Christine Sheddy: Missing Mother Gone Two Years

While going through the myriad of missing persons posts on the Facebook newsfeed yesterday, I happened to see a picture and link put up by Kelly Jolkowski of Project Jason.  The face of Christine Sheddy seemed to jump off the screen at me, I had to go to the link to read more of her and her case.  In all of her pictures one thing stands out, her beautiful, haunting eyes.  Her eyes draw the viewer in, seemingly asking to be found.

Christine Sheddy is the mother of three children, her two little boys, 2 and 4 were with her at the time of her disappearance from a home of friends in Pocomoke City, MD that she met through her boyfriend.  According to news accounts Christine and her two children stayed behind at the home while the other couple went to pick up their own children from school.  When they returned, Christine was gone, taking nothing with her, not her purse or any belongings, and her two boys were left in the home, alone.

As in so many cases of missing mothers, speculation runs rampant about the woman's character, her relationships and why she did what she did.  Many times law enforcement agencies don't appropriately respond, saying that the missing adult probably just walked away, maybe just wanting to start a new life.  All these familiar statements were heard by Christine's mother, Lynn Dodenhoff.

However, another familiar statement in missing mothers cases has also been said:  "She would never leave her children."  According to her mother, Christine was a loving mother, despite moodiness, and that she would never leave her children home alone, that was not in her character.

"All I want is my daughter so I can bring her home and put her to rest," Dodenhoff said. "I couldn't care less who was involved, I couldn't care less. I just want her home. That way her children could move on and not wonder why their mother left; because she would never leave them. It will come to an end, and we will find my daughter, and justice will be served. I have full confidence that will happen."

As with many police departments, it's been reported that the agency involved  was not seriously investigating this missing mother, speculating that her lifestyle choices put her into a certain category and that they were uncooperative in organizing searches and coming forth with information.  Key evidence tends to go cold very quickly in missing persons cases and if not thoroughly investigated, quickly the trail often leads to dead ends.

Certain protocals that every police department must follow are being introduced in a new bill, HR 3695, The Help Find the Missing Act (Billy's Law) that if passed will mandate that all information be entered into National data bases in a timely manner, thus speeding up the process for family members who are reporting a missing loved one.  I urge every citizen to write and support this important legislation.

Missing persons are victims and oftentimes, missing adults, especially, are not given proper attention.  Many, many families are finding that rather than idly sit by and wait for word, they must find the strength to take on several tasks that will help lead them to real evidence.  Our society and citizens must wake up and realize that it takes us all to help find the missing.

November 13 was the two year anniversary marking the day that Christine Sheddy vanished.  Small searches for her were conducted and earlier this year a large scale search was organized, yet turned up no positive results on her whereabouts.  Her children deserve answers.

Missing Person: Christine Sheddy
Date of Birth: 12/22/80
Missing Since: 11/13/07
Missing City: Pocomoke
Missing State: MD
Age at time of disappearance: 26
Gender: Female
Race: White
Height: 5 ft 4 in
Weight: 100 lbs
Hair Color: DK Blonde
Hair (other): Short
Eye Color: Blue
Complexion: Fair

Characteristics: tattoo on lower back

Clothing: jeans, white shirt

Jewelry: rings

Circumstances: Christine was staying at a friend's home and when the friends left to pick up children and then returned, Christine was missing. Christine's children were found at the house alone. Christine took no possessions with her.

Agency Name: Worcester County Bureau of Investication
Agency Phone: 1-410-352-3476

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Families of Missing Persons Need Your Help Now

H.R. 3695, The Help Find the Missing Act needs the support of everyone.

Every year tens of thousands of Americans go missing, never to be seen by their loved ones again. Additionally, there are also an estimated 40,000 sets of unidentified human remains that are being held or disposed of across the country. Sadly, because of gaps in the nation's missing persons systems, missing persons and unidentified remains are rarely matched. The Help Find the Missing Act (Billy's Law) is an effort to fix these gaps. We want to help families to have the resources so that we can lessen the burden on the system as well as bringing loved ones home for a proper burial.

Sponsored by Representatives Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Ted Poe (R-TX)

This legislation is named after Billy Smolinski of Waterbury, Connecticut who went missing on August 24, 2004 at the age of 31. Billy's family knows all-too-well the systemic challenges in trying to find the missing. They quickly learned that while federal law mandates law enforcement report missing children, there are no such requirements for adults - or unidentified bodies. Compounding this problem is the fact that local law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, and coroners, often don't have the resources or training to voluntarily report these cases. Finally, even when missing adults and remains are reported, the wide-range of unconnected federal, state, local, and non-profit databases to help match the missing with unidentified bodies, makes finding a match an often insurmountable challenge.

