Coffee and Crime Time: The Search For Summer Wells

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[@msarora816]

Years ago, when my daughter was 5 she disappeared from her preschool. My mother dropped her off at 8am and when she went to get her at 5pm they realized that she and another little girl had been missing all day. I can't even tell you the horror and grief I went through on the drive to the school. I was 100% certain that my daughter would NEVER have left the school. when I arrived the parking lot was full of police, a crime unit and news teams. I was so freaked out that I actually started vomiting as soon as I saw it. I just knew that they had found my baby's body. As soon as I pulled up police came running to me and let me know that they had found her in the parking lot of a mall, but she was ok. Praise God! but here is the thing... she HAD left on her own. My 5-year-old and the other girl had decided they wanted to go shopping and had walked over 10 miles. 10 miles!!!! My point in sharing this is that you would be surprised how far a 5-year-old cold get on their own. They do need to expand the search further.

[@bethanysage]

Wow I can't even imagine that utter fear for your daughter. 10 miles is a huge distance !

[@oceanwaters6048]

Oh my goodness! I’m so glad everything ended up okay for you and your daughter! ❤️

[@adrianeelise3849]

Wow that is so scary !

[@msarora816]

@@bethanysage I was the director at a school and it was 5pm on a friday when I got the phone call. I literally drove on the sidewalks to get there.

[@msarora816]

I should add also, that my mom called me first Stephanie, before the police. I think like you said, I think we automatically call our closest person first, probably because we want to believe "so, she is with then". I feel it is the mind trying to make sense out of what is happening

[@brandi6087]

I feel like the dad is sadly realizing the statistics on missing children and the likelihood of finding them after 2 weeks. I think he's just awkward. I grew up in East TN and know many men who are this way. Rarely shed a tear and have a hard time finding the right words.

[@MichaelWH]

I have "never" seen my parents cry, even after a tragedy,course I bet they did alone

[@1000wastedwords]

This. All of this. Maybe what you see as going through the stages of grief is also just hopelessness.

[@tayquaid3408]

i was going to say that losing hope over a missing 5 year old isn’t suspicious to me in itself. i think being realistic and knowing that if she was taken she is more than likely not alive occurs to a lot of parents who having missing children but maybe just never speak on it for the fear of it being true

[@Pieceofchocolate1]

both parents seem stoic but you can tell from how much they talk about her it seems like they really love her.

[@Ryogachik]

You can definitely tell in his eyes how much he's hurting.

[@laurennicole5457]

As someone from a town right outside of Rogersville, I want to thank you for doing this video the right way. Our area is low income and country folk, so to see such overwhelming hatred toward her parents simply because they look or act southern has been heartbreaking. You covered this with compassion and fairness and for that I thank you.

[@cheycheyfriend247]

@@christophermxyzptlk7155 oh yes absolutely

[@lorimoore5589]

@Lisa Swetz You said it better than I ever could. It has nothing to do with being southerners or country or poor. An if I was either of those I would find that comparison very insulting. Madeline McCann is perfect example, people tore the parents apart an I understood why. They were from the U.K. He was a doctor an they are upper class. But they really fucked up leaving those kids alone an honestly I believe they had something to do with it. I believe it was an accident but they covered it up. But either way we shouldn't assume things because of how much money they have or don't have but you sure can be appalled at the irresponsibility an lack of emotion no matter what.

[@MargotMugs]

@Lisa Swetz drug abuse is a common foe of poverty, and although not an ideal trait for parenting, in no way equates to being a murderer.

[@amandamcabee9142]

Girl!! I’m from Morristown!

[@aprilgeewhiz3814]

The parents did the right thing by calling 911. We saw the Watts family fiasco (they had a lot to show but owned nothing) so judging by “looks” is pointless. I would’ve called my husband also. I live in a smaller area with a wide range of incomes and we try to help each other. I really appreciate your comment.

[@isashisha]

For people newish to this case: 1. Candus & Don have lost EIGHT children between them (over two marriages each) due to severe child abuse and severe neglect. 2. Don has had SEVEN women accuse him of SA with victims as young as 5 years old. 3. Both have numerous criminal convictions going back decades across multiple states. 4. Don’s oldest son, Candus’ uncle and Candus’ cousin (who lived with them for a time)are all convicted SAers. 5. Many of their friends and people who randomly lived at their house are convicted SAers. 6. Witnesses claim in the last year they ran a drug house with constant strangers, sex and drugs going on all the time. Summer and her three brothers were completely unprotected from this and the four children had no room with a door. The kids were exposed to everything. 7. Candus’ timeline doesn’t add up. She has shown none of the emotions parents with missing children show. She has not wanted to be asked questions. She did not talk to police for two weeks after Summer went missing. * Where there’s smoke there’s fire.

[@isashisha]

you can also look up donald richard wells vs state of alabama in 1993 to see what a pervo piece of crap he is

[@jhatch1869]

Thank you for this. These people should not have any children in their custody. Ever. I do my best to not be judgmental, but the proof is there, these are not good people.

[@angelcrites5031]

Exactly.

[@MrsBeBe-de1xx]

They definitely know where she is

[@TheNinjaNiky]

You can just look at mom and know there's some drug use going on lol. People without disabilities don't usually talk or think slow as she did. And the way she blinks, that's a downers blink. Meaning she's using downer drugs, like percs, alcohol, or heroine

[@gypsydonovan]

"She still got her arm up?" "No" "that's what I was trying to get " Sounds like summer was doing something cute/funny in her sleep, her mom wanted a pic, but was driving & asked grandma to get it but she'd already put her arm down. I'd add the "video" was an accident but the intent was a photo. I know a lot of grandmas (& others) with trouble operating their phones. This seems as normal to me as finding trash at a park. I respect the sleuth community but there needs to be logic. A good sleuther uses critical thinking to understand what may have happened. This is people getting likes by coming up with attention grabbing rumors with no concern for the damage it does.

