Account for Danielle's search still has $24,000 (What about money promised to Laura Recovery?)

Union Trib ^ | March 31, 2002 | Kristen Green

[FresnoDA]

Account set up for Danielle's search still has about $24,000

Van Dams undecided on how money will be used

By Kristen Green
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

March 24, 2002

After Danielle van Dam was abducted from her Sabre Springs home, neighbors, friends and even strangers volunteered to help out. Some put up fliers in storefronts around the county, and others joined the search party. But many also opened their checkbooks.

As of Friday, more than $33,000 had been donated by people from New Jersey to Oregon.

During the search for the 7-year-old, donations totaling more than $10,600 flowed into an account in Danielle's name. And since the discovery of her body in rural East County nearly a month after she was reported missing, an additional $22,800 has been deposited.

"We didn't go open an account and ask for money," said family friend Bill Libby, who handled donations for the van Dams. "I opened the account because people wanted to donate money."

Initially, the family expected to use the donations to pay for search expenses, like posters and fliers. After Danielle's body was found, the family Web site said additional donations would be used to pay memorial expenses.

But Libby said the family's expenses have been limited because of numerous donations, from fliers to cremation fees. So far, the van Dams have spent $4,200 of the donations to buy banners, posters and buttons.

And they are writing a $5,000 check to the Laura Recovery Center, which coordinated the search for Danielle.

The family hasn't decided how to use the remaining $24,000.

"I'm sure in due time that they will turn their attention to the appropriate and productive use of those funds, but right now they're really still dealing with the loss of their daughter," said family spokeswoman Sara Muller Fraunces.

Close friends have suggested the van Dams take their time considering how the money will be used. Libby has said the funds could be used to pay for counseling for the family, and the van Dams are considering establishing a local foundation to conduct searches for missing San Diego children.

After Danielle's parents realized she wasn't in her bed the morning of Feb. 2, people began donating money to cover search expenses. Libby tried to open an account at Wells Fargo on behalf of the van Dams.

But the account had to be set up by a nonprofit organization, and a family friend who attends Community Bible Church in Scripps Ranch asked the pastor if the church would sponsor the account. Even though the van Dams aren't members of his congregation, the Rev. Barry Minkow agreed.

Minkow, who was convicted of securities and bank fraud in the late 1980s and served a 71/2-year prison sentence, doesn't have access to the van Dam account, church treasurer Bruce Brown said.

Brown said he is the only person who can withdraw money from the account, taking requests for checks directly from Libby, who acts on the van Dams' behalf.

[Freedom2specul8]

I would have pinged sooner but fres is having slow news days as of late. :)

[Freedom2specul8]

You're welcome for the ping. The more I think about it..the more it makes sense to donate all the $ to Laura recovery center...could tax reasons have prevented them from donating the entire sum to the laura recovery center?

[GovernmentShrinker]

My question wasn't why the VD's would bring in a PR firm (that was clear enough, I'm afraid), but why a major PR firm would accept such an assignment.

[JudyB1938]

It's a high-profile case. I think they are merely creating a little PR for THEMSELVES.

[MizSterious]

"And they are writing a $5,000 check to the Laura Recovery Center, which coordinated the search for Danielle.

The family hasn't decided how to use the remaining $24,000."

This much seems very clear. The van Dams lied again. Perhaps they felt they needed to replenish their swinging supplies instead of payig for the people who did their best to help them find their daughter.

The people who donated this money have every right to feel ripped off. True enough, the website did state that it would be used at the van Dams' discretion, but I think most people expected it to be put to use either to find Danielle, or to help find other children. Especially when they told the press that is what they would do with at least $5,000 of it.

Like I said, these people have a lot of class. It's just all low class.

[BigBobber]

My question wasn't why the VD's would bring in a PR firm (that was clear enough, I'm afraid), but why a major PR firm would accept such an assignment.

Going from memory, I think the vDs said the PR firm was brought in on the advise of the guy from America's Most Wanted or the Polly Class Foundation. They were told the most important thing in a child disappearance was to get word out as far and as quickly as possible. Once they trail goes cold the child is almost never found alive.

Whether or not the PR firm actually acted in this capacity is another question. But it would have been a legitimate request from parents trying to find their daughter.

[RnMomof7]

Libby has said the funds could be used to pay for counseling for the family, and the van Dams are considering establishing a local foundation to conduct searches for missing San Diego children.

Trust me this is not enough to help this bunch of sicko's

I believe what they said of Damon's personality and the emotional abuse of his wife..that is how he got to be her pimp..and why she had to be drugged up to co operate

I agree with Frisco..I think Daddy did it..

[RnMomof7]

Good Post

[FresnoDA]

Here is the original Douglas H Pierce memo, posted just after he visited the VD house....

