Lewis County Sirens.com

Barbara Glenn, a 911 supervisor in Lewis County, sends up a balloon in recognition of missing children. / Courtesy photo by Jennifer Ducummon

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Michelle Croft and Melissa Baum are living every parent’s nightmare, but still took time out to help Lewis County 911 dispatchers shine a spotlight on the resources available to both prevent and find missing children.

Both have daughters who vanished; Kayla Croft-Payne three years ago and Lindsey Baum from McCleary in Grays Harbor County almost a year before that.

“It’s a club none of us wants to be in,” Baum said last week when the two mothers took part in a gathering at Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis.

Lindsey Baum

Lindsey Baum was 10 years old, when she was last seen June 26, 2009. She left a friend’s house to walk home and never arrived. Kayla Croft-Payne was 18 and living southwest of Chehalis on April 28, 2010 when she last logged onto her MySpace internet account. She was reported missing on May 5 by a friend who hadn’t seen or heard from her for several days.

Though Kayla was already technically an adult, Lewis County sheriff’s detectives have made sure her information got added to various databases on missing kids.

Kayla’s younger sister Shelbie regularly sends messages to Kayla, via floating helium balloons up in to the sky.

“Three or four times a month, plus events like this,” Croft said.

On Wednesday, beneath gray and drizzling skies, they did it again. Theirs was among scores of red and white balloons released in recognition of youngsters who have disappeared.

Kayla Croft-Payne

“Each balloon represents hopes and prayers for the eventual return of each missing child,” said Craig Larsen, Lewis County 911 manager.

Larsen’s staff began a big push last year to do more about the issue, taking part in training to provide swift and decisive responses in the early stages of incidents.

The first few moments when a child goes missing are the most critical, Larsen told a crowd of more than 40 individuals.

“You never get to go back to that,” he said.

The county department recently got its certification from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

His people have been working to spread the word about what others can do.

What they’ve learned from NCMEC, is families can help by making sure their little ones know their own phone number, their address, he said.

“Their parents names, not just ‘mom’ and ‘dad’,” he said. “Together, we really can make a difference.”

There are approximately 800,000 missing kids in the country today, according to Larsen. Eleven of them are from Lewis County.

The following list was read on Wednesday of 11 children who are listed as missing from Lewis County, compiled from local law enforcement agencies by the Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit.

• Kayla Croft-Payne: Since April 2010, then age 18, believed endangered

• Xavier Burroughs: Since February 2011, then age 1, circumstances unknown

• Lillie Burroughs: Since February 2011, then age 2, circumstances unknown

• Angelica Mejiamoctezuma: Since May 2012, then age 15, believed runaway

• Ashley Fern: Since September 2012, then age 16, believed runaway

• Ashley Tanner: Since January 2013, age 17, believed runaway

• John Williford: Since January 2013, age 17, believed runaway

• Antonio Aguilar: Since January 2013, age 17, believed runaway

• Ruben Valles-Nortin: Since February 2013, age 15, believed runaway

• Cody Moorman: Since May 10, 2013, age 13, believed runaway

• Lilli Morellia: Since May 18, 2013, age 17, believed runaway
•••

See missing children of Washington state, here

Lewis County 911 is distributing resource materials to local libraries and through the sheriff’s office. The “Take 25” campaign – with info also available online – encourages parents and other adults to take 25 minutes to talk to children about safety.

Stan Hedwall Park, Chehalis. May 22, 2013 / Courtesy photo by Jennifer Ducummon

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A Tacoma woman is jailed after she reportedly used pepper spray to break up a brawl between her grown son and another man outside the Centralia Outlets yesterday afternoon then chased the subject, spraying him and two children who were with him.

Police and aid were called about 3:15 p.m. to the shopping center on the 100 block of West High Street. Tamala J. Summerhill, 53, was arrested, according to the Centralia Police Department.

“Spraying the guys to break up a fight is one thing,” Sgt. Kurt Reichert said. “But chasing him across the parking lot is a whole different ball of wax.”

As to why she used the streaming pepper spray on two boys, ages 8 and 9, she had no explanation, according to Reichert. She was arrested for two counts of third-degree child assault, he said.

