Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Chat: Missing 2 Year Old from Idaho

Here is the full interview of the parents of the missing 2 year old boy.



What do you hear?

Some hints:

Always note the context of the word "son" (or "daughter") in a missing child case, or an abuse case.  What is important is our rule:

A father cannot molest his own child in Statement Analysis.  He must, therefore, undergo a "change" in his mind.  Therefore, we may hear the abusive father use the word "daughter" in a context when she is safe, but then change to "her" or "the girl" when she is in danger.

The father in this video uses the word "son" with the strong, possessive pronoun, "my son", therefore, we ask:

What is the context of the use of this term?  This is critical.

Also:  how long does the mother intend to search for her son?

Answer:  until he is found.  This limits the amount of time.

OJ said he would "never stop looking for Nicole's killer" and we do hear guilty parents say that will spend the rest of their lives searching, as if they know the child will never be found.





66 comments:

John Mc Gowan said...

Family holds vigil for missing toddler

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho -
The search continued Monday night for the missing toddler in Lemhi County, the boy's father says.

"We'll find him. One way or another we will find him. No matter what it takes," said Deorr Kunz Sr.

Family members say Deorr Kunz Jr. was last seen camping Friday afternoon at the Timber Creek Campground at Stone Reservoir when he was reported missing.

The boys parents, Jessica Mitchell and Deorr Kunz Sr. held a vigil Monday to thank volunteers, family and friends for their support. They also wanted to make it clear that the search was still on for their son following reports that the search had been suspended.

"The search is still 100 percent on. The word suspended should not have been used. It should have been 'redirected'," said Kunz. "The worst thing to happen is to drive out from a mountain and not have your child like when you drove in."

During the vigil, the family passed out flyers and candles, asking that people keep a look out for the toddler.

"Please... in a split second your whole world could be changed and turned upside down forever," Kunz Sr. said. "There's not much to be said. (Just) one small mistake as a parent, leaving him with an adult that turns his head just for a minute. They move. They go. Please cherish and love each other."

Deorr Kunz Jr. was last seen wearing a camo jac.ket, blue sweatpants and camo cowboy boots.

Lemhi County Sheriff's Incident Commander Dave Morelli said an Amber Alert was not issued for the missing toddler due to the disappearance timeline and other criteria that the case did not meet.

If you see the boy or anything unusual in the area, call the Lemhi County Sheriff's Office at (208) 756-8980

http://m.localnews8.com/news/Family-holds-vigil-for-missing-toddler/34151958


floridamomma said...

Right away, he states "I knew I was in trouble."

Sigh. No, buddy, your baby was. :(

trustmeigetit said...

When does he say "I knew I was in trouble" what time on the video

Ellie said...

Do you still need someone to transcribe the video?

Sus said...

I'd like to get this "my son" thing right...because, you know, I don't like to be wrong all the time. So the father calls Deorr "my son" as he is telling the searchers "did not find a trace of my son" in the creek. Now I'm lost. Is he saying his son must be safe because they didn't find him in water? Do you suppose the water was his greatest fear?

I also note the father uses present tense while speaking about Deorr.

Anonymous said...

OT: Article w quote from Planned Parenthood, to address the reprt that they are selling aborted baby parts. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/statement-from-planned-parenthood-on-new-undercover-video

Anonymous said...

Vomit.
Got through a few minutes of the video so far.
Instead of begging for their son to be returned, the dad goes on droning about how super awesome the search and rescue team was.
Who cares right now ?
Where is the frantic fervor a parent must feel for a missing kid ?
Horrible.

New England Water Blog said...

"(Just) one small mistake as a parent,..." sounds like a confession and minimizing his actions.

Anonymous said...

Why do they keep referring to him as son? He does have a name. Not unless they know what happened, it was awful. By calling not calling him by his name, if they were involved it distances them from the actual incident.

Oakley said...