*******************************U P D A T E ****************************

Douglas Pierce, President- Founder of Millennium Children's Fund Made the following report on 02-09-02, 2:44pm PST. Reported to Department
of Social Services- Child Protective Services-San Diego County 1-858-560-2191 The C.P.S. report is available to the general public on 02-11-02, call 1-858-694-5191 under the name (van Dam). The statements to C.P.S. are as follows:

California Child Welfare Act provides and is mandated to provide the following requests made by Douglas Pierce:

1. IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF THE REMAINING van DAM CHILDREN.
2. TEMPORARY CUSTODY TO GRANDPARENTS.
3. IMMEDIATE GRIEF COUNSELING FOR CHILDREN.

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS BY DOUGLAS PIERCE, IN THE C.P.S. REPORT  (I DIRECTLY PLEA WITH THE van Dam            PARENTS  TO PLEASE LET YOUR TWO REMAINING CHILDREN TO GO HOME WITH GRANDPARENTS)  (A DANGEROUS LIFESTYLE IN THE van Dam HOME EXISTS, ALL CHILDREN ARE TO BE CONSIDERED IN DANGER.)  (ADULTS LIFESTYLE AND THE SHAME OR MORAL JUDGMENT THAT MAY COME SHOULD BE SECONDARY TO THE WELFARE, AND RETURN OF DANIELLE, OR ANY OR ANY CHILD IN DANGER.)

****************** THIS IS THE ENTIRE STATEMENT TO C.P.S. ***********

HERE IS THE SECOND STATEMENT....originated from the KFMB website......

03-15-2002

POSTED: 03-15-02 by Douglas H. Pierce- Millennium Children's Fund
mail@mcfworld.org

INVITATION came after I asked parents if I could bring something of child's
in front of press pictures, toys, whatever to make her ALIVE (poor choice of
words).

Brenda: "Douglas how about something she just wrote to her dad"

Hidden in (Danielle's) nightstand.

The "Daddy forgive me note" was handed to Douglas H Pierce. I read the torn 2 sided note,
(That I NOW believe was from Journal/DIARY) AND WAS SHOCKED COULD NOT LOOK
AT (Damon's) FACE.

I stuttered and said is there something else?
Brenda: "Douglas would you like to see her room"

I could only say ok.... Douglas H Pierce followed Brenda and walked 18' (Damon) stayed behind in
MASTER bedroom.

Brenda's sister came up stairwell that is closest to the children's rooms', she was
behind me Brenda steps over dog gate in front of child's room and she enters room
like nothing at all NO HUMAN EMOTION. Douglas H Pierce stands in front of gate looking
in room.  Brenda: "it's OK Douglas come on in the POLICE are done in here just
don't touch anything".

Douglas H Pierce steps over gate enters at least 6-7' inside,
Brenda is moving things around on shelf and picks up a SILVER JOURNAL
Brenda asks Douglas H Pierce" how about her Journal and the frog she slept with?" Douglas H Pierce said
....I start backing out of room I HAVE A HORRIBLE DARK DARK DARK feeling
come over me. I became emotional, stuttered and stumbling over dog gate
going to stair case. Now all three of us (not Damon) are standing at top of
stairs Brenda, Douglas H Pierce, Brenda's sister, Brenda starts to open Journal/Diary.

(NO FURTHER COMMENT ON READINGS).

Damon comes from MASTER bedroom and slides past us and goes down stairwell.

NOW ARE THEY READY TO MEET ME AGAIN? LET'S PLAY THE GAME "LIE DETECTOR",
who will FAIL again. Not Douglas H Pierce.

If Douglas H Pierce is wrong about the bedroom than why did a witness say "I know
something bad happened in her room".

Hmmm ... Please tell us

 

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The original comments by Douglas Pierce were made after he visited the VD household, and spent over 8 hours inside of the VD house.

If you are not  up to speed on this, listen to the John and Ken show interview with the VD's......very strange.

van Dam neighborhood	02/15/02	16:13
Excerpts from the live broadcast on the street where Danielle van Dam was abducted 2 weeks earlier. John is accosted by members of the Psychic Friends Network, David Westerfield leads undercover cops to fried chicken, then slams the door in John and Ken’s face. Neither Mr. Westerfield nor Mr. Kobylt were arrested over the course of the broadcast.

Brenda and Damon van Dam	02/07/02	11:05
Brenda and Damon van Dam join the John & Ken show via telephone to discuss their efforts to find their missing 7-year-old daughter.

 

[let freedom sing]

House of VD-- these people are so sick and twisted, they'll use the $24K for their own defense.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Yes, but major PR firms are usually more careful with their images than this. They're perfectly happy to represent slimeballs if they're getting paid really big bucks for it, but they were probably being paid little or nothing for the VD gig, and it isn't exactly good PR to be seen as being in bed with (pun intended) the VDs, and helping them to script and rehearse their seamy, ever-shifting stories.

[FresnoDA]

 

Van Dams outline events before child's disappearance

By Kristen Green
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

March 15, 2002

A chronology of events surrounding Danielle van Dam's disappearance, as outlined by Brenda and Damon van Dam in court yesterday:

FRIDAY, FEB. 1

5:30 p.m.: Brenda, Danielle and Danielle's two brothers arrive at their Sabre Springs home after running errands. Brenda orders a pizza from Domino's, then leaves to pick it up. (1-60" Sabre Swings Pizza Hut Special)

6:30: Damon comes home from work. Brenda returns a few minutes later and the family eats dinner. Damon plays video games with his sons while Danielle reads and writes in her journal. (Quality time?)

