The Baby Lisa Case: Strange and Getting Stranger
Baby Lisa’s parents were about to allow the police to interview her young brothers. As they were the only ones at home with mom at the time of the disappearance, what they say could be critical. Interviewing children requires special training. Children do not process and recall information in the same framework that adults do. As well, a child’s recall of events can be heavily influenced by things they see and hear after the event. A parent can exercise tremendous influence over that child’s ability to recall facts and circumstances. The more time that passes from the event to the interview, only increases the chances of faulty recall.
After delaying what could have been critical interviews, I heard that the family would allow the interviews, but only with certain conditions. Conditions? Really? Your infant is missing and you are getting into a staring contest with the police who are trying to find her. That is not the way to get your child back. All that accomplishes is to delay any progress in the investigation and turn the eyes of suspicion back on mom.
The parents’ attorney was reportedly planning a media tour of the house. Not only should that not have been offered, the media should have declined. That would do nothing more than to create a circus atmosphere to this tragic situation. Other than voyeuristic curiosity, or the belief of amateur sleuths that they will see something the police missed, I find no value in that tour. I have also heard that the local attorney representing the parents has been dismissed by the lead attorney in New York.
If this family has nothing to hide, and truly wants to find Baby Lisa, than they better do some deep soul searching. The police can be over-aggressive at times. And yes, it is insulting to be considered a suspect. But, a missing infant trumps all those concerns. Start cooperating with the police – they are the best chance we have.
After delaying what could have been critical interviews, I heard that the family would allow the interviews, but only with certain conditions. Conditions? Really? Your infant is missing and you are getting into a staring contest with the police who are trying to find her. That is not the way to get your child back. All that accomplishes is to delay any progress in the investigation and turn the eyes of suspicion back on mom.
The parents’ attorney was reportedly planning a media tour of the house. Not only should that not have been offered, the media should have declined. That would do nothing more than to create a circus atmosphere to this tragic situation. Other than voyeuristic curiosity, or the belief of amateur sleuths that they will see something the police missed, I find no value in that tour. I have also heard that the local attorney representing the parents has been dismissed by the lead attorney in New York.
If this family has nothing to hide, and truly wants to find Baby Lisa, than they better do some deep soul searching. The police can be over-aggressive at times. And yes, it is insulting to be considered a suspect. But, a missing infant trumps all those concerns. Start cooperating with the police – they are the best chance we have.
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Bellalina
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Nov 01, 2011 07:59AM
Excellant article Michael. So true! I do not ever remember a innocent family acting like this.
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Bellalina wrote: "Excellant article Michael. So true! I do not ever remember a innocent family acting like this."Good morning Bellalina. Let's get the conversation/debate started. Thanks, Michael
In your opinion Michael, why do the parents need these lawyers if their claim of innocence is real? I think the children have probably been brainwashed by now and may not be able to help the police. What do you think? I agree this family is not acting like a family that is trying to find their child. In a missing child case the Police are your best asset.
Bellalina wrote: "In your opinion Michael, why do the parents need these lawyers if their claim of innocence is real? I think the children have probably been brainwashed by now and may not be able to help the police..."When this incident first occurred, the parents were meeting with the police without a lawyer. When they felt that they were suspects, they backed off and then a lawyer mysteriously appeared. I do not fault them for getting a lawyer if they believe that they are the focus of police investigation. However, the circus atmosphere certainly leads the viewing public to wonder what is everyone's priority. Not cooperating with the police, not allowing the siblings to be interviewed, tours of the house and press conferences has not helped in the search for Baby Lisa.
Michael,Great article. Great perspective.
It appears that the parents are not cooperating. What can be done about this? I have never heard of the parents not wanting to answer questions, refusing to talk to police, and also setting conditions on their questioning as well as the children. Isn't this obstruction of justice? I find this very arrogant and flippant on the parents part. In your experience, have you ever seen such activities from parents from a missing baby? It borderlines on absurdity. Also, do you feel that an arrest is imminent?
I totally agree with your ethical approach and statements on the media. They should have declined, and the lawyer Short really had no business giving a tour of the house. Serves no practical purpose in the search for baby Lisa. I find these attorney's a bit jumping the gun a bit to contaminate the public's view with these pressers, and house tours etc....although they have been quiet these past couple of days.One more question, what do you think about this private benefactor? Why is it such a secret in your opinion?
Irisheyes wrote: "Michael,Great article. Great perspective.
It appears that the parents are not cooperating. What can be done about this? I have never heard of the parents not wanting to answer questions, refusing..."
Good morning Irisheyes:
I find the entire scope of activities that have surrounded this incident as strange. As for this private benefactor - I believe the identity of this individual or entity will eventually be revealed and there will be some financial gain involved, given all the media exposure this case has received.
Irisheyes wrote: "Michael,Great article. Great perspective.
It appears that the parents are not cooperating. What can be done about this? I have never heard of the parents not wanting to answer questions, refusing..."
Generally, not cooperating with an investigation does not constitute an obstruction of justice. Such a charge usually requires some "overt act." I do not believe an arrest is imminent as I have not seen any recent activity that is bringing the police closer to resolution or having a case ready for prosecution.
Michael, DB apparently has had issues with alcohol in the past. It is believed that she has a DUI. A mother, self professing that she was "so intoxicated that she doesn't remember" is hardly means or grounds, or explanation for not talking to police, and a defense. I would find, at least, that Child protective services should be able to question her skills, and judgement of as a parent. Mothers who abuse drugs are subject to their children being removed from their care. Why would alcohol be any different, and as I might add to the point that mom doesn't remember? She should be held accountable in some way. I hope LE is scouring the laws to try to hold her accountable for her baby missing.
