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Mom criticizes police over missing girl
Teenager gone since December may be in Mexico, officials say
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More from Local NewsThe mother of a missing Oxnard teen told reporters Thursday that she's received little help from law enforcement officials since her daughter disappeared with a 20-year-old Ventura man Dec. 13.
"As a mother, I'm extremely frustrated," said Franciene Black, as she sat next to her attorney, Gloria Allred, during a news conference in Los Angeles.
Police and the FBI say Andrew Joshua Tafoya disappeared with the 15-year-old girl into Mexico seven months after pleading guilty to having unlawful sex with her.
Authorities suspect Tafoya used a stolen car when he left with Chioma Gray on Dec. 13. Tafoya is charged with child stealing, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, vehicle theft and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Black criticized Ventura police for failing to issue an Amber Alert when her daughter disappeared.
One of the girl's brothers, and her father, Desmond Gray, dropped the Buena High School student off at the Ventura school Dec. 13.
"That was the last time they saw Chioma Gray," she said.
But Sgt. Jack Richards, a spokesman for Ventura police, said it would not have been appropriate to issue an Amber Alert.
For starters, investigators do not think Gray was abducted but rather that she voluntarily left with Tafoya.
Moreover, Gray was not "in immediate danger of death" when she disappeared, Richards said.
But Black disputed that her daughter would ever freely leave with Tafoya, saying she had too many reasons not to. For starters, she was very close to her family "and would not have cut herself off from them," her mother said.
"She would not have left behind her puppy, which she loved dearly," said Black of the white Chihuahua her daughter calls Pink.
Gray also left behind all her clothing except what she was wearing when she disappeared, her mother said.
Tafoya was first arrested by Ventura police March 28, 2007, on suspicion of having sex with Chioma Gray.
Black said her daughter met Tafoya through her son, Chidiebere Okehi. Tafoya and Okehi played football together, first at St. Bonaventure High School. Okehi and Tafoya also played together at Ventura College and were friends, she said.
Black said she first learned of Tafoya's interest in her daughter when he showed up at a soccer game in which Chioma Gray was participating.
Tafoya was sentenced in late June to 210 days in county jail and 36 months of probation. He was placed on a work furlough program as part of his sentence.
Tafoya was ordered not to have contact with the girl and not to associate with anyone under 18 unless in the presence of a responsible adult, according to the FBI.
But Black said she saw her daughter get out of Tafoya's car just a day before he was to begin his work furlough program last summer.
Black said she notified Ventura police but that police failed to take any action.
"I would have liked to have seen him sent to prison for this," Black told reporters.
When asked if Chioma Gray and Tafoya were in a consensual relationship, Allred responded, saying the important issue is that the relationship was illegal since Tafoya was having sex with an underage girl.
"We urge everyone who might have any information that would help this family, to provide that information immediately," Allred said.
Allred also sent a letter to Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten, asking that his office investigate how authorities handled Chioma Gray's disappearance.
James Ellison, the chief assistant district attorney for Totten, said his office would look into whether the concerns raised in the letter have merit.
"Anytime someone makes a complaint like this, we always look into it," Ellison said.
Laura Eimiller, a spokeswoman for the FBI in Los Angeles, urged anyone who has information on Tafoya's or Chioma Gray's whereabouts to contact the FBI at 310-477-6565, or their local law enforcement agency.
Anyone providing information would be offered anonymity, Eimiller said, and a reward would be available. The amount would depend on how much the information aided authorities in locating Chioma Gray and Tafoya.
She said U.S. authorities are working with their counterparts in Mexico to help find Tafoya and Chioma Gray.
Posted by travissgreen01 on February 29, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What in the world was the Ventura Police Department thinking when they decided not to issue an Amber Alert? It doesnt matter if the child left willingly with the suspect or not an Amber Alert still should've been issued especially since they already knew that he had been convicted of having sex with her!
Posted by itchthing on February 29, 2008 at 12:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My sister went through almost the exact same situation with her 14 year old daughter and the Ventura Police Department, the Ventura Police did absolutely nothing to help my sister, their attitude was the same as in this case, that she had left voluntarily with the man, so too bad. The man was a convicted felon and White Supremacist. Nice Job Ventura Police Department, keep up the good work, have a doughnut on me.
