Missing 12-Year-Old Found At Grandmother’s House
Missing 12-Year-Old Found At Grandmother’s House Save Email Print
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(October 22, 2008)—A 12-year-old Central Texas girl who was the focus of a major search was found Wednesday afternoon at her grandmother’s home in Temple.

The girl is safe and well, Morgan’s Point police said.

Officers are now trying to determine how the girl ended up in Temple.

It’s not clear whether she ran away or whether she was taken there.

The girl spent the night at the Temple residence, police said.

Other details were not immediately available.

Day One, The Search Begins
Destiny Rene Montelongo, 12, of Morgan's Point Resort, was reported missing by her mother after she failed to return home from school Tuesday afternoon.

The search began around 5 p.m. Tuesday after Montelongo’s mother notified police the girl did not got off the school bus as usual and had not come home.

Police had information Tuesday night that the 12-year-old may have left because of a family dispute.

Police also received reports Tuesday night that she may have been seen walking down a street somewhere in the area.

One report indicated Montelongo was seen around a cove just east of the Morgan's Point Marina.

Search teams located the girl’s shoes, a backpack and some clothing Tuesday evening gin a wooded area near Belton Lake.

As officers conducted a door-to-door sweep through the area Tuesday afternoon, the dive team began searching the lake around 7:45 pm

At around 10:30 pm, Montelongo had still not been found. The lake search was called off for the night.

Day Two
Dive teams resumed their search of Belton Lake for Montelongo Wednesday morning, as Morgan’s Point Police continued to canvas the area looking for the missing girl.

Canine search teams also joined the rescue effort.