[@erikamarie6015]

That's what I was thinking too - if she had already died, why would they be asking if she's still doing anything? Also, wouldn't the fact that she had changed positions cause them some sort of exclamation if they really thought she had accidentally died and discovered she was alive (or at least moving)?

[@misanthropicleo]

Exactly!!!! People start to look for clues of foul play so much they miss what is obvious to the unbiased viewer. Dangerous

[@whiteybaze497]

I agree. When you're a hammer (internet detectives) everything looks like a nail (any persons of interest)

[@bellab9286]

Exactly

[@kossy2855]

@Crystal Donovan I agree! Also, I would definitely call my husband before I called the police unless I saw it happen. 🤷

[@jenniferminzey23]

I understand how Summer's dad could "forget" that she's was gone. It takes a while for our minds to get used to something that is still so new of a change. After 10 years of my dad being gone, I occasionally think "I have to call dad and tell him I saw a huge deer." Then I remember I can't.

[@shochre6497]

Yeah, it's really normal. They look absolutely devastated to me

[@MScrista24]

😭

[@honeybunch5765]

True, after my husband's death I would automatically take out three plates with every meal for quite sometime, it took some time to adjust.

[@AnisasBluePrint]

Bingo: My son was murdered & for a split second I forget. Then when I remember, It brakes my heart.

[@lone6718]

Even years down the road, it’s easy to use present tense.

[@rrj1010]

Sorry but in the video the mum says “she still got her arm up?” And the nan said no, to which she said “that’s what I was trying to catch”. She was definitely doing something cute in her sleep and her mum wanted the nan to catch it on photo/video. I really don’t think they did anything to her

[@nothingbutlove2766]

I can’t help but wonder if he apologized as well….?

[@southofzero2510]

Agreed. This family seems like your average low-income southern household, and I think that's drawing a lot of ire because people often assume the worst of them. I just don't get bad vibes from the mother OR the father.

[@AmiRa-wj9jt]

I have an absolutely different opinion on this. I think there is something to worry about with this video. Child seems very pale, despite the fact that it`s someone who spends time outside. Her right hand catches our eyes, her thumb appears to have discoloration under fingernail, skin between her thumb and finger appears to be slightly swollen. Summer is dressed in a long-sleeved blouse and long pants for a reason. If baby was cold after leaving the river... why was she lying on milk bottles and not in a special child safety seat? According to the law... children her age shouldn`t be transported in such a way. When it comes to my own life experiences, I saw a dead man with my own eyes, I have the same feeling when I see this child in this photo/video.

[@brandi6087]

@@southofzero2510 I agree with you. All of these people accusing the parents of doing something to her makes no sense. If they did where is she? I find it hard to believe these country folk are master criminals capable of getting rid of a child and any evidence of what happened in a matter of hours. If I'm wrong I'm wrong but it just doesn't seem possible to me.

[@troubledwaters7441]

@@AmiRa-wj9jt I thought the same thing. No one else seems to even mention it. They filmed it as "proof of life". How cute, she did something in her sleep and we tried to catch it....cute and convenient.

[@LoveAllTrustFew1]

I think your brain has a way of kind of protecting itself. We lost my little brother to cancer very unexpectedly a few years ago. Right after it happened I'd get doing my daily routine, making coffee, showering, walking the dog. And pure exhaustion would make me zone out and just kinda forget everything for a few minutes. Then I would remember and it felt like it just happened all over again. The worst was when you first wake in the morning and everything feels normal for a few minutes and then reality hits you like a ton of bricks and it's somehow worse than when you first found out. I understand what he's saying, it makes sense to me.

[@lidka8233]

The part about waking up, yes!! When my dad passed away it was very hard to fall asleep but even harder to wake up, because you know, i would stretch up, move around in bed to make myself comfortable for a few more minutes and then the reality would kick and i remember thinking stuff like "how can i lay around in bed and forget he's not here" it was horrible honestly. I really think that the dad is innocent because i can't help but see the pain in his eyes, while he tries to be considerate of police work, his wife and other kids. I remember that feeling "if i collapse and give up to this pain, the rest of the family would too"

[@aliciagreen5411]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my parents to cancer, my mom when I was in high school. I remember the ambulance showing up when she passed to our house and I felt so bad I couldn't give them basic information about her like her full name or birthday, but I just didn't remember. That year of school I still did well but I was losing assignments left and right. The morning dump truck of reality is so accurate. No one is sure right now, but the way that guy is speaking reminds me of the tough guy zombie my dad turned into for months after. I dunno. I'm also not getting 'hiding something' vibes. I'm getting grief fog brain vibes. :/

[@kathrynbillinghurst188]

We lost our precious selfless father in 2018 and I get that feeling every morning and at every time I’m reminded of his love…looking around the house at all he’s provided for us ! THE ONLY ADVICE THAT HELPED ME AT HIS FUNERAL WAS… STAY STRONG, JUST BE STRONG, KEEP STRONG. ITS THE ONLY WAY I HAVE’T GONE ROUND THE TWIST. THANK YOU MRS. Saric. 💕🕊🌹👏🌟

[@clyclenggg]

SAME.

[@jennifers.3818]

it makes sense to those who have experienced tragedy. I understood it as well

[@carladalcol183]

I don't think he means forget like he literally forgets. I think that he has a quick moment where things feel normal and then he's just as quickly snapped back into reality. It's like if someone you love has died and for a second you forget and things feel like they use to but then you realize it's nothing like it use to be.

