Victoria Stafford's remains identified

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07-21-2009, 09:00 AM
Catty1

Victoria Stafford's remains identified

I can't find my original thread...this little girl was kidnapped and murdered on April 8. She would have turned 9 last week. Finally, her family has some closure... :(
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http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/...socialcomments

Victoria Stafford's remains identified
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 | 9:50 AM ET
CBC News

http://www.google.com/hostednews/can...l9mF1Rw?size=l

The remains found in an isolated, wooded area of southern Ontario on the weekend are those of schoolgirl Victoria Stafford, police confirmed Tuesday.

Forensic scientists in Toronto using dental records "positively identified the remains as those of Victoria Stafford," said Det.-Insp. Bill Renton, who headed the joint OPP-Oxford Community Police task force.

Victoria, also known as Tori, disappeared just after 3 p.m. on April 8, minutes after leaving her elementary school in Woodstock.

The last image of the child was captured on a security camera. It showed her being led away from the school by a woman with dark hair who was wearing a white coat.

For more than a month, police searched for Victoria. That ended in late May when police arrested two people and charged them with first-degree murder.

On Monday, OPP investigators confirmed the discovery of human remains in an area near the small farming community of Mount Forest, about 95 kilometres north of Woodstock.

They couldn't say conclusively the remains were those of Victoria, but hinted strongly that it was the likeliest outcome.

Police said an investigator working on the case acted on some information, and checked an area southeast of Mount Forest on Sunday. During the search, police located the body of a child.

Forensic testing in Toronto confirmed the findings, identifying Victoria by her dental records.

Two Woodstock residents, Michael Rafferty and Terri-Lynne McClintic, are charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in Victoria's disappearance.

Their trials are expected to begin next year.
07-21-2009, 05:23 PM
aTailOf2Kitties

it is so tragic to lose a child. While at a family member's funeral today, I could not help but weep at some of the brief date spans on a few of the other headstones.
07-21-2009, 07:32 PM
Laura's Babies

What in he H*LL is wrong with the world that people steal and murder CHILDREN? How can they live with themselves after killing a child?
07-21-2009, 08:37 PM
Catty1

Tori's mom and dad have been divorced for some time. The mom just quit an Oxycontin addiction a while ago.

She had a very slight acquaintance with the female who has also been charged with kidnapping and murder. The media hasn't said much - but there is suspicion of a drug debt...

But if so...WHY the child? :mad::(
07-21-2009, 11:15 PM
K9karen

Uhh... why a trial? Sorry, but there are times I don't think the cost and time of a trial should even be considered.
07-22-2009, 08:52 AM
Trinityagain

Quote:

Originally Posted by K9karen

Uhh... why a trial? Sorry, but there are times I don't think the cost and time of a trial should even be considered.

I agree completely....
07-22-2009, 10:10 AM
Catty1

About having a trial...I recall reading news stories about families who suffered when the accused killed themselves. They suffer because they don't have a chance to get an answer to the enormous WHY? of it all, WHY their child was killed. (Or even an adult relative).

It seems to be a very important part of closure for the families...and trials are PUBLIC, so everyone who cares needs to see the accused, and the accused NEED to be seen.

I'd hate to move towards a society where 'secret executions' are the rule, or where one never knows what becomes of people accused of crime. Why? Because it could happen to innocent people - and in many countries, that is what happens. "The disappeared".

JMO
07-22-2009, 02:55 PM
phesina

Quote:

Originally Posted by K9karen

Uhh... why a trial? Sorry, but there are times I don't think the cost and time of a trial should even be considered.

Why shouldn't there be a trial? Someone kidnapped and murdered this little girl. Two people have been charged with the crimes. Even though it won't bring Tori back, shouldn't they still have their day in court, and if they are found guilty, shouldn't they be punished?