Jaliek Rainwalker

Jaliek Rainwalker


Endangered Missing


JALIEK RAINWALKER
DOB: Aug 2, 1995
Missing: Nov 1, 2007
Age Now: 13
Sex: Male
Race: Biracial
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Green
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
Weight: 105 lbs (48 kg)
Missing From:
GREENWICH
NY
United States


Both photos shown are of Jaliek. He was last seen on November 1, 2007. Jaliek is Biracial. He is Black and White. Jaliek was last seen wearing blue jeans, a yellow fleece pull-over and black tennis shoes. He has a slight speech impediment. Jaliek pronounces the letter "r" like a "w."
ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greenwich Village Police Department (New York) 1-518-692-9332

http://www.findjaliek.org/
On November 1, 2007, after spending six days in respite care with a family familiar to 12 year old Jaliek Rainwalker, he was returned to his adoptive father. The following day Jaliek was reported missing.

Jaliek has not been found.

This web site is presented so that those who know, love and truly care for this young man can make sure that the world does not forget that there is a child missing and must be found.

Time Line



11/1/2007 At 6:45 p.m. Jaliek is returned to Stephen Kerr after spending six days in respite care.
11/1/2007 Stephen takes Jaliek to dinner at Red Robin Restaurant.
11/2/2007 At 8:57 a.m. Stephen reports Jaliek as a runaway to the Greenwich Police Department.
11/4/2007 Greenwich/Cambridge Police amass forest rangers and law enforcement officers for search for Jaliek.
11/4/2007 Jaliek’s adoptive parents are interviewed regarding Jaliek’s disappearance.
11/5/2007 Ground and air searches for Jaliek are conducted.
11/6/2007 Ground and air searches are increased for Jaliek. Jaliek’s adoptive parents are asked to take polygraphs tests. Stephen begins polygraph but refuses to complete test. Jocelyn takes and completes polygraph.
11/9/2007 Parents hold vigil for Jaliek in Methodist Church, Salem, New York.
Media excerpts:
11/13/2007 Stephen Kerr refuses to take polygraph ~ his father says he should take polygraph.
11/18/2007 Respite Couple and Grandmother speak out.
11/19/2007 3 weeks missing ~ police haven’t heard from Jaliek’s parents in over 2 ½ weeks.
12/2/2007 Jaliek’s father put up reward posters ~ respite family speaks out.
12/17/2007 Find Jaliek Task Force event ~ Light The Night Vigil For Jaliek.
12/23/2007 Find Jaliek Task Force plans “An Inconvenient Child ~ A Story of the Life and Disappearance of Jaliek Rainwalker”.
1/4/2007 Find Jaliek Task Force announces distribution of their Reward posters and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Bake Sale fundraiser for Jaliek.
1/8/2008 Glens Falls Post Star ~ Stephen Kerr and Jocelyn McDonald’s lawyer, Jeffrey McMorris addresses concerns raised by former foster parents of Rainwalker’s about Kerr and his wife continuing to receive a $1,500-a-month payment from Albany County’s Department of Social Services for caring for Rainwalker. He says the family continues to receive the money because they have expenses for Rainwalker’s care. “They have a son, and they need to provide for him,” McMorris said.
1/14/2008 Police Press Conference ~ Still no cooperation from adoptive parents.
1/17/2008 West Rupert, Vermont neighbor speaks out about Kerr’s move.
2/2/2208 The “Jaliek is Alive” anonymous note.
2/3/2008 Mission Possible Investigations, a Capital District private investigative firm, has started an independent anonymous tip line to collect information in the disappearance of Jaliek Rainwalker.
2/4/2008 Find Jaliek Task Force appeals to the author of the “Jaliek is Alive” note sent to the media.
2/8/08 Times Union Story ~ Focus falls on Jaliek’s family ~ House of paternal adoptive grandfather searched; divers find no clues.
2/9/2008 WNYT Channel 13 ~ West Rupert, Vermont ~ Jaliek Rainwalker’s adoptive parents move to Vermont, but their new neighbors say they are not welcome.
2/9/2008 Times Union ~ Police seize computer, printer in missing boy case. Items removed from paternal grandfather’s home as link to Jaliek’s OK letter from Westchester is sought.
2/10/2008 Channel 9 ~ Holding out hope for Jaliek.
2/10/2008 Channel 23 Gospel Concert; Private investigator comments on media coverage of Jaliek’s case.
2/15/2008 Post Star ~ Rainwalker’s parents file notice of claim against Greenwich police chief; Bell called the notice of claim “a ploy to distract attention from the real case”, “We followed the procedures that we had to follow” he said “It’s just sad that Stephen, Jocelyn and Mr. McMorris are trying to make themselves victims.”
2/17/2008 Find Jaliek Task Force announces a “cease and desist” letter was sent by Stephen Kerr and Jocelyn McDonald’s lawyer to the authors of “An Inconvenient Child”.
2/19/2008 Post Star ~ District Attorney: Police were right to enter, search home in Rainwalker case.
2/19/2008 Find Jaliek Task Force Press Release ~ Weekly Sessions For Jaliek ~ Barbara Reeley, Jaliek’s grandmother will be available every Friday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. starting February 22 at the Washington Square Deli in Greenwich. During her time there she will meet the public, distribute missing posters and flyers and will answer questions about her grandson. In addition, when they become available, she will be distributing brochures about what to do if your child is missing. The sessions will continue until further notice.
2/22/2008 Video From Channel 13 ~ 2 events draw attention to case of missing boy while Jocelyn and Stephen vacation in South Carolina. Chief George Bell reports that items taken from the home where Jaliek was reported missing, are still in the hands of State Police and the FBI. The Chief says the outcome of tests on those items is expected in a little more than a week.
3/5/2008 Post Star ~ Texas group (Texas EquuSearch) to look for Jaliek.
3/7/2008 Zero Gossip website tells Jaliek’s story ~ zerogossip.com
3/10/2008 Main Street ~ Reprint of “Searching for Jaliek” article from 2/13/2008.
3/26/2008 Channel 9 ~ Video taken from the Glens Falls National Bank in Greenwich at 12/:16 a.m. on the morning of November 2nd shows a gold van driving through.
3/26/2007 Glens Falls Post Star ~ Watch footage from a Glens Falls National Bank surveillance camera of a gold Chrysler minivan, similar to Stephen Kerr’s vehicle, driving past the Greenwich branch around midnight on November 2.
3/27/2008 FOX 23 News ~ Jaliek’s grandmother seeking custody.
3/28/2008 Find Jaliek Task Force announces Find Jaliek Day ~ April 5th ~ Community Search, Greenwich Bake Sale, Concert (Jaliek’s Journey Home).
3/29/2008 Glens Falls Post Star ~ Jaliek’s adoptive maternal grandparents seek custody of Jaliek.
3/29/2008 Troy Record ~ Spin-A-Thon was held on March 1st to raise awareness of missing persons.
3/30/2008 Troy Record ~ Segments of Barbara Reeley’s March 28th Press Conference.
3/30/2008 Find Jaliek Task Force announces plans for Find Jaliek Day ~ April 5, 2008.
4/2/2008 The Saratogian ~ Spring renews Jaliek search.
4/4/2008 WNYT Channel 13 ~ Events planned for “Find Jaliek Day”
4/5/2008 Times Union ~ Search for Rainwalker set ~ Group organizes hunt for missing boy; concert fundraiser set.
4/5/2008 FOX 23 News ~ Find Jaliek Day.
4/6/2008 Capital News 9 ~ “Find Jaliek Day”


