The following is a post I was working on for U4A when it was unexpectedly closed down. The response from the Pueblo Police Department was made at that time but even today the purpose of this post is the same.
I have been following another missing person case that has had the public and the victim’s family members and friends in an uproar over the fact that no one has been charged yet. Kelsie Schelling 21 from Denver made a trip to Pueblo on 2/4/13 to see her boyfriend at his request after she informed him she was pregnant. No one has seen or heard from her since. Her car was seen on surveillance video in a Walmart parking lot and a man was seen getting into the car and driving away on 2/5/13 it was later found in a hospital parking lot on 2/6/13. For more details on Kelsie’s case you can read here.
When I read the response from PPD I immediately thought,
“Why can’t MSP do something like this?”
“Why won’t they try to explain things more clearly to the public?”
IN RESPONSE
KELSIE SCHELLING INVESTIGATION
The Pueblo Police Department understands the frustration being felt by friends and family of Kelsie Schelling. This investigation is equally frustrating for the men and women of the Pueblo Police Department. Some statements have been made by individuals who have limited knowledge of this investigation, nevertheless, we feel the need to provide you with factual information.
1). This case is not a cold case. It has been worked continually since Feb. 12, 2013, and continues to be worked as new leads are developed. A lead Investigator has been assigned this case from the outset, and he is assisted by other Detectives from the Crimes Against Persons Section depending on the information.
2). The police are bound by the laws of the land. The United States and Colorado Constitutions are living documents that set the parameters on what the police may or may not do. As an example:
a. The police cannot arrest individuals without reaching a legal standard called “Probable Cause”.
b. The police may interview individuals, but they cannot force someone to talk.
c. The police do not use unlawful methods to solve a case.
3). The Pueblo Police Department is involved in this matter as a result of Ms. Schelling’s car being found within the City of Pueblo, after she had reportedly visited her boyfriend.
4). This investigation was almost one (1) week old when the Denver Police Department provided us with the case material.
5). Our investigator has been in consistent contact with the family, particularly Ms. Schelling’s mother, throughout this investigation.
6). Ms. Schelling’s boyfriend has been, and continues to be a “person of interest”.
7). The Pueblo Police Department has worked in collaboration with other police agencies and private sector companies with the expressed purpose of locating Ms. Schelling.
8). The investigators assigned to this case are dedicated professionals who, besides the members of her family and friends, may be the only other advocates for Ms. Schelling.
9). We understand that a family is grieving and that the family will never forget their loved one. We will never forget her as well. We will continue to look at every lead, no matter how inconsequential, until this case is solved.
10). If anyone has any information on the disappearance of Kelsie Schelling, please call the Pueblo Police Department at 719-553-2502, or Pueblo Crime Stoppers at 719-534-STOP (7867).
If MSP addressed the public in this way, would you feel differently about them?
Would you have a better understanding of their procedures, restrictions and actions?
Would you feel they were no longer ignoring the public’s questions and concerns?
Would you feel more confident in MSP’s investigation of Ayla’s disappearance?
Maine State Police Tip Line – 207-624-7076
Friends For Ayla 