My mind was kinda going crazy listening to it. I don't know if I am hyper sensitive because I have been reading so much analysis because I didn't hear them say alot of things that I would expect them to say and have alot of questions.
First although weary I would expect them to know the day and second their two yr old was missing. He began his account with what time he/they called 911 not with what happened. Why?
I wonder why he said HE was very very lucky she got a signal when he said they both called and both got through. But he said " I was blessed she was able to get service" He mentioned spotty service again later on.
WE searched for (pause),after 20 minutes, "in a dead panic" (something was missing there) I went a mile up the road and got service too. WE called 911
I knew I was in trouble.
WE decided to call search and rescue.
How come they weren't both in trouble?
I feel like there's some reason he said "he's pretty small for his age" "but he moves pretty good" "AND that was our concern." What was your concern??? Then "he's a little guy" That's gotta mean somethin?
The creek was the fathers concern which is water? And later they talked about the blanket. Idk?
He spent way more time talking about the rescue workers, the efforts, the equipment and linking himself to the Sheriff than he did his son. He said "he's meet so many people" Weird, it's not a convention! The focus seems off.
He talked alot about all the places they didn't find him. And said "there was not a trace of my son found". Odd. Why did he say it that way? He seemed convinced at how thoroughly they had searched. I would expect at least the mother to insist he had to be there. I mean he was right here. We aren't leaving until we find him! What if he's hurt? What if its cold? What if he's hungry? This father seemed almost insistent they searched with the finest equipment and he's not there. How can he be so sure?
About the 3rd time he linked himself with the Sherriff who was going "up" tomorrow. He said "I'll be going UP" To do what?? Didn't say. He was sensitive about the search being rumored to be over but again spent alot of time saying how few places there were he could be and they had already looked everywhere. They both seemed willing to believe he was kidnapped. Maybe that 's just coping?
I would expect more personalizing, I don't think that mama said this baby's name one time? Dad said "your whole world" not my whole world.
The Salmon...Snake...river blubber instead of search and rescue? Leakage? And it's water. Where is that river in proximity to the campsite?

Anonymous said...

From an anonymous 2004 Internet bulletin board post: "Just because we're no longer up the mountain doesn't mean that it's all over. As long as you keep it alive in your heart, then there should be nothing that can stop you."

Betty said...

1.) The dad will not shut up and yet he doesn't say much of anything useful. He rambles on ad nauseum about the rescue efforts as if that is the most important/interesting aspect of this situation. The one time he says his son's name ( in 15 freaking minutes!) he stumbles over the word and it sounds really awkward. His calling his child "son" (as in "Son, I'm going to find you.") sounds forced. He says "as a father" at least three times and I feel like he's trying to prove he's a hands on dad.

2.) The mom's face looks exactly like mine does when I'm desperately trying to hold my tongue. Secondly, on the few times she said anything she sounded really tense like an anger tense rather than fear or exhaustion. More importantly, the dad cut her off every time she tried to speak. Every. Time. It was like he wants all eyes and ears focused on him.

This man is clearly LOVING the attention. And I'm sure I'm imagining this but he comes off as someone who is super excited at getting away with something. It's as if he rambles on about the search efforts as a way to pat himself on the back for being so smart.

I would love to be wrong about this couple but for now, they are pinging my spidey sense.

trustmeigetit said...

Oakley you said " I would expect at least the mother to insist he had to be there. I mean he was right here. We aren't leaving until we find him! What if he's hurt? What if its cold? What if he's hungry? This father seemed almost insistent they searched with the finest equipment and he's not there. How can he be so sure?"

I also thought this.

An abduction while in a secluded place is so unlikely. They even said there were no other campers.

I would be more concerned about wild animals and be terrified he was hurt, I could not leave that mountain.

Oakley said...

Me either.

Oakley said...

He also used the past tense when he talked about the rescue workers. They were amazing. They were emotionally invested. Like it's over.

John Mc Gowan said...

OT:

Family Worried About Bay Shore Teen Missing Since July 2

BAY SHORE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Police are asking for the public’s help to find a 15-year-old Bay Shore girl who has been missing for a week.

Brandy Walsh was last seen at her house at 1148 Joselson Ave. on July 2.

“She said she was going to a friend’s house, that was about 3 o’clock in the afternoon. I told her be home at 7, she said she’d see me at 7,” her grandfather, Kenneth Walsh, told WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall. “Never came back, never went to the friend’s house.”

Kenneth Walsh said his granddaughter is a good kid and wants her back safe and sound.
“There’s enough pedophiles out there; she’s 15 and anybody who knows where she is and is harboring her should be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor,” he said.
“Was she hanging out with older guys or people?” WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall asked.
“No. Not that I’m aware of, cause she knows I’d have put my foot down right then and there,” Walsh said.
Brandy is described as 5-feet tall, 140 pounds, with long hair that is dyed in different colors. Her hair was bright red when she was last seen.
Her family believes she has plans to attend the Vans Warped Tour at Jones Beach on July 11.