[@jeannejazulin9372]

I agree with this 100%they do still have other children to tend and provide a little bit of normalcy too, as hard as it may be

[@elizabethxoxo5]

I agree

[@sunniegb]

THANK YOU! My oldest child passed away right before his 4th birthday and in the days and weeks immediately after I would have a few seconds of peace before my horrific new reality would slap me in the face like a brick all over again. I was told by my psychiatrist that the reason for this (and also why I have very little memory of the week immediately following him passing) is my brain’s way of protecting itself and me from going into complete shock and not being able to recover. Yes, I believe there is more to Summer’s disappearance than is being told, but I honestly can’t see her parents doing anything to hurt her on purpose.

[@Wistful77]

Yes, Don was seen in a park with his son, Candus was swinging, a short moment of 'normalcy', but I am certain they did not "forget" Summer.

[@ryanflores3432]

I understand your logic however there is a distinct difference between death and a child going missing. if your child goes missing you're going to be out there searching and wondering. It would be on the forefront of your mind especially just a few days afterwards which is when he said this. Never mind the fact that he said unfortunately her loving to be outside with her downfall. This family is definitely hiding secrets I think they all know what happened to her.

[@lovejunkie6078]

I don’t think the dad means he’s forgetting about her. I think that’s just how he talks.. and what he means is that the sadness comes in waves and the intense panic and worry isn’t every minute of every day… I think he just means that for a split second he feels ok and then the emotions come flooding back. Like he said, when he wakes up it takes him a minute to remember. I don’t find that odd at all.

[@joannasaadati8810]

Ya that's how grief works. You do something normal and feel ok and then get hit in the face with the realization of whatever bad happened.

[@gnostic268]

The whole thing is very sad. These missing children stories are the saddest of all the true crime cases

[@genealmarietaylor4439]

I completely agree with you @love junkie

[@rilesfomiles8662]

To me the dad genuinely seems like a greiwvinng father who isn’t used too or maybe has ever felt comfortable displaying or dealing with his emotions

[@tamsind5039]

I wondered if maybe he meant that feeling when someone is gone when you just for a moment imagine them walking through the door or whatever and then it hits you that they're actually gone?

[@hannahbeanies8855]

My father never cried in front of us. Not when either of his parents died or when my mother was on her death bed and he loved them all. I’m almost certain if something happened to me he wouldn’t cry in front of anyone. My dad is not mean at all but expressing emotion is not his way. He was a good old country boy.

[@hannahstolzer2085]

My dad doesn’t cry either. His parents funerals, etc etc etc. I don’t think it’s too strange considering how some men still feel shamed for showing emotion

[@AshlitaKLaGrangeGA]

A lot of older generations taught crying as a sign of weakness. My granny never cried. I've never seen my father cry either. My granny tried to teach me that too & I used to be ashamed if I was caught crying, but as I've gotten older. I no longer care.

[@laurajanee345]

My dad is the same. Literally seen him cry maybe twice in my 30 years of life. He will admit to ‘having a moment’ before his dads funeral and at the sudden death of his close friend. But that was never in font of anyone. He would go away and have ‘a moment’ away from everyone. He also hates seeing me cry. He will tell me to go calm down then come back speak to him because he hates seeing me hurt. I’m an emotional wreck lol he can’t deal when I cry.

[@kaleighsmith6293]

My grandpa is the same way, I’ve never seen him cry. Even when my mother died, he had pain in his face but he never shed a tear

[@lorellehugostino975]

I can't imagine my husband ever crying either!

[@brittniesteele6146]

I would also call my husband before calling the police. I need another adult with a sound mind to tell me what I should do before I overreact.

[@madeline_honeycutt]

Especially since it had only been 10 minutes. They may know of a secret hide out they've found the child in before. You just never really know. Plus, I'd want my husband to know what is going on. He would want to know our chikd is missing.

[@shaney215]

Super relatable since it’s your partner, decisions and tensions are high you’re not going to call a dispatcher and “wait” with all that frustration of trying to find your child, you’re going to call your spouse probably screaming I know I would.

[@brandi6087]

Yes and if you do need to call the police then you both can. We've all heard those calls that where dispatch can't understand the person or not understanding the seriousness of it. So I can see both of them calling 911 in hopes of getting help asap.

[@notyourconcern3827]

I agree. I think a lot of what the parents are saying is being taken out of context and I feel sorry for them, they are dealing with enough and I truly believe they're innocent. You can tell both parents loved her and there is no text book on what to say or how to act when something like this happens. I just pray she comes home safe.

[@caninecastleddc]

I would too. He’s my logical half and I run everything by him and seek his opinion on important things all the time.

[@bossyspaghetti]

I get the vibe that Summer's father is just inarticulate, not very good at expressing himself. I don't get a super guilty feeling from him. It's a bad day when someone who isn't The World's Greatest Parent looses a child. I think many people view their fear of being judged as guilt of a crime.

[@amya.9509]

From what I've seen, it doesn't matter how good of a parent or bad you are, how well spoken or not well spoken you are, how good you look or how bad you look etc etc... You will be judged. That's why I would never speak publicly if I was in a similar situation. It helps nothing and just destroys families further. I've never heard of a kidnapper giving the child back because they saw the parents crying on tv.

[@lucylulusuperguru3487]

Um yeah go look for his "speech" in front of the church and tell me what vibes you get then.

[@katiechisholm]

If her family killed her or had something to do with it, I’m 100% convinced her dad has no idea. Idk why but I feel like he’s super sincere

[@cheycheyfriend247]

@@lucylulusuperguru3487 dude I hope nothing ever happens to someone you love because someone exactly like you will say the same about you. Have some empathy. Karma is a bitch ya know

[@amya.9509]

@@cheycheyfriend247 I was gonna comment about karma too! I was the WORST and now I know... Stop judging or it will come back to you. And it will SUCK.

[@amberwhitehead5081]

I live in the area. What a lot of people may not understand is that it’s not just hills and valley’s. Our area is riddled with sinkholes and caves, bears, bobcats, etc. I don’t understand how a child could wander too far in a short amount of time. However, I can see how volunteers could comb the area and never see a small child. So so sad. Prayers sweet girl.