4/7/2008 Times Union ~ Grief and hope for the vanished ~ Family, friends and law enforcement gather for state’s annual Missing Person’s Day.
4/7/2008 WNYT Channel 13 ~ Find Jaliek Task Force continues their search.
4/7/2008 WTEN Channel 10 ~ Jaliek Search Starts Back Up.
4/7/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Missing Persons Day.
4/8/2008 Glens Falls Post Star ~ Playing cards depict victims.
4/8/2008 WNYT Channel 13 ~ Billboards spread word about Jaliek.
4/9/2008 Glens Falls Post Star ~ New Jaliek search scheduled.
4/9/2008 FOX 23 News ~ Billboards go up to help find missing boy.
4/11/2008 Troy Record ~ Texas tracker joins Jaliek search.
4/11/2008 Saratogian ~ Volunteers to conduct search for Jaliek.
4/11/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Jaliek Rainwalker search aided by warm weather, billboards.
4/12/2008 WTEN Channel 10 ~ Training Exercise doubles as Jaliek search.
4/12/2008 WRGB Channel 6 ~ Search for Jaliek continues.
4/12/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Fresh eyes join Jaliek search.
4/13/2008 Saratogian ~ New search on for Jaliek.
4/13/2008 Glens Falls Post Star ~ Volunteers pick up search for Jaliek Rainwalker.
4/14/2008 WNYT Channel 13 ~ Texas Company Joins Jaliek Search.
4/14/2008 Times Union ~ Texas search group joins hunt forJaliek.
4/15/2008 Times Union ~ New Jaliek search starting Monday. Police to receive assistance from Texas search and recovery firm.
4/15/2008 FOX News 23 ~ National Group To Search For Rainwalker.
4/15/2008 Channel 9 News ~ Texas EquuSearch joins Jaliek search effort.
4/16/2008 Channel 9 News ~ Texas EquuSearch brings sonar, drone planes for search.
4/18/2008 WNYT Channel 13 ~ Drone aircraft searches for Jaliek clues.
4/19/2008 WRGB Channel 6 ~ Concert to Support Missing Persons.
4/19/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Drone plane aids in missing persons search.
4/21/2008 WRGB Channell 6 ~ Search for Jaliek Disappoints Divers in Battenkill.
4/24/2008 Jaliek on CNN’s Nancy Grace Home Page.
4/24/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Families of missing people on emotional roller coaster when bodies are found.
4/27/2008 WRGB Channel 6 ~ Sonar Search.
4/27/2008 FOX 23 News ~ Sonar Equipment Used in Search for Jaliek.
4/27/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Volunteers continue search for Jaliek as six month anniversary approaches.
4/28/2008 Times Union ~ Sonar guides search for Rainwalker ~ Volunteer suggests closer inspection of two areas in the Hudson River.
4/28/2008 America’s Most Wanted Website ~ Jaliek Rainwalker.
5/1/2008 Bake Sale for Jaliek ~ 31 N. Pearl Street, Albany, NY ~ in front of Jonathan’s Pizza.
5/1/2008 WNYT Channel 13 ~ New posters keep Jaliek search alive.
5/6/2008 WRGB CBS Channel 6 ~ Jaliek Search Continues.
5/6/2008 WRGB CBS Channel 6 ~ Search Resumes for Jaliek Rainwalker; New Air Boats Used.
5/7/2008 FOX News 23 ~ Searching ForJaliek.
5/7/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Forest Rangers help search forJaliek.
5/21/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Police scaling back search for Jaliek.
5/28/2009 WRGB Channel 6 ~ Fighting for Custody of a Missing Boy.
5/29/2008 Find Jaliek Task Force announces schedule of volunteer searches for Jaliek.
