CA - Hasanni Campbell, 5, Oakland, 10 Aug 2009 - #2

[Kat]

I have a lot of errands today. So I have to sign off for a while.

that Hassani is found soon. Please don't let him be another child that we have to wonder about for months and years.

[Paulette]

Originally Posted by YellowSubmarine

In watching the videos from last night, this is what I noticed:

- LR was all about "me, me, me"
- He was angry that people questioned them
- He was mad at how the media is portraying them and that they
are "pestering" them, but gladly invited them into their home
- He bragged about how great he is

Who does this remind us of?

Just seems to me, when a child goes missing, the parents will be the first poi. It's just a fact. If the parents are innocent, they should gladly cooperate and do so as quickly as possible to get the focus off them and onto what really happened. They shouldn't be angry that LE is asking them questions. Instead of blasting media for "pestering" them, they should be using that time to plead for the childs return. All the talk of how great he and JC were for taking them in made me ill. And the talk about how well Hasanni was doing was merely to pat himself on the back. I also noticed more past tense words when talking about Hasanni.

Hmmm...Let's see, there's one that comes to mind, CA. LE asked her where she worked. She told them - they called to confirm and were told no such person worked at their establishment. LE put her in the car, drove her to the establishment. She didn't have the required pass to enter the building, so the guard called her supposed boss.

Lo & behold! The real boss (not the ficticious one she made up) said he didn't know her! The detectives told the guard they'd vouch for her. They entered the building. She led them down a hall and suddenly turned to them and said she didn't work there.

This is one of my favorite bits in the CA saga. I read this in the arrest doc.

So you see, LWR ain't got nothing on CA. She's still in 1st place.

[elepher50]

Originally Posted by Columbo

Also--did I read that the house belongs to JC? Okay, this is a 3/4 million dollar plus home (or was..I'm sure the value has dropped since Nov. but it still cost $783k to buy it)--how does a clerk in a shoe store manage to qualify for a loan on this expensive house?
By Nov. of 2008, when the home was purchased (if I read the real estate ad correctly--it was posted by CHICANA in the first thread), banks were not giving out loans like they were during the crazy mortgage boom.

Columbo, I do not understand how they have 1/2 million dollar house and a late model beemer - it is beyond my comprehension. No money for child care arrangements - going to used car pick a part - what is going on???

[STEADFAST]

Here's a transcript of the news video where the reporter went to their house and talked to them. (Sorry that I've probably misspelled Hasanni's sister's name.) There's more to the video after it "leaves" their house, but it's just the reporter talking again about how many people are at the vigil and what the neighbors in Oakland think, etc.
From http://cbs5.com/video/?cid=129

ANCHOR: It has been one week since five-year-old Hasanni Campbell disappeared. His foster father says that he disappeared from the Rockridge neighborhood in Oakland. And that's where Julie Watts is right now, where a vigil is being held. Julie?

WATTS: Yeah, I'm standing here in the driveway where Hasanni was last seen in this upscale neighborhood in Oakland. A surprisingly small turnout, especially when you think back to other missing child vigils, say, Sandra Cantu, where hundreds turned out. There's about thirty out here right now, not counting the media. And I think some out here are attributing that to the way the Rosses have been portrayed by the media. In fact, I spoke with them earlier today. Spent the day with them, and they told me they weren't even planning on talking to the press tonight because of the way they've been treated. They've had reporters knocking on their door at all hours. What they did do was take us inside their home to give us an exclusive look at what life was like for them just eight days ago.

[VIDEO OF A CHILD'S PUZZLE]

CAMPBELL (crying): It's a puzzle. We don't want to put it back together because he was the last one playing with it. We wanted to leave it out so when he come home he can see it's the same way it was when he left.

WATTS: Fighting tears all morning, Hasanni's foster parents gave us a glimpse into his life before he went missing.

CAMPBELL: He would always say, "Give me a hug. I love you, Auntie. Give me a hug." He was just very affectionate. He would always hug and kiss Alia (sp.) Just a sweet little boy.

WATTS: His favorite books? Where The Wild Things Are and Goodnight, Moon. He was learning the alphabet and writing his name -- things even his teachers didn't think possible nine months ago.

ROSS: When we both went and got the children they were both . . . below standard across the board in everything. Hasanni's teachers thought he could only say one-word answers, responses.

WATTS: Hasanni and his sister Alea(sp) spent two years in foster care before the Rosses took them in. After losing his own parents at an early age, Louis says he couldn't just sit by and watch his niece and nephew grow up without a family.

