Upon the establishment of the Nation's Missing Children Organization, Inc. (NMCO) in 1994, it was quickly determined that missing adults and their families were a segment of the victim population that lacked adequate, vital resources. To address this issue, NMCO expanded its charter in 1995 to become one of the few organizations to accept cases of missing persons over the age of eighteen. Under the revised charter, NMCO then began accepting these cases - focusing primarily on those determined by law enforcement to be at risk due to diminished mental capacity, physical disability, and suspicion of foul play or suspicious circumstances. However, critical resources were still needed in order to provide the adequate support for families and law enforcement.
In 1996 NMCO founder Kym Pasqualini set to work, with the help of families nationwide, to advocate for the establishment of a centralized national clearinghouse for missing adults. The goal was to obtain the support of Congress and introduce legislation which would establish formal support and resources to help serve this ever-growing segment of the population.
In an effort to educate others and to encourage needed action, Robert and Deborah Modafferi shared the painful story of their daughter’s disappearance - which resulted in North Carolina Congresswoman, Sue Myrick, introducing "Kristen’s Act" to the U.S. House of Representatives. For the first time, legislation was proposed to establish a national clearinghouse and resources to assist with missing adults. The act was named after the Modafferi's daughter, Kristen, who mysteriously vanished in June 1997 - only two weeks after her eighteenth birthday.
In October of 2000, Kristen’s Act was passed unanimously by the 106th United States Congress, and later signed into law by then President William Jefferson Clinton. As a result - The National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA) was created. Today, under the auspices of NMCO and the U.S. Department of Justice, NCMA continues to serve as the national clearinghouse for missing adults in the United States.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
"Patricia's Law"
Everyone,
Click the link below for on-line coverage in the Bergen Record of the 10/19/06 Press Conference for "Patricia's Law" .
Thank you Michael Feeney and the Bergen Record and to Kelly Jolkowski of ProjectJason.org for her contributions.
http://www.northjersey.com/print.php?qstr=ZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwMDk5MjcmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkz
Other links:
Press Conference Video
Press Conference Audio
Offical text of "Patricia's Law
http://patriciaviolamissing.homestead.com/#anchor_203
Click the link below for on-line coverage in the Bergen Record of the 10/19/06 Press Conference for "Patricia's Law" .
Thank you Michael Feeney and the Bergen Record and to Kelly Jolkowski of ProjectJason.org for her contributions.
http://www.northjersey.com/print.php?qstr=ZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwMDk5MjcmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkz
Other links:
Press Conference Video
Press Conference Audio
Offical text of "Patricia's Law
http://patriciaviolamissing.homestead.com/#anchor_203
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING ADULTS TO CLOSE DOORS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kym Pasqualini (602) 749-2000 #102 or Erin Bruno (602) 749-2000 #110
National Center for Missing Adults 2432 W. Peoria Ave. Suite 1286 Phoenix, AZ 85029
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING ADULTS TO CLOSE DOORS
October 23, 2006 – Federal budget cuts have severely depleted the resources to the National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA) and this agency is being forced to close the doors of their office in Phoenix, AZ and relocate if this nationally-respected agency is to remain open. The agency is pleading to Congressional Representatives, the public and the national business community to help with contributions, moving assistance, and new office space so NCMA can remain in operation!
When the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance called on the National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA), the first clearinghouse for missing adults in the country, to provide case management and support services to thousands of families of missing adults left in Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath, no one expected the future of the agency was at stake. While the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) filtered calls for those under the age of 18 missing in the hurricane catastrophe, their own funding does not allow for assistance to be provided to those over 18.