Posted by Fatherof2x_s on February 29, 2008 at 4:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is not the job of a police department to raise someone's child. My daughter is almost 3 yrs old, and she know the difference between right and wrong, not to take candy from strangers, etc. I would imagine a 14 yr old or 15 yr old would also know the diffenrence between right and wrong, not to "run-a-way" from home with an older man, have sex with an older man...not to hang out with convicted felons
Why ? because it's wrong, it's against the law, or at least a bad idea (the felon white supremist)
Mom and the older brother also knew that an older man was interested in a youger aged girl. He was introduced to her by the brother! Mom saw him come to watch a soccer game! Wake up....it's a clue.
I remember when I was an older brother and some adult man called my home asking to speak to my "minor" sister. I also remember telling my dad to put down the magnum before he sped of to the guys house to confront him and explain to him what would happen if he ever called the house again. I also remeber telling some of my sister's boyfriends never come back to the house. My brother and I fought several of them countless times on the front yard of the house, and those boyfriends didn't come back either. The older man never called my sister again....
The morale of the story is, Parents need to raise their own children. Teach their own kids right from wrong. Discipline their own children. Don't expect the police to step in when it is a lack of parenting that has been occurring for 14 or 15 yrs. Maybe a spanking or a "time out" 10 years ago could have helped just a little bit. Take away the cell phone, the skimpy clothes, the myspace. I remeber it being called "grounded".
It was already stated in the article, the police arrested Mr. Tafoya and the district Attorney convicted him.......what else do you expect. Vote Yes on P6 next time and the 911 tax. Then maybe the Ventura Police cand send their new "Special Projects Unit" to Mexico and find them because they will have the funding....
Posted by GitRdone on February 29, 2008 at 6:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TO FATHEROF2X_S, I'M SURE THE PARENTS IN THIS CASE CARE A GREAT DEAL, BECAUSE IF THEY DIDN'T THEN THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER GONE AS FAR AS THEY DID TO HAVE THIS GUY PROSECUTED & TO CONTINUE TO
ALERT POLICE. AND YES, I DO BELIEVE THE POLICE SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE & ACTED UPON THIS IN A MORE URGENT & REPONSIBLE MANNER !!! ALSO, I DO BELIEVE KIDS RUN AWAY, & LETS JUST HOPE YOUR KIDS DON'T DECIDE TO RUN AWAY OR EVEN THINK ABOUT ACTING AS THIS 20 YR OLD HAS.
Posted by patticakepatti on February 29, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
fatherof2xs, LOL, your 3 year old knows right from wrong. What kind of magic parent are you that you've got your 3 year old perfectly trained already??? Trust me, that will change in about 10 years....Enjoy it while it lasts....Have you also trained her to date the "right" men in the proper age category????
I do have to agree with you however on the issue of VPD not using the amber alert. If they were to use the amber alert on every 15 year old that left with his/her boyfriend/girlfriend, it would deflect from the original purpose for which it was intended. This girl left with her boyfriend, he's already been tried and convicted. I'm sure this is horrible for the mother, my heart goes out to her.
Posted by 50Luva on February 29, 2008 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Come on. This girl obviously knew what she was doing. The poor thing couldn't realize that the guy took advantage of her.
While I too as a mother would be devistated if my daughter took off with some guy, mom is now trying to blame the police for her bad parenting. If she was really concerned about her daughter, she would have taken measures to prevent this from happening in the first place.
BTW, the state sets the parameters for what classifies as an amber alert. See Sgt. Richards' remarks in the article. This situation was not classified as an amber alert.
Gloria Aldridge has managed to attach herself to yet another "attention grabbing" case...
Posted by imdunnfor on February 29, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To Fatherof2x_s, Sorry, but I too was naive enough when my children were small to think they would have no issues with right and wrong later on in life. It doesn't always happen that way, trust me. I've seen some great kids raised by lousy parents and vice-versa.
I will say Oxnard PD and the Sheriffs Department are no better...
And getting a gun involved in such a situation, that's not going to make anything any better with or without the cops...
Posted by iproducer4u on February 29, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Most of you here putting blame on parenting and bad teens, its sad to see that!! I bet on it that if it happened to you, youd be calling Gloria Allred too!! Its a shame on your comments, I guess its easy to speak freely here since no one knows who you are!! Keep hiding behind your computer screen and bashing these familys who are dealing with the pain of missing a loved one!! One more thing, I am a true believer of Karma!!!
