Parents Say Teen Was Urged to Run Away
Girl, 14, left a note; father believes she's a victim of Net scheme.
by Stuart A. Hirsch
Originally published in the Indianapolis Star, July 26, 2004
FORTVILLE — The parents of a 14-year-old Fortville girl who disappeared Friday believe she was lured away through an Internet scheme promising a happy life elsewhere.
Fletcher Haynes said he had no reason to think anything was amiss when Kelsey Haynes helped him prepare for work about 9:15 a.m. Friday.
When he returned home about 3:30 p.m., Haynes said he found a handwritten note from her, explaining that she had gone.
In addition, he discovered a detailed packing list that included a lamp, clothing, jewelry and money. Also, he said, someone had removed the hard drive from her personal computer.
The note, handwritten on spiral notebook paper, said in part:
"Please if you'll do one thing for me, be it this—don't try to find me. I'm fine, and if you do try and find me you'll lose me forever."
At another point, the note states, "I will be back. I'm safe and happy. These are great people I'm with. I won't smoke or drink."
According to a news release from the Fortville Police Department, neighbors reported seeing a dark blue car in the area driven by a man believed to be in his early 30s.
The car's Indiana license plate had a 49 prefix, indicating it was from Marion County.
Haynes believes his daughter is the victim of a relatively sophisticated scheme which has been in the works for at least three months.
He notes, for example, that Kelsey's Internet service was through MSN.com. A preliminary check with the company showed that all e-mail on her account from July 2nd to July 23rd had been deleted.
Haynes believes that investigators will be able to re-create those communications, but it will take time.
"Whatever's happened has been almost professional in the way it has happened," Haynes said.
Although he has not been able to talk to his daughter through her cell phone, which apparently has been turned off, he has left messages on the phone's voice-mail system. In addition, he's left messages at her e-mail address.
Kelsey's mother, Karolina Haynes, said the past 72 hours have been a roller coaster of emotions.
"Right now I'm scared to death because she's out there with some crazy person," Karolina Haynes said. "I'm sure she thought she was going to a happy and safe place. I'm sure at this point, it's not what she thought it would be."
Both she and Fletcher Haynes said there's some evidence to suggest planning for Friday's departure began in April.
"This was a planned abduction," Karolina Haynes said.
Police did not issue an Amber Alert in the case, because the note Kelsey wrote pegs her has a voluntary runaway.
But both parents said while the note was written in Kelsey's hand, they believe she was coached in what language to use.
"Whoever has her has lured her into their confidence," her mother said.
