Search for Caleigh Harrison Terminated; Has Mother Taken Polygraph?

Chelsea, you ask outright some hard hitting questions. When a child goes missing under any circumstances, search effort should include seeking answers to all feasible questions. Your questions are feasible, answers should be sought.

These questions are not to cast aspersions on an individual. These questions are in reference to a defenseless child being left in an offensive environmental situation. A situation that, even to an untrained eye, held a probability of danger that warranted having the ability to defend.

There are too many 'Whys' to turn a blind eye.

Assuming that she took the polygraph... it's not admissable. The longer they wait, the less chance that this child will be found alive.

Even though they are not admissible in court, LE uses polygraphs a lot to help direct them in their investigations. I would really like to know if the mom has taken one, or is willing to.

Dena is correct, Kerrell.

P.s. sometimes polygraphs are in fact admissible in court depending on the circumstances. However, it's not to indicate guilt or anything, but it is to show the investigative process if one is used.

Polygraph tests are standard in law enforcement to help in guiding them in the directions they need to go in their search for clues. I.e. Deborah Bradley failed a polygraph test when baby Lisa vanished. After that, she nearly cracked like an egg which led to the search warrant of her home, which led to the cadaver dog 'hitting' on the scent of human skin oils and cells indicative of decomposition post mortem on several items.

Still haven't gotten anywhere in the case but this much is known thanks to the polygraph.

Again, a lack of simple research.

Police dogs were used in the search in the very first day, within hours...that's been reported on EXTENSIVELY in every major local news outlet, since the story was first reported. They even put the dogs on rafts and boats to help search the rocky outcroppings where they think the tidal current would have gone.

And state police interviewed the small amount of witnesses on the beach that day, including 4 or 5 people specifically who were in the vicinity of Caleigh Harrison--asking if they saw ANYONE ELSE. Again, this has already reported on EXTENSIVELY in our local news. The children were seen on the beach that day with the mom. The problem is that no one saw what might have happened during the span of time when she disappeared.

Again, I've said before this is not a cove or inlet type of beach. Long Beach goes out straight to wide Atlantic. The National Weather Service issued dangerous surf warnings that day in this area where the riptide current and undertow is already notoriously strong. I would think it would be better worth some time to gain an understanding of how the ocean actually works than try to come up with all these unfounded conspiracy theories.

((Also had to add something about that a comment elsewhere about--*gasp*--the mom actually working AT A BAR.
Like that somehow makes her a suspicious character really provides me with a lot of insite into some of the mindpower at work here!! Heh. Yeah, because it's so rare that employment in the bar and restaurant trade happens in coastal tourist communities...or that myself and half my neighbors haven't worked in similar north shore establishments over the years...since there are hundreds of them and they are a huge part of the local; economy...no, it MUST mean the mom is a drunk(?!) or had something to do with it, right? Mon dieu... ))

It must be a hard life to be so upset when others discuss theories outside what you've convinced yourself of in your own head.

I'm sorry for that. :( It must be totally tough.

I'm sorry that I can't relate to this type of behavior though.

Again -- keep in mind that there are too many varying reports to simply take all information from them. Simply asking the questions in hopes of a definitive and concrete answer is the responsibility of anyone who doesn't want to solely rely on the varied/conflicting reports in the news. That's why they're questions and not statements.

Again, try to chill/relax a little. You don't have to give yourself an aneurysm over every other little differing thought from your own ;)

I just wish you'd take five minutes out of your time to read up on a case you keep writing about every single day.

I do, plenty -- that's how I know there are too many contradictions for me to just mirror what they're all saying like you're demanding as if you have any dominion over what I do.

I appreciate that you're a reader and all, but you really need to realize that if you don't like what you're reading, you don't have to read it. Nobody is forcing you. And if you don't realize by now that the 1000+ articles about this case are full of contradictions, then you should probably go back and read each and every single one like you're expecting me to do (and I'm not claiming to have done, but I've read plenty and continue to every single day.)

I would be a little ashamed of myself to demand that someone I don't know write only what is being conflicted in Google News without asking any questions. I'd feel a little low if I behaved like that with people who are actually doing a service as an advocate for the MISSING and not those connected to the case or those who demand to be entertained or impressed in the public.

