to you both. Thank you for joining us.
(Misty's gaze shifts, blinking, RC looks down, neither smiles in greeting or says anything that I can hear).
Ronald, your daughter Haleigh disappeared a little more than a month ago and since then you have spoken to the media, taken polygraph tests, both of you have, (Misty nods and swallows) opened up your home, what was your home, to us to see where Haleigh lived, to get a better sense of her - none of that could have been easy for either one of you, so why did you wanna come here today, what are you hoping to accomplish, Ronald?

(They stare steadily on Meredith, jaw set, but he looks down when answering.)
RC: To get the focus back on my daughter is missing, my five year old girl is gone (nods) and I wanna find her.

Why do you think the focus has changed, you said get the focus back on her.

RC: I think it changed to my personal life, and being married and everything else when they should be focusing on my five year old daughter. (showing Haleigh's pics, not him)

Do you think the police have done an adequate job searching for her, Ronald, are you comfortable with the job they have done so far? (His leg moving, looks down again)

RC: So far.

Meredith: ??

RC: Yes.

Meredith: Have they said anything to you about any possible leads at all?
(RC looks down, shakes head, mouth moves in a downward motion).
Meredith: Nothing. Uh, Michelle just referenced your son, your four year old son and the fact that he said that somebody, a man dressed in black, had taken Haleigh out of the, the trailer the night she disappeared. (RC's knee movement continues, Misty has her hands in between her thighs, RC arms crossed) Did he say anything to either one of you? Misty you were there at the time, did he say anything to you at the time?

Misty: Uhhuh.

Meredith: Nothing.

Misty: No

RC: Me either. I'm thinking this is just some of that garbage that Geraldo and Crystal, her mother, have made up (?? here he says something else too ??)
Meredith: Oh you don't even believe that Ronald Jr. said this at all?
RC: (shrug, jaw shifts up) I don't know. I wasn't at home, I was at work.

This last shrug unfailingly makes me feel he knows something. He dodges the question and seems a bit smug to me while mentioning his alibi. But his alibi has nothing to do with what the reporter asked him. She doesn't inquire whether he saw a man in black take Haleigh that night, she asks if he believes that Jr said this at some point later.

The opening remark is interesting as well. He wants to get the focus back on Haleigh being missing instead of being married, and what better way to achieve it than to visit the Today show with your newly wed bride on your honeymoon the morning after the celebration?

Donjets, great job of summing up your understanding of Ron's vocal answers and his physical appearance of body language. I think you have an very accurate view of Ron Cummings' role in his daughter's disappearance. jmo

[MADJGNLAW]

I have been trying to find the transcripts to the Today Show and have had no luck. Here is a link that says you can get transcripts but I can't figure out how to go back to last March. Maybe someone else can give it a try?
Link to msnbc transcripts, can't find the one for the Today Show though: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3719710

I also ran across an article from the Today Show and some transcripts on JVM.

The Today Show Mar. 13, 2009 Haleigh’s father, new bride speak out By Mike Celizic http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29674827/
TODAYshow.com contributor

Meredith Vieira asked Misty Cummings if she knows that she changed the story of the night Haleigh Cummings disappeared.

“Yeah,” the young woman said.

Vieira asked why there are inconsistencies.

“I don’t know,” she replied.

Newlyweds in New York


Vieira asked both. “Why come here?”

“To get the focus back on my daughter. My 5-year-old girl is gone and I want to find her,” Ron Cummings, replied. He complained that his marriage to the former Misty Croslin has deflected attention away from his daughter, who has been missing since early in the morning of Feb. 10.

“I think they changed to my personal life and being married and everything else and they should be focusing on my 5-year-old daughter,” Ron told Vieira.



Cummings and his bride say they’ve both taken and passed polygraph tests.
Cummings told Vieira that the lead detective in the case has told him that Misty is not a suspect either.

Detectives recently called Misty in for another interview. After being pressed about inconsistencies, she stopped the interview and refused to answer further questions.

Inconsistent interviews
Vieira asked Misty why she ended the interview.