ROSS: This wasn't a situation that "They're just sitting back collecting money and have this kid that they don't want." No. We fought every step of the way for him.

WATTS: The Rosses can't believe people think they're connected to his disappearance. And they point to the many positive reports from Child Protective Services that say Hasanni and Alea(sp) were thriving in their care.

ROSS: We spent the last nine and a . . . nine months plus giving those children the best environment they've ever been in, according to the Social Services.

WATTS: The Rosses have now been told that even if Hasanni is found, they won't get either child back, something they still have not come to terms with.

CAMPBELL (crying): Couldn't love them any more if I had given birth to them. We love them with all of our hearts. They were born in our hearts and that is where they'll always be, in our hearts.

[Columbo]

Originally Posted by elepher50

Columbo, I do not understand how they have 1/2 million dollar house and a late model beemer - it is beyond my comprehension. No money for child care arrangements - going to used car pick a part - what is going on???

None of it adds up.
I wonder, if he was in hot water with his computer company in Maryland, maybe he absconded with some money and hid it in an offshore account or something so he could get out of paying any debts? (I know this is wild and crazy speculation on my part). Because of his poor credit record had to put the house in JC's name, but maybe it actually was his money they used as a down payment, etc??
Really I am only guessing --I apologize if my thoughts are too far out there!

[believe09]

I guess it doesnt bother me that they are frugal with their money-at this stage this is how it appears to me. They had a disabled child and I don't know how many other people I would trust to care for him either, if the truth be told.

If we take the father at his word, Hasanni had to be swept away pretty quickly and then hidden. That is quite an opportunity someone took, but also a risk-how could they not have been seen?

[Columbo]

Originally Posted by believe09

I guess it doesnt bother me that they are frugal with their money-at this stage this is how it appears to me. They had a disabled child and I don't know how many other people I would trust to care for him either, if the truth be told.

If we take the father at his word, Hasanni had to be swept away pretty quickly and then hidden. That is quite an opportunity someone took, but also a risk-how could they not have been seen?

With all due respect, believe09: what money? It just doesn't seem as if they would have had enough to support this lifestyle (house, beemer, children--one disabled) on her salary. No matter how frugal they were. I could be wrong, of course. If this wasn't just a family arrangement to have the kids, maybe they were getting funds from gov't agencies.

[elepher50]

Originally Posted by Columbo

None of it adds up.
I wonder, if he was in hot water with his computer company in Maryland, maybe he absconded with some money and hid it in an offshore account or something so he could get out of paying any debts? (I know this is wild and crazy speculation on my part). Because of his poor credit record had to put the house in JC's name, but maybe it actually was his money they used as a down payment, etc??
Really I am only guessing --I apologize if my thoughts are too far out there!

It is very possible that money came from computer company in MD - somebody posted earlier in the other thread that there were civil suits against his company in MD - so he may have skimmed and hidden money. It would make sense that the house would be put in JMC's name then.

[panthera]

Originally Posted by nursebeeme

why was the little man reported as crying at the auto place ??! (per hln)?? What had this cute little guy so upset.. and then he is gone? How far is the auto place from the shoe store and what destinations are in between (ie, bodies of water)?

Good afternoon! This has really been bothering me too. Did he cry easily? Was he too hot in the car? What did LR usually do when he cried? And how much time was there between leaving the salvage yard and arriving at the store? (I know, I keep asking this question!!) MOO

[panthera]

Originally Posted by LaLaw2000

Okay, I went back and listened to the video again. The reporter stated that Ross said the state informed them (he and the aunt) that they would not be getting the children back even if Hasanni came home. Odd wording for the reporter, and not verbatim on my part.

JMO

If that is really the case, it seems even his story about leaving Hassani in the alley while he went down the street to the store might have been enough to convince them of neglect? Just guessing since this does seem unsual. MOO

[panthera]

Originally Posted by sarahsgsr

I live in the Bay Area about 20 minutes from Rockridge and work about 5 minutes from Rockridge. When this story first came out, I thought to myself, College Avenue is such a busy street. There is NO WAY at 4pm in the afternoon that someone didn't see something! Even if he was parked on Harwood, this area is just too busy for something like that to go unnoticed.

Last night I was watching the local 10oclock news on KTVU channel 2. They were showing the vigil and the foster parents pleading for Hassani's return. I just kept looking at the foster parents and as much as their voices were cracking and they were "sounding" like they were crying, I did not see one tear fall from their eyes.

