Thursday
Oct232008
WE CARE ABOUT Tekenya Wooten----"Run-A-Way" IS "High Risk" (UPDATED 10/24)
Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 9:45AM The Blogmother 
UPDATE: Tekenya has been found!!!!!!!
Sorry about the typos. I was in a hurry and ticked off. - When you call, before you hang up, ASK FOR THE NAME OF THE PERSON YOU SPOKE TO before they send you into voice mail HELL!
Oh the plot thickens. On yesterday I told you about the case of Tekenya Wooten. A 12 year old girl who is 8 months pregnant and has gone missing. Due to the work of WAOD readers we now know that she also was living in a group home at the time of her disappearance. I have used my early morning hour to do some investigating of my own since the Associated Press it too lazy to engage in what I think we used to call JOURNALISM, they have indicated that their Raleigh office will merely "monitor the situation". Translation- If they find her in a body bag in a ditch somewhere, she might get a mention on the AP newswire. Because to the newsroom decision makers, Black women and girls aren't newsworthy unless we're dead, or charged with killing someone.
What I have discovered this morning, however, is quite disturbing. In a nutshell, the group homes classify these children as run aways for administrative purposes. If she's "run a way" then they must not have to look for her and they get her "off their books." One small problem. She's 12, 100 pounds and 8.MONTHS.PREGNANT. This girl isn't mobile. She can't RUN anywhere.
As a result of the group home declaring her a "run a way" the Durham Police Department being the top notch investigative unit that they are checked a box, declared her a run-a-way vs "high risk" and thus a media embargo. Her story won't see the light of day as long as this designation remains. I have recounted my morning activities, I need you to follow up on this story through out the day.
I don't need comments about "how bad " this is or "how sad" this makes you feel. Your FEELING ain't helping this child. She apparently has no family and it is possible that her family members are perpetrators as she was living in a group home. So in other words, YOU ARE ALL SHE'S GOT!. If you don't ask someone to look for her, they won't.
The Durham Police Department issued a "crime bulletin" which is electronic and the news outlets throw these up on their websites like a press release and do nothing more. Why? Because the ALL POWERFUL AND ALL KNOWING Durham Police Department has classified this 12-year-old girl who is 8.MONTHS! PREGNANT! as a "Run-a-way" vs. "High Risk." I won't even start to talk about the lunacy of declaring a 12. year. old girl as anything OTHER THAN high risk. The fact that she was impregnated at or near the age of 11 OUGHT to mean she is at high risk per se. But that's not our focus today. Our focus today is to find out why the DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT doesn't think she or her unborn child is "high risk." Part of the reason she isn't high risk is because there isn't anybody who will raise HELL that she is missing. She apparently was living in a group home when she "went missing" because a 100 pound child carrying EIGHT MONTHS OF PREGNANCY is so. very. mobile!
Here is a recap of how I spent my early morning hours. I need you to follow up today by e-mail, by phone, by fax, by carrier pigeon.
This morning, EARLY, I called the Raleigh News and Observer. They ran the bulletin online, but according to the lady I spoke with "she didn't know why print didn't pick it up." She didn't know the girls was group home and thus would indicate that some governmental entity had lost this child. She "didn't know she was in any kind of danger" and the piece de resistance "didn't know she was the victim of any crime." Hmmm she's 12. She's 8! MONTHS.! PREGNANT! So as soon as I saw that, I knew she was in danger and have a pretty good instinct that some type of law had to be violated for an 11-year-old to be impregnated. Is it just me? This goes back to why these stories of young Black girls don't get covered.
The News & Observer
215 South McDowell Street
P.O. Box 191
Raleigh, NC 27602
Main: (919) 829-4500
Customer Service: (800) 522-4205
Do follow up with the News and Observer REPEATEDLY throughout the day.
Ask them why this didn't make it to the print edition of the paper? Ask them why it isn't newsworthy that North Carolina lost a child in their custody. Ask them why it isn't newsworthy that you have a 12-year-old running around who is about to give birth any second. Ask them why the Durham Police Department thinks that sending out a random email with no follow up is a sufficient expenditure of law enforcement resources in light of the fact that there are TWO children's lives at stake?