Anyone with information about Brandy’s whereabouts are asked to call the Third Squad at 631-854-8352 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

“She said she was going to a friend’s house, that was about 3 o’clock in the afternoon. I told her be home at 7, she said she’d see me at 7,” her grandfather, Kenneth Walsh, told WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall. “Never came back, never went to the friend’s house.”

3 o’clock

Note whenever the number 3 enters a statement as it is known as the "liar's number" It should not be considered deceptive on its own, only noted in context. When someone wishes to be deceptive and chooses a number, it is often "3" unless the subject is asked how many drinks he or she had, and then the number is "two".

I told her be home at 7, she said she’d see me at 7,”

Note that her grandfather "told" her "to be home at 7!, rather than i "said" indicates firmness; It may be that they argued, or that he wants to emphasize authority.

"she said she’d see me at 7,”

Given that he tells us "she said" and not "told" him "she'd see" him "at 7". This may bolster the fact that they may have been a an argument between them, him being the dominant one. Did she walk out in defiance? What was it they argued about, if indeed they did?

“Never came back, never went to the friend’s house.”

"Never" does not me didn't or did not. Did she leave the house? He only tells us that she said she was going to a friends house and not that she left to go. Did anyone see her after he said she was going to a friends house, if indeed she did leave?

“Never came back, never went to the friend’s house.”

Here we have 2 dropped pronouns. Is the reason she “Never came back, never went to the friend’s house.” because she didn't leave in the first place?

John Mc Gowan said...

Cont..

“There’s enough pedophiles out there; she’s 15 and anybody who knows where she is and is harboring her should be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor,” he said.

“There’s enough pedophiles out there"

If this is said in the free editing stage, that is, choosing his own words and is not in response to a question or parroting language, it concerns me.

“Was she hanging out with older guys or people?” WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall asked.
“No. Not that I’m aware of, cause she knows I’d have put my foot down right then and there,” Walsh said.

Here we see he goes beyond the question which is yes or no answer, this makes it sensitive to him. We also see the authority in his language "she knows I’d have put my foot down right then and there,” Although the question maybe sensitive and he goes beyond the question asked, i would say that most guardians would put their foot down if they found out that their 15 year old grand daughter was "hanging out with older guys or people?” Having said that. She doesn't specifically put an age to "older guys or people. What does he consider "older guys or people" to be?


Given that he does not say she left the house and that she "never came back, never went to a friends house, the possibility that there was an argument that seems to be one sided on his behalf, the number 3, the word "pedophiles" entering his language seemingly unprovoked, gives me cause for concern.


http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/07/09/missing-bay-shore-teen-brandy-walsh/

John Mc Gowan said...

OT Update:

Sheriff: 13 shots fired during Dunsmuir standoff

YREKA – At least 13 shots were fired during a standoff with law enforcement Monday morning that left Matthew Graham, father of missing baby Ember Graham, dead.
In a press release this afternoon, Sheriff Jon Lopey updated information on the case.
According to Lopey, shortly after 7 a.m. the Siskiyou County and Shasta County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a carjacking that originated in Redding.

The report stated that a couple had discovered a man in their backyard who, upon discovery, held them at gunpoint and demanded the keys to their 2007 Buick Lucerne.
Lopey said the vehicle was tracked using an installed gps device, and the vehicle was determined to be headed northbound on Interstate 5 before exiting onto Dunsmuir Avenue.
Lopey said the victims identified the man who took their car as Matthew Graham, who was considered a person of interest in the disappearance of his daughter.

During a press conference held Monday, Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko explained that 6-month-old Ember Graham has been missing since July 2, and was reported missing while under Matthew Graham’s care.

After exiting the highway, Graham abandoned the vehicle in the Katherine Street area of Dunsmuir in a residential neighborhood.

Upon finding the vehicle, a K-9 led Shasta and Siskiyou deputies, as well as CHP officers, to a small garage in the area, where gunfire was immediately exchanged between those deputies and Graham, who was in the garage.

After exchanging rounds, deputies discovered Graham inside and gave him verbal orders.
Lopey said he did not hear Graham respond to the orders.
Lopey also stated that one officer was bitten by the K-9 unit present during the first round of shots.
Shortly after, another round of gunfire broke out, inflicting fatal wounds to Graham.
Lopey said an intensive investigation is now underway, and all 13 officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave.
As for the case of missing baby Ember, Lopey said he has little hope about her safe return.

