Post by Scumhunter on Nov 26, 2014 15:38:27 GMT -5
(Above: Top: Alexis, circa 2002. Bottom: Age-progression image to age 17, circa 2012. Photo Credits: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's missingkids.org website)
Missing Child/Person Profile as of November 26th, 2014 (Based on missingkids.com profile):
Missing Since: May 3, 2002
Missing From: Milwaukee, WI
DOB: Apr 4, 1995
Age (as of 11/26/2014): 19
Sex: Female
Race: Black
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Height: 3'8"
Weight: 42 lbs
TIPS: Anyone having information should call 1-800-THE-LOST or the Milwaukee Police Department at 1-414-935-7401
UPDATE: As of January 16th, 2019, anyone with information on this case can also call or text "In Pursuit" on the Investigation Discovery channel at 833-378-7783 and/or submit a tip at the show's website: www.InPursuitTips.com
Alexis Paterson was only 7-years old when she went missing from her Milwaukee home on May 3rd, 2002. The case has been aired at least four times on AMW but has yet to be solved. John Walsh was recently quoted as saying the media still does not give enough coverage to missing black and Hispanic children compared to white ones. Unfortunately, this case may be one of the best examples supporting Walsh's argument. Below is an AMW archived description of her case from 2007:
Alexis Leaves For School
Like any day, on Friday May 3, 2002 7-year-old Alexis Patterson woke up to go to school.
Once dressed, Alexis joined her mother, Ayana Patterson, and her stepfather, LaRon Bourgeois in the kitchen where her mother was preparing a school lunch. Alexis got into an argument with her mother when she refused to put cupcakes in Alexis' lunch: she had not finished her homework the night before.
Later that day, authorities at Hi-Mount Boulevard School contacted Ayana and LaRon about Alexis not showing up for classes. They immediately contacted the Milwaukee Police Department.
The police questioned Alexis' parents and found out about the child's argument with her mother. Her stepfather told them he had walked Alexis to school only a block away, dropped her off and left.
The Search Heats Up
The search for Alexis intensified as volunteers and law enforcement authorities combed the city and searched warehouses and lakes.
Everyone who knew Alexis or her family, including neighbors, teachers, classmates and people in surrounding neighborhoods, was questioned. Several students claimed to have seen Alexis on the playground before school started. But after further investigation, police ruled out the students' reports. There still was no sign of Alexis.
In January 2005 cops saw a glimmer of hope. After an AMW airing, a prisoner in Louisiana told officials Alexis' body could be found in a vacant Baton Rouge house. Milwaukee detective rushed to the scene. But after several days of searching, police came up empty handed. The tip was false, and the investigation was back at square one.
Cops: Despite Problems, Family Not Involved
According to police Alexis' stepfather, LaRon Bourgeois, had a criminal background and served time in jail for drugs and driving a getaway car in a bank robbery, during which a policeman was murdered. LaRon voluntarily took and passed a polygraph test.
On April 15, 2003, LaRon was charged with battery and disorderly conduct over allegations of beating Alexis's mother. In the criminal complaint, Patterson claimed Bourgeois had been selling drugs and "pimping several other women," and "has not comforted her during the very difficult time of the disappearance of her daughter." Charges were eventually dismissed.
It has been more than three years since Alexis disappeared and investigators are still searching. Alexis was last seen wearing a red hooded jacket with gray stripes, a purple shirt, blue jeans and white Nike tennis shoes. She has a scar under her right eye and a bump on the little finger of her left hand.
Thoughts? I'm confused since AMW says LaRon passed the polygraph test but the Charley Project says he didn't. Unless they re-tested him. Regardless, the cops at least early on stated they didn't think he was involved. Alexis's birth father, Kenya Campbell, was in prison at the time of Alexis's disappearance and was said to be cooperative afterwards.
So there were family problems, but nothing that unequivocally connects anyone- which leaves us back at square one.
What is frustrating is that although AMW cared, there was not enough of a media push initially. And thus, further evidence to John Walsh's point. As much as I loved AMW, what really solves missing children cases without a known kidnapper is getting it out in the media right away before too much time passes by. A fugitive is easier found years after going missing. Children who grow taller and may have everything about them changed from their abductor, are not.
For this Thanksgiving weekend, let's hope for a miracle and hope we can bring Alexis back home for the holidays.
www.missingkids.com/poster/NCMC/934881/1
web.archive.org/web/20070811114916/http://www.amw.com/missing_children/case.cfm?id=25452#completebroadcasts
www.charleyproject.org/cases/p/patterson_alexis.html
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