MI MI- AMBER ALERT: Katherine Phillips, 4 months, Ludington, 29 June 2011 -suspect found

[milliac]

Originally Posted by mrye4709

This is another weird case, that's for sure. I am having computer issues and have not been able to open all the news stories. I hope baby kate is found safe, but it isn't looking good. Heartbreaking, just heartbreaking.

Did the mother tell the story of what the fight was about when she was first questioned? I'm skeptical about her, something isn't right.

OMG. I was thinking it was just me. I only caught a few minutes of her 911 call. My hairs stood up and I had a very uneasy feeling. It's almost like KC lies with the question mark infection at the end of the statement. I haven't read this thread yet. I could be wrong.

[Lovejac]

I just listened to the 911 call (not sure how I missed it being released?)

There wasn't anything that raised my hinky meter, but I understand some are talking about inconsistencies in her story. Did she give a different story on what happened?

ETA: Sorry to be so clueless, but I've been all slung up in the Caylee Anthony verdict

[missy_g]

Cases like this make me so angry. Why won't he just say what he did and get it over with?

It's sad but I think a lot of cases are going to be compared to Casey Anthony. If he hides the body well enough and doesn't talk then he can get away with murder.

[cluciano63]

After seeing so many different photos of Baby Kate last night on NG (better late than never), it is clear to me that this baby is adored by her mother...and that she is adorable. Why isn't this a nationally-known missing child case?? I will never understand how some little babies and children are considered to be huge news stories and others, barely register. And a tiny reward fund, not even $2000? I know rewards hardly ever help, but it seems so disrespectful... Caylee's reward was over $250,000...

[justanother]

The Family had been in contact with NG earlier in the case and she put Kate at the end of her show for a few days for like 5 seconds, someone told the family that NG couldn't cover it until Casey was released. I know this from seeing one of the family members FB status's blasting NG. I guess watching some chick walk out of jail was more newsworthy than the disappearance of a 4 month old.

I agree about the reward, it's all from donations and will be given back if not used but it's sad that a life so precious is worth less than $2000. Seeing that douche in his bulletproof vest in court made me so angry. Cases like these make torturing for answers sound good.

I'm glad this case is finally getting attention but i'm worried that it is too little, too late.

[Blue Ridge]

Originally Posted by justanother

The Family had been in contact with NG earlier in the case and she put Kate at the end of her show for a few days for like 5 seconds, someone told the family that NG couldn't cover it until Casey was released. I know this from seeing one of the family members FB status's blasting NG. I guess watching some chick walk out of jail was more newsworthy than the disappearance of a 4 month old.

I'm glad this case is finally getting attention but i'm worried that it is too little, too late.

S&BBM

Me too but I just don't want to give up hope that she might have been handed off to someone. Since he did try to give her up for adoption by going to CPS once, it may not be out of the realm of possibility, at least I keep telling myself that.

Where are you, little one??

[JeannaT]

Originally Posted by Blue Ridge

S&BBM

Me too but I just don't want to give up hope that she might have been handed off to someone. Since he did try to give her up for adoption by going to CPS once, it may not be out of the realm of possibility, at least I keep telling myself that.

Where are you, little one??

I would consider that an option except there wasn't time for him to have lined up an adopter. Just that morning he had tried to get them into CPS, went straight to her home and he took off. If this had happened over a week's time, instead of under an hour, it would seem possible.

[Jan]

On Nancy Grace, first they said that the mom went back in the house to get the baby stroller because she was going to walk the 2 blocks to the hospital because she was mad at the baby's father--and then he took off with the baby. But on the 911 call, the mom said she went back into the house to get her keys. So, which is it, the stroller or the keys (or both)? They said the father had taken his DNA test an hour before and this appointment was for the DNA test for the baby, scheduled at 1 p.m. The mom said he didn't want the baby to have the DNA test (proving that he was the father of the baby). Its so hard to understand how anyone could not want that beautiful, precious little baby. The father had custody of the older child and people said he took good care of it but custody was changing due to his assignment coming up in Afghanistan. If the baby was his, he'd have to pay child support for both kids but they would have his military medical insurance and could probably get WIC. It appeared that the mother had loved the new baby and taken good care of it. Which is worse, paying child support or spending life in a prison cell? I do have to wonder if the father put the baby in the lake or other water and then tried to hide the clothes. But wouldn't he have to weight it down or wouldn't it float to the top of the water in a few days. Did they use cadaver sniffing dogs over the water and land? I rember they did in the Laci Peterson case.
I just wish we could find out what happened to that tiny, innocent baby. It would be a miracle if she was still alive somewhere. I hope it won't end up like the Baby Gabriel case.