“There was a new guy that was new to the case and I didn’t feel comfortable with him. He was just being very rude to me … He was just like being rude, like yelling and pretty much telling me I was a liar,” she said, adding that she told the lead detective on the case, John Merchant, that she would talk to him, but not to the new investigator.



The main inconsistency involves where Haleigh was sleeping on the night she disappeared. Misty had originally said the girl was sleeping with her. Yet later she said that Haleigh’s 4-year-old brother, Ron Jr., was in her bed, but that Haleigh was sleeping on a mattress on the floor of Misty’s bedroom.
Both Misty and Ron Cummings also said that reports that Ron Jr. said he saw a man dressed in black are not true. Ron Cummings accused Haleigh’s mother, Crystal Sheffield, of making that story up.

Vieira asked Misty, to revisit the events that led to her calling 911 shortly before 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 10.

“I put her to bed at 8 o’clock,” “I was washing our blankets, and after that was done, I put her blanket over her. She was sleeping when I put her blanket on her. She was in her bed, and it was about 10 o’clock. I finally laid down and went to sleep. I woke up at 3. I got up to use the bathroom, and I noticed the kitchen light was on. I walked through the kitchen, and that’s when I noticed the back door was open. So I run back to my bedroom to get my phone to call Ronald. That’s when I noticed Haleigh was gone.”Ron Cummings works a late shift and said he was just pulling in the driveway when Misty called him.
‘Nobody’s business’Vieira asked Ron Cummings why he would get married now.


“I think that my little girl would have wanted it,” he said before repeating his belief that his wedding shouldn’t be a story.

“That’s still drawing the focus off of Haleigh,” he said. “We need to be focused on Haleigh and not what I’m doing in my personal life … It’s nobody’s business what I do in my personal life. I go to work. I support my family. I don’t know what my personal life has to do with national TV. My daughter’s missing. That’s what has to do with national TV. We need to get her found.”

Vieira asked Ron Cummings if he had anything else he wanted to say.

“If you know something, please call the Crime Stoppers or any local sheriff’s office,” he said, his arms crossed tightly across his chest. “If my little girl is watching, baby, I love you.”



Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29674827/#ixzz0nZT2ErV0


Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29674827/#ixzz0nZSvDZfN

[b]ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL

Why Different Stories of Missing Girl?; Father Says Focus Should be on Haleigh. B]
Aired March 13, 2009

"Snip" http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIP...3/ijvm.01.html

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MISTY CROSLIN, WIFE OF HALEIGH`S FATHER: There was a new guy that was new to the case, and I didn`t feel comfortable with him. He was just being very rude to me. And I told John Merchant and the state attorneys I would talk to them, but I wasn`t going to talk to.

MEREDITH VIEIRA, CO-HOST, NBC`S "THE TODAY SHOW": What was he doing?

CROSLIN: He was rude, like yelling and telling me I`m a liar.

VIEIRA: So he was accusing you of lying to him?

CROSLIN: Yes.


VIEIRA: Why were there -- help me out, Misty. Why were there inconsistencies? Why would you say one thing one time and one time the other?

CROSLIN: I don`t know.

VIEIRA: But you know you did do that?

CROSLIN: Yes.

VIEIRA: And you`re not sure why?

CROSLIN: No.

(END VIDEO CLIP)


.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VIEIRA: And, Misty, as you sit here, do you believe in your heart that they see you as a suspect?

CROSLIN: No, I don`t.

RON CUMMINGS, FATHER OF HALEIGH: I don`t either. I talked to a lead detective. His name is John Merchant.

VIEIRA: And he said?

CUMMINGS: Nope. He doesn`t think that she`s a suspect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CROSLIN: Usually Haleigh will wake up at nighttime. She gets cramps in her legs, you know. And I have to rub her legs to get the cramps out of her legs to get her back to sleep. And, you know, she didn`t make no noise that night. I would have woke up if I heard anyone. I didn`t hear anything at all. I was really exhausted that day, you know, really exhausted when I lay down, I guess. And I just was out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD, MOTHER OF HALEIGH CUMMINGS: I just want to say thank you for everybody doing everything. Mommy loves you and your daddy loves you. We miss you. We`ll be right here. Please, bring her home. Please. We need her.