Posted by missing805 on February 29, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Im sorry but I saw this in the news yesterday and there is a lot more to this story than the family is saying. Why would the family not want a press conference right away when Ventura Police told them to? The girl left with the guy willingly, like someone already said, can we imagine how many Amber Alerts there would be if they did it on every ocasion like this. I too remember my Sister going out of the house at midnight with her 20 year old BF. My dad and I went ot his house and although he never opened, we just yelled " We want you home in 10 minutes, if your not home by the time we are home, you guys know what will happen" Guess what, she was home before we got home. So yes some responsability is on the parents. Caps are there to Serve and protect, not to " Raise your kids" My biggest question is why did the family not want to have a press conference back in December?
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on February 29, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
With Gloria Alred involved, the whole thing begins to smell. It is no longer about getting the girl back ... it is about money. Goes to show you that the world's oldest professional is practiced even by multi-millionaires.
Posted by ca4ever on February 29, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fatherof2x - you are completely right. I might not have said it quite as harsh, but it is not the Ventura PD's fault she ran away, so quite trying to pass the blame on them. They do an exceptional job. This situation absolutely looks as though the parents had a teen on their hands that was not willing to abide by the rules. They should have done more to MAKE ABSOLUTE SURE that she would not be with that man again. She sounds like she needs a good spanking...
Posted by Ms_California on February 29, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OK, I have two words for you GLORIA ALLRED! Sounds to me that the family or at least the mother in this case is trying to achieve more than just finding her daughter.. why hire Gloria Allred? Guess bleeding heart Jesse Jackson wasn't available? I understand that their child is missing, went off with this boy. True love, puppy love or just sickness. The parent's knew this boy was interested... keep track of your kids people! Know who they are with, know the parents of the kids who they spend time with and watch for others who frequent their sporting events! Kids are going to do what kids wanna do but you as a parent can at least cut them off at the pass most of the time.
Posted by UdontKnowMe on February 29, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The priority of the VPD is hunting down or harrassing suspected/known gang members rather than spending their time dealing with a missing teen. This county's best law enforcement is the VC Sherriff's Dept. I bet if the Sherriff's dept was on this from the beginning it would have been handled more appropriately. Its sad what this family has to go through. Keep in mind that CHESTERS like this idiot that took/coerced this young girl is going to be hating life upstate when he does get caught. What he did is wrong, consensual or not. It is only a matter of time before he gets caught, especially since the Feds are involved.
Posted by narc121 on February 29, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree 100% UdontKnowMe! If we put out an AMBER alert for every stupid and naive girl that left with their adult boyfriends, the system would be inundated...therefore rendering it useless. I feel sorry for this girl's mother, but she needs a reality check. I doubt her daughter would have stayed because of her puppy and close family ties. The daughter obviously doesn't have any respect for herself or her family if she was involved with this idiot before and continued to see him after he was arrested! I agree with other people too, that hiring Gloria Allred is just a mere attempt at getting attention and will overshadow the real issue here - finding Chioma.
Posted by bugmenot on February 29, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cue Nancy Grace....
Posted by B8R_N4MD on February 29, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gloria Allred was hired for one thing, to get Ms Black money. If I was that concerned, I would have been hounding the press in December, not waiting until now. It hasn't been mentioned, but it wouldn't surprise me to hear the race card pulled next.... will have to wait and see.
Posted by zoezoe on February 29, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So the mother saw her daughter get out of the man's car the day before and she said to her daughter ".............." or "if you leave with him I'm going to call Gloria." The point is what did the mother do to protect her daughter.
Posted by akizer20 on February 29, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is ridiculous. Why wasn't the mother checking her daughter's phone daily? I was a good student, a good kid at St. Bonaventure High School during the same time Josh Tafoya was there and although I didn't begin to rebel from my parents rules until I was a senior in high school, all four years my aunt kept daily tabs on my cell phone. I also agree with the comments regarding Gloria Allred, she is just an attention-hungry moneybags and involving her in this case just makes the mother look even more incompetent. Lastly, when I was 17 years old I was seeing a 21 year old Marine. Yes, I understand the law is the law however, at 17 years old I was a lot more mature than most girls my age. This day in age, 15, 16, and 17 year old girls are not these innocent naive babies. Look at Jamie Lynn Spears, her boyfriend is legally an adult and she is not and she is knocked up. These kind of things presented in the media are not only proof that teen girls are not innocent anymore but its also making it okay for these young girls to emulate their so-called role models.