[RoseWhite]

I understand that anyone who would impulsively take a baby isn't going to act logically. But REALLY? Is it better to face murder charges than to have a DNA test prove you are a father???

He clearly did not want this child. Oh sure, don't leave the state. Don't just ignore the mother's phone calls. Don't just skip on child support. No. Let's take the beautiful girl from her mother and most likely do something horrific.

I would love to have the hope that he gave Kate to someone. But that would require a plan, time, and someone else to cooperate who can't be tied to you for the police to track down.

I have little hope for this precious, innocent little baby girl.

[Blue Ridge]

Originally Posted by JeannaT

I would consider that an option except there wasn't time for him to have lined up an adopter. Just that morning he had tried to get them into CPS, went straight to her home and he took off. If this had happened over a week's time, instead of under an hour, it would seem possible.

Guess that's so But the clothes being found.....I mean, why would he bother to undress her if he was just going to leave her in the woods to die, or toss her into a body of water....but if he were going to hand her off to someone, it would make more sense to toss her clothes out the window.....to make her less recognizable... sheesh, this is just so sad I can't stand it. Could it be he stashed her w/ someone he knew, just to get her away quickly that day so she couldn't get her DNA test...intending to give her away (or even sell her) later? Would have to be some kind of unsavory character that he knew wouldn't come forward maybe. I don't know....guess I'm grasping at straws. It really doesn't make sense that he just out and out killed her....I mean, he was the one that drove off w/ her and then she was gone....it's not like there could be any question who was responsible

[PrintGal]

Originally Posted by RoseWhite

I understand that anyone who would impulsively take a baby isn't going to act logically. But REALLY? Is it better to face murder charges than to have a DNA test prove you are a father???

He clearly did not want this child. Oh sure, don't leave the state. Don't just ignore the mother's phone calls. Don't just skip on child support. No. Let's take the beautiful girl from her mother and most likely do something horrific.

I would love to have the hope that he gave Kate to someone. But that would require a plan, time, and someone else to cooperate who can't be tied to you for the police to track down.

I have little hope for this precious, innocent little baby girl.

Totally agree.

The mom said in the 911 call that the father wasn't answering his cell. Any chance LE can use his pings to trace his activities from the time he took the baby until he showed back up?

[PrintGal]

Originally Posted by justanother

They are not married. I think it is joint custody but i don't know the details surrounding it. He's in court in the morning. I was reading somewhere earlier that he was in Wendy's at 1:20 pm, left her apartment less than 10 minutes before, no Kate with him at Wendy's. That doesn't leave much time or space for him to have done something. It's very strange.

Didn't the Wendy's citing turn out to be false?

What a horrible thing. And what a coward.

[Soulmagent]

Originally Posted by momtective

I'm convinced too that he killed her...it just stands to reason that the only reasons you undress a baby is to either redress them in different cloths or to bathe them or put them in water. I know early on there was some talk of a lake and LE was asking for any witnesses that may have seen a certain vehicle near that lake. I really believe he put her in the lake then hid her cloths.
It will be interesting to see how his trial plays out in light of Casey's trial. I think generally society is much harder on men that it is on women. I really think even if they don't find her body that he will be charged with murder.

For a scent . I think he needed a scent. If her story isnt true they should look for a plastic baggie that held the clothes.. Also maybe they should look for a connection to someone in DHS ,He had to to of going there for a reason. Most people call agencies from ads looking for adoptive families dont they?

[mrye4709]

I read one of the articles that said a man mowing saw him down the road from his parents, opposite end of road. It was 45 minutes before he came back by this man. I don't know if there is water there or not, but i'll bet that baby is there somewhere.

I just don't understand how there can be so many of these crazies that hurt there own babies. I read page after page of the crime spotlight on children, I cried so many times. I didn't know this was as common as it is since so few are made into national news stories. It just breaks my heart and makes me lose faith in the human race.

Another thing that really bothers me about this case is the mothers comment about using the donations to pay for a funeral if the baby is found dead. What mother even goes there? Most do not give up hope until a body is found.

[dulcinea]

I have not heard anything about the Wendy's sighting being false. I thought it had been confirmed actually.

The area where the neighbor saw Sean was searched heavily for at least a week and nothing was found there. You do have to wonder what he was doing for 45 minutes. Maybe he was making up his story? I do not know of any water in that specific area. It is quite wooded, though.

I am curious to hear more about Crystal (Hackert) Lake. That lake is directly on his way home from Wendy's and not far at all from his home. Why was LE interested in that lake? What sort of tip did they receive? I never heard anything further on that. There are so many other bodies of water in the Ludington area. Ludington is right on Lake Michigan, but there are countless other small lakes and rivers and swampy areas and such.

