Posted at: 08/28/2009 3:24 PM
By: Elaine Houston

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A Reporter Never Forgets

Almost anyone who has heard the story about the California girl kidnapped when she was eleven, and at age 29 is found alive- is repulsed by what her captors did to her (click on story).

As a reporter when I hear about stories like this it not only makes me feel tremendous sadness for the victim and their family-it makes me remember other stories like this that I covered. One that comes to mind is Jimmy Bernardo-a 12-year-old boy from Massachusetts who was kidnapped and killed in 1990. Lewis Lent Jr. was convicted of the crime and I did a story on the location where Lent abducted the child.

Unfortunately three years later Lent would be charged with kidnapping and killing another child-Sara Anne Wood.  I remember her anguished father and mother. I covered one of the many spots Lent said he buried her-only to recant or refuse to help police at all. There's also Suzanne Lyall and Jaliek Rainwalker. 

As a reporter you cover the story but you never stop thinking about the family. Your heart aches for them and you wonder how they get the strength to carry on. During the course of covering the story you get to know these families. They call you up telling you about the latest leads or asking if you can help keep their loved one in the public eye -- in hopes it will eventually help locate their child.  And, that is what they are children- who are suppose to go to school- ride their bikes-go to camp-enjoy being a child. They are not suppose to be abused and killed by adults. No child dies alone-their families and friends remember them and a reporter never forgets.   Elaine