Posted by alescia on February 29, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Francine & Family,
We are all praying for Chioma to come home safely!!!!!!!!
Posted by stave1 on February 29, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had a similar situation after my husband died. My daughter fell for an older guy. I had the toughest time with her and him. One night I stuck a gun up his nose for knocking on her window late one night. I didn't scare him a bit. There are preditors out there looking for single mothers and widows who are trying to raise their kids alone. The girls are the target. These guys sell your daughters affections to strangers. They ruin lives.
Posted by akizer20 on February 29, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
stave1, you stated "my daughter fell for an older guy". Not "my daughter was stalked by an older guy", "my daughter was continually harassed by an older guy and she had told him to stay away"...ultimately talking to your damn kids will curb this behavior. Speaking from experience, teenage girls look to older guys for many reasons, the most common being that nobody else is paying attn to them. That may not have been there case with you personally, but please...
ALL PARENTS: REALIZE THAT ITS NOT JUST THE OLDER GUY'S ACTIONS, YOUR DAUGHTER IS JUST AS MUCH A PART OF IT.
Posted by BeReal on February 29, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's so amazing how much you people judge and think you know what's going on. It's all about how terrible "they" are and how "great" you are.
Sad, sad, sad. I am not a judge. I am not the daughter. We don't really know if she was taken against her will or not. Oh, it may look that way. When I was 15, I may have considered leaving with someone that was 20 years old. Anyone, just to get away from home. I was not happy at home at that age. It can be a confusing time for some of us that weren't raised like "Leave it to Beaver". But it is not for me to say whether this girl did this willingly or not. She is still a MINOR! Teenagers can be influenced and brainwashed.
Quit the assumptions! Unless you know the family personally, can you just mind your own business! Probably not. Some of you thrive on judging others!
The ISSUE here is that the 20 year old knows that what he is doing is illegal. HE is responsible for that. HE is the ADULT!
Posted by tiales on February 29, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please people, they are called PREDATORS. They prey on young, naive kids. The point is he is an adult and she is under age. It doesnt matter how great of a parent you are, the kids are going to do what they want to do and will find a way to do it. If the mother locked her up she would have found a way to get out. In fact the more you push, the more they will sneak around.
I cant believe you get 'work furlough' for having sex with a minor! Now they want to get him for 'child stealing, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, vehicle theft and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution'...what about taking a minor out of state lines? I'm sure they can get him for more also as I'm sure there is more to it. But like I said, he is an adult and she is a minor. If this was your child, you'd want more done also! I hope when they do find her, she is okay.
Posted by dom_kenpo on February 29, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there a bounty for her safe return?
Posted by spokenit on February 29, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am betting she left on her own. She was or is in LOVE... Her family didnt understand and because of this stupid law they cant be together freely... What do you think is happening? Maybe they are having sex? HMMM they alread did. I for one think this law is wrong. If you are going to say this 15yr. old can not think for herself or make good judgements, NOT thinking of her as an adult then I know of another 14 year old thats has been in the paper alot lately that should fall under the same thinking. One is an adult but the other isnt?? Teenagers are way more mature then when this law was put into place. YES there are those creeps out there. But most arent. Think about this, what do you do when your daughter or son has been dating someone that is 17 they are 15 they stay together for 6/7 months and the person turns 18?? You have been fine with it up until the birthday? They get along great,,, what now? Oh yah one more thing you people really need to get over blaming the cops for your own childrens behaviors. Teach them to respect you first and beware of your consquences as they grow up and maybe they will have enough respect for you that the cops, (after putting their donuts down) wont have to come babysit for you!
Posted by akizer20 on February 29, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I completely agree with spokenit. You are 110%, absolutely right!
Posted by hotwildflower on February 29, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, wish I knew everything about parenting when my kids were 3, it would have been a lot easier ride, although...less fun, I'm sure.
A 15 year old girl will do crazy things in the name of "love"...don't raise your kids with blinders, your guns and threats will only go so far and will probably get you in alot more trouble than the guy will for having a "relationship" with the teenage girl.
Hopefully this girl will find a way back home to her family, it is obvious they miss her.
Posted by justmeinsp on February 29, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
boy am I naive (tongue in cheek here...) I thought all the good and well-behaved kids went to St. Bonnie... If not, then why pay all that tuition when you can send your kid to public school and have them behave the same way and get into the same kind of trouble??
