What a horrible story. Poor little kid.
The following is controversial. Some question the credibility of Roberts. But I did see Roberts being interviewed by Van Susteren--it was a tough interview, and she was not easy to convince. He stood his ground. If this proves untrue, he risks his career, his reputation, and probably everything he ever owned and ever will own, because if this information is false, he'll be sued, big time. So, take this for what it's worth. It's been posted in another, much longer thread--but might be more accessible here.
source
RICK ROBERTS SOURCE, HIGH-PLACED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL TOLD RICK
The comments of Rick Roberts source (a high placed law enforcement official) are in bold type. Additional information from other sources (press, etc.) are in italics.
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said that the van Dams were involved in "swinging, lots of wife swapping."
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said that before Danielles disappearance, the van Dams neighbor, David Westerfield "found out about the familys (van Dams) swinging lifestyle and approached them to host an adult party at his house."
David Westerfield has been quoted in the press as saying that he was a friend of the van Dams.
The van Dams have denied this, stating that their only contact with him was when Brenda and Danielle came to his home to sell girl scout cookies, and when they exchanged greeting as they passed by.
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said that on the night of Danielles disappearance, "Brenda van Dam was at a local Poway bar where she was grinding away on the dance floor and possibly did a guy in the parking lot."
The bar has been identified in the press as "Dads Café and Steak House."
David Westerfield openly admitted that he was at the bar that night. He claims that he danced with Brenda van Dam. Brenda denies this.
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said, "Brenda left the bar with 2 girlfriends and 2 guys and went back to the van Dams house."
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said, "One timeline given in police records shows Brenda coming home from the bar to find the light [on the alarm] flashing and a door open. [She closed the door]."
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said that Brenda "gave one of the girlfriends to her husband Damon as a present, and made sure to shut the doors on all the bedrooms so the kids wouldnt be awakened by loud lovemaking. She did not look to see if the kids were in their rooms."
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said, "the adults locked themselves in the van Dams garage they have special inside locks so the kids cant come in and started smoking marijuana and fooling around. The adults in the garage were Brenda, Damon, 2 girlfriends, and 2 guys from the bar."
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said, "after everyone had sex, Damon noticed the [alarm] light blinking and a door open. They were busy with their adult party, so they never checked on the kids."
According to the Union Trib., David Westerfield left the Sabre Springs neighborhood in his RV on Saturday morning. He went first to a campground at the Silver Strand. There, he paid to stay for two nights. However, he deposited the wrong amount of money in the camp fee deposit box (he paid an amount equal to 4 nights, not 2). Some time after noon, a park ranger came to his RV to give Westerfield a refund. Approximately 20 minutes after being visited by the ranger, Westerfield left the campground and headed to the desert. He is reported to have told police that he left because "he didn't know anybody down there. He decided to go to the desert where his friends were." SDUT 2/8/02
Sometime over the weekend, Westerfield went to the desert (south of Glamis, a mile and a half south of state Route 78) and drove his RV into deep sand. His vehicle was towed by Dan Conklin, a towing service owner, who claimed that Westerfield was in such a hurry to leave after his vehicle was freed that he refused to go back an get something he had left behind. 2/8/02
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said that Westerfield, gave police a "half-assed confession."
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said that Westerfield "did it."
Westerfield has been repeatedly questioned by police.
His home has been repeatedly searched.
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said that "Westerfield said, I can take you to her, but I want a lawyer first."
The SD Union-Trib reported that Westerfield retained criminal defense attorney Steven Feldman on Thursday, February 7, 2002.
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said that Police have taken possession of 13 bags of Westerfields property, including "tons of kiddie porn."
Police impounded Westerfields SUV and RV. While the SUV has been returned to him, the police retain custody of Westerfields RV.
- Rick Roberts high-placed law enforcement official said that Westerfield "is possibly in heavy duty negotiations with the police right now, as they try to find Danielle."
Probed again? I'll bet that hurt.
Heard John Walsh say on FOX news a couple of days ago that they found kiddie porn on the neighbor's computer; he failed the lie detector test on the question of whether young girls excited him; and he was stranded in the desert (over the weekend, I believe).
Walsh also said that the parents have been completely cooperative with the investigation from the beginning (as opposed to Ramsey, Smith). They have admitted to going to the bar and have passed lie detector tests.
What a horrible ordeal. I hope the investigations bring the truth out quickly. The neighbor has a lawyer who has told him to keep quiet and so it seems unlikely.