(END VIDEO CLIP)


(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VIEIRA: Your 4-year-old son and the fact that he said that somebody, a man dressed in black, had taken Haleigh out of the -- the trailer that night she disappeared. Did he tell that to either one of you? Misty, you were there at the time. Did he say anything to you at the time?

CROSLIN: Huh-uh.

VIEIRA: Nothing?

CROSLIN: No.

CUMMINGS: Me either. I think this is some of the garbage that Geraldo and Crystal, the mother, has made up, but I`m just going to leave that at that.

VIEIRA: So you don`t even believe that Ronald Jr. said this at all?

CUMMINGS: I don`t know. I wasn`t at home. I was at work.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[bessie]

Originally Posted by KSH352

To me the most "telling" thing about that interview is when Misty looks to Ronald for help on why she lied. I don't think she was ready for a direct question like that and Ronald just let her take the blow. IMO

That's the way I read it when I first saw the interview last year. Looking back at it now, I still see it that way.

Originally Posted by lonetraveler

You know, I've never figured this one out. Wouldn't it make sense if you were saying that your daughter was kidnapped that Jr.'s statement would become major important. Why throw out the kidnapping story to cover your butt then you totally dismiss your son's account of seeing a someone dressed in black taking your sister away? Was this a major screwup or what? If the two of them (Ron and Misty) are trying to cover their behinds, they should have jumped on Jr.'s story like white on rice. ETA: Same thing with insisting that the door was locked. If you are going with the story that someone kidnapped your daughter, then don't insist that the door was locked, KWIM?

I tend to agree with 1Chump that Ron's response might've been a way to discredit Geraldo. I have another take on it, too. Maybe Ron wanted to dismiss Jr.'s statement because it didn't tie in with the plan to make Misty/Tommy/Joe the fall guys. Same for the locked doors. Ron can tell the world that he's a responsible father who always checks the locks before he leaves his family alone because meanwhile, TN is telling the world about Misty's relative who knows how to bump locks.

[Kimster]

Yes, I too thought that RC said "I wuz at werk" too many times. I've never doubted that he was werking that night before and after revisiting the interview in whole, I can see why many question it. Why does he feel the need to repeat the issue so many times? It does sound hinky. Or was he high and that's why he repeats it? I tried to look closely at his pupils but with my computer, I couldn't tell if they were dilated or not.

[lonetraveler]

Originally Posted by Kimster

Yes, I too thought that RC said "I wuz at werk" too many times. I've never doubted that he was werking that night before and after revisiting the interview in whole, I can see why many question it. Why does he feel the need to repeat the issue so many times? It does sound hinky. Or was he high and that's why he repeats it? I tried to look closely at his pupils but with my computer, I couldn't tell if they were dilated or not.

I noticed Ron's slightly slurred speech and my first thought was that he was a bit stoned. He also appeared to be a bit Pizzed to me. Clenching his jaw a lot.

[YellowSubmarine]

This interview bugged me the most out of all they did. The body language, the arrogance -- MC looking to RC for answers and, of course, the constant "I was at work". I was always impressed with MV's ability to not throw her papers in the air and say "This is pointless".

RC also used the "I was at work" when asked why he didn't question MC's inconsistencies on NG. He also said it when asked what he thought might have happened. He just doesn't want to touch this with a 10 ft pole, which is odd for a father searching for his missing child.

[Kimster]

I'm really not trying to pick on RC. Those who support him please know that as your mod, I will support your opinions.

With that said, however, I was also intrigued by RC quickly dismissing Jr's account of the man in black. They said he never told them about it and it was made up by Geraldo and Crystal. I don't remember Crystal and Geraldo being friends? Was there any kind of relationship between them that anyone remembers?

[Concerned Papa]

Originally Posted by Kimster

I'm really not trying to pick on RC. Those who support him please know that as your mod, I will support your opinions.