About 7:30: Two of Brenda's friends arrive. The women go to the garage, where they smoke a marijuana cigarette. The friends, Barbara and Denise, share a beer. Damon joins them for a few minutes, taking a drag or two off the joint. They open a side door to let out smoke. (Notice, 1 joint, 1 beer)

THE VD'S ARE MIRACLE WORKERS, LIKE BREAD LOAVES AND FISHES....1 joint, last all night, 1 Pizza, feeds an orgy....

About 8: Brenda and her friends leave for Dad's Cafe in Poway, about a five-minute drive. Brenda notices David Westerfield is there. (Denise, Barb and the Brenda!!!)  Reminds me of that ZZ Top video, "Sharp Dressed Man!"

Within the hour, the women run into some male friends -- Keith and Rich. They talk for a while, then the women play pool. They dance for hours, and at one point go outside to smoke marijuana in Brenda's truck. (1 little blue pill will do you!!)

Back in Sabre Springs, Damon puts the children to bed about 10 and watches television downstairs for a while. He then retreats to the bedroom. (I thought The Damon said 10:30 P.M.??)

10:45: Damon turns off the TV and drifts off to sleep.

 

SATURDAY, FEB. 2 (NO Comments needed!!)

About 1:45 a.m.: The family dog wakes Damon. He lets it outside for a few minutes. Then he crawls back into bed, switching on the TV while he waits for Brenda to get home.

1:50 a.m.: Brenda arrives home with her friends. The male friends follow in another car.

The group goes inside for leftover pizza, and Brenda notices that an alarm light is flickering. She walks upstairs to tell Damon she's home.

Barbara goes upstairs and climbs on top of the covers next to Damon, who is under the sheets. He puts his arm around her, kisses her and rubs her back.

Brenda heads downstairs to look for an open door or window. The side door in the garage is open, and one of her friends closes it.

Brenda goes back upstairs, tells Damon and Barbara they are being rude and asks them to go downstairs. They have pizza.

2:30: The visitors leave and the van Dams go to bed.

About 2:45 to 3: Damon wakes and notices the security light blinking. He finds a sliding glass door open downstairs. After closing it, he goes back to bed.

8:15: Damon wakes.

Just before 9: Brenda gets up and takes a shower.

About 9:30: A neighbor drops off her children for Brenda to baby-sit. Brenda goes upstairs to check on Danielle and finds her daughter's door open and "an empty bed." She and Damon frantically search the house. Unable to find Danielle, Brenda calls 911.

[Freedom2specul8]

I understand your stance...based one what you've said... BUT...there hasn't been that much info presented about dw yet. We've got to be patient to see what else is going to come out about him don't you think?

[Freedom2specul8]

ah, sorry I misunderstood. That is a good question..

[Jaded]

Co-workers said Newman's forte was getting homicide suspects to talk

Didn't work this time, huh?

[Jaded]

No, avarice.

[RnMomof7]

I am just not preparing the noose for DW...As far as I am concerned he is as innocent as DVD..Untill I am convinced otherwise..(He looks like a fall guy to me Kim)

[rolling_stone]

I saw this rumor floating around lately and did check before posting. Here is the pertinent part of the testimony:

Questions to Fingerprint expert Jeffrey Graham SDPD Under direct Exam by DA Dusak

Q) In this case were you provided uh latent prints for comparison?

A) I have been provided over 200 latent prints for comparison, yes.

Q) Were you able to make a match on one of them?

A) I made a match on several, yes.

.........break...

q) Were you provided known prints in this case?

A) I have uh known prints of 18 individuals.

.......break....

cross exam by Atty Feldman

Q) You said that you have matched several prints um when you used the word several on direct examination sir, what number were you meaning to communicate?

a) Two to Danielle Van Dam which are simultaneous touch so that I have identified the left middle as well as the left ring in that touch

Q)I'm sorry, left middle and left ring?

A)Left ring yes and I have also developed or actually identified prints to two other individuals, two prints to each.

.......break......

Q) But with regard to the fingerprints seized at the Van Dam residence you've not been able to make identification on any of those yet, is that correct?

OBJECTION beyond the scope

Judge-Sustained.....

[rolling_stone]

Co-workers said Newman's forte was getting homicide suspects to talk

Didn't work this time, huh?

Don't forget there is a power shortage in Kalifornia......maybe not enough whatts to prod the answers?

[rolling_stone]

This is a lengthy article about a tragic murder in San Diego County and the Investigation that was unbelievable

Stephanie Crowe

One quote...

And they snicker at the part of the prosecution's dismissal motion that quotes this observation by Sherlock Holmes:

"It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts."

Attridge said that is exactly what Escondido police and prosecutors did in the Crowe case.

"They made a hasty and unwise judgment and stuck with it," she said. "It was the wrong call not to keep an open mind. They got this idea that it was not going to be another JonBenet Ramsey investigation, and they set out on a path, the wrong path."