# Why is this missing kid garnering so much attention? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 7, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310 "2010-06-07T17:52:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/41 "2010-06-14T14:50:42Z")
> [@tygre](#): > > Something is a bit hinky about this case, to me. Why didn’t the school call to see where the kid was? Every school my kids have attended calls home by 10 a.m. if the child has not been reported absent and is not in school that day. I wonder if any of the stepmom’s stops that day remember her stopping by. A lot of schools (but not all) in Portland have an automated calling service that notifies the number on record of a child’s unexcused absence. The school administration was asked about this. Their explanation was that this is a very small school where teachers and parents all know each other and that when a child is not in class, the teacher almost always knows where he/she is. It’s in a rural-ish area where, I assume, people don’t expect this sort of thing to happen. As is usual in this sort of situation (barn door and all that), the school has promised to institute better security measures so it’s less likely to happen again. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/42 "2010-06-14T17:07:55Z")
Pretty white [del]girl[/del] boy syndrome. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/43 "2010-06-14T17:22:10Z")
I wish all missing children got this kind of exposure. I grew up in Nashville, TN, and was about 12 when [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Marcia_Trimble)little girl went missing. She was delivering Girl Scout cookies a couple of doors down from her house and just disappeared. It’s every parent’s nightmare, and the reason I’ve been so vigilant about my own children’s location and safety. I’ve thought about her ever since she disappeared, and if you read her story, you’ll see her abductor was only caught recently. I hope this turns out well, but I know the odds are against that. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/44 "2010-06-14T17:30:42Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > This reminds me of a story I read on the Crime Library about these two older boys like ten years old and they took a five year old. They were leading the young boy all over the town, they were on cameras and everything. These two ten year olds wound up killing the younger five year old. That’s a rather famous case [from the UK](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_James_Bulger). The overreaction in the country was…well, let’s just say it was remarkable. So much so that it all but launched the UK’s status as “CCTV Nation.” Never mind, of course, that Bulger’s killers were caught on CCTV over almost the entire course of his kidnapping and it did nothing to save him. But I digress. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2010, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/45 "2010-06-23T06:03:59Z")
So what’s up with this kid? Any news yet? I Googled around and he’s still gone as of the 23rd. I don’t have cable so I don’t know? Is it a big thing still with the TV locals? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2010, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/46 "2010-06-23T06:10:17Z")
They’re focusing on the stepmother, whose cell phone records don’t match up with where she says she was. She is supposed to be taking a 2nd polygraph test on Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2010, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/47 "2010-06-23T06:57:26Z")
[This](http://www.kptv.com/news/23932306/detail.html) seems to be the latest news on the ordeal. I think after 19 days it’s really not likely they’ll rescue him, it’ll be a recovery. ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2010, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/48 "2010-06-23T07:45:50Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > I never mentioned the R word nor is that what I meant at all. The OP asked why the media is making a big deal about it and I just offered that people care a lot more about missing white children in heavily white areas than they do about missing brown children in any other area. Nor did I say that’s the _entire_ reason it’s a big story, but it is definitely a factor that gets it more attention than a similar story would otherwise get. I call backpeddling through bullshit. :dubious: Of COURSE you never “mentioned the R word”, but it was pretty clear that is what you “meant”. Or if it wasn’t, you did a piss-poor job of communicating your meaning. You insinuated that because Portland is a predominately white city, a missing NON-WHITE child from here (Portland) would not have been as big a story. When I challenged that and said that it wouldn’t, imo, matter what race/etnicity the missing child was, all else being equal (same sort of scenario) you called me “self-deluded”. Even when I went on to clarify that it would make a difference whether it was a local story or one from elsewhere, and some others challenged your comments, you made a sarcastic remark essentially reiterating your opinion that racism was a/the key factor in the interest being afforded this child. And I don’t recall you ever offering any OTHER “reasons” for it being a big story, only making accusations of racism. Racism goes BOTH/ALL ways…it is JUST as racist to assume all or most white people are bigots who could give a shit about some brown or black or yellow or red missing kid as it would be to assume that all/most brown or black or red or yellow people are…FILL IN THE BLANKs. I recall several missing “brown” or “black” children who went missing or who were killed recently in Houston, Texas (a still, barely, predomintely white area, and one where white racism is still very strong) and ya know what? HUGE stories, all. Because of the circumstances, the local aspect, and the fact that it was a CHILD, for Christ’s sake, and usually, even racists find it within their withered hearts to feel empathy for a child, regardless of race. I just don’t buy your cynical take on this, and ESP. not wrt Portland. ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2010, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/49 "2010-06-23T07:51:20Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > [This](http://www.kptv.com/news/23932306/detail.html) seems to be the latest news on the ordeal. I think after 19 days it’s really not likely they’ll rescue him, it’ll be a recovery. Yeah, the kid is dead. Has been for a long time now. JMHO. (I honestly hope I am wrong, but I honestly don’t think I am :() It’s still a big story because people want to know WTH happened to him and bring the culprit (if any) to justice. But the local coverage has sort of slacked off lately as far as I can tell, just because there is nothing really new to report yet and other stories keep arising. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/50 "2010-06-23T21:58:44Z")