I am not saying that this implies guilt at all and some people handle things differently, but if my six year old was missing I would probably be a big ball of tears! Just an observation that I made, and my opinion of course, but I don't think we are getting the full story from the foster parents!

Thanks so much for your insight about the neighborhood where Hasanni supposedly went missing from. I thought the same thing, just looking at the photos our wonderful people here have posted. What I especially noticed was the lack of parking space for the "perp" and the number of windows around that alley. I don't think we're getting the whole story either. MOO

[Columbo]

Originally Posted by panthera

Thanks so much for your insight about the neighborhood where Hasanni supposedly went missing from. I thought the same thing, just looking at the photos our wonderful people here have posted. What I especially noticed was the lack of parking space for the "perp" and the number of windows around that alley. I don't think we're getting the whole story either. MOO

The perp would probably have had to double park either by the alley or across the street from the alley--where the restaurant is. It's just so visible! And a double parked car at a time of day when people are starting to come home from work, etc--someone would notice it and get angry at it blocking the street. JMO.

I wish ForensicsFan would show up! He lives so near there and his input has been excellent re parking, traffic conditions,etc--everything. Besides, I want to hear his wife's impressions of the vigil...

[Paintr]

I just can't see leaving Hasanni alone behind the store in the first place.

I am sorry if I seem to be too critical of MR Ross, but I would not leave my dog in that alley, alone, waiting for me to walk around the store and manage to get the back door open to let him in.

And my dog obeys commands to 'stay' 95% of the time. My five year old never did.

Had Mr Ross left Hasanni alone before? Did Hasanni never stray from where he was told to stay? Who trusts the judgement of a five year old enough to leave them alone?

[panthera]

Originally Posted by Columbo

The perp would probably have had to double park either by the alley or across the street from the alley--where the restaurant is. It's just so visible! And a double parked car at a time of day when people are starting to come home from work, etc--someone would notice it and get angry at it blocking the street. JMO.

I wish ForensicsFan would show up! He lives so near there and his input has been excellent re parking, traffic conditions,etc--everything. Besides, I want to hear his wife's impressions of the vigil...

Yes, I can imagine the traffic at that hour of the day and also the risk somebody would take being double parked. Traffic cops are usually around waiting for any infraction!!

Another thing I've been thinking about if LR isn't involved in Hassani's disappearance would be the bio-dad and I can't recall when the last time he would've seen Hassani, or have known the routine, etc. Just a thought but I've read somewhere that there was some sort of family get together a few days before? MOO

Oh, and I'd also like to see another photo of Hassani in something other than the graduation cap & gown!

[eyes4crime]

Originally Posted by STEADFAST

Here's a transcript of the linked segment from the raw video from the vigil:


ROSS: That story has been corrected and sent to the news media. So they'll know that they're looking for. If you saw my son you would not necessarily know that he had cerebral palsy. He is not an invalid; he does not use braces to walk. They're basically to shape his feet. So what we're asking is that you . . . if you want to help -- keep our son in the news.

(Breaks down crying) Don't let him become a picture on a milk carton five years later that you never saw. If you want to help, that's what you do. All of you, that's what you do! (tries to compose self)

My son is just like any other boy.

I want to set the record straight for all those who say "Oh, they adopted them. They were trying to make a way for her newborn baby. We ask why did you all care so much?" He was a damn child -- that's why we cared! If we didn't, who would? He sat in foster care for two years. His sister was in foster care for two months. And they sat."
http://cbs5.com/video/?cid=129

I'll go back and transcribe the video taken in the home.

Ross says:
..you would not know my son has cerebral palsy
..he is not an invalid
..he does not use braces to walk
..they shape his feet

so if you want to help - keep him in the news!
He's a damn child, that's why we cared so much
my son is just like any other boy
he sat in foster care for two years - and they sat
if we didn't care who would
they say we were trying to make way for HER unborn baby

Is Ross a martyr? THERE ISN'T ONE SINGLE WORD about how this little child is loving, smart, loves hugs, laughs, favorite books, etc NOT ONE WORD about how he is missed or the house seems empty. AND the bad, bad public just won't perceive him for what he really is!!!