Established as a national clearinghouse for missing adults since 2002 and working in partnership with governmental agencies, the Phoenix-based missing person agency handled over 13,500 missing adult reports closing 99.9% of the cases in the months following the hurricane. The Hurricane Katrina efforts cost the agency over $200,000 of their own funding, and with only $50,000 reimbursement from the federal government, has depleted the agency’s own reserve. With bills stacking up, a 70% reduction in staff, and no money left to pay the lease the agency must immediately vacate the nearly 8,000 square feet of offices they have been renting since 1998.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) receives over $35 million dollars per year to assist with missing children cases. However, during the last fours years, NCMA’s federal income was cut to $148,000 for 2006 operating costs. With a reduction in staff and now a move to a smaller facility, providing services to thousands of families nationwide is threatened to being taken away. Without NCMA in operation, this means that families of missing adults and law enforcement agencies no longer have a helpful resource to rely on for assistance.
During 2005, NCMA handled 23,421 missing person reports and provided assistance to over 24,741 family members of missing persons. Approximately 2,000 law enforcement agencies received assistance. “Currently Kristen’s Act Reauthorization of 2005, H.R. 2103, is pending in Congress and would appropriate up to $4 million per year to the agency but with continued delays in Congress we are just financially unable to continue operating out of our North Phoenix offices,” said Erin Bruno, Director of Case Management. “Our founder of the agency has sold her own personal property and declined pay since April 2006 to try to keep this agency running so families throughout the country had a place to go for help.”
The public may contact the agency by calling (602) 749-2000 or (800) 690-3463 or by visiting www.missingadults.org.
NMCO is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization working with local, state and federal law enforcement, medical examiners and coroners. NCMA, a division of NMCO is the only national missing adult clearinghouse funded by the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance to provide advocacy and support services to families of missing adults and directly involved in the President’s DNA Initiative, “Advancing Justice through DNA Technology.”
Contact: Kym Pasqualini (602) 749-2000 #102 or Erin Bruno (602) 749-2000 #110
National Center for Missing Adults 2432 W. Peoria Ave. Suite 1286 Phoenix, AZ 85029
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING ADULTS TO CLOSE DOORS
October 23, 2006 – Federal budget cuts have severely depleted the resources to the National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA) and this agency is being forced to close the doors of their office in Phoenix, AZ and relocate if this nationally-respected agency is to remain open. The agency is pleading to Congressional Representatives, the public and the national business community to help with contributions, moving assistance, and new office space so NCMA can remain in operation!
When the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance called on the National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA), the first clearinghouse for missing adults in the country, to provide case management and support services to thousands of families of missing adults left in Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath, no one expected the future of the agency was at stake. While the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) filtered calls for those under the age of 18 missing in the hurricane catastrophe, their own funding does not allow for assistance to be provided to those over 18.
Established as a national clearinghouse for missing adults since 2002 and working in partnership with governmental agencies, the Phoenix-based missing person agency handled over 13,500 missing adult reports closing 99.9% of the cases in the months following the hurricane. The Hurricane Katrina efforts cost the agency over $200,000 of their own funding, and with only $50,000 reimbursement from the federal government, has depleted the agency’s own reserve. With bills stacking up, a 70% reduction in staff, and no money left to pay the lease the agency must immediately vacate the nearly 8,000 square feet of offices they have been renting since 1998.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) receives over $35 million dollars per year to assist with missing children cases. However, during the last fours years, NCMA’s federal income was cut to $148,000 for 2006 operating costs. With a reduction in staff and now a move to a smaller facility, providing services to thousands of families nationwide is threatened to being taken away. Without NCMA in operation, this means that families of missing adults and law enforcement agencies no longer have a helpful resource to rely on for assistance.
During 2005, NCMA handled 23,421 missing person reports and provided assistance to over 24,741 family members of missing persons. Approximately 2,000 law enforcement agencies received assistance. “Currently Kristen’s Act Reauthorization of 2005, H.R. 2103, is pending in Congress and would appropriate up to $4 million per year to the agency but with continued delays in Congress we are just financially unable to continue operating out of our North Phoenix offices,” said Erin Bruno, Director of Case Management. “Our founder of the agency has sold her own personal property and declined pay since April 2006 to try to keep this agency running so families throughout the country had a place to go for help.”
The public may contact the agency by calling (602) 749-2000 or (800) 690-3463 or by visiting www.missingadults.org.
