Songbird1973
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Just wondering if this poster ever responded to anyone about her tip. It seems odd to join Websleuths, make two VERY concerning posts with a possible clue, then dissappear.
This is the first I've heard of this case. Vanessa's father passed away May 1, 2019, and I read about Vanessa and her disappearance, which was mentioned in his obituary published in our Church newsletter. At the time of her disappearance, Vanessa was a member in her parents' church, the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. I am also a member of this church conference (in a different state), and from the obituary, I can see that one of my brothers is married to a second cousin of Vanessa's. But, I don't have any personal knowledge of the case, or Vanessa herself.
Vanessa Dawn Smith – The Charley Project
The above link listing the clothes Vanessa was last seen wearing lists a "black headcover." This would indicate that she was an active member at the time, which the article also states. Her parents were likely members at the time, also, but they don't appear to be now, based on the obituary and the mainstream clothing worn by Vanessa's mother in interviews over the years. As a member, Vanessa would have gone to the private grade school operated by her congregation. She had just graduated from the 8th grade.
I see that many investigators of this case emphasize that statistically, stranger abductions are rare, so they don't believe that Vanessa was taken by a stranger, either. MOO here, but I'm guessing that this is a point Vanessa's parents don't agree with. A 14 year old girl, raised in a two-parent Mennonite home, attending her church-run school, "statistically" isn't going to know very many people outside her church circle. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but Vanessa's likely opportunities for becoming acquainted with people without her parents' knowledge is pretty low. I was able to find some information on her congregation (Winton Mennonite Church) from 1999 in the book "Histories of the Congregations" by Gospel Publishers. It states there were 150 members over 50 yrs of age, and 50 members under 21. I'm guessing the congregation consisted of around 60-70 families. She would have been driven to school by her parents, or possibly carpooled with another nearby member family. There were 56 students (grades 1-8) in school, and likely 4-6 teachers, all members themselves or children of members. As a Mennonite, she wouldn't have a camera, radio or TV, or attended local fairs, bands, concerts, amusement parks, swimming pools, or sports events. She wouldn't have had a cell phone (We do use them, but not 14 year olds in 1997.) If her family had a computer, it would have been used for business purposes only (like farm/business accounting, or design, like carpenter work.) Internet access/emails were not allowed then, without approval from the ministers to show that it was absolutely needed for a business purpose only, and that an internet filter was installed, and that the computer was properly locked to prevent access by children. I can't speak for own family, but most Mennonite parents would accompany 14 yr olds when shopping.
So this is just some background on the life of a typical 14 yr old Mennonite girl in 1997. To me, normal statistics don't exactly fit this missing girl. I hope investigators take this into account, and don't entirely dismiss stranger abduction.
