Mike Moser "I Say" Published Feb. 28, 2003

Ambert Alert issued,
but was it effective?

For the first time since its establishment in Tennessee, the Amber Alert was issued for two children whom authorities feel may be in peril, but I am not so sure the issuance was a success.

Subjects of the search are two missing Hispanic children, a girl age 8 and a 15-month old male. Also missing are the mother of the children, Martha Leticia Patlan, 28, and the mom's boyfriend, Genero E. Dorantes, 32. Dead is 4-year-old Luis Osvaldo Cisneros, whose body was discovered face down on a dirt mound in a Nashville public park Sunday morning.

Amber Alert is named for the child in whose memory the program was started. It is designed to get as much information out to the public as quickly as possible when children are kidnapped or are in danger. The theory is found in the belief that the more eyes out there looking for someone, the better chance it is of apprehending that person or persons quickly.

The problem with Tennessee's first foray into the Amber Alert program was the lack of information, the accuracy of what was released and the participation of media throughout the state.

All that sort of has a ring of another infamous Tennessee episode where inaccurate and incomplete information led to a very nasty and unfortunate police incident in Cookeville earlier this year involving a North Carolina family and their pet dog.

The problem this time was initial information. First reports led readers and viewers to believe that the child had unfortunately died from neglect or as a result of the parents possibly being financially and mentally unable to care for the child.

Also, first report had police looking for a blue Ford Aerostar van. A day later it was changed to white Chevrolet Astro van.

In fact, first accounts from police said the child appeared to have been placed to be found rather than abandoned. To me it is debatable whether a child being left face down fits the description first given by police.

Only on Monday evening, if you get a Nashville station, and Tuesday in The Tennessean, did we get the news that the child was actually scalded and suffered from battered child syndrome. The child had also been identified by this time and in the process, police received information that the older sister might also be in trouble.

The TBI issued the Amber Alert on its Web site but outside of a few media, who looks at the TBI site on a regular basis?

There was not much mentioned in the national media like there has been in the past with cases out in California. The Associated Press had a little information on the case.
Also, there were sightings reported in Cookeville on two occasions Monday and Tuesday, and even a report that the couple may have tried to trade their vehicle for another at a used car lot. These reports came long after the trail was cold, however.

I suspect authorities as of Thursday morning when this column was written have little clue as to where the couple and those other two children are.

For Amber Alert to work successfully in Tennessee, speedy dissemination of accurate information and full participation of all the media will be required.

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Mike Moser is the editor of the Crossville Chronicle. His column is published periodically on Fridays.