Sunday, October 28, 2007

What would Vernon Eugene Grobe have said and done?



Picture from 1989 of Mary Lee Grobe and her husband, Vernon Eugene Grobe. Picture in the shade of the big oak tree along with a grandson.

We are thinking of Vernon Eugene Grobe today and wondering what he would have done and/or said to the ones responsible for his wife's disappearance. He never had much in the way of material things but he had his dignity and his reputation. How disappointed he would have been with the greed displayed.

It is not too late to speak up and tell the truth.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Summer Shipp's Remains Found

Our love and prayers go to Summer's family during this difficult time.

My Fox News 4

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. -- Thursday, police announced they have picked up a few more items in the search for evidence in the death of Summer Shipp. Investigators still need to analyze those items to determine if they are evidence in the case.

The remains of Summer Shipp were discovered Sunday when fisherman found her skull floating in the Little Blue River. Shipp had been missing for three years.

Investigators have brought out a team of 100 searchers, some on horseback. They've also brought in back hoes and sand trucks to dam part of the Little Blue River, to provide better access for excavation. And, they are planning to drain part of the river to search for evidence.

While law enforcement scoured a two to three mile stretch of woods, friends of Shipp put up a small memorial nearby.

"Every time we looked for the Porter children we also searched for Summer," friend Christine Stevens said. "We've got a nut out here somewhere, he needs to be captured."

The day after two fishermen found Shipp's skull, FOX 4 learned that a hunter has approached investigators about something he saw three years ago that's always haunted him. Investigators aren't saying exactly what but we learned it had something to do with chasing a man off from his hunting camp

"Someone did come forward, contact some of the Sheriff's deputies here on scene and said that he saw something and it wasn't specifically at this location but it was at another location having to do with the river," Rhonda Montgomery with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department said.

"Hopefully they can find some evidence to really get some closure on this," friend Janice Cogburn said. "She'll never have closure until we know what happened and when we can get this person behind bars where he belongs.

The discovery of Shipp's remains may refocus attention of Jeff Sauerbry. Three years ago police searched his house after dogs followed Shipp's scent to his door.

He was never charged but spent a year in federal prison for a parole violation and was released last December. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Shipp's family released a statement on Tuesday night, after officials confirmed that the remains were Shipp's.

"There are no words to express the feelings and emotions the Shipp family is experiencing after the recent news of the positively identified remains of our wonderful Summer," the statement on the website, Friends of Summer, said. "The family needs some time to absorb this. We dearly appreciate all the emails and phone calls received, and please keep them coming! They are so very comforting. Your emails to the family can be sent to friendsofsummer@gmail.com and for any other inquiries, please contact the Independence Police Department at 816-325-7330."

The fishermen who made the initial discovery said they saw an object floating in the Little Blue River, retrieved it and saw it was a skull. They immediately called 911 from their location near M-78 and 7 Highways.

Independence Police said this case has always been a tough one for investigators.

"It does strike us right in the heart, but it is some form of resolution," Tom Gentry with Independence Police said. "So, it's up to us now. In fact, there's probably more work ahead of us than behind us."

Shipps' daughter, Brandy Shipp, waged a tireless campaign to find her mother after she disappeared three years ago. The search for Shipp garnered plenty of publicity, and her family raised $100,000 in reward money.

Brandy Shipp now lives in Amsterdam.

National Center on Elder Abuse

Who Are the Abusers?

It has been estimated that roughly two-thirds of all elder abuse perpetrators are family members, most often the victim’s adult child or spouse.

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Major Types of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is a growing problem. While we don't know all of the details about why abuse occurs or how to stop its spread, we do know that help is available for victims. Concerned people, like you, can spot the warning signs of a possible problem, and make a call for help if an elder is in need of assistance.

Physical abuse

Sexual abuse

Emotional or psychological abuse

Neglect

Abandonment

Financial or material exploitation

Self-neglect

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Is Elder Abuse a Crime?

Most physical, sexual, and financial/material abuses are considered crimes in all states insofar as these acts violate statutes prohibiting crimes such as assault, battery, rape, theft, etc. In addition, depending on the perpetrators' conduct and intent, and the consequences for the victim, certain emotional abuse and neglect cases are subject to criminal prosecution.

State criminal statutes, adult protective laws, and federal statutes such as Medicare define and establish penalties for abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. Prosecution of perpetrators is rare, however, and may be hampered by several factors including victims' fear of retaliation, hesitancy to prosecute family members, or lack of capacity to describe the crime or perpetrator.

While there has been some increase in cases prosecuted (particularly in the area of nursing home abuse largely due to aggressiveness of Medicaid Fraud Units), justice for elder abuse victims requires continued specialized training for police officers and other first responders, district attorneys, victim/witness professionals, lawyers, and the courts.