5/29/2008 Times Union ~ Custody bid delayed in Rainwalker case.
5/29/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Jaliek’s grandparents file for custody.
5/29/2008 Find Jaliek Task Force schedules searches for Jaliek.
6/1/2008 Times Union ~ Find Jaliek Task Force searches in Vermont.
6/2/2008 Bennington Banner ~ Rainwalker search in Vermont turns up empty.
6/2/2008 Times Union ~ Voice experts work Rainwalker case.
6/2/2008 Texas EquuSearch sends TJ Ward to assist with Jaliek Rainwalker case.
6/4/2008 Times Union ~ TV interview studied in Rainwalker case.
7/3/2008 Times Union ~ Jaliek’s maternal grandmother fails in custody bid.
7/15/2008 WNYT Channel 13 ~ New evidence found in Jaliek’s home.
7/15/2008 WRGB Channel 6 ~ Jaliek’s adoptive grandmother to face charges in break-in.
7/16/2008 Albany Times Union ~ Ex-Rainwalker home searched.
7/16/2008 FOX 23 News ~ Police: New Evidence in Rainwalker Disappearance.
7/16/2008 Troy Record ~ Jaliek’s grandmother charged; police probe possible new evidence.
7/16/2008 Albany Times Union ~ Ex-Rainwalker home searched.
7/18/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Police remove article of clothing from Jaliek’s former home.
7/18/2008 Bennington Banner ~ Rainwalker evidence found.
8/3/2008 FOX 23 News ~ Jaliek’s 13th Birthday.
8/3/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Jaliek Rainwalker turns 13.
8/13/2008 WRGB Channel 6 ~ Sureillance video surfaces, shows boy resembling Jaliek Rainwalker.
8/13/2008 Times Union ~ Doubts linger about missing youth’s sighting.
8/13/2008 WNYT Channel 13 ~ Police doubt teen on video is Jaliek.
8/13/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Police, attorneys reviewing video in Jaliek case.
8/13/2008 Glens Falls Post Star ~ Person resembling Jaliek turns up in video footage.
8/14/2008 FOX 23 News ~ New Lead in Rainwalker disappearance.
8/14/2008 Capital News 9 ~ Who is on surveillance video?
8/26/2008 WTEN Channel 10 ~ State Police divers search Hudson River in Watervliet.
9/27/2008 Greenwich Harvest Fest Used Book Sale for Jaliek at Washington Square Deli.
10/1/2009 Gift Basket Sale for Jaliek to mark 11th month mark of disappearance, at Jonathan’s Pizza in Albany, NY.
10/4/2008 AppleFest Jaliek Booth, Altamont, NY.
10/4/2008 Greenwich Used Book Sale for Jaliek at Washington Square Deli.
10/12/2008 Easton Used Book Sale for Jaliek, Easton, NY.
11-1-2008 Saturday marks one year since Jaliek disappeared
11-1-2008 Capital News 9 Jaliek Rainwalker Timeline
11-1-2008 CBS6 Albany ~ Jaliek: Missing One Year
11-1-2008 Capital News 9 ~ New Jaliek Rainwalker billboard on display
11-1-2008 News 10 ~ Still No New Leads
11-1-2008 CBS6 News ~ One Year Ago: Search Continues
11-1-2008 CBS6 News ~ Missing For a Year
11-1-2008 Fox23 News ~ Jaliek Rainwalker Missing One Year
11-1-2008 Troy Record ~ One year marked since teen disappeared
11-1-2008 Saratogian ~ Missing youth's whereabouts still unknown after a year.
11-1-2008 Times Union ~ Vigils for Jaliek Rainwalker
11-1-2008 Glens Falls Post Star ~ Vigil marks anniversary of boy's disappearance
2-27-2009 CNN gives Jaliek national attention.
6-17-2009 Capital News 9 - Have A Tip? Call and Help Fight Crime
6-18-2009 Fox 23 News - Washington County launches anonymous crime tip line
6-18-2009 Fox 23 News - Washington County launches anonymous crime tip line