With that said, however, I was also intrigued by RC quickly dismissing Jr's account of the man in black. They said he never told them about it and it was made up by Geraldo and Crystal. I don't remember Crystal and Geraldo being friends? Was there any kind of relationship between them that anyone remembers?

Do you mean did she have him on speed dial or something? *cough* I believe that was someone else.....

[lonetraveler]

Originally Posted by Kimster

I'm really not trying to pick on RC. Those who support him please know that as your mod, I will support your opinions.

With that said, however, I was also intrigued by RC quickly dismissing Jr's account of the man in black. They said he never told them about it and it was made up by Geraldo and Crystal. I don't remember Crystal and Geraldo being friends? Was there any kind of relationship between them that anyone remembers?

You know, I've never figured this one out. Wouldn't it make sense if you were saying that your daughter was kidnapped that Jr.'s statement would become major important. Why throw out the kidnapping story to cover your butt then you totally dismiss your son's account of seeing a someone dressed in black taking your sister away? Was this a major screwup or what? If the two of them (Ron and Misty) are trying to cover their behinds, they should have jumped on Jr.'s story like white on rice. ETA: Same thing with insisting that the door was locked. If you are going with the story that someone kidnapped your daughter, then don't insist that the door was locked, KWIM?

[1Chump]

Originally Posted by Kimster

I'm really not trying to pick on RC. Those who support him please know that as your mod, I will support your opinions.

With that said, however, I was also intrigued by RC quickly dismissing Jr's account of the man in black. They said he never told them about it and it was made up by Geraldo and Crystal. I don't remember Crystal and Geraldo being friends? Was there any kind of relationship between them that anyone remembers?

IMO, it wasn't about Junior but trying to discredit Geraldo and Crystal. The two people who dared to suggest that Ron was anything other than a great father/guy. The two people who were suggesting he knew more than he was saying. The two people who were making him look bad.

I think Ron felt if he admitted anything they said might be true, people would not see them as liars. However, if they would go so far to lie about what Junior saw, they would lie to mkae him look bad.

BTW, I also think he knew Junior did not see anyone in black because Junior was not there...just my opinion.

[dodie20]

Originally Posted by 1Chump

IMO, it wasn't about Junior but trying to discredit Geraldo and Crystal. The two people who dared to suggest that Ron was anything other than a great father/guy. The two people who were suggesting he knew more than he was saying. The two people who were making him look bad.

I think Ron felt if he admitted anything they said might be true, people would not see them as liars. However, if they would go so far to lie about what Junior saw, they would lie to mkae him look bad.

BTW, I also think he knew Junior did not see anyone in black because Junior was not there...just my opinion.

Even though I believe this account, I think it's possible that he either got his days mixed up, or he confused it with the incident where a black man went with Ron to get Amber's child.

[Kimster]

I found my own answer on the Case Calendar. (THANK YOU BUTTERFLY!!!)

"Ronald Cummings has custody of his two children by Crystal Sheffield. Why? Evidently because Sheffield had used cocaine the year before, and because the missing Florida girl had allegedly missed a dozen doctor appointments while in Sheffield's custody. Haleigh is reported to have Turner's Syndrome."<snipped>

The above comment was written by Geraldo. If I were Crystal, I don't think I'd call him my friend.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ted.html?cat=9

[KSH352]

To me the most "telling" thing about that interview is when Misty looks to Ronald for help on why she lied. I don't think she was ready for a direct question like that and Ronald just let her take the blow. IMO

[Kimster]

Originally Posted by KSH352

To me the most "telling" thing about that interview is when Misty looks to Ronald for help on why she lied. I don't think she was ready for a direct question like that and Ronald just let her take the blow. IMO

Whoa! I'd never thought of it that way before! I always thought she was looking at him out of fear to respond, like she didn't want him to get mad and she was scared of him. Now I don't know what to think. Thanks for weighing in!

[maureen718]

Originally Posted by Kimster

Whoa! I'd never thought of it that way before! I always thought she was looking at him out of fear to respond, like she didn't want him to get mad and she was scared of him. Now I don't know what to think. Thanks for weighing in!