Am in Hartford, Ct (taking granddaughter to see Cake Boss) and we are passing out Caleigh's flier. The Nickelback ?? are playing tonight also...so hotel is full. People, as always, have been kind in accepting a flier. Some were aware of Caleigh and the possible scenarios that might have led to her missing.

When a child goes missing, and one makes a commitment to that child to assist in locating her, then what one thinks/believes is irrelevant. The No Stone Unturned didn't start with Caleigh, or any recent incident, it has been a long held hope for the loved ones of the missing. They need the public's help to turn those stones.

So, unless someone can convey with 100% certainty what happened to Caleigh....no one should keyhole theories and expect others to accept defeat. It is a friggin week+1 day.....without 100% certainty as to what happened to the child, it is far to early to give up on Caleigh.

Nickleback sucks :|

But you're so right on the rest of your post.

We're not supposed to just look at one theory and be like "yup, that must be it."

That's not science.

Hey, I like Nickleback!

they had like one good song.. bullets or something.

But back to the subject at hand, 8 days is a long time, & the mother has yet to speak publicly, or even make a plea for her daughter's safe return~hmmm, questions are screaming out in this case!

yes, it's VERY strange.

http://www.chelseahoffman.com/2012/04/who-would-abduct-caleigh-harrison.html

I did this up a few days ago too to consider how likely an abduction would be. It's not really *that* likely.

Good points, August Lady. My "hinky meter" is up about mom, but not dad. He HAS spoken to the media, and seems more natural in his statements than mom does. Who says "forever in my heart" the day after their child goes missing, unless they know their child is dead? I think the possibility that mom is involved is more likely than a stranger abduction. I'd guess 50% chance swept out to sea, 45% mom involved, 5% stranger abduction. THIS IS JUST MY OPINION. I am not psychic.

The search/cadaver dogs have been used at the beach, yes. I believe Chelsea was asking if they have been used anywhere else, for example at the child's home. I have never seen any reports saying anyone saw Caleigh at the beach prior to her disappearance. (I heard there were people who saw mom calling her, but no reports of actually seeing Caleigh.) These same people said they didn't see anyone else such as an abductor lurking on the beach, true. I would greatly appreciate a link to any report showing that Caleigh was seen that day.

These questions are ones I would really like answered:

- Has Allison Hammond (the mother of the missing child) taken a polygraph test?
- Have investigators searched the home of the missing tot?
- Have investigators examined the vehicle or vehicles belonging to Allison Hammond and Anthony Harrison?

In other cases, these type of questions are standard -- but for some reason, this case is a very touchy subject. Please keep asking these questions, Chelsea, DESPITE THE SNIDE AND UNHELPFUL CRITICISM.

I meant: had the dogs been used anywhere where the parents or family of the child frequented, honestly.

It would be standard detective/LE work to search the home, all the vehicles, areas near the places of work, etc etc.

That is what I assumed, and anyone else assumed except Chris, apparently.

Thanks again for your good work. I am not sure why nobody else is asking the questions you are... so it is appreciated.

I try to do my best.

I'm just one person. I don't have a team of researchers and the like to assist me like the mainstream people do. So I do what I can.

People like Chris either have stakes in this case or simply don't get these types of things.

I also have concerns as to the 4 y/o sister~family is saying she doesn't "remember anything." That is strange, as I think back when my dd was 4~she was very shy, and you (strangers) wouldn't have gotten a word out of her, but she was well adept in shaking & nodding her head. A 4 y/o could very well say, "Mommy, Caleigh fell in the water," if that had happened.

yeah the sister thing perplexes me

My almost 4 year old says things, but then contradicts herself all the time. She makes stuff up, too... when I ask her where the remote control went, she tells me her sister put it in the trash. Later I find it under a pillow. (She was probably recalling when her sister put the keys in the trash.) I think it is very hard to rely on anything a 4yo says.

(especially since they had gone to that same beach a couple days prior... so she could be remembering that outing)

yeah four year olds vary in their cognitive development too..

and she could have developmental disabilities. We just don't know.

I love that picture, shes so cute. Little pebbles pigtail and earrings.

I know, she's such a cute kid... this is so sad.