background on Jaliek


August 2nd, 1995 Jaliek was born to a drug-addicted mother. Due to alcohol and drug exposure during gestation, he was removed from his biological mother’s care within days of his birth to keep him safe. Just days old, Jaliek entered the foster care system where he was shuttled through a series of seven foster and adoptive homes; only to disappear November 1, 2007 at the young age of twelve under mysterious circumstances.

In January 2008 police named Jaliek's adoptive father, Stephen Kerr, a person of interest in Jaliek’s disappearance based on several discrepancies in his story. Below is a glimpse as to what happened the six days leading up to his disappearance at age 12, and what the police know regarding his last foster care placement where he was later adopted and then disappeared.

Our Last Six Days With Jaliek

Over the past several weeks, my husband Tom and I have been asked many questions about our involvement as a respite family for Jaliek Rainwalker, the 12 year-old boy who disappeared from Greenwich on November 1st after staying at our home for six days. The TV stations show the public a snippet of an interview that often lasted over an hour. Below, I have compiled the questions and our responses that we feel are important so that you can come to know this beautiful child as we do.

Why did Jaliek come to stay with you in Altamont?



http://www.findjaliek.org/background.htm

About five years ago, we had done respite for the family that had Jaliek for four years before their placement disrupted. We provided that service for them because they were going out of town on a business trip. On other occasions, he came to us to give his parents a break. We loved Jaliek and had hoped that placement would succeed. Unfortunately, Jaliek’s behaviors were more than they could handle. We tried to stay in touch with Jaliek when he was placed with Stephen Kerr and Jocelyn McDonald, but they didn’t want his former family or us to have a relationship with Jaliek.

On Friday, October 26th, I received a phone call from Stephen Kerr, who described himself as Jaliek’s adopted father. Stephen told me that Jaliek had been unmanageable for a long time, that he had threatened to harm a four year-old in his home-school group and that they were looking to un-do the adoption. We discussed several options that they did or could consider to get Jaliek and themselves the help they needed. Stephen had planned to go to Romania for two weeks and his wife refused to have Jaliek in their home because she was afraid of him. He needed a place for Jaliek to be while he was away and that’s why he called us.

My husband and I had planned a trip to New York City to watch our oldest daughter run in the New York Marathon and offered to watch Jaliek until Thursday night, November 1st. We would also be available the following Tuesday, November 6th, to have him here again. We were very excited to be able to see Jaliek again and anxious to see how he had turned out.

What was Jaliek like when he was with you? How did he spend his days?



http://www.findjaliek.org/background.htm

Jaliek was so happy to be with us. As soon as he arrived, he started telling us every detail that he remembered about his visits with us five years before. He remembered the dogs, the cats, the rooms of the house, where we went and what we did. It didn’t take long before he discovered the bookshelf in my office. It had several children’s books on it. This began a six-day marathon of book reading for Jaliek. He would finish one and start another right away. One day he asked if he could read the one Harry Potter book I owned. He told me that he had read the first three, but his mom would not let him read the others because they were too scary. I offered him the books on tape to listen to, but he said he preferred to read the book even though he had already read this particular one. He read it in a day!