[@Queen_of_Hearts-Sharnell]

The K-9 officers would have found the scent of human blood if it had been in the woods in the immediate vicinity, though, right?

[@Queen_of_Hearts-Sharnell]

I am just now getting in to this story. So I have rookie questions as to some details that I am pretty sure have been answered, but is there a page or something where people have become armchair detectives and would recommend a video explaining some things?

[@notasuccubus7439]

THIS! Thats what I think! She couldve got in a tight spot and the more she tried to wiggle and free herself, get further stuck...I reckon theyd have had hounds all over that property, but Candus herself said she wouldn't go for walks bc of the wildlife. Summer is such a tiny thing, an animal could make quick work of her body

[@bings2110]

@@Queen_of_Hearts-Sharnell this case reminds me of deorr kunz. In response to ur question about a page for armchair detectives, Websleuths is a popular discussion forum. Idk if there’s a thread for this case but check it out.

[@candimartin1384]

@@Queen_of_Hearts-Sharnell there is also a FB group. I wouldn’t call them armchair detectives necessarily since many have no concept of how an investigation works, but they share a lot of info. Several members of the group live near the family and listen to local scanners, etc to try and get more info.

[@logicresearch9849]

My son was taken when he was an infant, I had 2 older children that had to still be taken care of, when my milk would fill in my breast it came back to me harder. It never left my brain that he wasn't there, but it hit harder at some times more than other times. 3 weeks later he was returned. He had been taken by a family "friend " that was desperate for a baby. It was the worst weeks of my life. You go through so many emotions, it's hard to say how someone might react. I also would get anxious about the places that the police were or were not looking. I think you are just so all over the place that nothing seems normal. I never felt that he was not alive, and when the police seem to approach it as they did, I would get extremely upset with them. When I was more frantic, the police seemed to be more suspicious of my involvement. I feel blessed that my situation turned out ok.

[@lorellehugostino975]

@logic research - I am so sorry! Bless your heart! I cannot even imagine the torment you were going through! Thank the Lord it had a happy ending, but for 3 LONG AGONIZING WEEKS, I just can't imagine! You said the kidnapper was a family "friend" that was desperate for a baby and took your son. I hope you don't mind me asking, but my "crime solving brain" has gotten the better of me. You said that you never felt that he was not alive. My thought process probably would have been thinking that anyone that would take an infant really isn't taking him to hurt him, but to either love him, or sell him on the black market adoption (very scary thought though either way), but did you suspect your friend, or how did you or the police make the connection? Yes, you are very blessed that he was safely reunited with your family.

[@logicresearch9849]

@@lorellehugostino975 I didn't suspect her, was totally confused. A neighbor of hers saw my son and called tip line. I had trusted her with my children. Never crossed my mind that she would kidnap my baby. It still makes my heart stop to think about it and am beyond grateful for the outcome. My point is that you can't predict someone's reactions or emotions to a terrifying event. There were times that the police thought I was involved because I cried or didn't cry when they thought I should. It's a hard situation emotionally. 😪you can't always read someone's thought, body language or emotions.

[@NoelleBelle06]

Your so blessed that he was returned to you! OMG I can’t even imagine! Thank God. People are absolutely insane! I hope the person is still in prison

[@laughingcorrpseholly4136]

Thank God your baby boy was found safe! I am so so sorry you had to go through that I cannot even begin to imagine the torture you must have gone through those weeks! 🥺 I am so glad he was returned to you safely and you were reunited! ❤️ people are so sick!

[@jenniferbuckingham7754]

Praise God he was ok!! God bless your family

[@TheSnyderWeb]

I don’t think her dad means he really *forgets* exactly. The way he spoke reminded me of a few years ago while doing Christmas shopping I saw this giant dog bone with a bow on it and I put it into my cart thinking how excited my dog would be. I made it down the whole aisle before it hit me that I don’t have a dog. He’d died not long before, and I was so used to having my dog with me that it took time to adjust to the fact that I no longer had him.

[@lightpinkmommy]

So sorry for your loss, my dog is laying beside me and when i read your comment i had to hug her

[@teaspoonsofpeanutbutter6425]

Aww, that's so sad. I "don't do" kids, so I'm quite detached from them (not unbothered by horrid stories and disappearances, just detached) but animals? They are my children, all of them, collectively! And stories like yours makes me feel such loss. Like the commenter above, my dog is fast asleep, belly out, snoring like a warthog, and I too had to give him a hug. Thinking of yours, and you, while I do so. Hope your pal is playing happily somewhere, watching and waiting for you x

[@lightpinkmommy]

@@teaspoonsofpeanutbutter6425 okay i need to know what kind of dog cause the second i read snoring like a wort hog i related so deeply with you my service dog snores like a full grown man someyimes and shes a pom chi it always amazes me that such a large sound can come from such a small being

[@julianakleijn9254]

I agree with u. your mind is not going to stay in a constant state of torture. you have THREE OTHER KIDS TO TAKE CARE OF. moments of joy are going to happen. Sry Stephanie, you are being way too hard on the father. Also he would not throw a fit to law enforcement BECAUSE IT DOESNT HELP SWEETIE . they are going to do what they want and you are better off being respectful

[@TeamBTC17]

@@lightpinkmommy I have 3 chihuahuas and they all snore it’s like a flaming chorus lol 😂💙

[@abbymenear6635]

I live in Tennessee and this little girl’s face is plastered everywhere, there’s no missing her. She’s been on my mind a lot - I’m glad you made this video.

[@Wills4gottenbday]

Same here, got that first Amber alert and all. Wish we were closer to help, I hope airline workers are being trained to recognize her.