Wednesday afternoon, Montelongo was located at her grandmothers house in Temple, where she spent the night.
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Posted by: O.O Location: ? on Nov 14, 2008 at 08:16 PM
this girl is my friend she goes to lbms this is terrible. She is emo but a really good person ihave always wondered why she had sooo many problems. But she is tough at school
Posted by: carrie Location: temple on Oct 25, 2008 at 08:46 PM
No matter the "whys" of why this happened... there are people with problems out there... are YOU so perfect? i'm sickened that so many of my fellow Bell County citizens are being so ugly and posting the comments that they are. My prayers are with this family NO MATTER what happened a few days ago.. and they're with a large # of you folks who have posted here too. GOD IS GREAT. ALL THE TIME. He has the power to fix ANYTHING. Even your attitudes.
Posted by: Cathy Location: Temple on Oct 25, 2008 at 04:34 AM
These comments are too much. Judge not lest ye be judged... She did not spend the night at her grandmother's at all... she showed up at her grandparents in Temple the 2nd day. Her grandfather immediately called to let the police dept. know she was found and ok., parents were notified. Newspapers and the media do get facts mixed up - lots of info flowing at times like this. And who's to judge the emotional state of a 12 yr. old? Shame on you. God forbid any missing child go unsearched for. If the ending had been tragic you'd be sending flowers, money and seemingly heartfelt sympathy.
Posted by: tonya Location: morgans point on Oct 24, 2008 at 12:44 PM
it amazes me how people pass judgement when they don't know. i know this family and are friends with this family. don't pass judgement on a situation you know NOTHING about.
Posted by: CONCERNED Location: LOCAL on Oct 24, 2008 at 10:53 AM
knowing the family for years the mother needs help. She does abuse the child. The father is the parent. The mother is a spoiled brat herself with many problems. It should not take much to figure out that if she got in trouble at school and to cared to go home it hasd to be bad at home. The school trouble could not have been that bad since she was allowed to stay. I hope they check into the home life that scars this little girl so bad. She need to be punished for what she did and she need to serve some time tp help pay the cost but the parents need to help pay as for whoever was hiding her.
Posted by: Mother of Three Location: Temple on Oct 24, 2008 at 10:33 AM
DON'T confuse me with the other Mother of 3 from Temple.. I'm not her. I heard on the news last night that she swam across the lake, that's why her shoes and backpack were on the shore. SWAM ACROSS THE LAKE???!!! Wow... she was desperate. Clearly something is not right at home and needs to be fixed ASAP before it costs even more tax money later.
Posted by: Anon Location: Waco on Oct 24, 2008 at 10:27 AM
There has always been and always will be, people who splash "HELP" all over the media only to have the ending embarrassing. Then comes the "leave them alone"..."don't comment"...."get a life" ... "enough already" kind of comments. Better to be embarrassed than heartbroken but whatever........
Posted by: People, people! on Oct 24, 2008 at 08:56 AM
I think KWTX should cut these threads sooner than they do. They always start out with people discussing the story, and then the situation degrades to everyone just bashing each other, with the actual event fading into the background. And if that's not enough, there's that annoying "Back to the Future" guy. Enough already!
Posted by: momof1 Location: teague on Oct 24, 2008 at 08:05 AM
well mother of 3 and all others that seem to know her situation at home is so bad why havent you got involved and got her some help? it is a shame the wasted amount of money spent when other kids out there are truely missing for real. Her and her parents both should have to help pay back the money spent to look for her. Thank God she was found safe, but someone needs to check into the whys of all of it happening and what's really going on in that home. If mine ran away ,trust me she would be in more trouble than when she left.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 24, 2008 at 12:17 AM
I agree with Bob. Mother of three tends to think because she can have babies that she knows about everyone else's child raising skills and decisions.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:37 PM
It's amazing to see all these folks that do not live in Morgans Point ( Waco, Houston, Little River, Nolanville) who know exactly what happened and everything about girl and her family. ESP??????
Posted by: Long time resident Location: Morgans Point on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:10 PM
I have to agree with anonymous Location: temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:20 AM about MP police having a real job to do that day. I have lived in Morgans Point for 32 yrs. I have always drove 35 in the 40 mph speed limit. Yet, not long ago I was pulled over by 3 police cars ... THREE ... for passing on the right of a car turning left. The officer gave me a ticket while the others looked on, without even explaining what I had done wrong. I had to look on the internet when I got home to see and it appears I passed on an unimproved shoulder. Wow, I've seen them do it as well as others for many, many years and 3 police cars had to stop me for that?? That horrific major traffic violation cost me $187.00. I haven't had any kind of traffic citation since 1974 until that day. We used to have great officers in Morgans Point who really cared, but now, there are a FEW that only the care about hiding in their spots and pulling people over for anything and chasing deer that steal hammocks......
Posted by: Bob on Oct 23, 2008 at 08:59 PM
To Mother of 3: you don't know what you're talking about; I have had daily contact with these people for the past few years and you're comments are not correct or are they helpful.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 23, 2008 at 07:31 PM
The news paper said she got in some trouble at school and was afraid to tell her parents. Does any one know what she was in trouble for? Or WHY she left her back pack, shoes, and other belongings by the lake to be found. What could have been so bad that she felt she had to run away. I hope they family isnt reading all of these mean, horrible blogs. Thankgoodness she is ok and nothing happened to her.
Posted by: Texas Location: Texas on Oct 23, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Sounds to me like she got off the bus, changed her clothes (note:clothes found at the scene) and went to party with her friend. Heard the news and was afraid to go home. Let her pay it out in juevie.
Posted by: Mother of 3 Location: Temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 04:38 PM
You people don't have a clue what you are talking about. I know for a fact from a very reliable source that the parents, especially the Mother of Destiny, is extremely emotionally and verbally abusive to this young pre-teen. The mother is to blame for all of this. She treats this young child like dirt, belittles her and emotionally tortures her. That is why the child did not want to go home. She was frightened to death. I just hope someone does something before this child is so emotionally scarred, that it will be too late.