The easiest and quickest way to show your support and contact your Representatives is to go to the following and sign up. Everything else is done for you including providing a direct phone number to make a follow up call.

or, Create a Petition

Change.org

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Tracie Raisner: Gone Forever

This story is of a mother who really didn't "go missing" but vanished right before her son's eyes. This is a story that connects the dots between domestic violence, murder, and a child who will forever be branded as the "kid whose mother got killed."

As the trial proceeds and witness after witness describe the events, a young 13 year old boy is sharing with the jury what he saw that afternoon as he was being picked up from his father's after a custody visit. To say that the "family" had a strange living arrangement is an understatement.

Micheal Lister, Anthony Lister's father, was also Tracie Raisner's EX-boyfriend. Living in the Lister home was Micheal's wife of 25 years, his current girlfriend and 6 of his children by 3 different women. Needless to say, this doesn't sound like an "Ozzie and Harriet" type of household.

Testimony revealed what Lister's own lawyers say was an ''unusual'' living arrangement at Lister's home. Staying there were Carol Lister, his wife of 25 years; Christina Murawski, his girlfriend; and six of his children by three women.

On the evening of the shooting, Lister got a call letting him know Raisner was dropping Anthony off, Carol Lister and Rivera testified. He then had Murawski get his gun, and he holstered it and went outside, they said.

Anthony Lister saw it all. At 12 years old he watched as his father gunned down his mother on a sidewalk in front of several people begging him to stop. He is the one who ran to her and cried frantically over her lifeless body. Anthony Lister will never, ever forget what he saw that day as his mother lay dead.

Michael Lister will be found guilty of something, whether it be first, second or third degree murder, or voluntary manslaughter. He will serve jail time, but it will be Anthony, now 13 and entering the turbulent teens that will be forever serving a life sentence.

I doubt that after this trial we will hear about Anthony Lister again. As he continues on with his shattered life he could go down as many paths as the directions of shards of broken glass. Will he choose a path of destruction or will he choose to find strength to break the chains from the anger, sadness and defeat he must be feeling? He couldn't save his mother that day, no matter how hard he screamed for her to come back to him.

Anthony has joined the ranks of the thousands of children who have lost a parent to violence. We don't hear much about these kids, and probably don't wonder about them either. They tend to be "yesterday's news" as a more thrilling story comes to the media outlets. Have you ever thought about the scars these children carry? There is not much help available for the child victims of violence as they are shuttled through the system or through family members. They are expected to grieve, move on and get over it.

It just doesn't happen that way in real life.

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Moving Out, Moving On: The Book that Saves!

In Honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Author and Expert Domestic Violence Strategist, Susan Murphy Milano, is offering her innovative book, Moving Out, Moving On at a discount to anyone who is in a violent relationship, or knows someone who needs to safely move away from abuse.

This book is available in quantity for agencies, shelters, coalitions and any other organizations who deal with victims of abuse.

For the month of October you can order a hard copy of the book which includes a CD of all of the important forms you will need to use. The hard copy (for $15 including postage) can be ordered at the following email:

contact@imaginepublicity.com

Include your name, address and quantity and you will receive a quick response with further instruction.

If you would like an instant EBook copy it can be ordered by going to this link:

CLICK HERE

The Ebook also includes samples of forms to use, as well.

Moving Out, Moving On will not only save you thousands in dollars, it could very well save a life!

Through clear examination, simple forms and worksheets, Moving out, Moving on , logically takes the reader through all the necessary preparation and information gathering to effectively seek legal redress, protect one’s assets and credit, address considerations regarding children, define alternate living arrangements, and deal with the myriad of financial problems and concerns surrounding a divorce or break-up. Moving out, Moving on, also addresses in detail abusive relationships, domestic violence and stalking and how to safely confront these situations.

Moving out, Moving on , is more than a simple workbook, but a true plan to take control of one’s life and face the future head on. This is not just another “divorce book” written by a so called “expert.” Moving out, Moving on, is authored by a person who truly knows…Susan Murphy-Milano

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Tip Leads To New Search For Renee Pernice

Kansas City Mother Missing Since Early January

POSTED: 4:36 pm CDT September 24, 2009
UPDATED: 4:55 pm CDT September 24, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A new tip sent Kansas City police on another search Thursday for missing Northland mother Renee Pernice.