That Saturday afternoon, my husband and Jaliek went to a high school football game. Jaliek immediately made friends with some younger kids who were tossing around a football. One of them accidentally threw the ball over a tall fence. Jaliek said, “I’ll get it!” and without effort, scaled a 10 foot wooden fence to retrieve the ball for his new friends.

That first night, two of our kids were out with their girlfriends, two were watching TV, my husband was working and Jaliek read. Jaliek could have watched TV with the kids, but preferred to read.

The next day, Sunday the 28th was my husband’s birthday. The two boys that were rooming with Jaliek spent the day and evening with a minister and his family, going to church, a teen party and a haunted house.

That afternoon, my babysitter’s six year-old came over to the house. He was going with Jaliek and me to the three Ultimate Terror haunted houses at the Altamont Fair. The minute he arrived at our house, he and Jaliek played cards until it was time to eat and leave for the fairgrounds. Jaliek was very excited because he had never been to a haunted house before. His new friend had been to several, explained what it was like and offered to bravely go first. As we experienced the three different haunts, Jaliek went ahead of everyone through one, then in the middle of the group in the second and last through the third. He and his friend had a great time and talked about what parts they liked best all the way home. Jaliek’s favorite part was the 3D maze. My sister was General Manager of UT and was happy to see Jaliek again and how grown-up he had become. Jaliek told my sister the following Tuesday, when he accompanied my husband to help pack up the haunt, that he wanted to work for her next year. They hugged when he left.

The next four days were spent with Jaliek doing his homework, skate-boarding, walking our dog, traveling around with my husband as he did several errands, reading constantly and just hanging out talking with us. The only evening he spent with any of our kids was on Halloween when he spent a couple hours playing video games with our second-year college student son. We could not have asked for a better behaved, polite and grateful child.

What did Jaliek tell you about his home-life in Greenwich?


http://www.findjaliek.org/background.htm

We talked a lot about his living conditions. He lived in a small, two-room house he described as being the size of our kitchen and dining room. There was no electricity or indoor plumbing. Every morning, the kids would have to go out to a well and bring in water for the day. Lately, the well wasn’t working and they had to get water from a neighbor. I asked him if he minded living like that. He told me the worst part was using the outhouse in the winter after his little brother peed on the seat. He said that all five kids and his parents slept in one room upstairs that was accessed by climbing a ladder. His sister had one corner that was curtained-off. They only ate meat once a week and bathed once every two weeks. Sometimes, at night, they would run a generator. He said the house was heated with a wood-burning stove and that it got really cold at night.

They didn’t move into the house until after Jaliek was adopted. Social Services would never place a child in foster care or for adoption with a family who lived in that kind of environment.

We talked about his behavior at home when he got angry. He would yell a lot and throw things. Jaliek said that, if any of the kids swore, as punishment, they would have to put soap in their mouths, ten seconds the first time; twenty seconds the second time, etc. He described how his little brother had a habit of “mooning” his mother. Jaliek said his mother gave his brother a choice between “the soap” or getting spanked with a spatula. His brother chose the spanking because “He wanted to see what it was like.”

Referring to his father he said, “He never knew what he was doing when he got angry.” I thought that was an interesting comment because that’s the way Jaliek was too.

I was very surprised that with all he had been through, Jaliek didn’t really complain about his home-life.

His adopted parents have said that he had violent outbursts. Do you believe that?

We raised an attachment disorder child and I can tell you that it’s not easy. For three years, we were in a support group with other parents of attachment disorder kids, just to be able to parent her. These children know what buttons to push to get you angry. That’s what they do to feel in control. The outbursts and episodes can last a long time if you don’t know how to bring them out of it. Our adopted daughter could sit on her bed and rock back and forth for two hours while shouting “I hate you!” or “I wanna leave!” over and over and over. The anger was unpredictable and often triggered by little things like having to do her homework or chores when she didn’t want to.

Do you think they took him in just for the money?


I don’t think they did in the beginning. Considering Stephen has a fairly menial job now, making plastic body parts, I think they really needed that money. Their oldest son attends a private school that costs $17,000 a year. One of the few complaints Jaliek had was that this brother was spoiled by his parents. They weren’t spending the money on Jaliek. He had to wear the few clothes he had for three days at a time. He arrived here with no jacket. He was not on any meds and had not had any therapy in over a year, despite being described as “mentally ill, homicidal and suicidal”. If Jaliek’s behavior was so bad, so dangerous and so uncontrollable, why did they keep him so long?

Did he befriend any gang members while he was with you for the six days?