[@sarahmcdonough138]

The day my daughter passed away, I was forced to go out to a family/friends home, probably to make sure I wasn’t alone, but that night, as we sat together and spoke about so many things, I found myself laughing at something. As I laughed, it slammed me back to reality that my baby was gone. Then I felt guilty for being happy for that millisecond. That happened a few times. That is NORMAL. It isn’t a sign of anything. I still struggle with her death, even more in the years after, than the day of. Your mind does let your “forget” for a few seconds here and there, but like he said, it floods back quickly. I do not get a bad vibe from these two. Typically, my gut leads me correctly. These two just give me a feeling that the mom isn’t very sharp, but is a good person. The dad seems a bit more sharp, but older and just scared. I think the other kids would have something to say if their parents did something.

[@aldranzam3456]

yeah... I'd be surprised if they are guilty to be honest. Damn I hope Summer's found alive and well-

[@vanessa5129]

I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine. Peace, love and prayers to you and your family ❤️

[@DottieMinerva]

I agree with everything you said! Other than the fact that I’m questionable on the mom. Not the dad though.

[@jenniferrobinson6012]

I also lost a child in a tragic accident and I can remember being around family and friends after the wake and I also found myself laughing at times, and I felt the same way, I felt terribly guilty but like you said its normal it's our brain trying to protect us from the gut wrenching pain that is really going on inside of us.

[@lightpinkmommy]

Im so sorry for your loss my heart breaks for you

[@TheRadtech2011]

I wasn’t even 5 yet , I was 3 and one morning my mom asked if I wanted to stay home with my dad or go with her to bring my older brother to school. I said stay home . Well they left and I changed my mind , so I just unlocked the door and walked out the house and started walking to my brothers school. My mom got home I was not there my dad had no clue I even left. My 3 year old self walked far and I got in the car with a women who said she knew my mom. Thank God she really did ! My mom still cries about it today if we bring it up, I’m 34 years old . All that to say children will walk far and not even think anything about it.

[@IllusionofSunlight]

What I actually thought was lovely and a positive sign was when her parents talked about her, they told people her favourite songs, that she was as tough as her brothers, that she looked up to powerful women etc. Not like the McCanns who just went on about how Maddie looked or some kind of general statement like "she was really active", really felt like their description was coming from the heart, at least to me.

[@louisacoote2337]

The McCanns just described Maddie as being pretty/cute, nothing about her personality or passions, from what I remember.

[@kathleeniraninejad9382]

All in past tense as if they already knew.

[@louisacoote2337]

@@kathleeniraninejad9382 I really hope the McCanns weren’t involved in their daughter’s disappearance/death, but what Kate said when she noticed Maddie was gone was “They’ve taken her” not “She’s missing!”. I’m just shocked that they didn’t make use of the on-site babysitting service that was allegedly available or have everyone come to someone else’s flat and maybe order food/get a take away so they could take it turns having to pay for childcare.

[@ashleemarie8779]

The way the parents describe her are the only reason I don’t think they are 100% guilty

[@c.a.greene8395]

@@ashleemarie8779 sorry but all the extra detail given is an avoidance and deflection move, meant to relieve them of any suspicion - its quite common in the guilty... The constant need to blink - 1) blinking is done to break line of sight, when we are uncomfortable telling a lie or half truth, 2) on average we blinking only once or twice every 30 seconds, sometimes less...this guy has done so more than 50 times while talking about his daughter inside a minute and a half! I think they are both guilty

[@GinnyB.]

I am from a very similar rural area and I can tell you with 100% confidence that it would be EXTREMELY rare for a vehicle to come anywhere near my home without either hearing it myself, or being alerted by the dogs. Areas like this are extremely quiet to the point of being able to hear gravel crunching under tire even as far as a mile+ away...you especially hear it when they turn into your drive way.

[@Amy-qe7ti]

I live in the same type of area and you are exactly correct. No way a vehicle came anywhere close to their 11 acres without being heard and making its presence known.

[@sandcat66]

If the family had dogs, the dogs would have been going crazy if someone drove up and took Summer. My neighbor can't have visitors without our dogs letting us know

[@valleygirl2530]

@@Amy-qe7ti The Wells’ property apparently has 20 dogs living there with the family. (Eww - imagine all the dog SH?T piles that the kids dragged around).

[@sophiawish9772]

@@Amy-qe7ti Totally agree. I also grew up in the country with dogs at each property letting you know a car was coming long before you could see the car raising dust on the dirt road.

[@casandralobberecht1404]

I live in a rural area as well, and we know the sound of the mail woman’s vehicle, the Amazon and UPS trucks and can tell by how the dogs respond if it’s a person we know, or a stranger. Very rare we don’t hear a vehicle pulling up!

[@laceyjade9834]

I agree with other commenters that the dad can’t articulate his thoughts very well. I think the whole “forgetting” thing is shock. You’re right it hasn’t been weeks, months or years… so I think he’s still in shock. Just like after someone passes away (within the first few days) it seems like a bad dream until it sets in again that they’re gone.

[@aprilsilvers381]

I think the dad is exhausted. I really do not think he did anything

[@meganwilliams7042]

I think this is a great analogy. I don’t think it would be forgetting as such but just the gut punch would come every now and then as the reality of the situation would hit you again

[@kerrya2477]

I know exactly what the father means;in the days after my mother committed suicide I'd often have moments when I'd 'forget'she was gone. I even tried to call her one day and I was halfway through dialling her number before I remembered she wasn't there and never would be.

