I really do hope her abduction had nothing to do with her unsupervised online access...

First off, you need a new comment system! I just posted a comment, and it was "not accepted"...I'm sure because it contained html. Which is fine, but my whole comment just....went away.....leaving me to have to retype it, which is really frustrating!

Ok...some of your info is not correct. First....there is no amber alert for Jessica. Which is sad, but Florida does not enact a code amber unless they have suspect or vehicle descriptions...neither of which they have. There is a "missing child/endangered" alert...I'd include the link, but I don't want to take a chance on having to retype this again! Second....the report that I saw (also on Fox News, strangely enough), was that yes, she had internet access...on the computer that was in the living room, where she was supervised by her grandparents. And yes, her father does look sort of like a space case, but we don't know him, and therefore can't really judge this for sure. Plus, it sound as though the grandparents did a good bit of the care and supervision for Jessica.

I've been following this story pretty closely, as I live only about 150 miles from where Jessica was abducted. I also have a 9 year old daugher....with internet access...on the computer in our living room. I've been posting some information on my blog, as well...but I try to make sure that it is ACCURATE information.

Calm down, Tammy. I am from the Tampa area so I know a bit about the Amber Alert requirements as well. I think you missed the point of the article. I think the point, and Grey can correct me if I am wrong (I wont mind..its his article), but I think that he was getting to the kidnappings that happen due to unsupervised internet sessions. There are many children that meet pedophiles and murderers and are killed because of the lack of parental supervision. And it would be great to think that this is not one of those cases, but if it is, it is a kidnapping (possibly murder) that could have been prevented if the parent(s) were worth a damn.

but I try to make sure that it is ACCURATE information.

wow did the point on this one pass you right by... You will of course forgiv me for thinking that there was an Amber Alert when FOX was running AMBER ALERT in 1/4 screen letters for 8 hours yesterday? Ok thanks... Additionally the computer in the room was from Fox as well... if it was in her living room, kitchen, or wherever and she was allowed to use it unsupervised (and by unsupervised I mean with a parent sitting right there watching her use it and not watching TV or reading or anything of that nature then the situation is nothing less than child endangerment. I don't give a rats ass if that sounds "inconvienient" to you because that is what is required. The Net IS that dangerous make no mistake. Was she unsupervised? My guess is yes since if a parent really was sitting there with her the whole time than there would be *no fucking doubt* that she hadn't been taken by a Net stalker. I do not doubt that there will be corrctions in the case but none of the corrections you posted and that I have agreed with here make even the tiniest bit of difference to the cental argument.

Plus, it sound as though the grandparents did a good bit of the care and supervision for Jessica.

If she was primarily in the care of her grandparents then simply substitute "grandparent" for parent ok? Thanks again.

I've been posting some information on my blog, as well...but I try to make sure that it is ACCURATE information.

Glad you have the time and local access to do this but here on my blog I was making a point about unsupervised Net access and was operating off initial reports. I have an update to this that I will be posting. A for the no HTML in th comments I beleive that is intentional to keep comment spammers from doing to much damage.

"if it was in her living room, kitchen, or wherever and she was allowed to use it unsupervised (and by unsupervised I mean with a parent sitting right there watching her use it and not watching TV or reading or anything of that nature then the situation is nothing less than child endangerment."

You have no idea where the computer was, whether she used it at all, whether she was unsupervised or not, none of it. You know only what is in the news releases (i.e. nothing of the kind), and what pundits are mumbing about. they just took the computer to look at it, said she had taken a "class" (that all kids end up with now), and suddenly you have your little Columbo theory.

I think it is crass to make an accusation with no proof and then think you are in the clear by sticking a question mark on the end...


Nothing here, nothing in the update. Maybe you oughtta stop posting theories and give the family a break until you have reason to grill them.

Call SOCIAL SERVICES!!! I happen to know that many parents have actually been so negligent as to Sleep... almost every day!! Some have even made it a vile habit to (gasp) blink once in awhile... and with kids in the very next room!!!!! I've even heard of some parents who own houses with (SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!) More than 1 room, making it criminally impossible for them to see their kids 24/7!!! And as if that wasn't enough... I've even actually been in homes where (((Horror of HORRRORS))) locks on the bathroom door!!!

There are programs that cost nothing, which show keystrokes and playback Instant messenger conversations. We don't really have to resort to gestapo methods and demands for the government to raise our kids just yet. We'll let the politicians save those for next election.

While I do share your disgust with parents who would grant their 9 year unlimited access to the internet, I think your way off base with all this crap about "testing" and such. It all goes back to "who" gets to decide what "fit" is (and please tell me that you're not advocating the SS (social services) do this!!

I hope that Jessica is found safe and sound. I also hope that after that occurs that her "parents" are charged with child endangerment. Giving a 9 year old free and clear access to the Net is akin to walking them into Central Park and then leaving them alone. Same shit just takes longer to come to a head.

We'll agree here though.. at least mostly.