Posted by akizer20 on February 29, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
justmeinsp, St. Bonnie is the school for parents who don't want their kids to end up shot for asking somebody out. Parents who don't give a crap send their kids to Santa Paula :)
and this is coming from a Native Santa Paulan...(all tongue in cheek of course)
Posted by ThePredator008 on February 29, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stupid Cops Can't you do anything right?? Why do you have to pull me over cause i'm a mexican. When this you lady is probly out in the cold and scared for her life. ( Lets all hope shes still alive )
Why couldn't you just put an amber alert, Us tax paying citizens paid for it anyway so USE IT !!
Posted by VtaCntyMomOf2 on February 29, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
akizer20 "St. Bonnie is the school for parents who don't want their kids to end up shot for asking somebody out" Thats your opinion and for your information just because kids go to private school does NOT mean they are any safer than the kids who go to public schools....TRAGEDY can happen anywhere at anytime...dont get it twisted. Most of the people I know who went to St. Bonnie were the "bad kids"..... if they weren't bad they were sheltered and do not have any idea what the REAL world is like....
Posted by akizer20 on February 29, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vtacntymomof2, What are "bad kids"? Kids who smoke pot or take guns to school? When has St. Bonaventure ever had an incident of violence as compared to the public schools in the area? Do your research before you step up on your soapbox.
Posted by watts_gonon on February 29, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bottom line: Parents need to take accountability for their children. That is the problem with many of todays parents; they blame others for the decisions they and their children make. The mother saw her kid get out of the guy's car. Did she say or do anything?
Children understand what acceptable behavior is as young as 1 year old. All those folks who say that kids don't; you are setting up your own children to live lives of excuses. Of course there are exceptions, but those exceptions don't make the rule.
Amber Alerts are for children who have been abducted, not for 15 year olds who leave voluntarily.
Ms. Black probably cares that her daughter returns safely, but I am guessing that she knows she is with Tafoya on her own accord. Black can save a little money knowing she does not have to clothe and feed her kid. Now she is looking at dollar signs. Call me a cynic. Black failed to teach her kid responsiblity, accountabilty and sef-respect. I guess in this aspect, Black failed as a parent.
Posted by spokenit on February 29, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks akizer20,,,,Predator008 do you just comment to see what people will say back to you? If the mother would have walked over to her daughter when she saw her getting out of his car the day before and DONE something maybe this wouldnt have happened. Sounds like she cant control her daughter or lost control along time ago. I know that I would have been all over it if I was so shocked and against this dating arrangement the minute I saw my child get out of the car. I wouldnt have even called the cops my child would have been held accountable right there on the spot. If that girl left on her own will or is not being held against it then I think she should be charged as an juv. deliquent for running away, skipping school, and causing us tax payers to waste our money when the cops have to be involved!
Posted by hamskid on February 29, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with Fatherof2x's....The girls family knew what was going on. The police did what they could to help and he was arrested and charged. Then the mother sees the girl getting out of the car after he was found guilty and what did she do? Call Gloria Allred and blame the police. Too many people are willing to call the police to straighten out a situation that they let go on for 15 years and get pissed at the police if they don't fix it right now.
Posted by zany on February 29, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These comment sections turn into big ole soap operas sometimes. People look at yourselves.
Posted by gonzo on February 29, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These kids left here penniless in a stolen car. Neither of these kids have relatives in Mexico. Someone is helping these kids. By now they would otherwise be starving down there. Hmmmm who could it be? Mom is angling the race card for a multimillion dollar legal settlement. I wonder.
The girl is a juvenile delinquent run away. The Tafoya boy is facing a very lenghty stretch in the big house.So Tafoya gets 10 years, labelled a sex offenderr the rest of his days, mom gets millions.
Oh and the juvenile delinquent girl (thats what this is all about right) when its all over Mom will have less interest in her than before. Moms lack of parenting skills is what started this whole ball in motion in the first place.