“All we can do is hope and pray that the baby shows up,” said Lopey.
Bosenko also noted on Monday that he believes Graham was the only person who knew the whereabouts of Ember.

http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/article/20150714/NEWS/150719870

Apple said...

The father has a need to explain. Why?
He is 100% certain the water was cleared and his som is not in it; they had the best equipment available for things worse than this.
What is worse than your toddler missing or dead?
Concerning.

Tania Cadogan said...

Ellie if you could transcribe the video it would be a great help and we would appreciate it muchly.
It makes it easier when it comes to analysis as i know it helps me to visualize what is being said as it is being said.

Thanks in advance honey xx

jen-d said...

( I transcribed the statements that stood out for me)

Interviewer: ...Take us back, was it Friday?

Dad: "im not sure what day it is today"

(If you're toddler is missing, wouldnt you be counting the days, hours, minutes, seconds your baby isn't with you? wouldnt your concern be how long it has been since maybe he has eaten, or how he doesnt have his favorite blanket' or how long you havent been with him? wouldnt the day your toddler has gone missing stand out to you as the day you would find it difficult to forget and how many days since then you were last with him?)


Dad: "...we searched for after about 20 minutes in a dead panic not knowing where he was in such a small area & not knowing never being there, I knew I was in trouble. so we decided to call search & rescue.."

(Why would you be in trouble when you realize you cant find your toddler? wouldn't your thought be that your toddler is in trouble? he also stopped himself when he said, "..not knowing (pause) never being there.."

'Never' in Statement Analysis is sensitive. has he been "there"? in that area?
"so we decided to call search & rescue" - "decided" is unnecessary word. why not say 'we called search & rescue' - was there a discussion prior to calling search & rescue? was the need for search & rescue not immediate?)

Dad: "They were amazing, they are amazing & they still continue to be...you could not ask for a better group of people, volunteers & search & rescue & just everybody. you couldnt ask for better people. so sincere, so concerned. & they were everybody was so emotionally attached to this as you anybody would be of two-year olds."

(isnt it too early to say that search & rescue is amazing? wouldnt something be amazing if search & rescue has found your missing toddler? I then remembered, in previous posts in this blog, that pre emptively praising authorities is to express a need to be friendly with them. why establish friendship when friendship should not be your priority when your child is missing.

what stood out to me was the word SINCERE & EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED. why would he think search & rescue is sincere??? why would you describe a search & rescue operation as sincere?? such a soft word to describe 'search & rescue' when it is a hard operation that aims to save a life. saving a life isnt even sincere, its what you have to do because you are human & humane. saving a life is a knee jerk reaction. sincerity has nothing to do with it. when firemen put out a fire, are they sincere? why did sincere enter the father's language? wasnt the father being sincere? wasnt he emotionally attached to what was happening?

search & rescue is not an emotional procedure. you have to do the job with little emotion as you can so your judgment will not be clouded so you can get the job done as you should.

now he describes his baby as "two-year olds" -- he's not even a two-year old. he lumps his baby among other two year olds which he explains away as the age where it is enough to cause people & search & rescue to be concerned about. why so much distancing language in reference to his son?


Dad: "This little boy is not, he's a goer & a mover. But hes not, he does not go away from his parents.“
(now his son is a ‘little boy’ – what is his son’s name? ‘he does not go away from his parents’ – who are the boy’s parents? Arent they the parents? The dad speaks as if his son is someone else’s son, as if it wasn’t his son. So much distance! Why not say “Us” – why “his parents”?! )

jen-d said...

Interviewer asks about the blanket Mother is holding. Mother describes blanket, cup and monkey of Deor.

Dad: "All three has to be with him, he will trip over them if he has to."

(Trip? Could Deor have tripped? accidentally?)

Dad: "This isnt an exact replica of a security blanket. For everybody, this is his actual blanket. He does not go anywhere without it...Our other concern is why."

(He used `concern'. Why not use 'worry'? Isnt he `worried'? I use `concern' when I talk to customer service.

He addressed "everybody". He is conscious of "everybody" listening to him/watching him.)

Sara said...