On to WRAL
Well WRAL clearly likes covering Black women, just not those who are MISSING. Crystal Mangum is the top story over at their site today. They, like the news and observer did the cursory job of printing the crime bulletin from the Durham Police Department on their web site.
Newsroom: (919) 821-8600 or (800) 245-WRAL
Newsroom Fax: (919) 821-8541
News Tips: (919) 821-8590 or use our online form
Jameela answered the phone. She thought I "had valid concerns." HOWEVER, their "procedure" is to take their lead from the Durham Police Department. If Tekenya had been classified as "high risk" they would have done more, BUUUUUUUT because the DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT has characterized her as a "Run-A-WAY" she will get no coverage, but Jameela will "pass [my] concerns along to [her] supervisor." She's 12. She's 8-month's pregnant. If she's not high risk, what about her child? What about the fact that Black women under the age of 20 are the most likely to be the victims of maternal homicide? What about the fact that this little girl was likely impregnated when she was 11-years-old? That ain't high risk?
I called the Durham Police department because that appears to be the source of the problem
Durham PD -Cheif Jose Lopez, Sr. of the Durham Police Department 919- 560-4322 jose.lopez@durhamnc.gov
I spoke to Faye who apparently is responsible for deflecting any complaints away from the cheif to "the desk sergeant" after some verbal jujitsu, I went straight to the heart of the matter with a very leading question (they work!) "So you are telling me that the Chief of Police does not want to know about citizen complaints about how his department is handling the case of a missing child? " Faye sighed realizing that she had been boxed in and I managed to get the privilege of leaving a message with the Chief's executive assistance, Tonya Littlejohn. I left her a message an hour and a half ago. Still waiting.
I then called the Durham City Manager who is in charge of managing the police department.
Durham City Manager- Thomas Bonfield (919)560-4222 tom.bonfield@durhamnc.gov
Sandra answered the phone and sent me to Eddie Aikens who is the manager's assistant. I left a message inquiring as to how it is the Durham police department reached the conclusion that this child was anything other than "high risk." 12 year-old run away=high risk. 12 year old pregnant=high risk. 12 year old pregnant with birth imminent= high risk. 12 year old, pregnant, imminent birth, group home= very high risk. Extremely concerned about this designation given by the Durham Police Department as they have guaranteed that her story will not be covered in the media.
Mayor of Durham (919) 560-4333 ext. 269 Bill.Bell@durhamnc.gov
I spoke to Evelyn. At first she tried to send me off to the city manager telling me about proper channels and what not, but the advocate in me kicked in. I had found a live human being and I was not going to let her go without telling this little girl's story. "So you are saying that a citizen can't speak to the mayor about how his police department is handling the case of a missing child? "
So I told Evelyn the story, as the Durham PD has classified a 12 year old as "high risk" vs "run a way" she's doomed to NEVER get any news coverage.How long has she been missing? Does she know any body here?" Then Evelyn dropped this tid bit "The group home classified her as a run away so that they no longer have to deal with her" In other words, it is ADMINISTRATIVELY easier on the "group home" to classify her as a run-a-way. It makes their lives easier. They don't have to look for her. Evelyn said she would "pass this on" to the Mayor to see how he wanted to "handle this."
I impressed upon her the urgent need for some intervention as this girl at 12 years old likely isn't getting prenatal care and her child is due any day now. The baby is at risk and so is the 12 year old. If you have the time, in addition to the mayor, you can drop a note to each and every one of the Durham city council members their names are here and if you click on their names, their names and number will appear.