As far as Ariel's statements, sadly she has experienced a lot of tragedy in the past year. Two of her siblings committed suicide, one not long before Kate went missing. Perhaps she just expects a bad outcome based on the past. Honestly, I am a mother and I would start to expect the worst also if my baby was missing for so long. I would be holding out hope, but statistics would be against me and I am sure those thoughts would be in my mind.

[cluciano63]

I know rewards hardly ever help solve a case, but I do wish some company would step up with a larger reward for this baby girl...it is pitifully small...chances are the company would never have to pay it anyway...

[momtective]

Originally Posted by mrye4709

I read one of the articles that said a man mowing saw him down the road from his parents, opposite end of road. It was 45 minutes before he came back by this man. I don't know if there is water there or not, but i'll bet that baby is there somewhere.

I just don't understand how there can be so many of these crazies that hurt there own babies. I read page after page of the crime spotlight on children, I cried so many times. I didn't know this was as common as it is since so few are made into national news stories. It just breaks my heart and makes me lose faith in the human race.

Another thing that really bothers me about this case is the mothers comment about using the donations to pay for a funeral if the baby is found dead. What mother even goes there? Most do not give up hope until a body is found.

Do we have an address for the parents home? I'd like to see this area on a map. TIA

[BeanE]

Originally Posted by cluciano63

I know rewards hardly ever help solve a case, but I do wish some company would step up with a larger reward for this baby girl...it is pitifully small...chances are the company would never have to pay it anyway...

I wonder if there are any reward funds via the governor like they have in TN. If there are, and it works the same way, then Kate's mom could request the DA to send the request to the governor.

[justanother]

Originally Posted by PrintGal

Didn't the Wendy's citing turn out to be false?

What a horrible thing. And what a coward.

I did hear something somewhere that this had not been proved. However i don't know where! I do know that the girl making the claim that she saw him is also a friend of theirs, she has photo's of Kate on her FB page and they seemed to be more than just passing acquaintances.

I check for updates on this everyday, i just cannot understand what goes through these peoples minds. There is a child out there, dead or alive, i could not be a police officer in a case like this, i'd beat the living crap out of this guy.

[dulcinea]

http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/ne...baby-kate-case

Latest local article. Not really any new info.

[TxLady2]

Originally Posted by JeannaT

I would consider that an option except there wasn't time for him to have lined up an adopter. Just that morning he had tried to get them into CPS, went straight to her home and he took off. If this had happened over a week's time, instead of under an hour, it would seem possible.

Unless he had already been making plans and was in contact with someone, just waiting for the right moment to take off with the baby.

I don't think I will ever understand someone who could harm a child, even if it's not their own. My heart bleeds for all the precious little ones who have been killed, no matter who does it. I can't process in my mind a parent killing their own child, it's horrifying.
I fear for this baby, I hope she is found safe and sound soon.

[CHICANA]

Originally Posted by TxLady2

Unless he had already been making plans and was in contact with someone, just waiting for the right moment to take off with the baby.

I don't think I will ever understand someone who could harm a child, even if it's not their own. My heart bleeds for all the precious little ones who have been killed, no matter who does it. I can't process in my mind a parent killing their own child, it's horrifying.
I fear for this baby, I hope she is found safe and sound soon.

However, if had given the baby to someone there'd be no reason to tell the baby's mom that he didn't want to spend the rest of his life in jail.

[justanother]

Originally Posted by CHICANA

However, if had given the baby to someone there'd be no reason to tell the baby's mom that he didn't want to spend the rest of his life in jail.

Do you have a link to where it says this? I have been trying to keep up with this but seems it's going cold.

[LCoastMom]

http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/i...ons_kathe.html

Missing One Month Today

snipped (nothing new...)

One long, excruciating month has passed since Ariel Courtland has held, touched, kissed or rocked her newborn baby girl, last seen in the backseat of her estranged boyfriend's vehicle on June 29.

“I want my daughter back home safe and sound,” the 19-year-old Ludington mother said of her infant, Katherine Shelbie-Elizabeth Phillips.

“I want her home. I don't understand why it's taking so long to get her home. They have searched every place possible and still nothing.”

[LCoastMom]

Originally Posted by justanother

Do you have a link to where it says this? I have been trying to keep up with this but seems it's going cold.

During much of the two conversations they had over the weekend Phillips talked about other things, Courtland said, and often times acted as if things were "normal".

Courtland said she did see fear in Phillips and said he told her he was afraid of spending the "rest of his life in prison."

Sunday, the visit ended abruptly. Phillips stood up and said "I can't do this anymore," according to Courtland.

(snipped)

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local...refuses-family