Jen- I noticed what all you said, also.
Especially the part about the child not going away from "his parents". I thought this was really detached and weird coming from the dad.
*Dad keeps cutting mom off left and right. It's like he is afraid of what she'll say and he's trying to control the entire interview.
*i found dads description of him as "small for his age" as possibly Disparging The Victim
*dad said "hope is what keeps IT going" as opposed to keeps US/ME going. Like he's saying what he thinks he supposed to say vs how he really feels.
*Too much praise for search and rescue seeing as though they have not yet found the child . Disingenuous and attempting to ingratiate himself.
*Dad explains the delay in his calling 911. Again he sounded disingenuous.
*Facial expressions--mom looks sad and distressed, dad appears almost happy and reveling in the attention. It was weird.

John Mc Gowan said...

Excellent Jen!

One other thing

Dad: "This isnt an exact replica of a security blanket. For everybody, this is his actual blanket.

""This isnt an exact replica"

Not a "replica" but "an exact replica

This is also in the negative?

Why does he feel the need to tell us this? Did the interviewer ask if it is a replica? The sound on my LT isn't that good.

"He does not go anywhere without it...Our other concern is why."

Why what?
What is "their other concern"?
Is their concern that he hasn't got his blanket?

The lack of their sons name, and the eulogizing of LE and searchers (as readership have pointed out) are not sitting well with me.




Sus said...

I'm getting that the father is racked with guilt over his missing son and the hurting mother of his son. He shows sensitivity about the safety of the campsite for a two-year old, which is natural for a protective father. He is practically manic about how professional and caring the searchers are, and I feel that's because the water is his fear of where his son is. Now he and the mother are grabbing hold to the possibility of abduction because it would mean Little Deorr is alive.

I notice the mother asks the abductor to leave her son where he can be "seen" and returned. So unlike other cases weve seen where it's just dump the kid anywhere.

The father speaks in present tense. He may feel guilty, but It sounds as if it's because he failed his family. I doubt Little Deorr was abducted. Poor little kid. He's wearing camouflage. He could still be in the water and they missed him. Or less likely, he wandered where a mountain lion grabbed him. I hope they're using good tracking dogs now.

Trigger said...

Deorr Sr. seems to like his place in the limelight. He doesn't seem to care that little Deorr doesn't have his blanket to make him feel warm and safe. He is not concerned that little Deorr maybe cold, frightened, confused, or in emotional distress without the things that mean the most to him.

Also, Deorr Sr. comes off as wanting to control all the information about his son. He looked empowered and comfortable with his role as the information source. His focus on the search and rescue efforts seemed over emphasized.


Doerr's mother looks like she's stressed and worried. Why isn't she begging or pleading with the abductor to take good care of him? give him another blanket? feed him? keep him safe? not to hurt him?

The focus seems to be on what feedback or responses the parents don't like concerning their part as parents.

Nancy Grace would have asked different questions.


Statement Analysis Blog said...

Trigger:

is the father guilty? (guilty knowledge)


Is the mother guilty?


This is for others, too. I know Sus says mother not guilty and if memory serves, father not guilty.

I am looking for opinions attached to names, and the reason for the belief.


I am curious as to what readers think in this case.

Peter

Trigger said...

I heard Deorr Sr. use the term "dead panic" is response to acknowleging that little Deorr was missing. I have never heard that expression used before.

He introduces the word "dead" to describe his feelings of panic for that reason i would say guilty knowledge.

Apple said...

I think the father has guilty knowledge. Neglect? Maybe.
I havent heard enough statements from the mother to form an opinion. I would like to hear her speak more.

Juliet said...

What's the confusion around the blanket? Who introduced the possibility of it being a replica? Parents often keep a spare of the comfort item, so that might be worth checking out. If the toddler was getting ready for his nap, he likely would've been holding his blanket at the time he went off to (variously) be god/play/ have his nap with grandpa by the campfire.

Juliet said...

I meant 'to be good', not very handy with the tablet keyboard.

Statement Analysis Blog said...

From the interview, what about the mother?

Sus said...

I do think the father displays sensitivity and even guilt around some areas. I am inclined until I here more to think it's because he did not protect his son and thus hurt the mother of his son. He talks about feeling the campsite was safe...except maybe the creek. He goes on about the rescue team because they're like the big guns for some people...and he's part of it. It's all he can do to reverse his "mistake." I know this type. Failure to protect your family is like doing the harm yourself. My dad is one. I'll entertain the idea I'm projecting.