Durham Child Protective Services (919) 560-8424 ( This is run by Durham COUNTY)
With only 15 minutes left to go, I decided to do make one more phone call. Durham Child Protective Services. All I want to know is whether DCPS is responsible for regulating the group home located at 3529 Manford Drive. I called once and spoke to the receptionist who cut me off and then sent me into voicemail HELL. I wanted to know Joycelnn Moore- Her message said she would return my phone call TOMORROW! BAH! I don't think so! Joycelyn's voicemail said DO NOT LEAVE A MESSAGE if this is a case of suspected abuse or neglect. I was instructed to call back to the main number again. The phone etiquette-challenged Victoria answered again, corrected my pronunciation of Joycelynn Moore's name ( It's JOS-line y'all). I was cool though. I said "maam" all I need to know is if you are the agency responsible for regulating a group home at 3529 Manford Drive. " I was really nice about it. Rudeness ensued and our conversation ended with "I'll have intake call you". So "intake" hasn't called yet. After y'all call everybody else, call Jos-line to see if she is the one responsible for this group home. If not, that's fine. We'll keep looking.
Tekenya Needs You To Do More than "Feel Bad"
I need all you folks who come to this site and look on in horror at story after story about little Black girls who have been abused and murdered to do something more than read and look. If you don't think you have the gumption to call. That's okay. Send an email. If you don't know what to say, you might consider something along these lines:
"I'm concerned that the Durham Police Department has classified Tekenya Wooten as a "run a way" versus "high risk" as a result of this classification, no media outlet will cover her story. This reduces the chances that this young woman will be recovered. The fact that she is 12 years old and the birth of her child is imminent means that not only is this young girl in danger, but so is the life of her child. I am equally disturbed that the police department has done nothing further than take its cue from a group home that has an incentive to classify this child as a "run a way" for administrative purposes. A 100 pound 12-year-old can't RUN anywhere. Has she been classified in this way because she is poor? Has she been classified this way because she is Black? Has she been classified this way because she is pregnant? Has she been classified this way because she lived in a group home? Why doesn't the City of Durham think that a 12 year old pregnant child who is missing is not high risk? "
So don't just look on with horror. At the very least, email. But why not call AND email. The Durham Police Department is the logjam.
I want to know where she is. I want to know where they think she is. I want to know why she was classified as a run a way and how they make that determination. I want to know how much "investigation" took place she was designated in this way. I want to know what if any steps have been taken beyond the electronic crime bulletin to find this little girl. If you know where she is and she is safe. Let us know. If not, let us know why you haven't found her.
Just because the group home thinks she is a run away doesn't make it so. Even if she IS a run away, that doesn't make her garbage to be thrown away by the group home, the City of Durham, and Durham County.
MAKE A CALL and send some emails today!
UPDATED 10/24:
She made the print edition of the News and Observer, but they didn't print a photo... read why they didn't print her picture in the paper.
The picture of Tekenya provided by the Durham Police Department was too small to reproduce clearly in print but can be seen at newsobserver.com/ news. News & Observer
No criminal charges have been filed regarding how an 11 year old ends up pregnant.
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Reader Comments (58)
Here is the list of people in Durham I emailed:
jose.lopez@durhamnc.gov,
tom.bonfield@durhamnc.gov,
Bill.Bell@durhamnc.gov,
ereckhow@aol.com,
bmheron@durhamcountync.gov,
lewis_cheek@nc.rr.com,
prcousin@earthlink.net,
mpage@durhamcountync.gov,
Cora.Cole-McFadden@durhamnc.gov,
Eugene.Brown@durhamnc.gov,
diane.catotti@durhamnc.gov,
farad.ali@durhamnc.gov,
Patrick.Baker@durhamnc.gov,
Ann.Gray@durhamnc.gov,
Howard.Clement@durhamnc.gov,
mike.woodard@durhamnc.gov,
Larryh@ncleg.net,
Paull@ncleg.net,
Mickeym@ncleg.net,
Winkiew@ncleg.net,
Boba@ncleg.net,
Floydm@ncleg.net
This is a very comprehensive list of county, city, and police officials, as well as Durhams state legislators. I may not be an NC resident, but I can still do something to try and make a difference.
Everyone should email all of these individuals.
I emailed all the folks on that list, also called and left a message with Gwen Graves who is a social work supervisor there in Durham county. I'll wait a bit and see if she returns my call. I think we're well on our way to turning this one into a red ball.