NMCO is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization working with local, state and federal law enforcement, medical examiners and coroners. NCMA, a division of NMCO is the only national missing adult clearinghouse funded by the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance to provide advocacy and support services to families of missing adults and directly involved in the President’s DNA Initiative, “Advancing Justice through DNA Technology.”
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Julie Michelle Bullard
The family of Julie Michelle Bullard would like to thank everyone for their support over the last 9 and a half months, and I will get to that, but first I have some things that I feel are important to share regarding the case of Julie Michelle Bullard’s abduction.
One Saturday, OCT 21st, as I stood in a parking lot with Julie Michelle Bullard’s immediate family during lunch time I received a phone call from the Lee County Sheriffs Office informing us that our daughter was dead and it had in fact been her remains that were found earlier that week by a hunter in the Cedar Creek area of Cumberland County. Even after her death - THERE WAS STILL NO DIGNITY.
On the morning of January 2nd, in my opinion, my daughters abduction during a home invasion were not being taken seriously. There were no Alerts, no Road Blocks, no Crime Scene Tape and no sense of urgency. Michelle was not only a victim of her abductor but a victim of vicious rumors, innuendoes and misguided information that took hold of the public and the investigation by law enforcement.
There were 3 other victims who were left behind were interrogated for hours and their pleas of "Aren't you going to look for Michelle" were not heard or appeared to be ignored.
Over the last few months the more persistent we became in searching for the truth, the resistance we felt became even stronger by those employed to find our daughter. We felt continually blocked from the investigation. There seemed to be no open communication between us and the many agencies involved. We had to show up on our own accord and make phone calls to plea for information that would lead us to our daughter.
In fact, Dr. Maurice Godwin, a Notational Forensic Profiler, provided out of his own goodness a grid that proved to be 100% accurate as to my daughters whereabouts, but apparently was ignored by investigators.
Even though my life has been changed forever by the unnecessary loss of a child, I'll never stop fighting for those many other families who have a loved one missing.
I do not ever want another family to go through the nightmare that we have been living. I hope that in some way Julie Michelle’s story will help save the next family the frustration we have felt, I believe so unnecessarily.
We hope that we can create a fund or foundation in our daughter’s name so that Julie Michelle’s memory will live on forever.
http://www.drmauricegodwin.com/Michelle%20Bullard%20Geo%20Profiling.htm
http://www.truckingboards.com/trucking/upload/located-adults-children/334-found-deceased-julie-michelle-bullard-nc-1-1-06-a.html
One Saturday, OCT 21st, as I stood in a parking lot with Julie Michelle Bullard’s immediate family during lunch time I received a phone call from the Lee County Sheriffs Office informing us that our daughter was dead and it had in fact been her remains that were found earlier that week by a hunter in the Cedar Creek area of Cumberland County. Even after her death - THERE WAS STILL NO DIGNITY.
On the morning of January 2nd, in my opinion, my daughters abduction during a home invasion were not being taken seriously. There were no Alerts, no Road Blocks, no Crime Scene Tape and no sense of urgency. Michelle was not only a victim of her abductor but a victim of vicious rumors, innuendoes and misguided information that took hold of the public and the investigation by law enforcement.
There were 3 other victims who were left behind were interrogated for hours and their pleas of "Aren't you going to look for Michelle" were not heard or appeared to be ignored.
Over the last few months the more persistent we became in searching for the truth, the resistance we felt became even stronger by those employed to find our daughter. We felt continually blocked from the investigation. There seemed to be no open communication between us and the many agencies involved. We had to show up on our own accord and make phone calls to plea for information that would lead us to our daughter.
In fact, Dr. Maurice Godwin, a Notational Forensic Profiler, provided out of his own goodness a grid that proved to be 100% accurate as to my daughters whereabouts, but apparently was ignored by investigators.
Even though my life has been changed forever by the unnecessary loss of a child, I'll never stop fighting for those many other families who have a loved one missing.