John Mc Gowan said...

Body Language:

Note. This maybe their norm when sitting together. They are also in seperate chairs. I would have sat them together on a sofa bringing them closer together. I will explain my reasons below.

First, posture.

look at Mum. She is sitting back, slumped, shoulders arched, legs crossed and clutching her sons not "exact replica blanket" she is very closed off. Again this maybe the way she sits, except for holding the blanket.

look at Dad. He is sat forward, leaning in. His legs are open and planted firmly on the ground. There are no arm barriers. This is the stance of a dominant (alpha) person. keep in mind as said above. We do not have baseline of them. This may also be his posture (norm) when speaking.

In 15 mins and 5 secs in this clip. Not once do they make contact with each other. No holding hands, no comforting each other, nothing. Now, although i have said this maybe their norm. Here is the but. This is an extreme situation. Their son is missing, a parents worse nightmare. Yet, they can not bring themselves to touch and comfort each other.

Putting them on a sofa, would have brought them closer, physically. We would then be able to see, if they, closed the gap between them. Would they have then held hands? Would they keep their distance from one and other?. If one touched the other, would there be a negative reaction?

This, along with, him not letting her get a word in edge ways, and when she does, he talks over her. He also addresses her as "she" he never uses her name, suggests that their relation was not a good one, even leading up to this.

These are just my observation at a quick scan. Please jump in and say what you think is going on with their BL. I maybe way off?

Ps.

Whats all this "as a father" malarky? Why doesn't he say "as his father" or as my sons father?

Statement Analysis Blog said...

John,

guilt or innocence on dad, and mom?

John Mc Gowan said...

I can't call it Peter. There are red flags within. This though does not (for me) make them guilty, or having any involvement in their missing boy. I was listening for past tense, and as far as i'm aware, it was never said.

As Apple and myself have said. I would like to hear Mum speak more

Trigger said...

Ok, the father uses the word "son" in his last statement. In that context Deorr Sr knows that little Deorr is safe or in a safe place.

How does he know this? Guilty knowledge

Sus said...

http://www.eastidahonews.com/2015/07/mothers-911-phone-call-released-my-2-year-old-son-we-cant-find-him/

Here's the mother's 911 call. No greeting. No sorry. That's good. She doesn't plead to bring help for Deorr, but does say we can't find him rather pleadingly twice. I hope they release the father's soon.

Oakley said...

I would be interested to hear what they said on their respective 911 calls...

Oakley said...

Could she be any more matter of fact?
It sounded emotionless.

John Mc Gowan said...

Oh dear!

An hour. They left it an hour before calling 911.

Operator: What's he wearing?

Mum: "He was wearing". Not, he is wearing. Is he not wearing the clothes described anymore. Does she believe he is not wearing them anymore?. If so, why?

This is the first past tense spoken.

Oakley said...

I thought he said they searched for 20 minutes then called?

Oakley said...

Maybe he was missing an hour total when she called.? 20 mins sounded reasonable. An hour considering the small area described sounds like a lifetime...

Just Sayin' said...

O.k., here's what I found odd about the mom's limited comments on the news clip:

1. Mom and dad say that they are racking their brains who might have done this. Dad volunteers that everyone has enemies, and mom chimes in, "...but not to harm us in this way...."

Wait. What? Isn't the toddler the one being harmed?

2. When talking about the boy's blanket, cup, and monkey, mom says "All three of them were left at the campground."

Three is the liars number. Maybe, maybe not in this instance.

Describing the items as "left" seems oddly passive. It also suggests missing information.

Coincidentally, it does sound as if three of "them" were left at the campground (mom, dad, and grandpa) after something happened to the boy.

Unknown said...

I watched the video and a few things stand out to me as unexpected.

1. The father comes off as, (and I can't really come up with the words to express this properly), but cocky? It seems like he is reveling in the spotlight, and he takes over the interview to the point that the mother, and the interviewer barely speak. He eventually stops rambling, and asks the interviewer what he wants to know. Listening to the first part of the interview, you would almost think that the boy had been found, and he was giving a 'victory' speech. He is complimentary, and focused on the equipment, and the search people, although his son is still missing. He repeatedly refers to the Sheriff by first name, and makes it seem somewhat like the Sheriff is answering to him. ("Sheriff ____ has guaranteed me that..."). He uses 'my son' in some instances, but also uses distancing language, and seems a bit detached from what I would expect to be emotional memories.

