|
|
Published August 11, 2008 08:59 pm - CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — There are days these parents will never forget. Colleen Nick still remembers June 9, 1995, as the day her 6-year-old daughter, Morgan Nick, was abducted from a ballpark in Alma, Ark. Shannon Tanner tears up when she thinks about March 10, 2005, the day her 13-year-old daughter, Bianca Piper, didn’t return from a walk in her Foley neighborhood. Becky Klino still relives April 11, 2001, the day her 20-year-old son, Branson Perry, walked to the storage shed next to his family’s Skidmore home to put away a pair of jumper cables and was never seen again.
Carl Junction kicks off campaign to help find missing children
By Melissa Dunson
mdunson@joplinglobe.com
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — There are days these parents will never forget.
Colleen Nick still remembers June 9, 1995, as the day her 6-year-old daughter, Morgan Nick, was abducted from a ballpark in Alma, Ark.
Shannon Tanner tears up when she thinks about March 10, 2005, the day her 13-year-old daughter, Bianca Piper, didn’t return from a walk in her Foley neighborhood.
Becky Klino still relives April 11, 2001, the day her 20-year-old son, Branson Perry, walked to the storage shed next to his family’s Skidmore home to put away a pair of jumper cables and was never seen again.
Now these parents have a new date to mark: Aug. 11, 2008, the day their children’s names and photographs were posted on the back of Carl Junction police cars for residents to see each day. It’s part of the “Picture Them Home” campaign, started by the Morgan Nick Foundation.
The Carl Junction Police Department is the first law-enforcement agency in Missouri to put the photos on its vehicles. The campaign is used in Arkansas and Oklahoma, and has reunited at least five children with their families.
“Why wouldn’t we do it?” Carl Junction police Chief Delmar Haase said Monday during the unveiling of the cars.
Each of Carl Junction’s six police cruisers features photos of two different missing children, the question “Have You Seen Me?” and a phone number to call with tips.
Colleen Nick, who helped create the campaign, said there is always the hope that someone will see a photo and call in a tip, and the missing child will return home. She said the photos also raise awareness within a community and combat apathy about crimes against children.
“We’ve grown complacent,” Nick said. “It’s like we expect that children are going to be abducted. That’s a very dangerous idea to come to as a nation.”
Nick said she gets e-mails and phone calls from mothers and fathers in states where the “Picture Them Home” campaign is in full swing. She said those parents thank her because every time they see a photo on a police car, it starts a conversation with their children about safety and strangers.
Klino said she hopes the picture of her son’s face on a Carl Junction police car will not only bring him home but also keep other families from having to go through the same pain.
“Before Branson disappeared, I didn’t think about it,” she said. “I might hear about a missing child on the news, but it might go in one ear and out the other. People need to know that it can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of race, age or gender.”
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
 |
|
ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC
ASE Certified Mechanic. Apply at Russell Tire and Auto, 1501 E. 4th, Joplin. ...>MORE
FULL TIME DENTAL ASSISTANT
Full time dental assistant to float between clinics in Carthage, Neosho, and Anderson. Experience preferred, but will tr...>MORE
See all ads |
|
DODGE 2006 DAKOTA QUAD CAB
DODGE, 2006 Dakota, quad cab, SLT, 8000 actual miles, automatic, loaded with options. $9100. (417)623-2011...>MORE
FORD 2004 ESCAPE XLT
FORD, 2004 Escape XLT, V6, automatic, air, CD, more, 61,000 miles, $9,250. 417-781-2474....>MORE
CHEVROLET 2006 Z71
Chevrolet, 2006 Z71, crew cab, 4x4, 38,000 miles, $17,500. 417-439-4177...>MORE
KIA 2005 SEDONIA
KIA, 2005 Sedonia, 7 passenger, V6, automatic, 70,000 actual miles, super nice. $5500. (417)623-2011...>MORE
BMW 2002 325I
BMW, 2002 325i, silver, black leather, good condition, 34 mpg, $8975 417-825-6118, 627-0242....>MORE
HONDA 2005 ACCORD EX
4 door, 1 owner, 45,000 miles, dark green, buckskin leather, loaded, excellent condition, $15,900. (417)483-1307....>MORE
1993 CHEVROLET 2 TON TRUCK
1993 Chevrolet, 2 ton truck, steel flat bed, twin dump cylinders, 18’ bed, 5 speed/2 speed rear end, 454 Chevrolet gas, ...>MORE
NISSAN 2003 X-TERRA XE
NISSAN, 2003 X-Terra XE, V6, 4x4, 70,000 miles, leather, tilt, cruise, CD, tow package, excellent condition, $11,500. 41...>MORE
PONTIAC 2002 GRAND AM GT
Pontiac, 2002 Grand Am GT, Ram Air, V6 automatic, loaded with all options, 50,000 actual miles. $5200. (417)623-2011...>MORE
See all ads |
|
NICE 2BR
new central heat/air, newly decorated, gar with opener, $69,000. 330 S. McConnell. (417)623-4058, 850-5695....>MORE
2 BR CARTERVILLE
2 BR, Carterville, $395/$175. 417-673-0303, 850-6154....>MORE
See all ads |
|
BROYHILL FLORAL SOFA
Broyhill floral sofa, pastel colors, $250; glass top coffee table, 2 end tables, $150/set, maple dining table/4 padded c...>MORE
BLOODHOUND PUPPIES
BLOODHOUND PUPPIES, APRI registered, 2 black and tan males and 1 female, 8 weeks old, no health problems and are good s...>MORE
GE 19 CU. FT. REFRIGERATOR
GE 19 cu. ft. white refrigerator for sale, $175; Roper white matching washer/dryer, set $265, all are in clean good work...>MORE
YORKIE PUP
YORKIE PUP - FEMALE, Female Yorkie pup for sale, $400. No papers. (417)717-0416, 417-673-1600....>MORE
CHRISTMAS PUPS!
CHRISTMAS PUPS! GREAT DANE, AKC registered, shots/wormed. (620)724-8041....>MORE
5 BR, 3 BA, 5 ACRES
5 BR, 3 ba, 5 acres, Webb City schools, finished basement, beautiful home in nice area, 21603 Ivy Road, $1350 month, $75...>MORE
RICK PRATER LOGGING
RICK PRATER LOGGING is buying standing timber. On site scale and payment. Minimum 10-15 acre stands. 30 years experience...>MORE
627 GREY
3 br, 1 ba, central heat/air, washer/dryer hookup, rent $475, $400 deposit. 417-781-2239....>MORE
GREAT GIFTS
FOR THE HOLIDAYS! 7” ladies 14 karat gold tennis bracelet with 4 diamonds can add more diamonds/stones, $1,20...>MORE
16 KILOWATT GENERATOR
16 KILOWATT standby by automatic generator/transfer switch; 2 refrigerators; washer/dryer; stove/range; bedroom suites; ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|