Got a quick call back from Durham County CPS, according to Ms. Graves, they do not have custody. Obviously she's not going to reveal anything more. So how did she wind up in a group home? In some states they allow parents to place children in group homes temporarily for respite purposes. It's also possible that she's in juvenile detention. They wouldn't keep her in 'juvie' because it's too dangerous for someone who is pregnant. Probably best to go back to the sheriff's department.
I will make some calls and share this information with my blog readers as well. We need to uplift the profile of this missing 12-year old girl...
peace, Villager
I did get call back from Edie Aikens (Durham City Manager's assistant). She talked with the police earlier this morning. They are seeking better picture of the child ... alerted all patrol cars to be on look-out ... contacted bus lines that Tekenya uses.
I also talked with Deputy Police Chief Ron Hodges. He didn't feel that the case justified "High Risk" designation at this point.
More details on my blog as I get them. I'll also reach out to other Black bloggers via my various networks.
I just spoke with Eddie Aikens who informed me that the police are preparing to issue a press release about Tekenya. This may open up the media coverage as well. Ms. Aikens also stated that the police had been working on it and their efforts were not prompted by the calls and e-mails they'd been receiving (I'm just a wee bit skeptical about that). She said that there was information that couldn't be released because she was a minor and that there were factors affecting the case and its classification that the public did not know.
Regardless, I think we have made some headway.
Left a message on the chief's voice mail.
I just endured more voicemail Hell, but based on Roslyn's info, I called the state of NC.
3529 Mansford Dr. is a residential care facility possibly for pregnant teens. Do the google search. She could have been sent there by a court, parents , or by the state mental health agency. Either way once they report her as a run a way, the group home has no further reporting requirements. Durham would only be involved if she was reported to them.
Odd. She got there somehow. Keep calling
oh so now they release a press release... A WEEK LATER. I don't care why they do it. It needs to get done. Did you mention she's 8 months pregnant? If she's not high risk, why not. I just want to know their reasoning
Okay, so she may not even be from the Durham area (Might explain why she keeps running away.) If NC is anything like Alabama, they probably only have one residential facility for pregnant teens. (Actually, I'm amazed that they even have one.)
If what I was told is correct and she's not in Durham county's custody (and I'm sure I was told the truth), that doesn't necessarily mean that she's not in the state of NC's custody (either CPS or juvie).
Obviously, Amber alerts aren't generally issued for runaways, but in this particular case given her late stage pregnancy I would think they would make an exception. Whether she left that group home of her own free will or under other circumstances, the child needs to be found. If she's a habitual runaway steps should be made to rectify that situation. I'm assuming that she was placed in a low-security facility because she is pregnant. Presumably a locked facility would be too dangerous, but there's got to be a way to keep their hands on this child.
So, Operation Fax the hell out of them isn't going so well lol. My boss is eyeballing me, so I'm not going to be able to fax much from work. But you better believe I'm going to Kinkos or somewhere after work and faxing whatever I can to these people.
What I did do, was sent an email to all those people listed (in the article and in the comments). Hopefully someone will listen. I know they have a heart. I'll be checking on the news every hour - hell who am I kidding, I'll check it every minute lol.
I really appreciate everybody's hard work, especially you Gina. You're doing way more than I expected. Not just spread the word, but actually take action!
Okay y'all, just got off the phone with Chief Lopez. He sounds like a righteous guy and he assures me that they're doing everything humanly possible to find this young girl. They have found her several times before and will do so again.
He also advised that they have shared information with the media, but that they have chosen to not to pick this story up. Apparently the fact that she's runaway so many times disqualifies her for an Amber alert, but certainly they would welcome media coverage.
Obviously given her age and such there is information that he can't share with me, but having dealt with these type situations before I can empathize.
The relationship between law enforcement and the media is a symbiotic one. I think it's crucial that we go back to the media and ask again why they haven't picked this story up. Regardless of how law enforcement has classified this story, even if she did leave under her own free will, the child is at risk.