2. He says he didn't want to call 911 with one bar, and then get cut off in the middle of the conversation. To me this suggests he put thought into what he was going to say to 911, which leads me to wonder if he was scripting. The most important thing is making contact, and getting help on the way, and him saying he didn't want to call until he knew he would be able to maintain a connection doesn't seem natural to me.

3. When he brought up the rumors, I expected him to address one that dealt with him/them personally, either accusing them of being neglectful, or responsible for their son's disappearance. Instead, he goes into his profession as a truck driver and reports a rumor that his employer would not let him off to search, then praises his boss for being there searching with them. How is this important? Why does it matter that rumors started about his employers? He glaringly avoided the rumors about them, and rumors relevant to his son's disappearance to focus on a nonsense, non-issue.

4. I don't understand why he brought up that the blanket the boy's mother was holding WASN'T an "exact replica" of A security blanket, but his actual blanket? Who would anyone think she was holding "a 'replica' of 'A' security blanket", (making it an unrelated item, representative of all security blankets) rather than the baby's actual blanket?

5. He talks over the mother, who I would expect to be front and center. Despite taking the back seat, she says that she will look until he is found, (No open ended resolution on her part) and she focuses on his safety. (Don't hurt him, drip him off where someone can see him and bring him home, etc.)

6. Dad seems to contradict himself, from the blaming of the grandparent for turning his head, but also saying he thought the boy was with them, to saying that he and a lot of people believe the boy is no longer on the mountain, but also saying he is headed right back up there after gathering resources.

I'd love to be able to analyze this interview as a transcript! I can concentrate much better when I see it in print.

Anonymous said...

The way the dad talks incessantly - he's got to be on drugs.

Cathy said...

There were two others camping besides the little boy and his parents...the grandpa and grandpa's friend. Have they made any statements? Did grandpa's friend have friends or relatives with knowledge of the camping trip and of the little boy?

Oakley said...

Very true Cathy I have unfounded suspicion re: the grandpa.

Lemon said...

Thanks for the link to the 911 call Sus.

Listening to the 911 call - it begins with an "Umm".
The mother makes a statement 'Umm my 2 year old son, um, we can't find him.'
The operator seems surprised at the answer to how long he has been missing as she repeats "An hour?"

I don't hear the expected request for help, asking for help, ordering get here now or urgency.
The mother says his name when asked his name. She doesn't know how tall he is.

The pace is slow (glacial) as the mother waits to be asked questions. She does not seem to offer information unless asked. She doesn't ask how long it will be before they get there. To me the expected would be asking how long before they get there? Hurry! Please get here soon!

I don't understand the lack of urgency or not ASKING for help.

Foolsfeedonfolly said...

The unexpected:

1.In this interview he say's "we searched for about -pause-20 minutes in a dead panic", yet the 911 call release states that "their son had been missing for an hour." (Source: http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/local/idaho/2015/07/12/search-for-missing-2-year-old-continues-in-lemhi-county/30058523/)

2. He doesn't remember what day his son went missing or what day the interview is taking place, yet he spends the majority of the interview describing the search and rescue equipment and efforts in excruciating detail.

3. Nowhere in this interview does he mention that there are 5 people on this trip- Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Deorr Jr, and a friend of the family Source: (http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/local/idaho/2015/07/12/search-for-missing-2-year-old-continues-in-lemhi-county/30058523/. He plays it off as the 4 of them. He tells us that they thought "he" would be good with Grandpa,but where's the family friend in all this? He relates the conversation with Grandpa, the mom calling 911, him driving and calling 911...but nothing whatsoever about the family friend in any of this. Is the family friend invisible? Where has the family friend been in all of this-when they were exploring, when Deorr was allegedly with Grandpa, while they were searching during the 20 minute dead panic, when Mom was calling 911, when Dad was driving down to call 911, etc.?

4. When they first begin the interview about what happened, the Dad repeatedly emphasizes how small and easy it is to see everything because it's so open. But when he's discussing the "possibility" (his word) of Deorr being abducted, he repeatedly says that you can't see and someone could come into the campground without being seen.

Apple said...

The father goes into great detail about the water and says he is sure his son isnt in it.
There is sensitivity about the water.

ima.grandma said...

