10-26-2011, 05:58 AM
From:
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20111.../710269977
Lost boy Found, But not sent home:
HAMPSTEAD — Reported missing twice in a week's time, 9-year-old Devin Frenette will likely be speaking to social workers and a judge Wednesday.
The boy, who disappeared for 29 hours last week, vanished again on Tuesday morning. He was found five hours later hiding in a tree, cold and shaking.
After a Hampstead police sergeant discovered Devin, he was driven to the police station, where police questioned him without his parents present, police Lt. John Frazier said.
Devin remained inside the station until 7:30 p.m. when he left a sally port in the front passenger's seat of a police cruiser. It wasn't clear where he was taken.
“He's been placed in a safe environment for tonight until we get more answers at a hearing,” Frazier said. He did not provide specifics on today's hearing, but said the case will go before a judge with the involvement of the New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth and Families.
DCYF investigates reports of child abuse and neglect.
Frazier said the agency was notified of the situation after last week's search. He wouldn't characterize the case as a criminal investigation, but said police are looking into the safety of the child.
“Obviously, since we're here again within a seven-day period, that changes things from our perspective to look into this a little bit further than we did last time,” he said.
Devin's father, Mark, has told some media outlets that his adopted son has some developmental delays. However, authorities have said they were not aware of any “clinical diagnosis.”
Tuesday was at least the fourth time the blond-haired, blue-eyed boy has disappeared since 2009.
Police launched the latest search after his mother, Kerrilyn Frenette, reported him missing around 11:45 a.m. He was last seen in his yard at 60 Catherine Ave., around 11 a.m. Tuesday.
As part of their Tuesday search, police returned to the house of Jeff and Claire Gill, where Devin was found last week asleep under a bed with a half-gallon of pistachio ice cream. His backpack containing some clothing was discovered outside the residence.
“We spoke to the homeowners and the place was locked this time, so he couldn't get in,” Frazier said.
Hampstead police spotted Devin around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday sitting on a branch about 10 feet up a tree near 115 East Main St.
“The child was fine when the officer found him. He was shaking, he was cold, but otherwise healthy,” Frazier said.
A week ago, Devin vanished from his yard, prompting a massive air and ground search that involved nearly 300 people, including many volunteers.
DCYF Director Maggie Bishop said state law prevents her from discussing the boy's situation. But she said teenagers are more likely to run away.
“Obviously, there's a concern that a child that young would be running away,” Bishop said. She said social workers would speak to the boy, his parents, his other family members, the school and police.
The agency would then recommend services and work with parents on changing behaviors.
“Safety locks are something we've done with families before, especially young children,” Bishop said. “I don't like the phrase lock-down. I don't think locking someone in a home is safe either.”
Hampstead police were assisted Tuesday by the Salem Police K-9 Unit, Plaistow police and the Rockingham County Sheriff's Department.
No one answered the phone or came to the door when a reporter attempted to reach Devin's parents at their home for a comment on the latest search.
New Hampshire Union Leader reporter Mark Hayward contributed to this article.
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Knowing how taxed out NH DCYF is. I'm sure he'll end up back with his parents soon, but I still say he needs a tracking device.
At least they are checking into it.
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20111.../710269977
Lost boy Found, But not sent home:
HAMPSTEAD — Reported missing twice in a week's time, 9-year-old Devin Frenette will likely be speaking to social workers and a judge Wednesday.
The boy, who disappeared for 29 hours last week, vanished again on Tuesday morning. He was found five hours later hiding in a tree, cold and shaking.
After a Hampstead police sergeant discovered Devin, he was driven to the police station, where police questioned him without his parents present, police Lt. John Frazier said.
Devin remained inside the station until 7:30 p.m. when he left a sally port in the front passenger's seat of a police cruiser. It wasn't clear where he was taken.
“He's been placed in a safe environment for tonight until we get more answers at a hearing,” Frazier said. He did not provide specifics on today's hearing, but said the case will go before a judge with the involvement of the New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth and Families.
DCYF investigates reports of child abuse and neglect.
Frazier said the agency was notified of the situation after last week's search. He wouldn't characterize the case as a criminal investigation, but said police are looking into the safety of the child.
“Obviously, since we're here again within a seven-day period, that changes things from our perspective to look into this a little bit further than we did last time,” he said.
Devin's father, Mark, has told some media outlets that his adopted son has some developmental delays. However, authorities have said they were not aware of any “clinical diagnosis.”
Tuesday was at least the fourth time the blond-haired, blue-eyed boy has disappeared since 2009.
Police launched the latest search after his mother, Kerrilyn Frenette, reported him missing around 11:45 a.m. He was last seen in his yard at 60 Catherine Ave., around 11 a.m. Tuesday.
As part of their Tuesday search, police returned to the house of Jeff and Claire Gill, where Devin was found last week asleep under a bed with a half-gallon of pistachio ice cream. His backpack containing some clothing was discovered outside the residence.
“We spoke to the homeowners and the place was locked this time, so he couldn't get in,” Frazier said.
Hampstead police spotted Devin around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday sitting on a branch about 10 feet up a tree near 115 East Main St.
“The child was fine when the officer found him. He was shaking, he was cold, but otherwise healthy,” Frazier said.
A week ago, Devin vanished from his yard, prompting a massive air and ground search that involved nearly 300 people, including many volunteers.
DCYF Director Maggie Bishop said state law prevents her from discussing the boy's situation. But she said teenagers are more likely to run away.
“Obviously, there's a concern that a child that young would be running away,” Bishop said. She said social workers would speak to the boy, his parents, his other family members, the school and police.
The agency would then recommend services and work with parents on changing behaviors.
“Safety locks are something we've done with families before, especially young children,” Bishop said. “I don't like the phrase lock-down. I don't think locking someone in a home is safe either.”
Hampstead police were assisted Tuesday by the Salem Police K-9 Unit, Plaistow police and the Rockingham County Sheriff's Department.
No one answered the phone or came to the door when a reporter attempted to reach Devin's parents at their home for a comment on the latest search.
New Hampshire Union Leader reporter Mark Hayward contributed to this article.
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Knowing how taxed out NH DCYF is. I'm sure he'll end up back with his parents soon, but I still say he needs a tracking device.
At least they are checking into it.