Stitcher family statement

As reported in the media, our daughter Caroline returned to us last night and was immediately taken to the hospital, where she will likely remain for several days.

[Shane]

Yeah, I do think that they do deserve all the privacy they want and I do believe that the community helped a great load. And I'm glad she's ok.

[Edward]

So relieved she is back home safe. The outpouring of support was nice to see. It seems like she simply needed a little time alone, and this will all work out for the best. It's not easy being a junior in hs - very stressful.

[Edward]

Oh. Don't know her. Do know that junior year of hs is a tough year. Being in the hospital is probably just protocol in this type of situation, where someone has been away.

[anonymous]

Edward wrote:

Being in the hospital is probably just protocol in this type of situation, where someone has been away.

Being brought to the hospital yes, but they wouldn't keep her there for several days unless something was wrong and there was a need to

[anon]

Most hospitals have mental and psychiatric departments as well...

[Donald Lutz]

There leaves a great deal of doubt
as to whether or not a crime was
committed or whether Caroline of
her own choice or due to some
emotional tendency decided to
stay out for 24 hours. It appears
something serious happened or
she would not be uncommunicative
and require several days
hospitalization. I think the
community deserves clarification
on this point. It would
alleviate the public safety
concern and is the least that
should be offered in view of the
trouble she caused.

[Taylor Smith]

Nonsense. The issue is not whether a crime was committed, or what the details of the situation were, but whether there is a continuing threat or danger to the community.

The statements by the police and the family have both made it abundantly clear that they do not believe this to be an issue of public safety, or that there is any continuing danger to the community.

That something serious has clearly taken place is self-evident, but this should not be confused with anything that creates a public safety issue, or frankly anything that concerns the public at this point.

And to suggest that more details should be offered "in view of the trouble she caused," reflects a basic mis-understanding of the obligations owed by a community to its members.

Caroline caused no "trouble" to anyone. Those that searched for her and empathized with her parents did so of their own accord and out of caring for her family and our community. This is what a true "community" does for parents whose child (for whatever reason) goes missing.

Demanding a detailed accounting of the details, as that you suggest, diminishes the good will that thousands of community members demonstrated over the past few days.

Let us give the family the privacy that certainly we would strive for ourselves if the tables were turned.

[someone]

Donald Lutz---many articles have stated that there is no need to worry about the public's safety. With that having been said over and over again, you should leave it alone and give the Stitchers all the privacy they deserve. It is none of your business. The fact is that she is home and safe. That's all you need or deserve to know. Clarification is not needed, the public already knows they are safe...apparently, YOU did not. She did not cause any trouble. Thousands volunteered their help, time, and efforts; they were not obligated to do so. To the pubic, this is now a closed case.

[someone]

Donald Lutz---many articles have stated that there is no need to worry about the public's safety. With that having been said over and over again, you should leave it alone and give the Stitchers all the privacy they deserve. It is none of your business. The fact is that she is home and safe. That's all you need or deserve to know. Clarification is not needed, the public already knows they are safe...apparently, YOU did not. She did not cause any trouble. Thousands volunteered their help, time, and efforts; they were not obligated to do so. To the pubic, this is now a closed case.

[Deerfield Resident]

Am I glad that Caroline was safe, yes. But come on... Thank God our prayers were answered? Our prayers were WASTED! Thank god she was not hurt?? No, thank god she came to her senses and saw that there was a large out pouring of support and fear for her well being and she stopped the game/act/attention getting and came back home. We should have been praying for the Police Officers working 16+ hour days. We should have been praying for the safety of the volunteers and firemen.
All this wasted time energy and resources... The Fire Department suited up and went diving in the frozen ponds in the area to check for her. What if someone had gotten hurt?? What if a Fireman would have drowned while searching for her? What if a Police Officer would have gotten hurt searching for her in the forrest preserve? Or a volunteer? What then of the precious Caroline???
At least the family came to their senses and saw that they were truly being jack@sses and released a statement. Any idea why she is being "not yet fully communicative"? Hmmm could she be embaressed? Frightened for the way she is going to be (rightfully) treated at school? Scared of the repercusssions she has caused for her family?? Hmmm... interesting.

Above all of this hoopla we really need to ask ourselves a couple questions as residents of the area...

1.) What if this had been a male? Forget race for a minute (thats coming up), what if Caroline had been Christopher? A 17 year old male? Would we have been so quick to send out the entire search party? Or would we have asked the question that should have been asked here first... what if they are acting out of character and this is all for nothing?

2.) Are we going to expect the same thing everytime a white girl goes missing for a little bit? What happens when some of the girls from DHS realize how much attention Caroline got and want the same thing? They go missing and then what? We expect the Deerfield Police department to go all out again? You really think that this family who cried wolf didn't ruin it for another person who will actually need the out pouring of community and police resources?

This should get interesting this week when she is released from the hospital. I just hope the Deerfield Police Chief has the courage to launch a true investigation and doesn't take "she doesn't want to talk about it" as an answer. Our police department is so touchy feely and un-godly politicaly correct that I doubt anything will happen with the family regarding being billed for the search. Though I think and some people agree with me that they deserve to foot the bill.

Well I just hope that this brat gets what is coming to her...
Highschool kids are a brutal group, even in our sweet and caring community....

Take care and GOD BLESS!!!