I apologize if this has previously been posted. This is a different type of "statement analysis" of the interview. I look forward to my peer's comments.

http://kellenmarson.com/missing-idaho-boy-abduction-or-murder/

John Mc Gowan said...

Parents not suspected in disappearance of Idaho toddler

Snipped:

"We interviewed the family," Penner said. "I'm good with them and they're good with me."

Distance noted.


According to investigators, Kunz Sr. and Mitchell have offered DNA samples and are willing to undergo lie detector tests.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=35519816

Statement Analysis Blog said...

John, that statement leaves open the possibility via the distancing language. He does not want to commit to clearing them.
good point.

Statement Analysis Blog said...

transcripts of interview done?

Statement Analysis Blog said...

Anonymous Sus said...
I do think the father displays sensitivity and even guilt around some areas. I am inclined until I here more to think it's because he did not protect his son and thus hurt the mother of his son. He talks about feeling the campsite was safe...except maybe the creek. He goes on about the rescue team because they're like the big guns for some people...and he's part of it. It's all he can do to reverse his "mistake." I know this type. Failure to protect your family is like doing the harm yourself. My dad is one. I'll entertain the idea I'm projecting.


Hence, a good understanding of sensitivity indicators, and a good sense of self awareness.

This is a good combination in a candidate for proficiency.

We ask questions about sensitivity...is this normal nervousness? Is it guilt? Is it guilt due to failure to give the child oversight? Or is it guilt over a crime?

The praise of unsuccessful searching: is this due to guilt, or has the subject a nervous need (past crimes) to praise "authorities", or....something else.

We ask question after question, which is why it takes years of experience and a wide grasp of how people may react.

we listen to terms like "dead" and ask, "Leakage? " or panic speech? fear?

Continue to press into the language. The dad gives us more than mom.

Cathy said...

The praise of unsuccessful searching could also be because he has not yet been found, there is hope he is still yet alive. The worst fear was probably the water and after this much time, no hope for survival if that was the boy's accidental fate when the adults each thought he was with each other. If he is found at the campsite after this much time, survival is not in the odds. If he has been abducted, there is still the hope that he is alive and will be found. I think the parents want to think he is not in the water because that ends all hope. I think they keep saying how thoroughly things have been searched not to persuade people away from the campground site, but to persuade themselves he is yet alive. If I recall, they returned to the campsite yesterday or today for more searching.

MsCabinFever said...

If no one is currently working on the transcripts, then I will do it. Please speak up if you are already so that I don't go through the work & it's already being done =)

I agree with most here, but want to add one more thing: the father says that the boy was not found in the water, so they can "lay that to rest". It sounded so odd and such a weird choice of words, considering. It reminds me of AJ Hadsell's step-father saying AJ "departed his presence". It's so creepy when people refer to comments normally said when speaking of the dead when their loved ones are missing.

Sus said...

Thank you, Peter.

Anonymous said...

Here's the full interview - it's about 15 minutes long:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwM1oG3z358

Anonymous said...

Okay...here's what I heard. I heard the mother say she called 911 at 2:36. Then I heard the father say he went down the road 1/2 mile to get a cell phone signal. ??? Yet I clearly hear him in the background while the mother is on the line with 911 dispatch...and the operator heard him too and asked if her husband was calling also. MAJOR RED FLAG>>>right from the getgo. Anybody else catch that?

MsCabinFever said...

Anon 8:43pm

I thought the exact same thing!!!!

He is one of those people that speak so garbled that you give up listening to them & avoid questioning them for fear of the long elaborate off-the-wall answer you will get.

Anonymous said...

And then I heard him say it was nap time....Deor takes a nap at 2...and then I heard him say he saw some minnows in the creek and wanted to show them to Deor and went to get him. So...what happened to naptime?

And why the hell was the kid wearing a camo jacket? The weather report said it hit 81 degrees that day at their campground.

Unknown said...

I noticed in a few other articles a few pics of the mother and father, little Deor and two other children... I'm wondering if the couple has other children together and if so, why weren't they all there together camping as a family..seems very odd..

Unknown said...

I noticed in a few other articles a few pics of the mother and father, little Deor and two other children... I'm wondering if the couple has other children together and if so, why weren't they all there together camping as a family..seems very odd..

Anonymous said...

Dad is a storyteller who has to suppress a little smile or chuckle twice: when he says he doesn't even know what day it is, and when he can't get the name of the Search & Rescue right.