Pernice hasn't been seen since Jan. 1.Investigators believe Pernice is dead. Her estranged husband, Shon Pernice, is believed to be the last person to have seen her, police said."We think this is going to get a resolution," said Rick Pretz, Renee Pernice's father.Pretz said he and the rest of Renee's family are convinced she has been killed.Shon Pernice, who was a firefighter in Independence, has been charged in unrelated crimes, but not in connection with his wife's disappearance.

Pretz said he's pleased that police haven't forgotten about his daughter."It's nice to know that the public is giving tips and that the police are out there looking," Pretz told KMBC's Peggy Breit.Renee Pernice's parents have posted a $25,000 reward for information in the case."Finding Renee is worth $25,000 to the first person with a tip good enough that enables us to find her," Pretz said.Investigators did not disclose where Thursday's search took place.

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• Mom vanishes while pursuing divorce (cnn.com)

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Stacy Peterson, We Remember You

Long before Peace4 the Missing was organized the news broke about a young mother who went missing in Bolingbrook, IL. Her name is Stacy Peterson. Almost 2 years have passed since that day in October, 2007 and many, many more news stories have, and still are, being discussed about what may have happened to Stacy.

Tons of people gathered at various forums and message boards to talk about the latest news, speculate on what happened, and, unfortunately, pick apart every aspect of the lives of those involved. Several blowouts occurred, other splinter forums were created, and the circus surrounding Stacy Peterson was led by the ringmaster, her husband.

As we near the two year anniversary of Stacy's disappearance, I would hope that many of the circus performers have cleaned off their clown makeup, that hurt feelings have been mended, and that the microscope of speculation has been put away.

In 2007 Stacy was a rally point for passionate people who came together in her honor, many have scattered all over the internet and many have started new, successful ventures that probably would not have happened if it weren't for Stacy Peterson.

October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As the internet has grown to bring us information in a flash, it's also come to be a way for all of us to communicate and pass on information and search for solutions. As we use this October to honor Stacy Peterson, to remember her, we also would like to take this opportunity to rally around this awareness campaign.

On Saturday, October 24, several local area people will be partnering with Guardian Angel Community Services for a 5K walk to raise funds to continue their services to victims and families of domestic violence. We have set up a team, "Angels For Stacy" partnering with Peace4 the Missing to give everyone an opportunity to participate.

If you are nearby, we hope you will walk, if you aren't, we hope you will help with support, sponsorship, or donations, if you can. Please join our Team and show your support for Stacy Peterson, ALL missing persons, and the victims of domestic abuse. It's FREE to join and be a member!

ANGELS FOR STACY TEAM PAGE

Let's come together again for Stacy Peterson!

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Toni Lee Sharpless: Missing Mother

(Aug. 27) - Police in Pennsylvania are looking for a woman who vanished early Sunday after attending a house party.

Toni Lee Sharpless, a 29-year-old single mother, left the party in Gladwyne, Pa., with a friend about 3 a.m., the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

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Missing Women Cases

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Toni Lee Sharpless: The 29-year-old Pennsylvania woman was last seen when she left a house party early Sunday morning. Police said she sent a text message to her daughter around 3 a.m., which is believed to be her last communication before she vanished, CBS3 reported.

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Missing Women Cases

Toni Lee Sharpless: The 29-year-old Pennsylvania woman was last seen when she left a house party early Sunday morning. Police said she sent a text message to her daughter around 3 a.m., which is believed to be her last communication before she vanished, CBS3 reported.

West Brandywine Police

West Brandywine Police

She and the friend split up shortly later after arguing about whether Sharpless was sober enough to drive, police said. Around the same time, Sharpless wrote a text message to her 12-year-old daughter, who was struggling to sleep, CBS3 reported. She has not been heard from since.

Sharpless lives with her mother and daughter in West Brandywine Township, Pa.

"This is not like her. She always calls to let us know where she is at," said Sharpless' mother, Donna Knebel.




Posted: Friday, 28 August 2009 7:27AM

Police Continue Search for Missing W. Brandywine Woman

by KYW's Al Novack

West Brandywine, Pa. police and Chester County authorities say an all-points bulletin for a 29-year-old missing woman is still in effect.

Police say Toni Lee Sharpless remains missing and has not been heard from or seen in five days. Sharpless, a nurse at Lancaster General Hospital, has failed to report for work.

Sharpless went missing last weekend after she went clubbing and to a Gladwynne house party. Her car, a 2002 black Pontiac Grand Prix with Pennsylvania license tag DND-7772 has not been located.

Police have spent much of the week re-tracing her possible travel route and tracking her cell phone numbers and credit card activity, if any.

So far, there are no clues and no new developments on her whereabouts. Anyone who has any information can call 911 or West Brandywine police at 610-380-8201.

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