[@zebbbbbb]

Absolutely agreed! I believe what he's saying is that the "new normal" (Summer being gone) hasn't set in yet, and he's going about his day and all of a sudden it hits him, again and again. It would make sense if that's what's happening, I think everyone experienced that who went through grief. I've experienced thinking "x would love this" to then immediately remember, no, nonono, x is gone. I know I've seen a shadow from the corner of my eye and started to reach my hand out to pet my cat and then realized, no, she's not here anymore. Even things like waking up the first day after a break up, and not understanding for a couple of seconds why you're in a different bed, or why they're not next to you. If a change in someone's life is both sudden and huge, it usually takes time for the brain to adjust. The shock comes in waves. Edited to add to 46:56, No, I don't think you're reading in to it too much per se, I think you might just not had this exact experience and have a hard time relating. If you haven't went through it, and just hear people describe this very odd thing, I can see how weird it can sound. He's not using "forget" in the sense of "I forgot to call this client" or "I forgot to pick up milk". The brain often uses shortcuts for efficiency. Ask a first grader what's 2+2, they'll have to do the math. Ask a grown up, and they'll have a shortcut ready for 4, without doing actual thinking. Ask a mathematician what's x to the power of n, they'll have a shortcut, ask an average person, they'll need thinking time. If you ask a parent at 3 pm where's their child, they'll reach to two data sets: one is the child's daily routine, the other is the time of day. In no time, they'll tell you "she's in her room, taking a nap". They have an undisturbed data set, a baseline set of info they can reach for. For him, the baseline has changed. Summer missing is not something that's part of what's normal for him - unfortunately, in time, it'll be. You said "it hasn"t been weeks or months", and in fact, that's when he'll stop having this "forgetting" experience.

[@kait4586]

Absolutely. My 13 month old son passed a month ago and my brain has never been in such a fog. I have trouble putting sentences together. It’s so frustrating. But to be in the “spotlight” like that family, I wouldn’t be able to function. Especially if my child was missing!

[@theresafeeney2756]

I think something is off here. I watched an interview with Chris McDonough where he and Candace walked around the outside and inside of the property. She gave Chris permission to go pretty much anywhere he wanted but when he asked about the tool shed Candace said he couldn’t look. I’m sure law enforcement has been in the shed already but I can’t stop thinking about Cailey Anthony and how close her body was to the family home. Another thing that got me was that they have 12-15 dogs on the property and as soon as Chris got there to finish the interview, those dogs were barking. If a stranger came to take Summer I think those dogs would have went off cuz she would probably be resisting and the dogs would sense that.

[@MichaelWH]

Canduce actually said later "You can look if you want", and Chris declined.

[@DesTCAllday]

There was this giant blue barrel thing on their property that Chris asked about, and as soon as the camera showed it I got an eerie feeling. Chris asked what it was and Candus quickly said they use it for trash. Idk, it just made me feel strange. Lots of things on that video made me feel strange though.. like her dungeon bedroom.

[@rachel1625]

I actually find the dad's response very candid and vulnerable and it gave me the sense that he has nothing to hide. I've never been in his situation but I have lost someone suddenly an unexpectedly and I think he's just sharing his true emotions in a very raw way. I found myself thinking "Oh gosh, it's been 20 minutes since I thought about it, what's wrong with me?!" I know as an outsider it seems crazy that he would be able to think of anything else, but I'm sure he might watch some TV or hang out with his sons and his mind gets distracted in those times. That's exactly how an innocent man whose child is missing should feel though- startled that he's been able to forget for even a few minutes. I found his account of the boys reaction more believable and appropriate than Candice's. Even kids through their teenage years don't have the capacity of empathy like adults do. My cousin died suddenly when her little brother was 9 and he never really had a reaction. It was just too big for him to understand. The boys are probably still playing video games and Roblox and trying to hang out with friends and go about their normal lives. Their sister disappearing is weird, but they wouldn't be disturbed in the way an adult would be. It sounds like their dad is expecting adult level grief from them, which is how a lot of parents feel in these kinds of situations, which again, gives me the impression that the dad is sharing honestly and candidly as he works through this weird time.

[@Mama_Bear524]

🎯

[@mnorris8484]

I completely agree. The brain does a good job of relieving you from overwhelming stress after so long.

[@tianna1116]

Exactly! I thought the exact same thing about his statements, I feel so bad for the family that they’re getting attacked by strangers on the internet

[@MinMeows_Booty]

I would burn this world to the ground to find my child.

[@aprilpinkelton4385]

No one knows how they will handle anything until it happens. You could be so physically ill, that you couldn't walk. In situations like these, the so-called communities we live in are supposed to come together in support. But, instead, ppl are too busy making nasty accusations online. Bc, we all know that the only thing ppl in this world focus on is what you look like, how you talk, where you live, what do you wear, etc. So sweet little girls like Summer never receive justice bc ppl focus on the wrong thing as usual.

[@cammybaker7571]

Yes gurl!! What any mother who LOVES their child would do!!! Or want to!! 🥀🙏🍀

[@taraakins8273]

Same

[@enchantedprotection444]

@@aprilpinkelton4385 Well said, April.

[@styphlynne8253]

Right?!! But Candus was posting on fb at 6:10 before the 9 11 call! Just new photos not "Help our daughter is gone"!

[@magpieplus259]

I lost my son at one of those back to school events before school starts for the season where you meet the teacher's see the classroom etc. I called my husband first, crying, looking for him, and I was like omg do I call the police? What if someone took him, he's barely 5, so it's not odd to call your husband first because you don't want to overreact. I hate when people think it's odd to call your spouse first.

[@reagan2381]

Did you find him 😢

[@violet1785]

Same wiv the lady who found little cash she called her mother first its what u do x

[@gweneviereblackwood5980]

Definitely not wrong, I know it’s what I would do. I assume you found him alright?

[@honeybee6858]

Worst feeling in the world ! My nephew was following behind me and decided to hide around a bin at the store and I realized I was talking to myself and he was gone …. I had a million thoughts run thru my head of what I should do , is it serious serious do I waste time looking for him or call someone , do I leave this spot… I was so mad when he jumped out !!

[@thewhitfieldfam5978]

Exactly I would call my husband first I tend to be a little paranoid and can over react ESPECIALLY when it comes to my kids.