Posted by: Marcie Location: Hewitt on Oct 23, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Send the bill to the parents!!!
Posted by: anonymous Location: temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Just to clear things up. She did not spend the night at her grandmothers. Her grandmother was part of the search party. She was with a friend. It is very easy to judge this little girl but we do not know the type of situation she is living in. If you were being abused by your parent wouldn't you run away? She is only a little girl and she is crying out for help. Hopefully this will open some eyes and this child will be given the help she needs. I think some people need to think about what they are saying it is very easy to judge without knowing all the facts.
Posted by: Heather Location: Little River on Oct 23, 2008 at 04:15 PM
She's a teenage girl who was afraid of getting in trouble. The parents were obviously terrified. I know this for a fact because I am a parent but also because I know them personally. To the people who don't know them, you have no clue as to the truth behind any of this. Thank you to the well-wishers and shut the heck up to the jerks who THINK they know all the answers. If you have nothing better to do than pass judgement on people you don't know about a situation you know nothing of then you really need a job or a hobby. As for our tax dollars going on all this, so what? That's why we pay taxes right? It's not like you get the money back if they don't use it!!! DUH!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Waco on Oct 23, 2008 at 03:11 PM
I posted earlier about the supidity behind everyone trying to figure out who was to blame in this situation. But I've read some more posts about this and I especially wanted to point out that who on earth would ask the child to be placed in foster care because of a disagreement with parents? I ran away from home when I was 14, I came back 8 hours later but my parents were not to blame...nor was myself. I tried to make a grown up decision and I realized it wouldnt work out but nobody was to blame for my actions.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Waco on Oct 23, 2008 at 02:45 PM
I think its crazy to see some of yalls posts. None of you really know what the police were doing to help, what the public was doing, what was going thru the parents mind (obviously sheer horror as they called her in missing), what was going thru the girls mind in the first place...NONE of you know ANY of this first hand yet you can hide behind a computer screen and pass judgement on any and every news story that comes up. I am very happy to see the girl was found alive and not in a ditch somewhere. I would like to thank the police and anyone involved in locating her and the grandparents for doing the right thing and contacting the parents and police. Nobody was in the wrong that we know of and we should just rejoice that she is home with her family.
Posted by: Kathy Location: Houston on Oct 23, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Ok wow guys. To be calling this a childish prank and that Destiny and/or her parents need to be punished, and to the one that just had to comment about the dad's job, WHY? Do any of us know exactly what happened, no. It's all speculation on what is written here and in the papers. We all should be glad for a few things, one.. a little girl is safe, two.. we know exactly how MPR community can and will react to this sort of emergency (thank you all again). And aside from this, we know nothing more than sheer gossip and what is a few mindless upset comments from some anonymous bloggers. The parents, grandparents and daughter have enough to go through without being called names, or accused of something that you or I have no idea is the truth. Please let the family deal and cope with this and let them decide how to handle this with the appropriate people. I know this family and her dad would never "let her flirt" with male customers. Come on now, they are good parents. Let the family be.
Posted by: disgusted Location: MPR on Oct 23, 2008 at 02:24 PM
This has really turned to be something bitter. I do care about my tax's dollars but in the long run if something good comes out of this then i am happy. Come on everyone you can see this little girls needs ome serious help. Maybe this is the only thing she knew to do. I am greatful she is alive. Now someone needs to get her some help. The Morgans point police officers are great. If you get a ticket for speeding then you deserved.
Posted by: Misty Location: Texas on Oct 23, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Some of you people need to LEARN HOW TO READ! I'm sure the grandmother called just as soon as Destiny shower up at her house. And, if everyone wasn't so hateful, I understood the paper to say she spent the night THE DAY SHE WAS FOUND!
Posted by: Concerned Mom Location: MPR on Oct 23, 2008 at 01:00 PM
To the annonymous poster who says that the officers of MPR do nothing....who is there for you day and night when you call for anything? Who will be there to search your home for an intruder, who will be there to perform CPR on your loved one until EMS arrives? Who will be there to search for your child when they are missing. Dont bite the hand that feeds you! So if they sit at a post and run radar or pull someone over for running a stop sign 9 out of 10 times you will not get a ticket in MPR the 1st time, you will get a warning. Chief Dixon runs a great department. You should respect them they are there for you anytime. the fact that crime is down and there are no drive bys, break in sprees and robberies bothers you obviously. Maybe that police presence has something to do with it. Those officers make less than $2K a month to protect uncaring individuals like you. They wear armor to protect themselves that they buy them selves. Get real. This annoys me!
Posted by: Jason Location: Temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 12:58 PM
To Aunt Amber, okay then where was she? Sounds like a brat had a tantrum and tried to run away from home but chickened out. This is a case of bad parenting or a bad child or both. Maybe this child should be placed in foster care until it can be decided who is to blame.
Posted by: My Opinion Location: MPR on Oct 23, 2008 at 12:48 PM
As one who has had a nephew, 2 neighbors as volunteers of MP fire deptartment and a paramedic friend in Belton, I can tell you that Emergency Responders can be relieved and TICTED at the same time. Every citizen in Morgans Point was frightened, worried and many were searching.... and all for what? A wild goose chase? Concerned Mom ... I agree with you 100%. Terry in Temple, I've raised a daughter right here in Morgans Point and no, our tax dollars shouldn't be going to childish pranks.
Posted by: NEIGHBOR Location: MPR on Oct 23, 2008 at 12:26 PM
FYI.. The grandparents were out looking for the Destiny all night along with other family members. She did not STAY the night at the house and as soon as the grandparents, they contacted the mom. She was dropped off at the grandparents house by someone else. Can't you just be glad that something bad did not happen. It doesn't matter if she ran away or was taken. She is safe.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 23, 2008 at 11:47 AM