Posted by bosslady805 on March 1, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The bottom line folks this man, Andrew Tafoya, was convicted of having sex with a minor and was to not be near underage children unless accompanied by an adult. Even if Chioma did leave with Andrew willingly, he still violated his terms and was well aware of it before even coming in contact with her on the day of December 13, 2007. He knew what would happen if he ignored the courts orders. He knew what he was doing when he decided to steal a vehicle from the car lot. That alone puts him in violation since he is a convicted felon. This Andrew guy was supposed to be the responsible adult however, he took advantage of a 15 year old girl who hasn't probably even driven a car yet. How can you say she's stupid and immature for getting caught up with this guy, she's only 15. Why are there so many convicted sex offenders? Because these children do not know any better. So does this mean that every child that has been abducted, it is the fault of the parents and the children are stupid? Don't blame the parents for what happened. Take a look at our beautiful Ventura County Court System. And who wouldn't get a top notch attorney to handle a case involving their missing child when the police department and or court system fails to act on a disappearance of a minor. To my family and to my Auntie, I pray for Chioma's safe return.
Posted by gonzo on March 1, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So your view is kids are ignorant in general regardless of parenting. These ignorant kids are sucseptible to the quirks of fate. Thereby rolls of the dice are all that is between success and failed parenting.
I dont buy that. There is soething lacking in that little girls life that started all this. The person responsible for the lacking would be mom.
Moms piss poor parenting skills are sending Tafoya to the bighouse and mom collects millions in a judgment. Now there is a win win situation. Little Chilonia will grow out of this into a pissed off little woman when its all over.
NOw you say the real problem is the racist VPD and the Amber Alert or even Tafoya?
These undiagnosed problems Chelonia is dealing with leaves her future bleak. Extreme cases of delinquincy becomes incorrigable wards of the state and locked up out in Camarillo.
Posted by HavingMySay on March 1, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People did it ever cross your mind that maybe that is why this girl went with him...because her mother WAS taking action to stop them from seeing each other. And yes, parents have to take responsibility for their kids but how is that helping her find her daughter? The point is that she is a minor who in the eyes of the law is unable to make life decisions on her own while he is an adult that is supposed to be capable and therefore has no business taking her with him ANYWHERE.
Posted by watts_gonon on March 1, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We are trying a 14 year old as an adult, for murder because he made "an adult decision." Yet we don't think this 15 year old is mature enough to make a decision to leave with Tafoya?
Black knows where her kid is. Black is just working the angle for some cash. The City of Ventura may just settle because it would cost the City too much money to go to court. Either way, Black will get a little cash.
Posted by santabarbarasand on March 1, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that the issue here is that the parent doesn't like how the police handled their report of their daughter as a missing person. She's upset because they wouldn't issue an Amber Alert! Doesn't she know what those are for? That's the issue, isn't it? The fact is that so many teenagers run away from home, even good homes, to be with their boyfriend/girlfriend. ESPECIALLY if they are forbidden to see them! It doesn't matter to the hormone crazed and totally in love teenager that it's illegal or that it makes their family unhappy, they only care about that they are in love and that they want to be with the person.
There are policies and procedures that the police have to follow. Unless there was reason to suspect foul play, they should assume it's a runaway situation, don't you think?
Suing the city isn't the answer and I really hope that they do NOT settle because that would be setting a REALLY bad precendent here!
Posted by hamskid on March 1, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where is the girls father in all of this?
Posted by kawil on March 1, 2008 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
something is wromg with this picture. Black seems to be after finances.....the dad does he have or have not a say. He was totally silent at the press conference. Black maybe should have listened to the dad when he told Black "I don't like this guy" "who is he" Tafoya that is....hmmm,and how many times was Tafoya in Black's home.....hmmmm
Posted by ebrockway on March 2, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You know, in Ventura county alone, there are probably dozens of teenage girls each year who think they are "in love" with an older guy. Forbidden to see the guy, they run away to get away from their "mean parents" and be with "their man".
Now imagine an Amber Alert given statewide for each one of these. Mulitply the local runaways by all the other county agencies statewide reporting runaway girls and soon an Amber Alert is meaningless and ignored. C'mon people, think. Are runaways really what we want the Amber Alert used for? You want the fire department responding to your house if you burn a roast? Kinda overkill?
Now enter Gloria Allred, now I'm suspicious. A mother who's demands of the police weren't met, and wants to get even, looks to me. Allred's nothing but a media wh***, and a money grubber. You don't bring her in unless you expect a big payoff, and she doesn't get involved unless there IS a big payoff, either media mileage or big bucks.
Anyway, bottom line here is, leave the Amber Alert for child abductions the way it was intended. You want a Runaway Child Alert, start one up.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on March 2, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GitRdone ,Exactly!!