[@samanthakilzer8348]

I know I’m late on this but has anyone considered that maybe a stranger saw Summer swimming at the watering hole and followed them back to their house and just waited for the right time to take summer?

[@kathrynbillinghurst188]

Maybe that teenager that was dropped off back to his grandma!? Do you think the brothers accidentally hurt her and hid her?? Terrible thought, but we need to look at all avenues.

[@amandabushue4504]

Yes the 15 yr old boy? Anyone look into him ?

[@dkk5]

There’s like 30 dogs on the property. They would have went crazy if a stranger was around.

[@kellyfanello6716]

That's what I was thinking

[@kimseung-ri1060]

@@amandabushue4504 yes! He has been questioned by police and his recall of events the day summer went missing are very different from how the mother tells things happened. Kendall rae has a very good video on KZbin about this case and shows some footage of the police interviewing him. Personally i find him sketchy, you can tell he enjoys the attention a little too much. Plus He knows where they lived and knew little summer, so it would make sense if she trusted him and he lured her into his car or something.

[@leximari]

Not saying that the mother or parents are involved, or the social media postings in general, but my immediate thought with the tik toks of baby summer is PLEASE be careful posting your children for hundreds, thousands, millions of strangers to see!

[@Fay_F_2]

I totally agree !!! Millions of strangers and how many crazies can be out there planning only god knows what !

[@MichaelWH]

Agree 100%

[@madinadiallo7607]

YES the amount of videos there are of kid doing whatever in their school uniform with the logo showing

[@hannahguin933]

One time I was in a car accident and after clearing my head a little, I managed to call my dad since someone else called the police for me. He worked 25 minutes away but showed up less than 10 minutes later. Panicked parents have no concern for traffic laws.

[@2bcYT]

I'm reminded of a story told by Beth Holloway. She learned Natalee was not in the group of students returning to America. Beth and her sister rented a car in Memphis, TN. She was driving to her home in Birmingham, outskirts of Mountain Brook. Beth called the Highway Patrol and requested an escort for her high rate of speed was deemed dangerous. Beth was traveling about 100mph+ on the SE corridor. Then, she followed the escort car to Alabama where the AHP picked her up so that she followed them to her home. Beth had a flight to Aruba. Natalee's father owned a jet, I seem to recall.

[@plspriska]

One time i was at my grandparents house and got hurt. My mom was on the phone with my dad as it happened. He was pulling into our driveway 3 blocks away. My mom said “omg i have to go p got hurt”. When she hung up the phone he was walking through the door. Sometimes the space time continuum rips!! Its crazy.

[@katieh2166]

The dad reminds me of a lot of my family members. My opinion is he just isn’t a good communicator and isn’t thinking about how a statement will make him look because he figures he has nothing to hide.

[@kiral9201]

Yeah, it sort of reminds me of Missy Bevers' father in law bringing a bloody shirt into a dry cleaner. Of course he didn't think about how it made him look, because it wasn't related to the case

[@LilySaintSin]

Yeah, that's what I thought. He's just not super articulate. No judgement, not everyone has the same level of verbal skills. People need to stop jumping to conclusions with no real evidence.

[@LilySaintSin]

@@sethstine4698 How can possibly no that based on a handful of clips from interviews?

[@Catarax28]

I don't agree, the dad says "Her favorite song was..." and then apologizes for using the past verb. How on earth is he so worried about how he comes across on the camera, when his 5 year old is missing? I would be so focused on where my daughter is, if she isn't cold, if she isn't hurting, that I wouldn't have time to think about those things. Seems like he does plenty of thinking about how a statement will make him look, way too much when you remember, his daughter is missing.

[@TheKnoxvicious]

You don’t need to be be articulate to showcase basic human distress. The man showed NONE. People think he’s guilty not because he’s showing his emotions differently but because he just doesn’t seem to give a shit. This has nothing to do with “they’re country people so they act like that.” Living in any kind of environment doesn’t change how someone would feel if their child went missing. They’d still be distress but he’s acting like his dog was the one who went missing. Not to mention as a parent you NEVER give up hope. You hold onto it as tightly as you can no matter how small it is just because you DON’T want your child to have ever suffered. Their lack of concern pisses me the fuck off

[@xlsye23xox55]

Honestly the fact that the father admits to loosing hope and that his mind will wander for a few seconds at a time demonstrates innocence imo. A guilty person wouldn’t admit to that, they would want to seem like a perfect grief stricken father. Like Chris Watts for example.

[@Wishfulthinking-vp6tz]

He had something to do with his daughter missing

[@ryleemadison912]

@@Wishfulthinking-vp6tz Chris watts? Yes. Chris Watts is guilty. And he always tried to portray himself as totally and perfectly struck by grief. In contrast with Don Wells here, who admitted he’s losing hope. Which is why this commenter believes Don is innocent. As he is not trying to uphold some certain fake image, he’s just being honest

[@uncertain_zee]

@@ryleemadison912 there's quite a bit of new information on the dad about his criminal history, as well as both their neglect to their children. I think he might be guilty.

[@roccocatalano1773]

I believe your wrong, the parents definitely did it, in my opinion

[@stephanieg7229]

I don’t get the vibe that the parents had anything to do with it. They seem genuinely just depressed, heartbroken, and disconnected. But not in a put on a show kind of way

[@ashleypeterson460]

This may be an unpopular opinion but I genuinely feel that they are a simple family and have poor communication skills. I feel that they are being honest with themselves and preparing themselves for the worst especially given the fathers experience with his sister never being found. I hope this family is able to get some answers soon ❤️

[@Mama_Bear524]

I agree with you.

[@Diggin4ChangeRacing]

This is exactly right.