Not sure when this pic was taken, but there's a guilty tinge too it...


http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/30959133/detail.html#ixzz1tINeh2Tx

the look of her mom? Yeah that's a very odd facial expression.

the pulling taught of her jaw muscles with the upward lift of the lip indicates anger, contempt.

The narrowed eyes indicate frustration.

The look together appears rather smug, but it could be frustration and anger.

Back at hotel. The dear man at the venue hall dismissed policy and let Caleigh's flier be passed out to patrons. Was good to come back and see so many comments.

I was really hoping mom would do an interview or make a statement, so I could see if she felt genuine to me. I would like to get rid of my nagging doubts about mom.

As an interesting aside, I read an article recently (link below) about a study done on murderers who claimed their loved one was "missing" when really they had kiled them. It said:

"Researchers watched videotaped facial actions of 52 people who made televised pleas for the safe return of a missing relative. Half of the pleas were from deceptive individuals who were later convicted of murdering their loved one.

Coders analysed more than 23,000 frames of video from real cases in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. They compared the facial actions of 26 genuine pleaders to those of 26 liars. ...

The study said: ‘During the critical lie, told by each deceptive murderer, upper face surprise and lower face happiness were likely to be expressed, attributed to the failed attempt to appear sad and leakage of happiness.
It added: 'Deception - a fundamental aspect of human communication - often is accompanied by the simulation of unfelt emotions or the concealment of genuine emotions to correspond to the false message...
'Given limited cognitive resources and the difficulty of necessary multi-tasking during deception, we suggest that emotional leakage is particularly likely to occur when the lie is complex and/or associated with strong emotions to be concealed or falsified.'"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2124878/The-4-upper-face-muscles-game-away-lying-murderers.html#ixzz1tIj1046W

Thank you this article, Dena.

Am just going to post this comment no matter how foolish it makes me feel. And, Chelsea, you are allowed 1-ROTFLMAO, 2-LMAO and 3-LOL....anything beyond that would be just plain rude.

The photo at the link in August Lady's comment was from the press conference the family gave on Wednesday (I believe, too tired to check). My immediate reaction to Allison at that time was 'She knows something/Caleigh is alive.'. Tried to avoid thinking on it for how many theories can one float?

Came back on this site this evening to find comments expressing opinions re Allison's expressions etc.

Then put Caleigh's name for a Google search and the first thing up was this....

http://empathysinsights.blogspot.com/2012/04/caleigh-harrison.html

So based on the 3 philosophy, will float this theory. The abduction was planned, Allison involved, and Caleigh is alive.

My gut reaction to that photo of Allison was that she looked a bit angry and/or defensive -- maybe just knowing people are wondering if she was involved? I would have expected her to look more anguished, but everyone is different. Personally, I really want to hear some report that clears mom (witnesses that saw Caleigh, good lie detector results, something!) so I can just feel sympathy for her and not suspicion.

The above was just my immediate reaction. The longer I look at the photo, the more she just looks tired and numb to me. I do feel for her...

I'm a close friend to the mother. First off, her and the father had a statement read the other day and she was in the background there. She personnally hasn't made a statement as of yet because she's still trying to cope with this. She can't say 2 words without crying about her daughter. When police started the investigation all they did was search in the water with credible hits from a scent dog leading that way. But with nothing found the family has tried to keep hope that someone could have taken her. There is if you have been to the area a way someone would have been able to grab her and be out of site in a car in no time flat. Also, without saying much that isnt allowed they do have good cause to think this. This mom is a good mom that cares greatly for the kids. She's a hard worker that had a normal administrative job but with the economy she did the best she could taking a job where she works till something comes along. No fault in that. She's always at that beach almost daily as a relative owns property there. The kids and her know the area well. The father nor his family have ever ever pointed a finger at the mom and you would think if mom and dad were not together they would if that's what someone truly felt. But it isn't so. This mom is trying to wrap her head around everything she's seen and heard in an investigation which has been so hard. All she wants is answers and help. It's been a week she's living in shock still. I know I can't offer anything solid as it would interfere with investigation but give her the benefit of the doubt. She did nothing except make a mistake that she is reliving daily.

Interesting.