[Deerfield Resident2]

I completley agree with the above post. If the community is going to come out in full force to help find this girl (who turns out didn't need our help in finding her) we deserve to know what happened. We don't need specific details, but saying "it is not a matter of public safety" is not enough. The police and fire departments of the North Shore deserve more, after coming out in full force with every possible thing (hellicopters, dogs, special units, etc) to find this girl. It turns out that a fireman actually fell through the ice while he was searching a pond for Caroline, and he had to be rescued himself. Yes, ofcourse I am happy that Caroline is home safe (and yes I spent 4+ hours looking for her on Saturday). But, I feel that the public was deceived, and saying that "we need privacy" is not an excuse for telling the truth. After a media frenzy on Saturday (I saw trucks/crews from every news station in Chicago), it is strange to declare that the media needs to back off. The fact is, the public should know what happened.

[Peter]

I am very glad to read that Caroline has been recovered and that no crime seems to have been committed.

Meanwhile half a country away the search for Amber Dubois 14.. Missing 2/13/09.. Escondido, California, is entering its 10th day.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm...

[thingy]

Taylor Smith wrote:

Nonsense. The issue is not whether a crime was committed, or what the details of the situation were, but whether there is a continuing threat or danger to the community.
The statements by the police and the family have both made it abundantly clear that they do not believe this to be an issue of public safety, or that there is any continuing danger to the community.
That something serious has clearly taken place is self-evident, but this should not be confused with anything that creates a public safety issue, or frankly anything that concerns the public at this point.
And to suggest that more details should be offered "in view of the trouble she caused," reflects a basic mis-understanding of the obligations owed by a community to its members.
Caroline caused no "trouble" to anyone. Those that searched for her and empathized with her parents did so of their own accord and out of caring for her family and our community. This is what a true "community" does for parents whose child (for whatever reason) goes missing.
Demanding a detailed accounting of the details, as that you suggest, diminishes the good will that thousands of community members demonstrated over the past few days.
Let us give the family the privacy that certainly we would strive for ourselves if the tables were turned.

Is it because they are from the north shore, that they deserve privacy? She made the news. People were concerned,and still are. I'm sure many people that get in the paper, would like their privacy. Sorry, she gets no special privileges.

[patrick]

I do not live in or near Deerfield. While I was suspicious before the family issued the statement, I believe it is sufficient to leave this family alone. They thanked everyone and it appears the girl has some issues that should remain private. Let her get the help she needs, no further explanation is necessary.

[anon]

Deerfield Resident and Deerfield Resident2 said it best. If the Stitcher family wants these rumors to end, they either need to tell what really happened or confirm that what Caroline did was selfish, irresponsible and reckless. Either way, her behavior needs to be clarified so we can stop playing these guessing games and pass sound moral judgment, not judgment based on swirling rumors.

[DF Mom]

Agree 100% with Deerfield Resident and Deerfield Resident 2 - what a waste of city, county resources and prayers! I would also like to know who else may have been involved, a 17-year old doesn't just vanish, without money, coat, etc. without going off somewhere. This sounds premeditated on her part. The cost of this entire investigation should be charged directly to those parents.

[HP Resident]

I was very frustrated until finally getting the family's statement today. They did owe the community a "thank you", which, until then, had only come from the School Superintendent and from the police department. I am now satisfied that my efforts weren't in vain. I just hope that, g-d forbid this happens again, we don't have a "boy who cried wolf" reaction and hesitate to help a child who is truly in need of our help. That would be the most tragic result...

[Robert Mason]

I think the little spoiled brat owes us all a huge apology and should be kicked off the track team!! "troubled" my A** kids these days know they can get away with anything!! SHAMEFUL!!!

[Bob J]

Having been a high school kid once (long, long ago!) and having a high school junior now, I understand that kids do stupid things. "Drama" is an inherent part of a teen's life and I understand that they don't always fully grasp the consequences and ramifications of their actions.

And let's keep in mind that the Internet and instant messaging and Twitter and Amber Alerts, etc., have made these stories instant news. That's a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that technology helped quickly round up 2,000 volunteers on Saturday to search for this girl. But also a curse because by the time she came home, just 27 hours after she disappeared, this was news all around the country.

Thus, people writing here from Georgia that the family and the girl should be punished in some way. These folks would never have even known about this story 10 years ago.

I note quite a bit of harsh judgment here regarding the actions of this teen and her family. And I ask, "Why?" Why do you feel the need to mete out punishment or feel superior?

Kids do stupid things. They drive too fast. They drink and drive. They get pregnant. They engage in risky behaviors, believing that they are invincible. They think the dramas affecting them are monumental. And, yes, they even kill themselves.

I am certain this girl feels horrible about what has transpired. And I am also certain that her family must feel that odd combination of great relief and joy coupled with embarrassment and even sadness.

But the bottom line is that she is being taken care of and the police have made clear that her disappearance was not a criminal/public safety issue. That should be enough to reassure other local families.

But I really puzzle at those who want to punish this kid and her family.

Kids do stupid things. That's part of being a kid, for better or worse. And this girl and her family are having to live with the consequences.

For those suggesting she is a "brat," etc., I ask, simply, did you ever do anything stupid as a teenager? Have your own teenagers ever done anything stupid?

Why are you so quick to judge?

[Bob J]

DF Mom wrote:

Agree 100% with Deerfield Resident and Deerfield Resident 2 - what a waste of city, county resources and prayers! I would also like to know who else may have been involved, a 17-year old doesn't just vanish, without money, coat, etc. without going off somewhere. This sounds premeditated on her part. The cost of this entire investigation should be charged directly to those parents.

A "waste of prayers?"

Do you have a limited supply?