Seems to me that Ross has it backwards - it's him who can't perceive the child for more than a disability...the public sees a loving child. MHO

[Columbo]

Originally Posted by eyes4crime

Ross says:
..you would not know my son has cerebral palsy
..he is not an invalid
..he does not use braces to walk
..they shape his feet

so if you want to help - keep him in the news!
He's a damn child, that's why we cared so much
my son is just like any other boy
he sat in foster care for two years - and they sat
if we didn't care who would
they say we were trying to make way for HER unborn baby

Is Ross a martyr? THERE ISN'T ONE SINGLE WORD about how this little child is loving, smart, loves hugs, laughs, favorite books, etc NOT ONE WORD about how he is missed or the house seems empty. AND the bad, bad public just won't perceive him for what he really is!!!

Seems to me that Ross has it backwards - it's him who can't perceive the child for more than a disability...the public sees a loving child. MHO

bolded by me

I don't like the way LR says "he's a damn child". If your child were missing would you call him a damn child? It would hurt to say that.

JC is just the opposite, she talks about Hasanni wanting hugs, and being an affectionate child.

[YellowSubmarine]

Originally Posted by LaLaw2000

Would have had to be another source of income. I am very nosey - I want to know!

Maybe this "other" source of income is the reason DCF has stated the kids would not be allowed back in their home and we just haven't heard what it is yet . . . .

[Kat]

I can't wrap my mind around a complete stranger abduction much less an abduction.

Stranger abduction:
Unplanned:
1. The alleged perp was driving by and saw Hassani standing alone next to a car with the trunk that was open (indicating that an adult was more than likely nearby, and the trunk being open would not allow the perp to see into the car~ how would the perp know in that short of time that the adult wasn't leaned over in the front seat?).

The alleged perp would have had to park the car (as outlined by Columbo above) and then exit the car, access the situation for an adult. Grab the child, making sure that the child did not make any noise( or maybe the child did and no one heard) stuff the unwilling child into the car, and make haste out of the area.

What if the perp parked the car down the street? Then walked up to the alleyway area, and loitered waiting for the drop off at the back door? Same situation as above. Hard to imagine the logistics. That's a lot of work for an abduction, much easier to just snatch a child from a playground or walking around a neighborhood...etc.

What if the perp weren't driving? How did the perp manage to walk up to the alley way and loiter in such a way that Foster Dad did not notice, no one noticed...and remain out of sight until the Foster father had rounded the last corner...snatch Hassani~ make off with him on foot carrying him~ with not one person seeing a perp walking down the street carrying a child that probably wouldn't be too happy at being taken away. Even if Hassani didn't make a peep, where would he have walked to?

IMHO the only thing that inhibits a person that kidnaps or commits just about any crime against another person is the fear of being caught or hurt while they are commiting the crime. They will do the crime but they will always try to minimize the dangers of being caught or any danger to themselves. That is if they aren't completely delusional and psychotic.

A planned abduction. The Foster Father said they had done this for eight or nine months. Yet, the owner of the store was surprised to hear that the children were at the store. The people who lived in the apts with windows facing the alley way said they never saw once...the drop off/exchange.

Was the FF running late? Why would it take him five minutes to walk around a building that took a reporter 40 seconds to walk? Okay - Okay so he was carrying a baby...but still.
Why not call the store and say I'm here come get the kids, why not ring the buzzer (if there was one) at the delivery door to say I'm here come get the kids.

If it was a planned exchange that had gone on for the past eight or nine months, wouldn/t FM/Aunt be expecting them and make her way back to the door anyway?

She could excuse herself from a customer, she could ask another worker to (if one was there that day) to take a customer so she could go into the back and wait for a few minutes for the exchange.

Nope I'm not buying it. FF goes to a junk yard to look for a car part but yet does not exit the vehicle to have a look? (that was reported in an article).

Listen if I"m wrong and Hassani was really abducted and FF had nothing to do with this then I'll apologize on this thread. But good lord...something stinks about the whole thing IMHO.

[STEADFAST]

Originally Posted by eyes4crime

Ross says:
..you would not know my son has cerebral palsy
..he is not an invalid
..he does not use braces to walk
..they shape his feet

so if you want to help - keep him in the news!
He's a damn child, that's why we cared so much
my son is just like any other boy
he sat in foster care for two years - and they sat
if we didn't care who would
they say we were trying to make way for HER unborn baby

Is Ross a martyr? THERE ISN'T ONE SINGLE WORD about how this little child is loving, smart, loves hugs, laughs, favorite books, etc NOT ONE WORD about how he is missed or the house seems empty. AND the bad, bad public just won't perceive him for what he really is!!!