It began with an exchange of words between the two males as they stood in line inside one of the stores and the 22-year-old son picking a fight when they got outside, according to police.

“The victim gets the suspect down, the female whips out the pepper spray,” Reichert said.

The 38-year-old Tumwater man got up and ran to his vehicle; she follows, he said. He and the boys were standing outside the vehicle when she let go with more pepper spray, according to Reichert.

Medics treated the patients, none were hospitalized.

Jesse E. Summerhill, 22, also of Tacoma, was arrested for misdemeanor assault, his mother was booked for the felony assaults, according to Reichert.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The lawsuit against White Pass School District – sued by the family of a sophomore who committed suicide – is over, with a Lewis County Superior Court judge ruling this morning school officials had no duty to notify Brian Stephens’ family of a suicide note they learned of or a possible suicide pact between two students

Brian Stephens, 16, was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head, inside a Tacoma man’s vacation mobile home in Packwood in May 2009.

Brian Stephens

His grandmother Debbie Reisert, with whom he lived, never heard about the note until months afterward. She wasn’t called when the high school counselor brought her grandson into his office to ask him if he was suicidal.

Days before Brian’s death, one of his friends had taken 30 Ibuprofen pills one morning and then went to school. When the counselor learned of it,  the boy was taken away in an ambulance to Morton General Hospital where he was treated and subsequently released.

A female classmate told counselors Brian had passed her a  note in English class, writing that if his friend killed himself, he would too.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed last year by Brian’s family never went to trial.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey today granted a summary judgement requested by the school district.

“Is there a duty in the first place?” Brosey asked lawyers this morning. “That’s the issue we’re dealing with today.”

Brosey said the answer was no, based on case law.

“If the court of appeals or the Supreme Court want to declare there is, that’s up to them,” he said.

Tukwila attorney Philip Talmadge who represented the White Pass School District said the district feels horrible about the tragic circumstances, but they are not legally culpable.

The school counselor talked to the young man and he denied he was suicidal, Talmadge said.

He said the grandmother claimed she had previously had a long conversation with the counselor, asking him to inform her if he noticed anything amiss. But the counselor Justin Neilson didn’t recall the conversation exactly the same way, he said.

“Before you can have liability, you have to have a duty, as a matter of law,” Talmadge said.

He said it’s a question for the legislature, should it want to make such laws. There are many variables that would need to be addressed, he said.

“The Idaho legislature did that,” he said.

The family attorney Kevin Coluccio said he doesn’t yet know if they will appeal.

“I think what’s disappointing to us, is the school district won’t be held accountable for withholding information about kids,” Coluccio said. “Because mom and grandmother didn’t have the information, they couldn’t take action.”

Coluccio said some changes have been made, in part due to efforts by his clients.

The governor recently signed legislation that requires suicide education training for educators and some notification requirements, he said.

He called Brian’s death, or any child to suicide, a great tragedy.

“My hope is that this caused them to re-evaluate, to take more seriously the threat of teen suicide,” Coluccio said.
•••

For the in-depth story surrounding Brian Stephen’s death, read “Packwood teen’s suicide to be revisited, in court” from Sunday July 1, 2012, here

Rachelle L. Braaten pleads guilty to “delivery” of marijuana in Lewis County Superior Court.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Centralia mother who was captured on cell phone video offering up a marijuana bong to her toddler’s mouth was sentenced today to six months in jail.

Rachelle L. Braaten, 24, admitted what she did as part of a plea agreement, and the judge went along with it.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge James Lawler called the recommendations appropriate, given the particular facts of the case.

Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Shane O’Rourke and defense attorney Sam Groberg told the judge what Braaten did involved a foolish lapse of judgement by a young mother while in the company of pot smokers in her home.

“It was at least those things,” Lawler told Braaten. “You’ve got to take care of your child.

“Being a parent means you have to protect your child; hopefully you’ve learned your lesson.”

Braaten and the boy’s father were arrested in early March.