to "j" in Waco...read the story again. It says she spent the night at the residence in Temple (which was the grandmother's residence.)
Posted by: Joe Location: Temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Hey disgusted: it is our business to judge because this little girl may have cost the taxpayers of this county tens of thousands of dollars just because she was throwing a tantrum. Maybe you like your tax dollars being wasted but not everyone does!
Posted by: Sickened Location: Belton on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:44 AM
I think the parents should be punished, not the kid. They are guilty of bad parenting, at the very least. Over a year ago, her father would take her to work with him, at Cactus Jack's, where she flirted with the male employees. That should earn him a nomination for parent of the year, don't you think!!! He should have to pay for all the man hours spent looking for his daughter, since he doesn't have time to be a decent parent!
Posted by: Terry Location: Temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Until you have raised a daughter of your own, you don't have a clue or the wright to judge. It is discusting to hear people complain about the expense and efforts of these folks to find her. This what our tax money is suppose to be used for. And as to the people who respond to this kind of search and rescue, Thank You and Thank God she's alive.
Posted by: Gail Location: CenTex on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:34 AM
To: J - the article state that she spend the night at her grandmother's. I am glad that she was found safe and sound, but do agree too much manpower and resources were used when only a phone call, from anyone, to anyone, would have eliminated a lot of trouble.
Posted by: Lisa Location: Belton on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:29 AM
That little girl needs a good beating and if that grandmother knew she was there all night she should be prosecuted.
Posted by: anonymous Location: temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:20 AM
first of all, all that happened is the police actually worked i dont know if any of all have been to morgans point but all that those cops do is sit in there car under a tree and try to find someone speeding in other words doing nothing, it is about time our tax dollars went to them actually working and not sitting around talking on there cell phones.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:54 AM
She staged a disappearance she isn't some innocent little girl.
Posted by: ME Location: Waco on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:54 AM
I have to agree with Corey ,Why didnt the grandmother let anyone know she was ok.Maybe the BPD need to check into filing some type of charges on the grandmother and the runaway.
Posted by: Taxpayer Location: MPR on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:47 AM
This was nothing but a desperate cry for attention ... and a very EXPENSIVE ONE! Sounds like the whole family was begging for attention, not just the child. I guess it's easy to see what the problem is, considering the obvious communication problems within the family. ***RHONDA, this was a child, not a "little woman". Maybe that is part of the child's problem .. people treat her like a woman instead of a child. Our kids grow up too fast anyway, so let them be kids while they're young.
Posted by: From 'round Here Location: Gatesville on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:45 AM
To Joel: How do you know that God had nothing to do with it? Did you speak to him and ask him what role he played? I'm guessing not...poor poor Joel. And you call us the idiots with no brains. Just like those that criticized Noah, you'll be one beating down the doors after the rapture.
Posted by: disgusted Location: MPR on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:44 AM
It is clear that this little girl has some serious problems and some of you people want her to go to juvi, thats not the answer she needs some serious help. I am just glad she is ok. Yes there probably is alot more to the story than we could ever imagine,but is it our business to judge? It is not. You never know it may happen to you. So don't be to quick to judge
Posted by: Me Location: Temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Yes!! Finally something good in the news...thank God she's okay!!
Posted by: worried Location: here on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Joel You need to grow a brain you idiot. If you would have kept up with the news you would know she was not at grandmothers all night. God did make a move in finding her or bringing her around before something really bad did happen and will find her help like I hope He finds you. Seems you need prayer more then the family does
Posted by: J Location: Waco on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Wow people come on. Quit assuming that she was at the grandmothers house the whole time! it says nothing on here that she was. it just says thats where she was found. For all we know she just showed up there yesterday and as soon as she did the grandmother called! Quit assuming and just be thankful that something horrible didnt happen to this little girl!
Posted by: Concerned Mom Location: MPR on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:17 AM
i am sure that Randy, Joe and all the other MPR police officers did everything in their power to find this kid. The PD in MPR is incredible. You will not find a more knowledgable or compassionate group of men. There are apparently some huge dynamics in this family. Alot of city resources were put to waste in searching for this child. the family should be responsible for the pay back of those resources. The child can do community service to show her remorse for the wild goose chase. She needs a good talking to in order to realize what ever happens is no reason to cause such alarm and worry for innocent people. Too bad Office Wells is no longer in MPR....he could set this little lady straight. He was the best officer MPR ever had. He had the biggest heart and most knowledge, he loved to help the kids of MPR. We miss you Tim. Be safe wherever you are now!
Posted by: Kathy Location: Houston on Oct 23, 2008 at 08:56 AM
In response to the questions about why did the grandparents not contact the parents.. Truthfully, I lived in the same neighborhood with them in Temple, and could you think possibly that they were not home? They were active people that may be out of town or away from the home for a few nights and maybe didn't know she was there. When they were contacted by the parents, could they have returned home and thats when they found her? I'm sorry, but until these questions are answered, please don't speculate as to why the Grandparents did what they did.. I understand that this is a major time and cost burdon on the community but in the same time, it does show parents like myself that the community response teams as the divers, police, and K9 units are there at a moments notice to do what they can to keep our kids safe and in this type of event, find them at any means neccessary. lets just all find out the truth without judging first please.