Alright just contacted WRAL. Spoke with Sally Smith. Oh Course They said the story in up on the site, but I can’t find it. Anyway Sally stated that they couldn’t do anything because she classified as a run away. I mentioned to her that this seems like a vicious cycle. If they home classifies her as runaways, and the polices takes the report from the home and you take the reports from the police. Sally pretty much gave me the “if we ran stories on all runaways” crap.
So I asked her how many runaways are 12 and 8months pregnant? Sally couldn’t answer. She said that the assignment desk was aware of the situation and that they are keeping an eye out for any changes in the status of the child.
Sally and I went back and forth about if Tekenya can from a different background and her being 12 and 8 months pregnant.
The conversation ended with me asking her the name of the person who decides what stories get written both online and in print. Sally told me Bonnie Moore is the one who decides this.
I know it’s yet another name, but she’s a decision maker. I keep digging as the day goes on. I will also put the story on the website as well as send out an e-mail.
Oh yeah. I also called The News and Observer. Homegirl didn’t give me a chance to ask her what her name was and sent me to voicemail of a guy named Pat.
Sorry for the typos. Trying to help in between making calls. But I should have wrote who decides what goes on the air and what stories go online.
I made some calls and have placed a link to your site on my blog. Hopefully more people will pick up the story and run with it.
The lives of two children are at stake here. That's why it also puzzles me why the "run-a-way" label would make any difference. Given the age of the girl and the fact that she is pregnant, it would seem that the interests of unborn child would override some of this BS.
But, if the girl has run away before maybe there is a chance that she is at a shelter or something. Grasping at straws, but still.
WRAL contacted me about information on Tekenya Wooten; it seems that they would like to speak to someone local or a family member. I directed them to this site, as one of the WAOD readers may be in the area or know more about this. I also mentioned contacting the group home for more information about Tekenya.
Anybody got any more suggestions?
The churches. I live in Toronto, and I don't know ANYONE in North Carolina. There's got to be at least ONE mega church in that area!!! Anyone have a minister's name? I'll be glad to do the calling/writing/faxing if you email me the info @ talleesman@yahoo.com.
Another thing we can pressure them about is getting her name put in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Person File if it isn't already. Then that information should be forwarded to the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) where a poster can be created so we can distribute it. Like damn what it takes to get a decent poster on the girl???
Where's this press release that everybody speak of? I cant find it.
I have also copied all of the contact information here and will post on my site for my people to start putting some pressure on. We are all outraged that this girl isn't getting any attention.
http://peace4missing.ning.com
Also posted it across myspace and facebook...we're also working on having her case highlighted on Justice Interrupted's radio show next week Tuesday, we do a spot the first 10 or so minutes there...will keep you updated. ;)
Oh, and btw...you all are incredible, thanks so much for all you do!
Hi all,
I got a response from a city council woman today:
"The Chief assured Council today that they are taking this very seriously.
Thanks for writing.
Best regards,
Diane N. Catotti
Durham City Council
(919) 560-4396 x 278
diane.catotti@durhamnc.gov"
It was nice to actually get a human response. If what she said is true, then at least this means someone from city council at least asked about the girl - it's not monumental, but it is a step.
Dromos, she must've copied and pasted that email because she sent me the same thing. I sent her a looooooong reply back about how I was still not impressed because I figured she was going to do something silly like that (copy and paste). What a great way to show compassion! (sarcasm). I hope she reply to my second email to her because I asked her some specific questions.
Deidra, now I'm mad.
She's getting a phone call tomorrow. And another email. I think her first mistake was to respond, because now she's at least given the appearance that she is accessible. Now that we know we have one person that will respond, I think we know where to apply some pressure.
Oh the lunancy does not stop there. I got a call from a reporter fromt he News and Observer. He said he is working on an article for the PRINT version of the paper however one of the things they are waiting on is a better photo because the one provided by the police department is too small and of too low of a quality to be used for print.
So lets see. She's not getting coverage because she has been deemed a "run a way" and she doesn't have a press kit.
