WA - Lindsey Baum, 10, McCleary, 26 June 2009 - #17

ChuckMaureen said:

It's Christmas morning.

Sadness

.... is a word used to describe an emotion, a feeling. There are many events that occur during our lives that might cause that feeling and we use that word to describe an effect of those events. Most times, the word and its meaning is adequate, sufficient. It tells enough of the story.

But regarding the event of Lindsey Baum's disappearance and the effect it has had on her family and friends that word is completely inadequate, an understatement. In fact, it misses the mark entirely.

I've never been to Washington state. In fact, I live more than 2,000 miles away from McCleary.

But this thing we call the 'Internet' has transported me to McCleary. I've studied maps. I know the road names, where they intersect, and where they do not. I've studied photos. I've read descriptions from locals. I've watched news videos. Because of this experience, I am 'in' McCleary.

I could walk directly to the video store from anywhere in McCleary, and rent a movie. Then, I could stop by the Subway to order a sandwhich, to eat later while we watch the movie. I could walk to Gordon's and pick up some daily needs groceries. After exiting Gordon's I could turn my head to the right to look at Simpson's building, and note how non-descript it appears except for the odd mechanicals extending above the roof line.

I could walk past the pizza shop, no need to stop in since I bought Subway. From there I could walk past the police station. The only indication is a POLICE sign hanging above the entrance area. Sometimes a patrol car is parked in the lot adjoing the building.

After walking past the patrol car and past the park and I could stop by the Shell station convenience store and buy candy, for a snack after eating the Subway and watching the rest of the movie.

I could walk past storage garages on 3rd and cross the road to the park n ride lot. I could walk around the small 'bus station' building and note that it appears as fairly new, clean. I could cross 3rd St again and walk to Mommsen. I could continue northeast on Mommsen, to the Baum house.

Here I am, a complete stranger to the small world that is McCleary. Where children frequented the streets. They rode their bicycles, played in the park. They talked about themselves and about each other. They talked about what they were going to do during the summer. When evening set in they would go back to their homes, and experience family. Many would inwardly be impatient for the next day to arrive, when they could once again visit with friends and simply ... do what kids do.

That was McCleary. A McCleary I've never visited and in fact never knew existed. But it is real.

Now, for many children and parents, that McCleary is on hold.

'Normal' life in McCleary is suspended from that previous, happy, life-as-usual existence. One mysterious event involving one precious child has moved all of McCleary from that previous existence to a cold, hard reality of sadness.

Do you now understand what I mean? That word is inadequate. An understatement. It does not tell the whole story.

To the Baum family and to their close friends, I might say to you to not give up hope, to continue in Life and enjoy your loved ones. Support each other. Lindsey will feel that love, no matter where she might be.

Let us not forget those who are missing, and hope for the days for when they will come home. Tommorow is never guaranteed to anyone. Today is what we have and where we are. Make the best of each 'today', and you will never regret yesterday.

Happy Holidays to all.

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scandi said:

What would we ever do without you Chuck. Krams, which is Big Hugs in Swedish.

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kageykaren said:

Scandi, What would we ever do without you? Glad to see your back! Lots of heavy hearts this season. You were missed :hug:

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jvk said:

I thought i'd add some follow up on the HO report. Enough time has passed that i'm comfortable mentioning it.

Whether or not his dogs were following a legitimate or correct scent i'm not sure.

I'd visited the location of the marked scent/s several times. He'd left physical tags at locations throughout Mommsen. (most for location marking non-scent purposes) (LE also left some, but not in that exact area) - I believe we (two of us) found all of his tags. (about 11 or 12)

Only one or two, near each other were marked as d/s. Within 30-40 yards of his d/s tags there were shell casings, some pretty recent, some not, 22 & 9mm iirc & a recent red bandanna off to the side. I'm sure this had been reported to LE at least two times. I was surprised it was all still there the 2nd time.

So when i'd visited the area a 3rd time it was to my surprise to see that logging equipment was trampling all over everything. His tags were broken up or missing, at least some of the casings had been ran over/dispersed & i'm not sure if i found the bandanna.

Based on this, there's no question that LE felt the area played no roll. There's been question of the legitimacy of HO's dogs & 'death scents' in general. Speaking with one person who's 'handled dogs they were not convinced. (not the 2nd handler)

Not long after starting to become logged we'd sent another (volunteer) dog/handler to the area. They hit on what turned out to be animal remains. Initially no one including the handler & (apparently) called-in examiner could tell what the remains were. (It can be tough)

There is one part of the report that i don't know has been mentioned online. It won't be coming from me & only LE knows the outcome/answer. One might assume it meant nothing given how the scene of the tags were dealt with.

-

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scandi said:

What would we ever do without you Chuck. Krams, which is Big Hugs in Swedish.

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CorallaroC said:

Short (AP) article Published 12/24 6:55 am
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/1005774.html


"The Grays Harbor County sheriff's office says deputies started serving search warrants Friday in the McCleary area in the search for a missing 11-year-old girl.

Sgt. Steve Shumate told KXRO more warrants would be served through the weekend in an operation involving the FBI and the King County sheriff's office.

Shumate says investigators have been following leads and conducting interviews that identified areas that may contain information about the disappearance of Lindsey Baum. She disappeared the night of June 26 while walking home from a friend's house."

~~~
So if the article says starting Friday, would that have been as far back as Friday the 18th?

Hmmm


This is when I start checking the GHC Jail Register - which I keep bookmarked
:dance:

http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/sheriff/JailRegisters/TodaysBookings.asp

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