Posted by: DC Location: Temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 08:17 AM
I would like to salute Randy Dixon, the Morgan's Point police department, and everyone who assisted with the search. Ya'll did a great job! It sickens me that people will go to such lengths to get attention. This was a huge waste of time and money!!!
Posted by: Concerned Location: Temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 08:03 AM
This childish game was a waste of the taxpayers' dollars! This little girl's family should have to pay for all the money spent to look for her. I don't blame the girl, but the adults involved should have been more responsible, instead of leading everybody on a wild goose chase! I think this little girl is the victim of very bad parenting. I know that her father used to take Destiny into the restaurant/bar where he works, and the girl would flirt with all the male workers there ... and this was over a year ago!!! We are talking about a 10 or 11 year old!!!! This is not a rumor, I saw it with my own eyes!! Mom and Dad need to wake up and take responsibility for their kid before something bad really does happen to their child!!! Or maybe the grandparents could do a better job. When a young girl is dressing like her, and flirting with men, there is a serious problem! I don't blame the child ... THIS IS A PARENTING ISSUE ... BAD PARENTING!!!!!
Posted by: Aunt Amber Location: Morgan's Point on Oct 23, 2008 at 07:59 AM
The story is incorrect. She did NOT spend the night there, she was dropped off there YESTERDAY
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 23, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Did the grandmother not think it was strange that the girl didnt go to school on Wednesday? What excuses/lies did the girl tell her grandmother? That little girl needs to know there should be conseguences for bad choices. If she needed a break from her family...she should have asked if she could stay with her grandmother for a few days. I know....she is just a child. But she is old enough to know right from wrong. Looks to me like she WAS smart enough to know someone would be looking for her and find her backpack and other belongings by the lake and think something TERRIBLE happened to her. As a mom...I would be exstatic that she was home and ok. At the same time angry and upset for what she did. Thankgoodness this one turned out ok.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 23, 2008 at 07:24 AM
grandma....any comments? Why didnt you say something? You had to have known her parents were searching for her. Didnt you???
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Nolanville on Oct 23, 2008 at 05:29 AM
No she does not look 30.. You people need to get a life. If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.. Oh and GOD did have everything to do with finding Destiny.. God Bless everyone who looked and thank you God that she is ok..
Posted by: Corey Location: Temple on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:40 PM
I am very thankful that this little girl was found alive and well in a day when we have to deal with things like the kaylee anthony case...but it also makes me mad that there were men risking their lives in belton lake diving for her not to mention tons of police with k-9 units looking for her everywhere....why didint the grandmother let someone know that she was ok?? I think she and her family either need to find a way to pay back all the expenses of the searches or she needs to go to juvy for awhile and learn some responsibility. Im sure there are some real home issues and i pray that those are takin care of but this little girl had no excuse for this crap. If she was in danger at home (and needed to get out) she is 12 and old enough to know how and when to call the police.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 22, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Is it just me or she she look like 30?
Posted by: JB Location: CenTex on Oct 22, 2008 at 10:26 PM
This story is about as fishy as can be. She disappears, clothes are found at the lake, and she ends up staying at the grandmothers house in Temple?!? First of all, someone had to take her to her grandparents house in Temple if she was indeed around the marina, she couldn't walk all that way without someone noticing... Otherwise, someone had to plant the clothes around the lake and she was hiding at grandmothers the whole time. If grandmother was not involved, why did she not contact the parents and let them know she was there? Likewise for the parents, why did they not call the grandparents and let them know she was missing and ask if they'd seen her??? I'm glad she's safe no matter how this thing got started, but I agree it was time wasted by the police department and search & rescue team, as well as the communities time. Something is not right, hopefully the police department will find out the true story.
Posted by: Angie Location: Belton on Oct 22, 2008 at 10:16 PM
You know, for all you negative people out there, you should be ashamed of yourselves. This family and the little girl do have problems they need to work out. Yes there are better ways to get attention. But how dare you to judge anyone! Just be thankful she is alive and hopefully the family will find the help they need for themselves and their daughter. Until you are in that situation, you have no right to judge anyone; Destiny, her grandmother or her parents. It almost sounds as if you are disappointed in the outcome of this story. Shame on you! Congratulations to finding Destiny safe and sound. My thoughts were with you all day. You have classmates, Destiny, that were worried about you and are glad you are home!
Posted by: me Location: here @ home on Oct 22, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Thank God she was found but why didn't Grandma called the parent(s), police, school, somebody?? anybody?? You can't tell me even with the analog signal down, she didn't know. This was all over all 4 newscasts ... somebody ought to do some checkin' before they just assume all is okay here... or at least I would if this was my child.
Posted by: concerned Location: Belton on Oct 22, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Why didnt the grandmother call the parents and tell them she was there? Seems to me alot of heartache could have been avoided. Did the family not call the grandmother to let her know the girl was missing? Why didnt she speak up? Lots of unanswered questions.....
Posted by: trusting Location: temple on Oct 22, 2008 at 09:22 PM
God is still in control. we still need to pray for the family. They have a lot to face Ahead of them.
Posted by: joeblow on Oct 22, 2008 at 08:57 PM
I am reading the comments praising God and all the police officers who helped in this. But honestly, it disgusts me that from what I am reading that brat staged something terrible and ran to Grandma. Why is there even coverage of this? She hates her parent(s) and manipulates her grandparent(s) and now the police are involved using precious time and effort to look for a 'kidnapped' person, when she was just a runaway. The young lady needs to spend about 3 weeks in juvenile detention to be away from family to see what a big girl she is then! Again, this story is disgusting!
