There were no chaperones.
Trip Organizer: 'Chaperones Should Not Be Blamed For Disappearance'
Jodi Bearman, who organized the trip for 136 Mountain Brook, Ala., high school graduates, spoke out in defense of the seven chaperones that went with the graduates on the trip to Aruba.
She said that they should not be blamed for Holloway’s disappearance.
"They (the students) sign a waiver, and it basically makes sure it's clear to them that they are responsible for themselves. Chaperones assist in emergencies, but by no means are liable if an accident should happen or anything like that," Bearman said.
According to Bearman, the students are expected to act as adults and the chaperones are not required to baby-sit the students.
“The chaperones intentionally go out at night, and try to go to the places and check on the kids, but by no means are there specific instructions to do so,” said Bearman.
Bearman said that going on this trip is an individual choice made by the students who want to celebrate graduating high school and that it is not a school-sponsored event. She also said this is the third year for this trip and that the last two years were a success.
Although the students are expected to be responsible for themselves, Bearman said she knew that this being their first venture out after high school, chaperones would be needed to supervise. However, she said they fulfilled their duties and that if anyone had seen Holloway get into a car, then the chaperone would have said something.
"Everyone was getting cabs and leaving, and it's actually a busy club. When you're looking to get your cab, you may or may not notice where the next person went," Bearman said. “I can assure you, if a chaperone saw her getting into a car, there is no way she would have gotten into the car."
Chaperones of the trip to Aruba spoke with Holloway’s parents Monday night via a conference call. Bearman said the reason for the call was to make it clear to the chaperones that the family did not hold them responsible for Holloway’s disappearance.