My husband, our foster children and I were highly insulted and shocked when Channel 9 reported about Stephen Kerr, "He believes his son could be in the city with three teens he befriended after leaving a respite home the day he disappeared." Then Stephen Kerr stated, "I don't think it is a coincidence. I think these sixteen year-olds have some information about where he is."

The children he referred to are good kids, good students and only travel to Albany for family outings or to do community service for various charities. The only people Jaliek "befriended" during his six days with us was my husband, the six year-old son of my babysitter and me. The idea of Jaliek, a twelve year-old, 105 pound, meek and mild bookworm who has lived a secluded life for the past five years, joining a gang is truly ridiculous. Jaliek joining a gang in Albany would be like Snow White joining Al-Qaeda. We feel these were the desperate rantings of a diabolical, arrogant and egotistical man who has something to hide.

What can you tell us about the good-bye note Jaliek left?


http://www.findjaliek.org/background.htm

When they arrived Saturday morning, October 27th, Stephen showed us Jaliek’s clipboard which had his homework and schoolwork on it. Stephen stated that, in addition to the printed worksheets on the clipboard, Jaliek had a writing assignment to “write letters of apology to the people he had hurt”. My husband helped him with his homework, saw the lengthy book reports he wrote and confirmed that the apology notes were written. He didn’t ask to see them because we felt they were private. The note, given to police as a “good-bye” note read: “Everybody, I’m sorry for everything. I won’t be a bother to you anymore. Goodbye, Jaliek”. It was in his best handwriting. We believe this was the letter of apology written to his home school group that he was no longer part of because of an inappropriate comment to a young child.

What do you think about the $25,000 reward offered by his parents?


http://www.findjaliek.org/background.htm
We believe that the reward is nothing more than a media stunt designed to draw attention away from the fact that Stephen and Jocelyn have not cooperated as much as they could with the authorities. I believe that the reward is only for Jaliek’s “return” and not for the truth or if Jaliek is not found alive. No self-respecting gang member would harbor a twelve year-old bookworm when they could have $25,000. This reward reduces by $5000 each month, starting January 1st, until it disappears completely. Their reward offer has not generated ANY leads.

What do you think really happened to Jaliek?

I believe that Stephen was angry about Jaliek having a good time while he was with us. I believe he was angry about the “gifts” we gave Jaliek. We had given him a beat-up skateboard that was older than Jaliek. It had been in our garage forever. We also gave him an inexpensive book bag that my college son had gotten for free and some rattlesnake eggs, which is a joke we use when we’re clowning. Stephen felt that he sent Jaliek to us for punishment and instead, Jaliek had a wonderful time. Jaliek was looking forward to coming back the following week. Stephen probably wasn’t too happy about having to cancel his planned two-week trip to Romania.

I know from my conversation with Stephen the day after Jaliek disappeared that Jaliek was very excited when he told his father about the great time he had here; about going to a haunted house for the first time, about learning to blow a bubble with gum, about learning to make an omelet, about making instant pudding, stirred forever with a meat fork, about going all over, day after day with my husband, just running errands. He would not have committed suicide or run away. He was looking forward to coming back here.

After Jaliek’s inappropriate comment to the child in his home-school group, Jocelyn was so angry that she would not speak or look at Jaliek. Stephen had been told by his wife that he could not bring Jaliek home to their house. I don’t think he meant to, but I believe that Stephen Kerr could have become enraged, lost control and harmed his son on that ride home.

Is there anything else you want to say?

On the morning of December 7th, I received two calls from Jocelyn, Jaliek’s adopted mother. The first came into my home phone on call waiting and it was gone before I could answer it. Within five minutes, another call from Jocelyn’s cell phone came into my cell phone. I answered with, “Hello”. The caller said, “May I ask who this is?” I replied, “May I ask who THIS is?” She said, “This is Jocelyn. I’m just trying to figure out who these calls are on my bill.” Then she hung up. The calls she was checking were from Stephen’s cell phone. It would appear that even she has some doubts.

It’s been over two months since the night I returned Jaliek to his adopted father. My husband and I have to live with all the “if only’s” that haunt us. Jaliek was a beautiful, sweet, intelligent, generous and loving child with some behavior problems. His adopted parents were just unable to parent him. We would have preferred to remain the anonymous “respite family from Altamont”, but feel compelled to be there for Jaliek, to speak for him whenever possible. He didn’t deserve whatever happened to him. He deserves the truth and to rest in peace.

We’ve spoken to a lot of people in the past few weeks about Jaliek’s disappearance. We do know that thousands of people out there are praying for this child and for the truth. I want them to know that those prayers are appreciated and with God’s help will bring justice for Jaliek.