Posted by: mickey Location: killeen on Oct 22, 2008 at 08:52 PM
I think it is nice to see so many concerned in this matter, but cry wolf! This child was at her grandmothers! Who will have to pay the all the resources used to look for her and why did no one contact the grandmother when the child supposedly went 'missing'? This is why Amber alerts are not issued, the police knew there was something fishy going on. Like ALL news reports, we only get the information THEY WANT US to know, not the whole story. At least the kid is ok, and pray that someone does not grab her up for real, she got her 5 seconds of fame. I hope charges are filed for the complete waste of time, energy and heartache caused by these selfish people! And, no, I do NOT know the whole story or care to know, it is obvious the little miss is crying out for attention and she got it. Pathetic and sad..................
Posted by: Heather Location: Waco on Oct 22, 2008 at 08:16 PM
I am VERY happy that the little girl is safe! I wanted to cry last night when I heard on the news that she was missing and that they had found her clothing. WHAT A SIGH OF RELIEF!!!
Posted by: anonymous Location: Killeen on Oct 22, 2008 at 07:34 PM
She was found at her grandmothers? Did she not realize that something was fishy but further more did the parents not even contact the grandmother to let her know she was missing? I am glad that she was found safe and hope she gets the help she needs coping with problems at home.
Posted by: Joel Location: Temple on Oct 22, 2008 at 06:33 PM
God had nothing to do with it. You idiots need to grow a brain and realize that.
Posted by: kaci & taylor Location: morgans point resort on Oct 22, 2008 at 04:51 PM
This girl goes to our school Lake Belton Middle School We Hope She is OK And So thankful she was FOUND
Posted by: concerned parent on Oct 22, 2008 at 04:48 PM
so glad they found her alive and well, but lots of unanswered questions, hope they get answers before she returns to LBMS, very troubled girl.
Posted by: Cindi Location: Waco on Oct 22, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Why didn't the girl call home to let them know she was at a relatives house? Made everybody worry and search. I am glad she is okay.
Posted by: Ben on Oct 22, 2008 at 04:34 PM
Thanks to the Morgans Point Police and Fire Departments for a job well done. I know the hours they spent in there search. Thankfully this one had a happy ending.
Posted by: Kathy Location: Houston on Oct 22, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Thank you to everyone involved in locating Destiny. Thank you to everyone that is there to support the parents during this time, and beyond. They really appreciate it I am sure. MPR Police,rescue, the divers.. good job. To the community of MPR and all the neighbors that stepped up to help out, thank you. I was very pleased and anxious to send out the email telling everyone that she was safe. We are so glad for this to be over for your family. Miss you guys..
Posted by: Mary Location: MPR on Oct 22, 2008 at 04:21 PM
I agree with Living on the Cove...our police dept does an awesome job! Major kudos to them and the dive team. Thank God this story had a happy ending, but I can't imagine why a family member would let this kind of search go on without letting her parents and the police know she was okay.
Posted by: Michelle Location: Nolanville on Oct 22, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Thank you GOD...a wonderful ending...please help her family get through the "why's"...Praise GOD
Posted by: concerned Location: temple on Oct 22, 2008 at 03:56 PM
She has been found--no info but ok
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Morgans Point on Oct 22, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Praise God!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 22, 2008 at 03:37 PM
SHE HAS BEEN FOUND
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Belton on Oct 22, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Thank gosh she was found! It was sounding so scary and I'm just glad shes alive and healthy! To her parents...I'm sure you are soo relieved!! =]
Posted by: A Mom Location: Harker Heights on Oct 22, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Thank God !!
Posted by: Living on the Cove on Oct 22, 2008 at 03:20 PM
I think we owe the Morgan's Point Resort POLICE DEPARTMENT a big thank you for all their efforts. Great Job Randy and all your officers who helped find Destiny. Also it is awesome so see our community come together in prayer and see this young girl back with her family.
Posted by: MOM Location: MORGANS POINT on Oct 22, 2008 at 03:18 PM
THANK GOODNESS SHE WAS FOUND SAFE! BUT PEOPLE STILL NEED TO BE CAREFULL CAUSE THERE IS STILL SICKOS OUT THERE EVERWHERES!!!
Posted by: Ann Location: Waco, TX on Oct 22, 2008 at 03:10 PM
PRAISE GOD SHE IS SAFE!!!
Posted by: concerned mom Location: MPR on Oct 22, 2008 at 03:07 PM
I have a daughter a lbms who is 13 years old and they should have put the name in the news last nite, my daughter already had a fowarded text on her phone about her but that had no names get the schools involved, some friends might know where she is. Me and my family will be praying for her I hope she is found soon and safe.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 22, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Destiny, our Prayers are answered! Our God is an awesome God!
Posted by: Citizen Location: Morgans Point on Oct 22, 2008 at 03:01 PM
I just got an update via email from Morgans Point police internet watch that Destiny has been found ALIVE AND WELL. No other details yet. Praise the Lord!!!
Posted by: Concerned Location: McGregor on Oct 22, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Has there been any updates on this story?
Posted by: ann Location: Waco, TX on Oct 22, 2008 at 02:45 PM
The police should be able to find her on my space!!! I would pressure them!!!
Posted by: Concerned Parent Location: of a teenager. on Oct 22, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Are they allowing volunteers to join in search efforts. If so how do I get involved?
Posted by: Destiny's Mom Location: MPR on Oct 22, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Thank you eveyone for your care and support. I am so proud to have a community that cares. My husband and I are in total shock. If anyone wants to have a community search, by all means we can do so. You can email me at randyls1ws6@yahoo.com. Again thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Renee Location: Temple on Oct 22, 2008 at 02:19 PM
This is pretty scary with all the robberies/crime and stuff going on here recently in the Temple area. What HAPPENED to this town, GEEEEZZ!?My prayers goes out to the family and to her as well! May God bring her home safe and sound!
Posted by: c Location: troy on Oct 22, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Okay if Mom didn't see her get off the bus then where did she get off the bus at or was she even riding it that day? If she wasn't on the bus then how did she get from school back to the area where they found her things? has anyone talked to the school to see if maybe she skipped school, or to the bus driver to see where she got off the bus at?
Posted by: Ben Location: MPR on Oct 22, 2008 at 02:04 PM
