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In most missing persons cases, the
families of the missing sit and wait for any contact, any word from their
loved one that they are indeed ok. Most people would think that if they
were ok and able to contact family they would. That is why after years go
by with no contact, the general belief becomes that the missing person is
either deceased or cannot contact the family of their own free will. This
is not always the case.
Recently, Todd worked on the case of the
Tate siblings. This was a case where the second oldest of 12 siblings
sought to find and reconnect with his younger brothers and sisters. The
family had been separated for more than a decade after the Tennessee
division of youth services came in and took the 10 youngest children.
Alan Tate and his older brother spent the next 11 years trying to
find out what happened to their siblings. They even came across an older
half brother who had been looking for them as well. It wasn’t until
November of this year after Todd had enlisted help in searching for the
kids, that all 10 brothers and sisters were accounted for.
Now,
Alan knows where his family is and that they are safe. However, the
children have grown up in a happy home and do not wish to have contact
with Alan at this time. Stories like this one really make you wonder how
many of the missing are out there, just don’t wish to be found.
We
have a rule at the Doe Network that we do not contact family or attempt to
find and contact “missing” people on our own. We forward the information
to the authorities, who handle all the contacting for us. That way, if the
missing person wants to stay “missing”, that’s between them and the
authorities.
As I read about this case, it made me wonder. I’ve
spent a lot of years with the same kind of a conflict. I have a half
sister who I’ve never met. I know her name, I know (basically) where she
lives, I’m even invited to her first cousin’s wedding in June, but I’ve
never attempted to contact her. I’ve figured if she wants to contact me,
I’m easy enough to find.
The situation with the Tate siblings
reinforced my decisions in that matter. When the time is right, I feel
that Alan will have contact with his siblings. They have all been through
so much, and I’m sure they all sleep a little better at night now, just
knowing everyone is doing well.
Author: Dana Gonzalez
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