Centralia police initially said they went to the home on the 1400 block of Delaware Avenue to confiscate marijuana plants, but court documents described the anonymous video they received as the primary reason for law enforcement’s visit to the home.

No charges have been filed in connection to the marijuana plants; the deputy prosecutor said it turned out there was evidence 25-year-old Tyler J. Lee was  validly prescribed medical marijuana and validly providing it for a second person.

According to the documents, Braaten told police she knew she shouldn’t be giving her son a hit off the bong, but felt “peer-pressured.”

She has no criminal background.

The video, which caught the attention of a worldwide audience on news sites, includes the sound of laughter from a number of people as the child approaches the marijuana smoking device which the mother is holding, and when his mouth gets close to its top, the little one rears back and coughs.

Braaten pleaded guilty today to delivery of marijuana, which carried a sentence of zero to six months, as well as a violation of a no contact order.

The charge which was dropped –  delivery of a controlled substance by a person over 18 to a person under 18, domestic violence –  has a standard sentencing range of 51 to 68 months.

“Our big thing is once she takes responsibility for what happened, I don’t think she needs to be subjected to the high sentencing range,” O’Rourke told the judge.

Both of her sons were taken by Child Protective Services initially. It wasn’t discussed in court where they are now.

Under the terms set forth by CPS, Braaten began attending parenting classes at Centralia College, which stopped when she was put in jail for violating the no contact order last month, O’Rourke told the judge.

Lawler said she could have contact with her son under the conditions allowed by CPS, but he made it part of the court order she continue parenting classes.

He implored her to embrace the course as an opportunity to become the very best mother possible.

“You’re young, you don’t have a lot of experience,” the judge said. “There’s a lot to be learned.”
•••

For background, read “Police: Marijuana smoking toddler taken from Centralia parents” from Friday March 8, 2013, here

The victim is pulled back over to safety as the diver, left, looks on. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Fire District 10

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A 24-year-old camper northeast of Packwood was rescued after he slipped into a glacial river while on a morning walk.

The Kennewick man was staying with friends and family in an unimproved area about a quarter mile south of Mount Rainier National Park off state Route 123, according to authorities.

He got too close to the edge of the Ohanapecosh River and slid about 25 feet into the swift water, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said. Packwood Fire Chief Lonnie Goble said the current swept him to the opposite bank, where he yelled for help.

His companions drove to Packwood to make a 911 call, which came about 7 a.m., responders said.

Responders set up a pulley system, with help from the man.

A sheriff’s deputy who is trained in swift water rescue entered the 40 degree water and was pulled to the other side, where he put a harness on the victim who was pulled back to awaiting rescue teams, according to the sheriff’s office.

The river is about 25 to 30 feet across at that point. The man was definitely hypothermic, but otherwise okay, Goble said.

He was checked by EMTs and transported to the Packwood Fire Department where he was able to get a hot bath, according to Goble.

Responding with sheriff’s office, the fire department and swift water specialists was Packwood Search and Rescue. They were at the scene about two and half hours.

While some were setting up the rope system, others tossed the man bags of warm, dry clothing, hot liquids to drink and shoes, according to Goble.

The fire chief said the area, known as the Cedar Brook camping area, has seen two drownings in the last decade and four to five water rescues.

“The rocks, they’re very slick,” he said. “They’re always wet.”

Starting to set up for rescue at Ohanapecosh River. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Fire District 10

•••

Boat that couldn’t be used because of the rapids. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Fire District 10

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Chehalis father accused of writing himself some $8,000 in checks from the W.F. West High School’s senior class fund went before a judge today and pleaded not guilty.

Robert N. Downs Jr. remains free on his personal recognizance but was ordered to visit the jail to get his finger prints and picture taken.

Downs, 43, hired Centralia attorney David Arcuri to represent him. He was charged last month with first-degree theft and 14 counts of forgery.

The Chehalis Police Department began investigating in January following a complaint from students’ parents the account had less money in it than they thought there ought to be.

The fund comes from a a tradition of adults collectively fundraising during their children’s high school years to pay for graduation-related activities.