Seems to me that Ross has it backwards - it's him who can't perceive the child for more than a disability...the public sees a loving child. MHO

I suspect Ross is responsible for Hasanni's disappearance. But I just don't read his words the way many others do. Saying, "He's a damn child," in the context seems to be the same as saying, "He's a child, dammit."

I don't see his angry pleading to the public to keep Hasanni in the news as proof of some anger problem. I see it as BS. After all, he can't be truly angry that not enough people are looking for Hasanni if he knows good and well where Hasanni is and would be better off if Hasanni is not found.

As for the video in the home and Ross never saying anything good about Hassani, we don't know everything that was said there. The video was heavily edited and there's no telling what either step-parent said that was not aired. The quotations included in the video were there to illustrate the points the reporter was trying to make.

I just don't think the videos we've seen give much of an insight into the dynamics in the home -- especially since I suspect Ross is faking a lot.

[panthera]

Originally Posted by eyes4crime

Ross says:
..you would not know my son has cerebral palsy
..he is not an invalid
..he does not use braces to walk
..they shape his feet

so if you want to help - keep him in the news!
He's a damn child, that's why we cared so much
my son is just like any other boy
he sat in foster care for two years - and they sat
if we didn't care who would
they say we were trying to make way for HER unborn baby

Is Ross a martyr? THERE ISN'T ONE SINGLE WORD about how this little child is loving, smart, loves hugs, laughs, favorite books, etc NOT ONE WORD about how he is missed or the house seems empty. AND the bad, bad public just won't perceive him for what he really is!!!

Seems to me that Ross has it backwards - it's him who can't perceive the child for more than a disability...the public sees a loving child. MHO

I don't care for his adjective ("damn child") either especially since Hassani "went missing" while on his watch. I also noticed he seems to be downplaying the little boy's disability, almost as if to hint that he could've wandered off or run away on his own after he left Hassani alone in the alley. MOO

[amysmom]

Originally Posted by eyes4crime

Ross' criminal record and civil law suits show he is unreliable and negligent regarding his finances and pet care. He owes money from his civil suits and for the life of me I can't figure out how this little missing child would give Ross more dollars.

snipped

Last I heard Ross had no criminal record/legal problems & couldn't even be personally traced on the web (gf either) so this really me!

[daisy7]

Can someone give me the link to the video of Ross from the vigil? I followed a link posted earlier, but it was for the video at their house.

[Columbo]

Originally Posted by daisy7

Can someone give me the link to the video of Ross from the vigil? I followed a link posted earlier, but it was for the video at their house.

daisy7, I think this is it: http://cbs5.com/video/?cid=129

[Velouria]

Originally Posted by Columbo

If I were in a similar situation, I'd be angry and frustrated if people didn't believe me, but I certainly wouldn't demand that people help (or whatever he was demanding in that video--it wasn't clear). Seems like it's time for him to just ignore what people think and concentrate on finding the boy.

It did smack a bit of "Get off your azz and find my granddaughter", unfortunately.

It sounds as if his "fight" for Hasanni to learn to write, etc, is partially an attempt to prove something about himself--like, "MY son CAN write, dam*it" --as if Hasanni is an extension of him (Ross) or something. But the attitude comes across so bullying and absolute. I could be wrong...

Hope I don't sound like I am playing devil's advocate, but lots of people do stupid things like leaving their kids alone for a couple of minutes and they are just lucky that the children don't get abducted or something terrible happens. IF Ross is innocent, it must be totally discouraging and depressing to find out you won't get your children back, anyhow.

Agree with you 100%, Columbo.

[Columbo]

Originally Posted by STEADFAST

I suspect Ross is responsible for Hasanni's disappearance. But I just don't read his words the way many others do. Saying, "He's a damn child," in the context seems to be the same as saying, "He's a child, dammit."

I don't see his angry pleading to the public to keep Hasanni in the news as proof of some anger problem. I see it as BS. After all, he can't be truly angry that not enough people are looking for Hasanni if he knows good and well where Hasanni is and would be better off if Hasanni is not found.

As for the video in the home and Ross never saying anything good about Hassani, we don't know everything that was said there. The video was heavily edited and there's no telling what either step-parent said that was not aired. The quotations included in the video were there to illustrate the points the reporter was trying to make.

I just don't think the videos we've seen give much of an insight into the dynamics in the home -- especially since I suspect Ross is faking a lot.

Hi STEADFAST; Possibly I was reacting to the words "damn child" and not to the feeling behind it. It still seems like a hurtful thing to say.

Wow--it didn't occur to me that the "anger" could be a put-on; his frustration seems so real. You may be right.