DB was very negligent that night with her responsibilities as a mother. Her negligence and those actions of, probably put the baby in danger, whether she had any thing to do with it or not. Is there another charge to get DB on? She was the last one seen with the child, and she doesn't remember? Remember from the CA case, Child protective services made their pronouncement after the verdict. Forever in CA's file that she failed to protect her daughter. We have learned many lessons from CA case, and I believe that DB was neglectful that night, and I would hope that social services would be all over that.
Not many murderers can defend themselves on "I don't remember" defense if there is evidence convicting them of the crime. They get convicted anyway. LE has got to find a way to get around this not talking and cooperating with LE. This is absurd these parents are not talking.
Also, in most missing children cases, the majority of the parents STAY in their home, some parents of missing children, absolutely refuse to move, because they so hopefully believe that someday that their child will come back to the home, come back to them. I find this an oddity that DB and JI immediately left the home. Their actions tallied up just don't add up.
In regards to the sightings: If I was going to rob a bank, for example, I wouldn't be walking in the middle of the street, slowly. I also wouldn't be walking with my ink stained hands with my bag of money on a busy intersection at 4:00 in the morning. I'd be running the backroads, and quickly, in black, in cognito, the quickest getaway route. I certainly wouldn't be carrying a baby along a busy road side for hours, and not even in distress? What baby kidnapper does that? These sightings are just to non chanlant for the public. Just walking along. Absurd! That being said, why would anyone be "walking slowly, carrying a live or dead baby in the middle of the street, in the middle of the night, and then again seen on a busy highway supposedly at 4:00am"?
Oh wait, perhaps if I wanted to be seen carrying that baby. Perhaps I wanted "eyewitnesses" to see me carrying a baby. I know Bellalina asked this question on another article, but could these sightings have been staged? If I was kidnapping a baby, I certainly wouldn't be parading around in public carrying a baby for 4 hours? Just as if I was robbing a bank. I would take the more abscure route, the backroads, the one with least detection or anyone spotting me. I personally find the sightings a bit much. Usually babies vanish without a trace,.
I have (multipart) another question:
What do you think the obstacles in the case are for LE?
Lack of cooperation with LE?
No (body) of baby Lisa
The supposed sightings?
National Media?
High Powered attorney?
Irisheyes wrote: "In regards to the sightings: If I was going to rob a bank, for example, I wouldn't be walking in the middle of the street, slowly. I also wouldn't be walking with my ink stained hands with my bag ..."Good morning Irisheyes:
I think the biggest obstacle is the lack of cooperation from the parents. With an infant, the parents have all the pertinent information. Apparently, the sightings have been checked out by the police. The police have not reported the results of the follow-up, but their silence indicates that they do not find those sightings to be relevant.
At the outset of a missing child incident, the media is critical and it is in the police and parents' best interest to engage the media. Unfortunately, as time moves on, the media becomes less critical. They do not harm the investigation, but the police have less reasons to hold press conferences. As well, the media moves on to other stories.
As for attorneys (any attorney - not just this one), their impact is mostly felt when they do not allow access to their client, as we see in this case. However, despite what you see on television, attorneys do not really have much ability to impede an investigation. An attorney's ability is tested mostly in the courtroom. Thanks, Michael
Michael one thing I thought was strange in the many things about this case is usually when a parent has a child that has beenabducted or is missing they want to stay in their home. Most of the cases I have read is they think the child for some reason may come back there or the kidnapper may contact them. This family moved out right away. It may mean nothing but I thought it was unusual.
Hi Bellalina: Yes, I have heard that as well. I think there are a few reasons the family would choose to remain home. Alternatively, sometimes, people need to remove themselves from painful reminders. These parents did come under heavy media scrutiny that did not work to their favor. Leaving may have been the right move for them. I would not draw too many conclusions from that fact alone. Thanks, Michael
Hi Michael,Last week, there was a search conducted in a wooded area I believe, and allegedly, baby clothes were found, however mom disputes that the clothes were baby Lisa's. In addition, coupled with the recent release of the pings to the media (FOX News) does this information in your opinion, bring investigators any closer to solving this case? I found the cell phone records interesting. What are are your thoughts Michael?
Irisheyes wrote: "Hi Michael,Last week, there was a search conducted in a wooded area I believe, and allegedly, baby clothes were found, however mom disputes that the clothes were baby Lisa's. In addition, coupled..."
Hello Irisheyes,
Good to hear from you. I will post a new blog in the next day or two so we can discuss these new developments.
Thanks,
Michael
Michael,Looking forward to your new article, and your expert thoughts. The pings reveal activity, and documents the "phone kidnapper" for 4 hours. Even for 4 hours, while the supposed baby sightings occur simultaneously. Pinging by the river, while sightings occur in opposite direction.
I just have to make one comment, and it is in regards to the attorney, his name somehow escapes me now at this moment, but in a local interview, he stated that LE comments on the case concerning the parents, that they not cooperating are just a "fantasy" statement.He does specifically specify that they both, Jeremy and Debra, collectively, have been interrogated for at least 30 hours. Michael, please don't tell me the KCPD is waterboarding these poor, victimized parents. (Snark and sigh).
Bigger sigh, and waiting for your new article.
Crime Scene
Ex-cop, retired FBI Agent and author.
Michael's books and Crime Scene Blog can be found at michaeltabman.com
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Michael's books and Crime Scene Blog can be found at michaeltabman.com
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