This is worse that the t-shirts: "…[N]either [the biological mother, Desiree Young] nor stepmother Terri Moulton Horman has sat down for an interview… I’m surprised that either the police have kept the family from the media or the parents have chosen. It’s their personal choice," Walsh said. “But if I were those parents, I’d be on every media outlet I could saying ‘I need to get little Kyron back.’” Why? Because it’s a proven fact that such appeals cause the child to be returned alive? Because it’s expected from innocent family members? Because it’s inconceivable that some people don’t live to get air time? Because everyone else wants to see grieving family bleed from the heart? Apparently, a desire for privacy is evidence of criminality to some people. The second polygraph of the stepmother is curious; the first one makes sense - rule her out, but the second … Are polygraphs legally admissible, or is this just a head-game? And _why_ would a step parent murder a child who **had another family to go to**? Convincing Dad and the other parents the kid should have some time with them has got to be easier than murder. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/51 "2010-06-29T15:03:24Z")
[The latest](http://www.seattlepi.com/local/422499_missing28.html?source=rss): > [@](#): > > The father of missing Oregon boy Kyron Horman has filed for divorce from his wife, Terri Moulton Horman, and was granted a restraining order against her, a source confirmed Monday night. > > The source also said Kaine Horman has moved out of the family’s house. > […] > Searchers have been combing Sauvie Island, 10 miles northwest of downtown Portland, but police refuse to say why. > The Willamette Week newspaper, citing anonymous police sources, reported that cell phone records show Terri Horman was there June 4. > […] > Finster told The Oregonian that Horman alerted Kyron’s teacher the day before that she was taking the boy to the doctor on Friday, June 11. Finster said that when Kyron didn’t show up at the bus the afternoon of June 4, Horman talked to the teacher who said she thought that Horman had taken Kyron to the doctor that day. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/52 "2010-06-29T16:39:12Z")
Wow. Not even a month elapsed. And not only does he move out, but files for divorce. That seems to send up a huge banner about who he thinks is responsible. But that last statement, about the doctor’s appointment…so the teacher thought there had been a mix-up in the dates and that’s why she didn’t report him as absent? Because she thought the step-mom had meant the 4th when she said the 11th? ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/53 "2010-06-29T17:02:46Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > But that last statement, about the doctor’s appointment…so the teacher thought there had been a mix-up in the dates and that’s why she didn’t report him as absent? Because she thought the step-mom had meant the 4th when she said the 11th? The wording isn’t a direct quote, and both days are Fridays, so it’s possible that the stepmom didn’t mention dates and said “on Friday” meaning ‘the following Friday’ rather than ‘tomorrow’, and that the teacher assumed it meant ‘tomorrow’. It’s hard to tell from how the article is written, though. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/54 "2010-06-29T20:22:31Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > Wow. Not even a month elapsed. And not only does he move out, but files for divorce. That seems to send up a huge banner about who he thinks is responsible. A divorce _and_ a restraining order. I think we know who Suspect #1 is. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/55 "2010-06-29T22:38:51Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > A divorce _and_ a restraining order. I think we know who Suspect #1 is. Some of us have felt that way since Day One. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/56 "2010-06-29T23:36:27Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Some of us have felt that way since Day One. Well, I did, at first, before I knew about their unusual family situation. Then when I had read the whole chronology of how she became involved with the boy as an infant and only later married the dad, I began to think that she didn’t have the type of motivation one would expect to rid herself of the boy. And the picture of him didn’t look like a kid who was in any way afraid of the person taking the picture. So I hoped for the best. But then when she lied about where she was during the afternoon… ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/57 "2010-06-29T23:48:54Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > . But then when she lied about where she was during the afternoon… Would you please elaborate on this a bit? (I have only sporadically followed the case) ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/58 "2010-06-30T00:21:48Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > Would you please elaborate on this a bit? (I have only sporadically followed the case) She gave a list of errands she had run that afternoon, but her cell phone records show she made several calls from some island (I think) about ten miles away, and she just didn’t happen to mention going there…and that is where they are now searching for a body. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/59 "2010-06-30T00:30:13Z")
Thank you—That dosen’t sound good for her, for if there is really nothing to hide why be evasive or less than 100% forthright? That little boy looked so happy… So sad. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310/60 "2010-06-30T01:11:18Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > Thank you—That dosen’t sound good for her, for if there is really nothing to hide why be evasive or less than 100% forthright? > > That little boy looked so happy… > > So sad. she could be screwing around with someone, and be there totally separately from teh kid issue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-missing-kid-garnering-so-much-attention/542310.md?page=4)