I do not ever want another family to go through the nightmare that we have been living. I hope that in some way Julie Michelle’s story will help save the next family the frustration we have felt, I believe so unnecessarily.
We hope that we can create a fund or foundation in our daughter’s name so that Julie Michelle’s memory will live on forever.
http://www.drmauricegodwin.com/Michelle%20Bullard%20Geo%20Profiling.htm
http://www.truckingboards.com/trucking/upload/located-adults-children/334-found-deceased-julie-michelle-bullard-nc-1-1-06-a.html
Child Still Missing
Missing girl's parents say she behaved oddly before disappearance
CHISHOLM — The parents of Leanna Warner say their daughter was behaving strangely in the weeks leading up to her disappearance in 2003.
Leanna Warner's parents, Chris and Kaelin Warner, told the syndicated TV show "Maury," hosted by Maury Povich, that their daughter appeared one day with a case filled with Barbie dolls and their clothes, but would only say she'd gotten them from "a little old lady."
Their daughter, nicknamed "Beaner," also packed a suitcase a week before she vanished, saying she wanted to go live at her "new family's house," the mother said, according to excerpts released by the show, which was scheduled to air Wednesday.
And they say that two weeks before she disappeared, they found Leanna sleeping in the closet.
"She said there were monsters outside her window,'' Chris Warner told the Duluth News Tribune. ``I actually went out and looked, because you never know if there's a footprint out there. The second time, I said: 'They won't get you.' That was a real eye-opener. Our flags kind of went up at that time."
Leanna was 5 years old when she was last seen June 14, 2003, after walking over to a friend's house to play.
Police said the information was not new to them. Investigators looked into Leanna's behavior, but it didn't lead anywhere, Chisholm Police Chief Scott Erickson said.
Erickson said the parents had mentioned the Barbie dolls and suitcase, but there was nothing to indicate that an adult had used the toys to befriend or lure the child.
The Barbie dolls were considered such a minor lead that St. Louis County Sheriff Ross Litman said he doesn't even remember it. "It doesn't ring a bell with me," he said. "I don't think that's a lead of significant importance, because if it was, I would've heard about it."
Still, Erickson said, featuring the case on national TV probably can't hurt.
"Hopefully, she's alive and well somewhere. That's the best-case scenario. We've seen it before," Erickson said. "Keeping it alive in the public is important. It could inspire somebody to give us a call and turn this thing around."
On the Net: http://www.findbeaner.org
Monday, October 23, 2006
two high profile Georgia disappearances.
This weekend marks a painful one year anniversary for two high profile Georgia disappearances.
On October 21, 2005, Leslie Adams vanished without a trace from her apartment complex in Lilburn, GA. In the days leading up to her disappearance she had filed a protection order against her boyfriend. To date, the boyfriend (Billy Cook) has not been charged in connection with her disappearance and claims to know nothing about her whereabouts.
One day later, October 22, 2005, former beauty queen and high school teacher, Tara Grinstead disappeared after arriving home from a night out with friends. She was last seen in Ocilla, GA. Massive searches have turned up no clue of her whereabouts.
Although the cases are not connected, the families are devastated. This weekend special events for both missing ladies have been planned.
If you are nearby this weekend, come out and join us for one or both of these events. They are still missing but NOT forgotten. (Event Info. Posted on the Websites)
Related Websites:
Tara Grinstead - www.MissingTara.Com
Leslie Adams - www.Geocities.Com/FindLeslieAdams
On October 21, 2005, Leslie Adams vanished without a trace from her apartment complex in Lilburn, GA. In the days leading up to her disappearance she had filed a protection order against her boyfriend. To date, the boyfriend (Billy Cook) has not been charged in connection with her disappearance and claims to know nothing about her whereabouts.
One day later, October 22, 2005, former beauty queen and high school teacher, Tara Grinstead disappeared after arriving home from a night out with friends. She was last seen in Ocilla, GA. Massive searches have turned up no clue of her whereabouts.
Although the cases are not connected, the families are devastated. This weekend special events for both missing ladies have been planned.