That's my update. Keep em coming.
I just did another news search. Durham PD issued yet another press release titled "Pregnant Girl Still missing". BUt still they aren't taking the search offline into print of television. Here is the press release:
DURHAM - Police are trying to locate a pregnant 12-year-old girl who has been missing since Saturday.
Investigators believe Tekenya Wooten ran away from her Durham residence at 3529 Manford Drive. Although her disappearance does not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert, according to a news release issued this afternoon, the Durham Police Department "is very concerned about her welfare and we are actively looking for her."
"We have received calls from concerned members of the community, but we have been unable to locate her," Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez Sr. said in the prepared statement.
Tekenya, who is eight months pregnant, is described by Durham police as a 5-foot-1-inch black female who weighs about 100 pounds. She was last seen with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, and she was wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and silver-colored shoes. Police believe she may be in the areas surrounding Maple Street or Glasson Street.
Anyone with information about Tekenya's location should contact Durham Police Detective T.M. Ochman at 560-4440, ext. 289.
I'm a bit late on this as I had a late day at work. But I will be "making some contact" tomorrow.
You are never too late. The pressure has to be sustained so a fresh wave of folks is good. Something about this whole thing is OFF.
I would give her hell @ Dromos lol. I mean maybe she did read the emails, but shoot, she could've gave a more personal respond than that. Now it just seem like she sent the email just to get us out of her hair. It's really not gonna stop me!
@ Gina, I can understand the whole press release thing (that's very important when you want the press to pick up) but for goodness sake, this girl don't have any family, you have to make due with what you got!
I found this information on another site about the "criteria" for issuing an Amber Alert:
to qualify for an Amber Alert, there are four criteria: 1) Risk of serious bodily injury or death; 2) sufficient physical description; 3) 17 or younger; 4) Reasonable belief that an abduction occurred. So, essentially, if they do not know with reasonable certainty that the child was abducted and don't have at least some sort of description of abductor, they won't put them in the NCIC system and Amber Alert.
So it also seems that unless she is abducted they won't list in NCIC either?
Does anyone have any information about where this child's family is or the baby's father?
I can't let this one go, either, and will be hitting it harder in the morning to get the word out. Several other bloggers have been contacted and will be responding also.
I sent an e-mail over to:
http://www.find-missing-children.org/posters.htm#Last%20Name%20W
I'll keep sending around also...
Have posted the info here also:
http://www.care2.com/news/member/325453706/929387
Wow! This is strange... another one from DURHAM, NC...
Case Type: Endangered Runaway
http://www.co.orange.nc.us/sheriff/mostwanted/children.htm
I will email this article to my brother he is a news producer for the ABC station in Raleigh-Durham.
I suggest that you guys flood the comments on this national ABC NEWS article on the missing couple Paige and Levi. Police issued an Amber Alert based on SPECULATION and they even say that in this article as well as other articles. They were originally reported as runaways, but their status changed because this girl just didn't seem like the type to lose contact with her family. Read this story, post in the comments with a link to this story and tell me why the HELL Durham police can't bend the rules for Tekenya just like the rules were bent for Levi and Paige???
Article is here:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=6096116&page=1
Deidre,
Forget the Amber Alert. The Amber alert clearly does not apply to poor Black and Brown children without press kits. When a system isn't working for YOU, create your own dayum system. You have the Lakeisha Alert System.
Clearly law enforcement's slavish devotion to the "Amber" alert system and the media's abdication of their responsibility to engage in independent news making judgment isn't working for little Black kids.
So if "Amber" isn't working for Tekenya, your objective is to make something else work. I know you have media contact info from when you've been interviewed. Pitch the story that the Amber Alert system does not work for missing children who don't come wrapped in a neat little bow with a press kit.
Keep calling folks
I emailed mr. lopez and mr. bell and called the chid protective services. Apparently, they don't have her name in the system. The lady i spoke with wanted "the mother's last name". then i spoke with dale at intake and she still isn't being sought. she gave me the juvenile number for the police 560 4440
Maryam,
I am confused. if she is not in "the system" then why the heck not? She got pregnant at 11. In most states that would indicate NEGLECT. I would call back and ask to file a complaint!