Elaine & Tom Person

Altamont, NY

According to Kim
March 4, 2010
Jaliek Rainwalker …Still Missing!
Filed under: Jaliek Rainwalker,Missing people — Kim @ 10:20 pm

It’s been just over 2 years and 4 months since Jaliek Rainwalker was last seen with his adoptive father Stephen Kerr. This post is to serve as a reminder that we haven’t forgotten about you Jaliek and we haven’t forgotten about you either Stephen. Stephen, you were the last person with Jaliek and as a result you are the primary focus. You remain the primary focus because you have failed to, refused to, cooperate with LE. If you have nothing to hide then why not let your property on Raven’s Way be searched? Why did you move to VT, what if Jaliek tried to come home only to find it empty? Why aren’t you plastering Jaliek’s missing posters from one end of the state to the other? Where are your pleas for Jaliek to come home? You might not be a suspect but your actions or lack thereof point in that direction. Stephen, I want to hear what you have to say.

This is the third cold and snowy winter that Jaliek has been missing. Spring is right around the corner though and the searches will ramp up. In the meantime, we plan, we spread the word, there’s other work to be done. Jaliek, we will never stop searching for you! We will find you and then we will find justice!


http://accordingtokim.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/jaliek-rainwalker-still-missing-2/

Search for Jaliek Rainwalker on TV tonight
February 7, 2011 at 4:23 pm by Leigh Hornbeck

Jaliek Rainwalker

The story of Jaliek Rainwalker, the 12-year-old from Greenwich who disappeared Nov. 1, 2007, will be on “Nancy Grace: America’s Missing” tonight. According to the local Time Warner listings, the show is on HLN, channel 46 or 47, from 8 to 10 p.m.

You can see the CNN iReport submitted by Rainwalker’s grandmother, Barbara Reeley, below.
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-547892
iReport —

Thirty-nine months ago today, on November 1, 2007, my grandson vanished.



Jaliek Rainwalker was 12 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 106 pounds, wore a size 12 shoe, has light green eyes, blond tinged hair, a light complexion, is bi-racial and has a speech impediment which results in his saying his

"r's" as "w's". Where is my grandson? Is it possible Jaliek is still alive?



His adoptive parents reported Jaliek missing, put up some "runaway" posters and held two vigils for him ~ one seven days and the other fourteen days after Jaliek vanished. Since November 7, 2007, just six days afer Jaliek disappeared, they have not cooperated with law enforcement to help find Jaliek.



Jaliek had been in seven foster homes, was diagnosed with RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder), and had been in my daughter and son-in-laws home for over five years. They had adopted Jaliek eighteen months after he came to live with them as a foster child.



On November 1, 2007 at 6:45 p.m. Jaliek was returned to his adoptive father, Stephen Kerr, after spending six days in respite care. Stephen took Jaliek to dinner at Red Robin Restaurant in Latham, New York.



On November 2, 2007 at 8:57 a.m. Stephen reported Jaliek as a runaway to the Greenwich Police Department, Greenwich, New York.



On November 4, 2007 Greenwich/Cambridge Police amass forest rangers and law enforcement officers to search for Jaliek. Jaliek's adoptive parents (Stephen Kerr and Jocelyn McDonald) are interviewed regarding Jaliek's disappearance.



November 5, 2007 law enforcement do grid searches looking for Jaliek. Air searches with fixed wing and helicopters were also done.



November 6, 2007 ground and air searches are increased. Jaliek's adoptive parents are asked to take polygraph tests. Stephen begins the introductory part of the polygraph but refuses to complete the test. Jocelyn takes and completes her polygraph.



On November 7, 2007 Jaliek's adoptive parents retain an attorney.



On November 9, 2007 Jaliek's parents hold a vigil for Jaliek in the Methoidst Church, Salem, New York. On November 16, 2007 Jaliek's parents hold a second vigil for Jaliek in the Episcopal Church in Greenwich, New York. This is the last time Jaliek's parents held or participated in any event or search for their adopted son. At the second vigil Stephen stood before everyone and lectured on Martin Luther King, Jr. and said Jaliek got a "bad check" and pointed his finger and said everyone in New York State was responsible.



On November 18, 2007 Jaliek's Task Force was formed because my daughter and son-in-law stopped cooperating with law enforcement on November 6, 2007 and were not searching for Jaliek.



Over the past thirty-nine months there have been ground, air and water searches for Jaliek. We have put up a website (www.findjaliek.org), had book and bake sales, volunteers have searched, we have held information sessions, concerts and put up and handed out thousands of posters of Jaliek. Stephen has taken down many of the posters we've put up and told people Jaliek was evil. During these many months our only goal is to find Jaliek.



