Okay, I read the article. I strongly agree with the author (and Dr. Phil said the same thing) that bitter feelings and finger-pointing between exes have no place in the search for a missing child. IMO all it accomplishes is both sides losing their credibility in the race to make each other look bad.
As for the bio mom's claim of "conflict of interest," if she has directly accused LE of a conspiracy between the sheriff and SM I haven't found it. I did read the complaint letter she wrote, linked from:
Update: Mom of missing teen Karlie Gusé files formal complaint against sheriff, claims she ignored valid tips & mismanaged case [Exclusive]
There's nothing in it about classmates that the ACJ author mentioned. Of course she may have said more elsewhere in msm that I missed.
The recording (recordings?) were never released to the public so I can only take Dr. Phil's word that Karlie never asked SM or Zac outright to call 911. However, I also haven't found any statements from the FBI and/or the Mono County Sheriff's office saying Karlie never asked. I may have missed it so if anyone has a link please post it. TIA!
I do agree that it's unlikely that the sheriff never spoke to the witnesses as the bio mom claims. Considering the extent of the search in the first few days I doubt LE would simply take SM's word for it without checking.
*
I'll let y'all read the rest for yourselves as my post is getting way too long. I'll end with this:
IMO the author is wasting a lot of energy defending his prior comments and occasionally falls into the same trap that the bio mom, bio dad and step mom have, which is to be overly concerned with how they appear to others. I think much of what he says is based on facts but without a source I don't know how accurate some of the more acrid comments are. JMO.
But the author has nothing to gain or lose while Karlie's parents do:
It seems that they all are primarily invested in private feuds that should have been resolved years ago. The endless snipes and accusations make them all look like liars and fools - do none of them have the insight to see how they are presenting themselves? Karlie has taken a back seat to their selfish goal of "getting" each other.
How about just telling the truth and working together to keep Karlie's story front and center? Park the egos at the door guys, we don't care about your power struggles, we want Karlie brought home safe and sound! MOO.
* The sheriff's office hasn't explicitely stated all the witnesses are credible but they have talked about being "confident" that Karlie walked away based on the sightings. Her missing flyer from the Sheriff's office does say she was seen walking.
Mono Sheriff tip line ringing after Karlie Guse's disappearance featured on Dr. Phil Show
Search continues for California teen Karlie Gusé