When Chehalis police announced their findings in March, they indicated only that $8,200 was taken out and that Downs’ wife, who was in charge of the account, replaced the missing money after she learned of the losses.

Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer wrote in charging documents an analysis is being conducted on the bank records to determine how much, if any, additional money is missing.  His office is still looking into that, Meyer said today.

Downs was charged on April 30, the same day he was served his summons at his workplace, Green Hill School, the state juvenile corrections facility for boys in Chehalis.

It’s not clear what his job is there or if he is still employed.

Charging documents allege Downs wrote checks between June and August of last year in amounts ranging from $275 to $850. The total is $8,075, according to the court documents. Prosecutors state he forged his wife’s name.

Charging documents don’t offer any indication of what he may have spent the money on.

Downs sat to the right of his attorney this morning in the Chehalis courtroom, sporting slacks, a dress shirt and tie.

Arcuri told the judge he didn’t think it was necessary in the conditions of release order to restrict his client’s travel. His family has a sports tournament in Idaho in June, Arcuri said.

Meyer said the pre-trial limitation to Western Washington is typical.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey ordered Downs not to go outside Washington, Oregon or Idaho.

Meyer said outside the courtroom it doesn’t change the fact of a theft – under Washington state law – even if all the money was put back in the account.

“So, can I take $10,000 from your account, and put it back when I get caught?” he asked by way of an illustration.

Meyer contended the funds were not returned to the account until after questions were being asked.

A trial date was set for the week of August 5.

•••

For background read “High school senior class fund in Chehalis under scrutiny” from Tuesday March 19, 2013 at 9:45 p.m., here

Jerrell S. Redmill, right, listens as defense attorney Bob Schroeter speaks on his behalf in Lewis County Superior Court.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The 54-year-old Kelso husband who until recently was employed was driving a gold Chrysler PT Cruiser like the one which pulled out of the front parking lot at Chase Bank in Chehalis after it was robbed.

When law enforcement officers stopped Jerrell S. Redmill’s car on Interstate 5 near Kelso about 30 minutes later, and patted him down, money was falling out of his shorts pockets, dropping onto the ground.

“He didn’t run or fight,” Chehalis Police Department detective Sgt. Gary Wilson said.

He asked to speak with an attorney.

Redmill was in Lewis County Superior Court today, charged with first-degree robbery for yesterday afternoon’s events at the bank on South Market Boulevard.

He doesn’t have any criminal history, Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead told the judge.

In the benches behind him were his wife, grown daughter and another family member. The longtime Cowlitz County resident owns a home worth about $100,000, defense attorney Bob Schroeter said. He collects about $1,000 a month from unemployment, according to Schroeter.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey set his bail at $100,000.

It was a casual and quiet holdup, according to Wilson.

Court documents say the teller told police she watched an older man enter the bank, pace back and forth for a short period of time in the lobby, and then approach her counter and hand her a note.

He was wearing a baseball cap and dark glasses.

She handed over about $1,000 in $20s, $10s and $1 bills, according to charging documents. He took the cash and the note then walked out.

Wilson said it was a good description given by employees and the manager running over to look out the window to see the car, along with a sheriff’s detective being in the right place at the right time that brought it all together so quickly.

“We relayed that (information) to all the officers in the area,” Wilson said.

Wilson said the PT Cruiser was first spotted by the sheriff’s detective who was driving an unmarked car near milepost 68, the U.S. Highway 12 interchange. But it took time for enough officers to catch up to make a safe traffic stop, he said.

Redmill was pulled over and arrested near milepost 42.

According to charging documents, the cash that fell onto the ground totaled $775. When the car was searched, $270 was found on the driver’s side floor.

In the driver’s pocket door was a note which read, “Give me all your money now!” according to the documents.

Police also collected a baseball cap from the car – blue with a white logo – that appeared to match what the robber was wearing in bank photos.

Charging documents state Redmill has charges from 1982 of criminal mischief and disorderliness.

He will return to court on another day to make his plea.

The same Chase Bank branch was robbed a little more than a year ago by two men who were captured less than 30 minutes later after a brief pursuit by a Centralia police officer and his police dog.