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National Center on Elder Abuse

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If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, call
1-800-677-1116.


If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or the local police for immediate help.

Missouri man charged in mother's death

Missouri man charged in mother's death

ASSOCIATED PRESS
10/17/2007
Stltoday.com

PATTON, Mo. (AP) -- A southeast Missouri man knew his elderly mother was dying and had stopped breathing but still went to bed without seeking help, authorities said.

Eric Lichte, 58, of Patton, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence and elder abuse in the death of his mother, 83-year-old Wanda Lichte.

Authorities said Eric Lichte moved back to Missouri from Colorado about 10 years ago and moved in with his mother to help care for her.

He told police his mother's breathing was shallow in the early hours of Oct. 11. About 3:30 a.m., she stopped breathing. Still, he decided to go to bed without contacting police or emergency crews, according to a probable cause statement.

Lichte called a funeral home about six hours later to report his mother's death.

"The fact he would go to sleep at that point rather than calling family members or calling for medical assistance at any time that night is something we've noted as a concern," Bollinger County prosecutor Stephen Gray said.

Sheriff's Sgt. Eric Sarakas said authorities who went to the home found the deceased woman lying on her bed with "arms folded as if she was in a casket for viewing, and she was fully dressed in neat clothing. Her hair appeared to be neatly combed." A plastic cover had been placed on the bed in place of sheets.

An autopsy showed Wanda Lichte died of neglect -- she was malnourished and dehydrated. She also had large bedsores, authorities said.

Eric Lichte told police his mother had diabetes and Alzheimer's disease but had asked that he not notify doctors. He said he was "taking care of her the best he knew how," the probable cause statement said.

"There's just not a good reason to let a family member suffer when there's professional help available," Gray said.

Lichte's attorney did not return a phone call seeking comment.

stltoday.com

Bollinger County Man Charged with Elder Abuse

Patton, MO
Bollinger County Man Charged with Elder Abuse
Oct 17, 2007 06:19 PM CST
By: CJ Cassidy, KFVS 12

PATTON, Mo. - A Patton man faces charges in connection with his 83- year-old mother's death.

Eric Lichte, 58, returned home after bonding out of Bollinger County Jail Wednesday.

He faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, elder abuse and tampering with physical evidence.

According to court records, Eric Lichte's mother passed away around 3:30 a.m. October 11th, but he told police he didn't call anyone for help because he figured it was too late.

So he went to sleep for an hour and called a funeral home much later.

That's not the only thing raising questions among investigators and neighbors.

"I was very surprised. He was always a nice gentleman," said Bud Becker.

Becker lives across the road from Eric Lichte, and says he's horrified to hear some of the details involving Lichte's mother's death.

According to court documents, investigators found Lichte's 83-year-old mother, Wanda, dead on a bed covered with plastic, not sheets. Her arms were reportedly folded as if she were in a casket, and her body neatly dressed, her hair neatly combed.

Becker says in 18 years out in Patton, he got to know his other neighbors, but not the Lichtes.

"They were people who stayed to themselves. They never came out much, never said much to anybody. They would come out at night, wouldn't come out much during the day, even to get their mail, even to mow their grass," Becker said.

Court papers point to disturbing details, like the the County Coroner finding large open bedsores on Wanda Lichte's body. They state you could even see her joints and ribs in places because she appeared to be malnourished.

Eric Lichte allegedly told police his mother suffered from both Alzheimer's disease and diabetes, but he didn't take her to the doctor because he wanted to honor her wishes.

That's something social workers say is quite common in cases of elder abuse, but doesn't always hold up in court.

"If the person has verbalized or put in writing their wishes to be honored, lot of times through a living will, when it's medical it will address that. But if it's a family member who told their son or daughter they don't want anyone coming to help, usually. That's because they're afraid of being put in a nursing home," said Bonnie Eulinberg with the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services.

Eulinberg says she deals with hundreds of cases of elder abuse in Southeast Missouri every year and ignorance and neglect are most often to blame.

If you suspect someone you know of being an abuser or you think someone's being abused, call 1 (800) 392-0210.

It's anonymous, and could help save someone's life.

Eric Lichte, meanwhile, appears in court again in December.

KFVS TV12

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Patton Man Charged in Death of His Mother

Patton man charged in death of mother

Wednesday, October 17, 2007
By Candice Hale ~ The Banner Press
semissourian.com

PATTON, Mo. -- A Patton man has been charged in the events surrounding the death of his mother.

Eric Lichte, 58, faces charges of tampering with physical evidence, involuntary manslaughter and elder abuse.