The News and Observer ran Tekenya's story int he print edition today
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1266779.html
You will find this noteworthy:
"Ochman said he was not familiar with any criminal charges having been filed in relation to Wooten's pregnancy.
Something is not right here besides THE OBVIOUS!
Somebody asked for church information, just look up churches in Google "Churches Durham, NC" then you can divide it by denomination. There is a church on almost every corner in Durham.
Here are a few I found. If would be good to contact them today as this case might get mentioned at Sunday Service.
Here are the results of a Google search for Baptist Churches near the address of the group home:
http://tinyurl.com/5mj3fd
http://firstcalvary.org/newsite/_contactus.html
Okay tinyurl messed up. Once you pull up the group home in google maps by clicking on the tinyurl, click on "find nearby" in the white rectangle. Type in churches. When that result comes up, you have the option to select various denominations. If the church has a website, it will show up when you click on the name of the church or on the red circle indicating the location of the church on the map.
Sounds complicated, but it is pretty simple... to me.
I am calling and texting all of my people in and around Durham NC. Thanks for this information - will not rest until we have some results.
I know someone whose sister was placed in a group home. She'd stopped going to school and her mother could no longer control her. When she went into a group home, she became a ward of the city. While in the home, she became pregnant (she was underage). No charges were ever filed against the father (an adult) because the city refused to file them.
I wonder if something like that happened to Tekenya, perhaps she became pregnant by someone in the home.
I will send this to talk radio stations in NYC.
I talked to my brother. He couldn't talk much at work as to why this is not a story for his station. I will update you all later this evening on the inner workings of the media.
Getting pregnant at 12 does not automatically bring a neglect or criminal charge. First, someone would actually have to indicate that she was impregnated by an adult. We don't know that at this point. Further, for it to be parental neglect, again we'd have to have some indicator that the parent failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent this happening. If she is a chronic runaway, it's possible that she has other behavioral problems as well.
just saw this:
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1267228.html
This recent article from the News and Observer stated that they found Tekenya Wooten this morning and she is unharmed. Hopefully more articles will follow up with more information. No doubt they found her because of the activisim of this site.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1267228.html
She's been found:
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/crime_safety/story/1267228.html
Missing pregnant girl found in Durham
Just got an email from Chief Lopez. Apparently the young lady has been found. He stated that she was recognized by a patrol officer as she walked down the street.
He further addressed the pregnancy issue saying, "The circumstances surrounding her pregnancy has been addressed in the jurisdiction that the incident occurred."
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/durham/durham/story/1267228.html
The News and Observer reports that Tekenya has been found, unharmed.
The text of the email:
The Durham Police Department has been actively trying to locate Tekenya Wooten since she was last reported missing from the group home where she resides. It is clear that she left on her own accord. The investigation of this runaway is continuing with any and all leads being fully followed. We have enlisted the help of our community partners in an effort to locate Ms. Wooten, to include the Bus System and Mall/Shopping Centers security. Available information and photograph has been forwarded to all media outlets in the area. Although this case does not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert (http://www.amberalert.gov/guidelines.htm), the Durham Police Department is very concerned about her welfare.
Due to Juvenile privacy laws I am limited in the information that I can release but I can say that:
· Since September, 2008 the Durham Police Department has investigated three separate incidents of Ms. Wooten walking away from this same group home.
· The circumstances surrounding her pregnancy has been addressed in the jurisdiction that the incident occurred.
· Ms. Wooten’s information has been entered in NCIC, each time that she has been reported missing.
All runaways place themselves in harm’s way and as such the Durham Police Department puts every effort forward to locate them and return them to their residences.
During this writing, I have been informed that moments ago Tekenya Wooten has been located and taken into custody by a Durham Police Officer on Patrol who recognized her as she walked down the street.
Thank you for your interest and concern in this matter.