If you are nearby this weekend, come out and join us for one or both of these events. They are still missing but NOT forgotten. (Event Info. Posted on the Websites)
Related Websites:
Tara Grinstead - www.MissingTara.Com
Leslie Adams - www.Geocities.Com/FindLeslieAdams
News Conference
Mother to Hold Press Conference Today 10/23/06
Julie Michelle Bullard’s Mother will Speak Publicly concerning her Daughters Recent Recovery
Wilmington, NC – The mother of Julie Michelle Bullard, Karen Riojas, will hold her own press conference today concerning her daughter’s disappearance and recent recovery; in addition, Karen will be available to media outlets for personal interviews. I would like to be available for the media as they have been kind to our family in the broadcasting of my daughter’s abduction, “said, Karen Riojas”.
CUE Center for Missing Person became involved in the case after being contacted by the missing woman’s mother to advocate for her case. In the last nine months they have traveled to Florida campaigning for Julie, Karen has spoke out on national shows, distributing posters at the recent fair for a week and CUE Center had coordinated a bill board which was schedule to be unveiled next week, which has now been cancelled.
It has been a rough road for Karen joining a club of the missing in which she did not want to join, but today families from across the nation now grieve with her, “said Monica Caison, CUE’s Founder”. The press conference will be today at 4:00 pm on the lawn of Karen Riogas home located 901 Bragg Street in Sanford, North Carolina.
Julie Michelle Bullard was abducted at gunpoint in the morning hours of January 1, 2006 which by official time would have been January 2, 2006. A masked gunman stormed into her friend’s home and tied up the occupants with duck tape, leaving with Julie Bullard. Last Wednesday, October 18th a hunter stumbled upon human remains; Saturday afternoon the remains were identified as Julie Bullard.
Funeral arrangements are being made and will be announced as soon as Julie’s remains are released to her family. Fore more information or photos please visit, www.ncmissingpersons.org or click on “ALERT MISSING”.
Anyone with information on any missing person please call the CUE Center for Missing Persons (910) 343-1131 or the 24 hour tip line (910) 232-1687 or visit CUE Center’s website at: www.ncmissingpersons.org Email: cuecenter@aol.com
Julie Michelle Bullard’s Mother will Speak Publicly concerning her Daughters Recent Recovery
Wilmington, NC – The mother of Julie Michelle Bullard, Karen Riojas, will hold her own press conference today concerning her daughter’s disappearance and recent recovery; in addition, Karen will be available to media outlets for personal interviews. I would like to be available for the media as they have been kind to our family in the broadcasting of my daughter’s abduction, “said, Karen Riojas”.
CUE Center for Missing Person became involved in the case after being contacted by the missing woman’s mother to advocate for her case. In the last nine months they have traveled to Florida campaigning for Julie, Karen has spoke out on national shows, distributing posters at the recent fair for a week and CUE Center had coordinated a bill board which was schedule to be unveiled next week, which has now been cancelled.
It has been a rough road for Karen joining a club of the missing in which she did not want to join, but today families from across the nation now grieve with her, “said Monica Caison, CUE’s Founder”. The press conference will be today at 4:00 pm on the lawn of Karen Riogas home located 901 Bragg Street in Sanford, North Carolina.
Julie Michelle Bullard was abducted at gunpoint in the morning hours of January 1, 2006 which by official time would have been January 2, 2006. A masked gunman stormed into her friend’s home and tied up the occupants with duck tape, leaving with Julie Bullard. Last Wednesday, October 18th a hunter stumbled upon human remains; Saturday afternoon the remains were identified as Julie Bullard.
Funeral arrangements are being made and will be announced as soon as Julie’s remains are released to her family. Fore more information or photos please visit, www.ncmissingpersons.org or click on “ALERT MISSING”.
Anyone with information on any missing person please call the CUE Center for Missing Persons (910) 343-1131 or the 24 hour tip line (910) 232-1687 or visit CUE Center’s website at: www.ncmissingpersons.org Email: cuecenter@aol.com
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A Cry for Help