I saw the police and fire department out last night on the water searching and again this morning saw the Fire Rescue Boat in the area. Say what you will but our Fire and Police are doing a good job. I pray she found safe.
Posted by: jason Location: knoxville on Oct 22, 2008 at 01:51 PM
we are all praying for all of you in east tenn let god be with her and let her be safe
Posted by: MPR neighbor Location: Morgan's Point on Oct 22, 2008 at 01:28 PM
most people in the Morgan's Point area had no idea this was going on last night-If the area was canvassed in a "door-to-door" search it's a surprise to me. Is a larger law enforcement agency helping with this? Can one be called in? It's doubtful that our small force can handle something of this scope.
Posted by: Concerned Parent Location: Belton on Oct 22, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Have they interviewed any of her friends. Maybe look on her friends myspace? Someone must know something? Did she get on the bus yesterday?
Posted by: Anonymous Location: MPR on Oct 22, 2008 at 12:52 PM
This really worries me on how this has all been handled. I am trying to figure out why the residence in the area last night had to be hush-hush about the situation and could not say anything to their friends and help find this girl. I hope to God this girl is found and then I hope to God that my kids never come up missing in MPR because the cops there have not done a good job at getting this information out in a timely manner.
Posted by: Tina mother of 2 Location: Rogers on Oct 22, 2008 at 12:51 PM
You are all in my prayers that she will return home unharmed. Not understanding completely why an Amber Alert has not been issued??!!! May God bless you all during this tragic time!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: mpr on Oct 22, 2008 at 12:42 PM
My son goes to LBMS and he just called and they are asking around the school please let us know if they are going to get a search together love to help out
Posted by: RHONDA Location: TEMPLE on Oct 22, 2008 at 12:21 PM
I HOPE WE CAN FIND DESTINY ME AND MY HUSBAND ARE CLOSE FRIENDS OF HER PARENTS AND HER I PRAY WE FIND HER SHE IS A BRIGHT LITTLE WOMAN OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH HER FAMILY
Posted by: Woodway mom Location: Woodway on Oct 22, 2008 at 12:01 PM
God be with the family and Destiny. Remember that Jesus her Creator loves her more than anyone on earth is capable of. My we all hug our own children a little tighter tonight!
Posted by: Parent/Friend Location: Morgan's Point on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I am a mother of 2. One of my children go to LBMS and went to Lakewood with Destiny. We need to all come together as a community and help this family. She was a GREAT Girl! PLEASE EVERYONE KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN. Talk to your children. Let the family know that they are all in our prayers.
Posted by: Michelle Location: Nolanville on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Please GOD let his young girl be found safe. What a sad situation...my prayers are with all involved....we will keep a lookout around our area too! Please keep us updated.....
Posted by: Anonymous Location: MPR Resort on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Can we go down near the marina in morgans point and help walk the area and find this girl?
Posted by: Aunt Cindy on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I was just told they are going to bring the dogs in to help find her I guess where they found her backpack and shoes and some of her clothes. We were told we can go down there and walk & look with them and help find our SWEET little girl. Thanks for all your prayers and I know God will let us find here!! In Jesus name my savior.
Posted by: Living on the Cove Location: MPR on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:33 AM
We live on the cove where they are searching for Destiny. I can tell you the MPR Police Department is doing a great job in trying to locate this young girl. Our officers have children and know how agonizing it is for this family. My husband walked our side of the cove searching and there were officers on the water and walking the shore line as well as canvasing the neighborhood. Talk with your children, talk with your neighbors. Someone may have a small amount of information that when put together with other information will be the lead they need. Prayer is what each and everyone of us can do at this moment.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: MPR Citizen on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:31 AM
We would love to search for her. Everyone needs to check her emails and my space. Just because they found a letter of running away does not mean anything. Put the flippin Amber Alert out there. This is ridiculous of all the rules and regulations
Posted by: anonymous Location: Austin on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:29 AM
In Jesus name Lord find this precious child. Let's all agree on this.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: MPR on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I am glad to see a picture and a name. Regardless of the situation if my daughter went missing her name and face would be all over the place. I feel for this family and what they are going through. I would even be willing to help search for this girl if they want to hold a community search. Just because articles are found near the lake does not necessarily mean that she is in the lake.
Posted by: Aunt Cindy on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Please everybody out there at Morgan Points please help them find my little sweet niece. We are posting pictures here in Temple where we live. Please come home Destiny...everybody needs you. If any of your friends are reading this tell her it's okay to come home..don't be afraid. I love you so very much Destiny, Love you, Aunt Cindy
Posted by: MPR Citizen Location: MPR on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:21 AM
It would of been nice to know her name and pic last night. MPR is not that big and im 100% if MPR police wanted to start a community search for her, most people in MPR would of been out looking for her.
Posted by: Kim Location: Temple on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:11 AM
I have a daughter the same age and I would definitely be going nuts right now. I hope they find your little girl. I will say a special prayer for her and the family.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: belton on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:08 AM
We are praying for this family. Im sure that there is more to the story than what the public is being told. Something like this is very scary, I live in Morgans Point, and my kids walk about a block to get to the school bus. Not any more i take my kids to school. We will keep an eye out for this poor child.
Posted by: Christine Location: MPR on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Not giving a name because the parents are distraught is not an answer or that she is a minor. The community would like to help To me this just does not sound right. They should be using every resource in theie power