Robyn, I appreciate the calm tone you kept while asking that people give mom the benefit of the doubt. It seems a lot of people have been going into attack mode as soon as anyone wonders if mom could have been involved. I'm sure I would be feeling defensive if a friend of mine was suspected of something so horrible and I truly believed they were innocent. Thanks for keeping your comment so even-keeled.

Sounds like you know info that the public doesn't. I hope Allison has already taken a polygraph -- if she hasn't, I think it is a good idea to prove she was not involved... because then police can make sure their efforts are directed in the ways most likely to bring Caleigh home. Law enforcement says they have NOT ruled out foul play, but they think a stranger abduction is highly unlikely -- which makes it sound like they have not cleared Allison of involvement. It would be great if they could at least rule out mom as a suspect.

I'm not saying if she did or did not take the test. However, I don't think they would rule out foul play either way. The most frustrating part is law enforcement truly truly believes she's in the water and until they have a body or car/person description will not think otherwise. I understand that if she was in the water they had to get in there ASAP for a chance of pulling her and getting medical attention. But during this time also ticks away at crucial time someone could be putting more miles on and away from there.

My questions -
where does that leave a mother?
Where do you even start looking yourself?
When do you resume daily life and work without being criticized?
This is where frustration and anger set in. You want so bad to help police and think they know what they are doing and hoping they are right. But now you think what if they were wrong? To many what ifs here.

As I saw someone comment on another site: it seems extremely unlikely to me (and apparently to law enforcement) that someone would be able to linger near the girls without being seen AT ALL, with the intent of kidnapping a child, and then get so unbelievably lucky that their mom would leave them alone in that unusual place (near the crashing ocean) for long enough (even two minutes) for them to grab one girl and leave, WITHOUT the other girl immediately telling mom what had happened. They would have to be the most INCREDIBLY LUCKY predator on earth for that to happen, and for nobody to see them thereafter with the child. They would have risked being seen taking the child, risked being described by the second child, and would have been standing around hoping for something that almost never happens -- for a mom to leave their toddlers unattended at the beach. I just don't believe that makes any sense at all. That is why I believe there are only two options -- Caleigh was swept out to sea, or Caleigh never even made it to the beach that day. If you were not friends with Allison, you might feel this way too... it is just so difficult to imagine someone we know and trust might not be honest about what happened to their child. And just because someone has always seemed to be a loving parent and a hard worker does not mean something very unusual could have happened -- a fit of rage, an alcohol or drug episode, a psychotic break, who knows? Like with the mom who got drunk and crashed killing several children and herself. The point is, the last person to see the child alive SHOULD be investigated by law enforcement as a matter of principle.

A very level-headed, well written comment, Dena.

Robyn A, also appreciate your calm tone.

I also appreciate it.

You are right to say she should be investigated. And if you don't think she and the father haven't spent countless hours down the station youd be mistaken. Considering 2 different scent dogs DID pick her up at the beach she was indeed there. And just as people have confirmed her there as well with her mom. Leaving foul play just as "lucky to pull off" as an abduction would be. Yes it's awful to think where she may be but with no body and a few other tid bits of stuff abduction is a hope he may still be alive. What parent wouldn't cling to that?! As I said before. She frequented that spot almost daily. For some preditor to take notice of that could be likely. And a 4 year old would not stop them. Most people know a 4 year old would jot accurately describe anyone they see for a moment. Also if the mom did do something at the beach the little girl would be just as likely to say something to police and psychologists. Something would have come out. As once again they have evidence she was on the beach. Lastly I agree people know all kinds of messed up people and find out after. However, I don't believe this the case. As I've said before their is other information that public doesn't have. I wish they could release it so everyone has all the pieces. Maybe it would help in the situation. But I'm also sure they have good reason in ny they don't.

Thank you, Robyn, for your comments. Am not able to stay on-line long but did want to say that after taking my granddaughter home to NH tomorrow, do plan on passing out Caleigh's flier in the Salem, NH area.

My belief on missing persons, children especially, is simple....bring them home. Best way to bring them home is publicity. The majority of found missing persons are not found by law enforcement, they are found by members of the public. This is not say LE isn't doing their job, just that there are more public eyes than there are LE eyes. Fliers keep up awareness. As does speculation.