Posted by Life_is_2_Short on March 2, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Plain and simple, The VPD slacks off. I reported, Tried to report my 20 year old brother missing about 2 years ago. But according to the VPD I couldn't file a missing person report. I had to wait 72 hours and then call them back. We spent 2 of the longest days of our lifes thinking the worst & searching for him. This was extremly frustrating. Lonely feeling.
Posted by santabarbarasand on March 3, 2008 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Live_is_2_short, what happened with your brother? Did it turn out he was just doing his own thing and was okay or was something wrong?
Posted by bigrvman on March 3, 2008 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TIME-OUT EVERYBODY! First of all this Pedo freak should have not been within 500 feet of her or a high school, junior high etc.Everyone is quick to through stones until it happens to their daughter. I don't blame Ms. Black to make as much noise as possible to get everyone aware that her baby girl has been kidnapped by a smooth talking grown man who like the snake he is coerced a relatively naive little girl into his stolen vehicle with unfilled promises of happiness.I would have hired the best lawyer if possible also. I didn't here anyone calling Gloria Allred a Glory hog when little Suzy White was missing or Lacy Peterson, Yes the courts failed, he should have been equipped with an ankle bracelet tracking device he had an 2008 Acura has anyone tracked the vehicle that year and model usually have a GPS tracking system, an Amber Alert should have been issued since a predator kidnapped the girl in a stolen vehicle that right there should have been an amber alert with a grand theft, most people are quick to blame the parent or lack of it is a weak excuse if that was the case we would all have perfect children since we generally raise them the same way have you heard of the CEO and the bank robber that are brothers(wrong analogy they are both the same)what I'm getting at is unless you have the resources to monitor your children 24hr/365 days a year then it can happen to YOU.
Posted by kind1 on March 3, 2008 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
history repeats its self - Didn't the Jenniffer Vernals Case teach Ventura Police Department ANYTHING??? Santa Barbara County Sheriffs, told us, they thought Ventura PD really botched the job -www.ojaivalleynews.com/issues2002/03-29-02/03-29-02news3.html
http://www.shallowbridge.com/events-n...
http://www.mountainwood.org/Didopage/...
http://www.childsearch.org/show_missi...
There was also Gloria De La Cruz Jr. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SUSPECT...
who was lain in a morgue for 30 days in LA, unidentified, while her frantic family looked for her.
Women, and girls - if you are not connected to money, or some VIP's - you are still not a priority in Ventura County.
I hope it turns out better for this girl, than it did for Jenniffer Rose Vernals.
Posted by gonzo on March 4, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Celonia and Tafoya have both committed crimes. They both should be locked up.
Mom should be sent to parenting classes and counseling before chelonia is released to her.
Posted by stadiumreporter on March 5, 2008 at 5:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I as a father would not have let this happen. Since you can not control the 20 year old male or the 14 year old ( who obviosly is not mature enough to understand the impact of her bf illegal acts). I would have to give some old school justice and then I would be doing 10 years for aggravated assault. If this ever happened to me I would hope the police or D.A could do a lot more to help me keep my child away from this predator.
Posted by dsmohler on March 5, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The most telling part of this story is that Gloria Allred is representing the family. The family knew that their daughter was seeing this guy, and I don't care how much she loved her puppy, she left with this guy willingly. The family, instead of taking responsibility now (or even back when they could have prevented this) is now using Allred to help them blame the police for what they failed to do. This type of lack of responsibility is pathetic.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on March 6, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bigrvman ,Good Comment!
I do not believe that the family ever expected her to disappear ...... this is a tragedy. Totally unexpected. 14 year olds can be pretty darn sneaky! And I would NOT blame the parents. I hope you find you child, I will be praying for you!
Posted by Libra40 on March 6, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
spokenit - I believe the article stated that the mom spotted her daughter getting out of Tafoya's car the day before he began his work furlough sentence, NOT THE DAY BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED WITH HIM. And she did report this incident to the police, probably in the hope that he would receive more time. Re-read the story again.
Posted by readerone1 on March 7, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Unfortunely this is happening a lot more then you'll know. But the odd thing about this whole story is that since Dec her daughter hasn't tried to contact mom to at least say she's ok. That makes me wonder if she really went willing or did this older man who man have been obsessed take her. I cant imagine that a daughter would make her mother suffer this long with out a I’m ok call.
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