Posted by: Mother of Three Location: Temple on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Being out there around the lake in the dark has to be terrifying for her. I'm scared to be out there in a boat on the water with my husband there in the dark. They should not have stopped searching on land for her. What articles of clothing did they find if all she was wearing was a tshirt and jeans?? That seems suspicious to me. Even if she did plan to run away they still need to issue an amber alert to help find her. And when she gets home whatever is going on there needs to be fixed so she won't do this again. I'm relieved to see she has so many aunts that truly care for her. Prayers that she's found safe and soon. Prayers for the parents and family too.
Posted by: mom of 3 Location: Belton on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I am very upset that this has been so hush hush, time is running, we need to get this community together and find this child!!!! Please let us help this family in need!!!
Posted by: Aunt Amber Location: Morgan's Point on Oct 22, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Destiny had told me before that she had several myspace pages but she did not use her real name on them. I am not sure as to the truth in that or not, but she never provided me the links to them either. Again, the officer that was head of the investigation told us that police chief Randy Dixon was attempting to get an Amber Alert issued, but because of the run-away note, they would not. Pictures can be found at the below links: http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m227/camaropro/des.jpg http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m227/camaropro/des2.jpg http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m227/camaropro/des3.jpg please copy and paste the links
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 22, 2008 at 10:24 AM
good thinkin' about the "note" being forged. Definately check her myspace if she had one.
Posted by: Kimberly Location: MPR on Oct 22, 2008 at 10:18 AM
If there is anything we can do please let us know. We need to organize a search party!
Posted by: Kathy Location: Houston on Oct 22, 2008 at 10:16 AM
My family are friends of Destiny and her family. My son is very upset about this and wants to come back to Temple to help find her. He asked me why she wasn't on our road signs down here where they flash the Amber Alerts on our highways. He also asked about checking her myspace. ?? We forwarded the story to our news stations here just to get the word out to more people. Our blessings are with the family and we will help in any way we can.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Morgans Point on Oct 22, 2008 at 10:07 AM
I also live in Morgans Point I am really disturb on how this is being handled. They should of had an amber alert and been up and down every street. I have 2 daughters and this worries me.
Posted by: teacher Location: burleson county on Oct 22, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Does she have a Myspace page, as many young teens do? There could be clues found on that site.
Posted by: T Dog Location: Waco on Oct 22, 2008 at 09:49 AM
NOT ACTIVATING THE AMBER ALERT BECAUSE THEY FOUND A RUN AWAY NOTE IS RIDICULOUS. DID THEY STOP TO THINK SHE MIGHT HAVE BEEN FORCED TO WRITE THE NOTE TO COVER SOME TRACKS?
Posted by: Belton Location: Belton on Oct 22, 2008 at 09:28 AM
My daughter goes to school at LBMS and we live by the lake and would like to help. Last night we did not even know the name to help. I ask her if she knew of anyone thinking of running away but with no name or picture she had no help. Please put a name and picture here. I pray for her safe return.
Posted by: worried Location: Morgan's Point on Oct 22, 2008 at 09:05 AM
I live not too far from the marina in MPR. This is very scary for everyone. Says there was a door to door sweep in the childs neighborhood. Maybe the search needs to be expanded, I never knew anything was going last night, never saw any police. My thoughts and prayers are with the young girl and her family. I am a parent of two small children and this type of thing makes my skin crawl in fear.
Posted by: family friend Location: temple on Oct 22, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Family I am praying for you and Destiny. You are loved. God is in control of this situation. I am just lost for words
Posted by: Aunt Cindy on Oct 22, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I don't know how long it takes to do an Amber alert because we reported it at 4:45 yesterday afteroon to the Morgon Points Police Dept. WE have pictures I wish they would put it on this KWTX. and get my little girl back to all of us.
Posted by: Aunt Amber Location: Morgan's Point on Oct 22, 2008 at 08:05 AM
The Police told us that an Amber alert was not issued because of a run-away note that was found in Destiny's binder....it doesn't make any sense to me either.
Posted by: mom of 3 Location: temple on Oct 22, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Can you please put a picture on here. We could search for her better if we know what she looks like. May the Lord be with the family and friends of her. I work a family member of this little girl and they are very worried. This little girl is loved very much by her family. Please no ugly comments.
Posted by: Betty Location: Bosque County on Oct 22, 2008 at 07:30 AM
Why has an Amber alert not been put out with pictures and more discription??? This is so scarry! You don't want to let your children or grandchildren out of your site.
Posted by: Lisa Location: Temple on Oct 22, 2008 at 07:19 AM
Now heres a bright idea Why cant they use the Dogs that can track a criminal. they supposedly have articles of hers that have her scent on it. and why was the land search called off for the night. I can see the Lake search beind suspended for the night but Im sorry they should be looking for this teen 24/7 till they find her. prayeres for her family that they find her this morning.
Posted by: MOM Location: MORGANS POINT RESORT on Oct 22, 2008 at 07:05 AM
MY DAUGHTER WAS APPROACHED A YEAR AGO HERE IN MORGAN POINT BY A MAN IN A RED EX CAB CHEVY TRUCK ABOUT A 90'S MODEL. AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY WHILE SHE WAS TAKING OUT THE TRASH, SHE'S ONLY 9 AND HE ASKED HER IF SHE WANTED A RIDE AND MY DAUGHTER SAID NO AND RAN OFF TO ME, I WAS RIGHT IN THE BACK YARD AND HEARD THE TRUCK BUT AS SOON AS I GOT TO THE FRONT HE TOOK OFF, I CALLED THE COPS AND ALL THEY DID WAS ONE DRIVE AROUND OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND THATS IT, AND WASN'T EVEN GOING TO COME AND TALK TO US ABOUT IT UNTIL I TOLD THEM TO. I HOPE THEY FIND HER SAFE THIS IS BAD.
Posted by: Aunt Cindy Location: Temple on Oct 22, 2008 at 06:52 AM
This little girl is my great niece and she just turned 12 on Oct. 13 and she has brown medium long hair. She is is about 5'6" thin build her name is Destiny...Please help us found and keep praying that she is not in the water and just scared to come home. Please tell it her it is okay to come home.
Posted by: wanna help Location: waco on Oct 22, 2008 at 06:52 AM
any pictures of her?
Posted by: theMrs Location: HH on Oct 22, 2008 at 05:58 AM
wow could the description be a bit more vague? How are we supposed to be on the look out when they describe nearly every 13 yr old I know???
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