"While I do share your disgust with parents who would grant their 9 year unlimited access to the internet, I think your way off base with all this crap about "testing" and such.

I just wish we could talk about parents who we KNOW allowed such access, instead of just mulling how awful these people MIGHT be IF they did.

I just wish we could talk about parents who we KNOW allowed such access, instead of just mulling how awful these people MIGHT be IF they did.

Unfortunately, I do know a lot of parents that do. Not really for 9 year olds, but teens. Of course in many systems, our kids get all the unlimited access they want, in school and public libraries.

Okay, Okay, you have a point on the father's stupidity and grandparent's apparent naivety regarding the computer. I must ask, wouldn't more news have been released regarding suspicious email acitivity?

My opinion, as an EMT, signs of fatigue are prevalent. The interviews I've seen the guy was presenting with stress and sleep deprived exhaustion. Everyone speaking about it reports that he refuses sleep to search for his daughter. Perhaps he is not of the highest social standard, he may not even be very intelligent. However, I find that attempts to judge his worthiness via intelligence at this time to be futile and a waste of time. Would you be concerned with proper attire, etiquette, grammar, etc., and even if you were, would you be able to maintain those standards while so clearly exhausted? Might be better to attempt to judge his worthiness by a few other, more important facts: one - as a single father he lived with his parents, an act that may have been financial and not by choice, but most certainly provided a more stable and rounded home life for Jessica, two: he has done all and everything he can think of to aid in finding her, search himself, make flyers, solicit help in copying, distributing, etc., gone without sleep for endless days, etc.

Computer idiocy and endangerment, yes, to all adults of the household and any teachers, church members, etc. that knew about it. Until he becomes a suspect, threat to her safety, etc., who cares about intelligent levels and worthiness presented at this time.

Well, greywar, you certainly opened up a slippery can of worms here. I understand your point and obvious frustration with the situation. Too many parents ignore what their kids are doing. The website perverted-justice.com shows many examples of what kind of people are out there stalking kids online. Alot of parents just assume that what the kids are doing online is innocent and that their kids would never give out personal information. I only wish that they were right. I don't know if that is the case here but it is in too many similar cases. Parents need to start paying attention to what their kids are doing. True there are many programs that can keep record of what is typed but are the parents going to pay attention to that before their kid disappears or will it not occur to them until after it happens.

While I do share your disgust with parents who would grant their 9 year unlimited access to the internet, I think your way off base with all this crap about "testing" and such. It all goes back to "who" gets to decide what "fit" is (and please tell me that you're not advocating the SS (social services) do this!!

ParaTed2k: I think greywar was just venting his frustration on the countless number of parents who dont take an interest in what their kid is doing until something like this happens.

There are programs that cost nothing, which show keystrokes and playback Instant messenger conversations. We don't really have to resort to gestapo methods and demands for the government to raise our kids just yet.

and these programs only work if the parent takes the time to look at what the kid is doing before a tragedy such as this happens.

Of course in many systems, our kids get all the unlimited access they want, in school and public libraries.

And while they do have access to the net in school and libraries, most of these computers have certain areas of the internet blocked. For example, most schools and libraries block chatrooms which is where most online predators are finding these kids. Most parents don't know how to block chatrooms or just don't take the time.

In any case, I hope Jessica is found safe.
Great Article greywar. (Sorry this is so long. )

"Okay, Okay, you have a point on the father's stupidity and grandparent's apparent naivety regarding the computer. "

Does he? If anyone would like to provide a news link that states she had unlimited, or even unsupervised access to the Internet, I'm still looking for one.

ParaTed2k: I think greywar was just venting his frustration on the countless number of parents who dont take an interest in what their kid is doing until something like this happens.

Reading that posting of mine, I'd say I was doing a bit of venting right back at him. ;~D

and these programs only work if the parent takes the time to look at what the kid is doing before a tragedy such as this happens.

Yes, more attentive parenting would be a good thing online or in "real life". I was basically just pointing out alternatives to breathing down our kids' necks as they try to have fun with their friends.

Reading that posting of mine, I'd say I was doing a bit of venting right back at him. ;~D

Yeah, I guess it does. Sorry, if I came over as harsh.

Yes, more attentive parenting would be a good thing online or in "real life". I was basically just pointing out alternatives to breathing down our kids' necks as they try to have fun with their friends.

I don't think we need to be breathing down their necks but knowing where they are and what they are doing would be a good start, don't you think?

While we have no indication that Jessica's disappearance was internet related, let me respond to questioning my comment of father's stupidity and grandparent's apparent naivety...

The computer was in the 9 year old's room.

What is the latest on this girl - I can't find an update or recent news tidbit.

"The computer was in the 9 year old's room."

Odd, the linked article doesn't say that. Other "opinions" have placed the computer was in the living room. Still others put the computer in her father's room, which she played in. My point is, no one knows *dick* about this, so nitpicking the parenting skills of someone you have no CLUE about is pretty damned stupid, imho.

Feel free to post a link to an in-depth description of the little girls computer use. I've challenged people to over and over and so far no dice.