Sgt. Eric Sarakas of the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department and Bollinger County Coroner Charles Hutchings went to the Lichte residence Thursday to investigate the death of Wanda Lichte, 83, also of Patton, according to a probable-cause statement filed Friday.

The statement read that upon their arrival to the residence, Lichte said his mother had shallow breathing the night before and that she had stopped breathing around 3:30 a.m. Thursday. He told the deputy he went to bed at 4:30 a.m. and called Liley Funeral home about six hours later to report his mother's death.

"The fact he would go to sleep at that point rather than calling family members or calling for medical assistance at any time that night is something we've noted as a concern," said Bollinger County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Gray.

According to the statement, Wanda Lichte was found lying on her bed, "arms folded as if she was in a casket for viewing, and she was fully dressed in neat clothing. Her hair appeared to be neatly combed."

Sarakas stated the bed had a plastic cover in place of sheets.

Once her body was examined at the coroner's office, the statement said, she was found to have large, open bedsores and appeared to be malnourished because her joints and ribs were visible.

Lichte was arrested Thursday afternoon, at which time he was questioned by Sgt. Stanley Petton of the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department.

According to the statement, Lichte said his mother asked him to take care of her about 10 years ago, when he sold his house in Colorado and moved in with her.

Lichte said in the interview that his mother was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease but that he had not taken her to see a doctor in two years. According to the probable-cause statement, he had not notified any doctors of her diabetes and Alzheimer's because he was honoring his mother's wishes.

The statement also said that the funeral home reported that Lichte asked that his mother not be embalmed, and that Lichte said he spoke to other members of his family and that none of them would be attending the funeral, so a graveside service would suffice.

"It's obvious he didn't want the full extent of her condition to be known," Gray said.

Sgt. Phil Gregory of the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department contacted one of Lichte's brothers in Hawaii, and according to the probable-cause statement, he said he hadn't spoken with his brother and that he would be attending the funeral.

An autopsy was performed at the Mineral Area Regional Center by Dr. Russell Deidiker. According to the probable-cause statement, Wanda Lichte's death was ruled a homicide through neglect. Deidiker's report read that she was malnourished and dehydrated.

Gray said families must be able to recognize there are times and situations in which a hospital or nursing home might be the best way to care for someone.

"There's just not a good reason to let a family member suffer when there's professional help available," he said. "He really should've gotten professional help some time ago to avoid this kind of situation."

In the probable-cause statement, it was noted that Lichte said he "was taking care of her the best he knew how."

Lichte is in custody at the Bollinger County Jail, Gray said.

Southeast Missourian Newspaper

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Sounds like the Scott County Sheriff is taking missing persons cases more seriously! That's commendable as more should be done in Missouri.

http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/story.asp?s=7144754

Searching for a Loved One
By: Holly Brantley

A missing loved one is enough cause for concern, but that may not be the worst part. Some run into more red tape than help, while searching for someone who's vanished.

For example, Tonya Rider, a Washington state woman disappeared on her way home from work. Amazingly, police found her alive Thursday night eight days later. Her husband, Tom Rider, tried to file a missing persons report, but questions of jurisdiction, and doubts about his story slowed things down.

Too many Heartland families know what it's like to search for a missing loved one. Some of those stories have happy endings. Many remain unsolved and some say it's impossible to find closure even when the case is solved.

One of those families is that of Ralph Lape. Their life was turned upside down back in July of 2002. Lape's sister, daughter, and family members searched for him with no idea of his fate. They spoke with Heartland News about the emotional process.

"I remember thinking, I don't believe I'm doing this," said Diane Miller, Lape's sister. "He'll call, he'll call tonight."

Miller, and Lape's daughter, Megan recall the anxious days after he disappeared.

"When he didn't show up for the closing of his house, I thought probably something is wrong," said Miller.

Before they learned his fate, they worked to try and find him. It took nearly a month before they would discover Lape was kidnapped and murdered.

"The police were great," said Miller. "They met us at his house and asked a lot of questions. When you get to that point, you just want to do anything to find them."

Lt. Jerry Bledsoe of the Scott County Sheriff's Department explains what to do if your loved one is missing. First, you file a missing person's report. Then, that person's name goes into a statewide and national data base to search. In Scott County, they begin searching immediately.

"We don't wait 24 hours anymore," said Bledsoe.

Diane Miller offers this advice to other families should they ever be faced with the search for a loved one.

"Keep busy," said Miller. "You have to do as much as you can. Look everywhere. Talk to everyone."

Lt. Bledsoe says they never give up on a missing person's case. Many will remember Cheryl Ann Schere who went missing in 1979. Bledsoe says they followed a lead on that story just this week.

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