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The Search for Rachel, a father's journal

Tuesday, February 1 through Sunday, February 5, 2005

The Sri Lanka Texas EquuSearch team returned this week. They were on the island of Sri Lanka for nine days searching for victims of the December 26 tsunami. They found human remains. My friend Marie took our "care package" and distributed it to local children and families. Marie's account of their trip may be read at Rachel's Message Board.

Rachel's Tsunami Fund collected several hundred dollars to send to relief efforts. The checks will be sent this week, and I will post the total money collected next week. Although we will no longer be collecting funds, we still urge people to donate directly to the international organizations providing relief to the area.

Monday, February 6 through Friday, February 11

My friend Marie sent me some pictures from the Texas EquuSearch trip to Sri Lanka. The pictures show some of the devastation there after the tsunami. I will post them on Rachel's site soon.

Our evaluations for both January courses we taught at the National Center for Missing Adults were compiled, and they were very positive. The information we teach law enforcement in the CEO and first responder courses is very much needed.

Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13

My sister Elaine and I hosted a Rachel Alert Network booth at the Children's Health Festival in Round Rock. Over 500 people came through and looked at the various booths there. RAN handed out children's and adults' safety tips and other items to help raise safety awareness. Insure a Kid sponsors the annual event.

After the Children's Health Festival I left for the Austin airport to fly to Phoenix. Sunday the National Center for Missing Adults hosted another missing person training course for law enforcement CEOs. Nineteen CEOs attended the course.

Monday, February 14 through Sunday, February 20

Rachel's Tsunami Relief Fund collected $1056 for the victims of the Asian tsunamis. I divided the money between Save the Children and Texas EquuSearch, with $500 going to Save the Children and $556 to TES. Both organizations will receive checks this week.

The National Center for Missing Adults is about to take the law enforcement first responder training course on the road. Our first stop will be Appleton, Wisconsin, this week. Plans are also in place to teach the class in Seattle, WA; South Bend, IN; Saint Louis, MO; and Pomona, CA.

A Fort Worth mother and her 7-year-old son have been missing since Saturday night. Police found something in their home that raised concern of possible foul play. Texas Department of Public Safety has requested an Amber Alert to be extended to New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The public is asked to look for the subjects of this alert and the suspect's vehicle, a blue 2002 Dodge Durango with Texas license plate 5GDF19. More information may be found on www.teamamber.com.

Monday, February 21 through Monday, February 28

Sadly, the Fort Worth mother and son were found deceased in North Texas. The woman's boyfriend has been arrested for their murders. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

A first responder class on missing persons was held in Appleton, Wisconsin, this week. I flew in for my victim impact statement section. I think the class went well. We had around 20 students and several guests.

I was contacted about a missing youth from the Houston area. Texas EquuSearch was already on the case, and the girl was found safe on Saturday. She was found before I really became involved, which is fantastic.

People are already registering for the April 17 M.U.S.T. self-defense and awareness seminar. There have been many requests for a seminar in South Austin, so I'm glad we finally have a location to teach one there. We are also working to schedule seminars in Elgin and Houston.