I agree, misty looks to ron for help and it's the way she exhales in that moment that suggests she realizes he's left her hanging and chooses to just say she doesn't know, then she agrees with Meredeth that she's been inconsistent and says again, she doesn't know why, maybe not so much as in fear of ron at this time but scared to deviate from the "script", misty shrugs too and it seems like a shrug to say 'what do you want me say' rather than 'I really don't know'

[KSH352]

Originally Posted by Kimster

Whoa! I'd never thought of it that way before! I always thought she was looking at him out of fear to respond, like she didn't want him to get mad and she was scared of him. Now I don't know what to think. Thanks for weighing in!

IMO I believe she was thinking " I forgot what I was supposed to say as she looked up at him" then she looked again expecting some help for RC. So being the kind and understanding new hubby that he was he just let her take the fall. IMO

[Zoe Bogart]

Originally Posted by KSH352

To me the most "telling" thing about that interview is when Misty looks to Ronald for help on why she lied. I don't think she was ready for a direct question like that and Ronald just let her take the blow. IMO

Yep, that's what I thought, too, from the first time I saw it. She wanted him to help, and he ignored her. I like your phrasing, "let her take the blow". That he did.

[Emeralgem]

Originally Posted by KSH352

To me the most "telling" thing about that interview is when Misty looks to Ronald for help on why she lied. I don't think she was ready for a direct question like that and Ronald just let her take the blow. IMO

IMHIO.. Ronald's intentions for Misty to take the blow and the fall for him started on day one...Immediately after the incident occurred......JMO

[~greeneyedgirl~]

At the end of the clip when he is asked what would you say to Haleigh, he doesn't look into the camera...that tells me a lot, that plus the fact that he had to think about who to contact if you have information.

I don't quite understand his body language, during the wedding clips, he is very tense and he really looked like he could have hit Misty when she mushed the cake into his face. When I was married and said my vows I looked at my husband not the minister. There are a lot of wonky things going on here

[CN2Souls]

If you look really close at the 7:09-7:11 video line you can see MC elbow RC when they ask her about the reason for the change in her story.

[suspicious1]

This is one of the interviews that makes Ron and Misty look so guilty, IMO. Clearly Misty was looking to Ron for answers and sometimes Ron chimed in and sometimes he didn't. Why would Misty need Ron help with those questions if Ron, himself, was not there, had nothing to do with Haleigh going missing and was not involved in the cover-up? That tells me that Misty was not fearful of revealing the truth in front of Ron...she was fearful about messing up the script. If you add this interview to the interview by Greta, where Misty is heard screwing up the script and Ron jumping in to correct her. He was correcting her on details that he would not have been known had he actually been at work when they occurred. Ron is definitely involved in this somehow.

[YellowSubmarine]

Originally Posted by suspicious1

This is one of the interviews that makes Ron and Misty look so guilty, IMO. Clearly Misty was looking to Ron for answers and sometimes Ron chimed in and sometimes he didn't. Why would Misty need Ron help with those questions if Ron, himself, was not there, had nothing to do with Haleigh going missing and was not involved in the cover-up? That tells me that Misty was not fearful of revealing the truth in front of Ron...she was fearful about messing up the script. If you add this interview to the interview by Greta, where Misty is heard screwing up the script and Ron jumping in to correct her. He was correcting her on details that he would not have been known had he actually been at work when they occurred. Ron is definitely involved in this somehow.

BBM --

Yup Yup. I haven't re-watched this vid yet & can't remember if it's this one or another -- but I'm reminded of when MC was asked how far Haleigh was sleeping from her:

MC: "About 4 inches"
RC: "No"
MC: "No?"
RC: "It was about 4 feet"
MC: "Oh, well, I didn't measure"

First off -- RC wasn't there -- HOW does he know?!?! 2nd, you can't tell me someone doesn't know the difference between 4" & 4'. 3rd, when your child is missing, WHO would get snotty and say "Oh, well, I didn't measure"?!?!

This has always really bothered me.