We have asked, pled, cried and physically searched for Jaliek. My husband and I have gone to court to legally gain custody of Jaliek so we could open any and all of Jaliek's records to law enforcement. The judge told us there is no precedent for this in the United States.



There was a "Jaliek Is Alive" anonymous note that was mailed to area media ~ but not to Jaliek's parents or law enforcement.



Jaliek's adoptive parents moved out of state, to Vermont, just three months after Jaliek vanished. They told new neighbors they were a family of six; two parents and four children ~ not a family of seven with a missing son.



Jaliek's adoptive parents filed a Notice of Claim against Greenwich police after the police got a warrant to search their parents house. Jaliek's adoptive parents initally posted a $25,000 reward was reduced $5,000 each month that Jaliek was missing so that by April 2008 the reward was $0.



In April 2008 we called and requested that Texas EquuSearch come help with the search for Jaliek. Tim Miller, Director of Texas EquuSearch came and spent four days with us and then sent Gene Robinson with his drone to take aerial photos, a sonar expert and sonar equipment from Ohio and T.J. Ward and Tom Wincher with their voice analysis technology.



In July 2007 my daughter and son-in-law had me arrested for burglary for entering the homesite and finding a jacket they had said Jaliek was wearing when he disappeared. My finding the jacket made it possible for law enforcement to search this homesite.



There have been many, many searches by law enforcement, volunteers, forest rangers, New York State Police and the FBI. Interested individuals have scoured their private property and state property for any signs of Jaliek. Hundreds of tips/leads have been thoroughly followed up by Chief George Bell, Greenwich Police Department. The local Albany/Saratoga Regional media have been respectful and extensively covered Jaliek's disappearance and each search and been very responsive to each new development, twist and turn over the past thirty-nine months. The District Attorney set up a WeTip Line for anonymous tips, we have thousands of Upstate New Yorkers who have been supportive and caring and yet we have not found Jaliek.



Please help us find our beautiful, loving grandchild.

Police release enhanced photo of Jaliek Rainwalker



By DON LEHMAN dlehman@poststar.com | Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010 12:12 pm | (4) Comments



A computer rendering of what officials believe Jaliek Rainwalker would look like today. Provided photo

GREENWICH -- Police on Thursday released a picture of missing Greenwich boy Jaliek Rainwalker that was enhanced to show how he would likely look 2-1/2 years after he disappeared.

Cambridge-Greenwich Police Chief George Bell said a picture of Rainwalker was enhanced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as part of the ongoing police investigation into the boy's Nov. 1, 2007, disappearance.

Police conducted a press conference to distribute the photo to the media and used the opportunity to call on the boy's adopted parents to work with police to figure out what happened to him. Bell called their actions since shortly after Rainwalker disappeared "bizarre."

"I'm hoping this might spark some interest in the parents to come forward," he said. "It's 2-1/2 years later, and they act like this never happened. They need to reach out and be cooperative with law enforcement."

Rainwalker's adopted father, Stephen Kerr, was the last person known to have been with him in the hours before he disappeared. Police have named Kerr a "person of interest" in the case because they do not believe he has been honest with investigators about his actions the night before Rainwalker was reported missing.

For instance, cell phone records show the route he drove from the Albany area to Greenwich with Rainwalker the night before the boy was reported missing was different than the route he told police he took.

Bell said police have not heard from Kerr since November 2007. Kerr and his family moved to western Vermont in 2008, but he continues to work at Phantom Laboratory in Greenwich, police said.

Kerr and his wife, Jocelyn McDonald, have said they believe Rainwalker ran away.

There has not been a trace of him since he was reported missing, however.

Kerr and McDonald's lawyer, Jeffrey McMorris, fired back at police later Thursday, saying the family's request to meet with police and review the case has been "ignored."

He said Kerr and McDonald continue to try to figure out what happened to Rainwalker and "have been in contact with shelters and youth centers" in their search.

"We've done everything the police have asked. I don't know what else we can do," McMorris said.

A police search of Kerr's father's home in the village of Greenwich in February 2008 prompted Kerr to file a notice of claim against Cambridge-Greenwich Police alleging the search was illegal. A notice of claim is the precursor to a lawsuit, but no lawsuit was filed.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will only do an age enhancement in a case if a child has been missing for more than two years.

Rainwalker disappeared at age 12 and would be 14 years old now.

Bell said further searches of a deep gorge in the Batten Kill known as the "Hell Hole" are planned for the spring or summer, depending on water conditions. Kerr and his family frequently hiked and fished in the area.

Read more: http://poststar.com/news/article_1933cb74-2d33-11df-b5a8-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1cJHxPqBA