[@diy_cat9817]

That's what I get, too. Poor people in the south (forgive me if they aren't poor, but..) get the worst wrap. People from other places see anyone with a southern accent as less intelligent already, let alone if you're low income. Anytime one of these situations happens and you can see the pain in their eyes but then the comments are just full of Deliverance references. Breaks my heart. Simple folk living a simple life. I suspect maybe mom wasn't only gone for 2 minutes and I think it's wild that "there's no way she was abducted, they live so far from the main road!!," is even being entertained. If I had to guess, I'd say mom was gone for closer to half an hour and brothers weren't watching Summer. She went outside and someone scooped her up. It could come out that her parents DID cause her disappearance, but from what I just watched. I find it hard to believe.

[@stefani.m.1987]

@@diy_cat9817 I was getting that vibe as well, just from families I’ve known in parts of rural Indiana. And I also got the vibe that her 2 minutes gone was maybe a bit longer 🙁

[@diy_cat9817]

@@stefani.m.1987 yeah, that's the only part of her story I think is stretched. And I get it. You were gone for half an hour and now your baby is gone. That looks bad on you, even if you did that 100 times before and none of your children have ever been abducted. I don't know that her admitting she was gone longer would help, but I think for peace of mind I'd admit I was gone longer. No lies.

[@lilablue14]

Also him loosing hope isn’t that surprising since most kids who go missing and aren’t found within the first few days end up dead or never found. Especially since her aunt was never found

[@Girlhead]

I agree- it would be very hard for me to be optimistic about finding her at this point. I'd just be a walking shell of a person with no hope at all in anything. If I ever got out of bed.

[@thehousespouse]

He’s probably more biased towards pessimism even because of what happened with the aunt. He’s traumatised.

[@helenahandbasket3016]

@@thehousespouse What happened with an aunt? Was it his sister or his aunt or was it on the mothers side?

[@flowerbabyliz]

It's possible the aunt left on purpose. I don't know the details other than the ones Stephanie mentioned. But in other less known cases of missing adults, where only a car is found, they appear years later with a new family. Since her partner was abusive, I can understand why she would feel disappearing is the only option. She probably also didn't tell her family so he wouldn't target them. Idk though.

[@jamsla2635]

@@helenahandbasket3016 It was gone over in this video. The mothers sister, Summers aunt, went missing & has never been found.

[@emersonmcdaniel2023]

So I'm about 23 minutes in, and I just want to add my own anecdote: I was kidnapped and held hostage by my biological father. When my mom (who was at work) found out, she was at the house (where it was happening) in under 20 minutes. Without traffic it was a 30 minute drive, and with it close to 50. This was middle of the day. I have NO IDEA to this day how she did that, other than her telling me she sped like a demon in hell to get to the house. I'm just saying it's possible Don could have left right after calling 911, and drove like hell back home

[@ChiliSSP]

There’s an interview where he says, “I drove as fast as I could….” Just like you are saying.

[@elliottg4463]

He also might not have been at his main job site. Depending on his type of work he may be working in different places often.

[@bettyir4302]

On another site, someone drove the route and said he could have made it before the cops.

[@samanthamoore8693]

I’m sorry that happened to you. I had the same thoughts about how fast he drove. You’re not going to be “Sunday driving” if your kid is missing!

[@emmagnolia4271]

I agree especially growing up in a similar area, we could easily go over 100 without seeing another soul on the road, super easy to fly home if needed

[@aimeeeeejames]

I can’t believe she is still missing, I pray everyday that she is found safe and I hope this case doesn’t end up going cold

[@chandracox6814]

She's definitely dead.

[@abbiekenyon5942]

Amen and Ah-mein !

[@jameswize9570]

It's cold

[@BirdyMum]

I just want to say as a Counsellor in regards to the dad's pessimistic views that the stages of grief model isn't considered that accurate these days, all stages that may apply to a person are cyclical, there is no right way to grieve, and I think the thoughts of "but what if she doesn't come back" sometimes would be very normal. I don't know if the parents know more than they are saying, but I know that for me, personally, as someone who has experienced a lot of loss and pain in their life I may not have a perfectly optimistic view if my own daughter went missing.

[@cookiemonstersgirl5630]

Well said

[@B-licious619]

I understand but do not agree, I am not educated to where I have a license or degree in any field, but as a new father , if at any point he felt attacked for his word choices, in my opinion he should have addressed that issue at the beginning or ending of this interview if he felt the need to defend this. I just feel for him to have to clarify in the middle of him describing beautiful memories of his daughter makes me feel like he needed sympathy or empathy making the situation about him not Summer.

[@B-licious619]

But I could understand feeling, what if she isn't found, it isn't important about haters or the public criticizing small things, please help me find my baby would be all I would be consuming me and after she's found then tell me how I didn't worry the correct way...

[@Mama_Bear524]

I think he’s just being honest where most aren’t (not blaming them but they’re worried about being judged). I think most feel the same dread. They do imagine the worst. I have a bit of experience with my hubby missing for a day. And other experiences. These ppl just talk straight few filters. I see nothing suspicious.

[@Mama_Bear524]

@@B-licious619 you don’t know because you haven’t been there. When my mom died I went to eat. I was starving. Ppl would’ve judged me if there was a thought she was murdered. Because, how callous right? But no. There’s no one way to deal with trauma.

[@bre0413]

2 weeks of being missing is a long time. I don’t doubt for a second that he is losing hope. You hear all the time that if they aren’t found in the first 48 hours then they are likely dead. He may not be a good speaker, but I don’t think he is completely stupid.

[@kimberlyhood4095]

Exactly and he's watching the search & rescue teams slowly pulling out what's he supposed to think? He's smart enough to face reality and knows this is going to end badly. Poor child may have decided she wanted to find that swimming hole and go back not understanding how far away it was.

[@nesadcruz7840]

Maybe he doesnt want to get his hopes up. 2 weeks is a long time in situations like these. The trail gets cold fast and in this case there are hardly any leads. T

[@meaganmiller2764]

Please do a part 2 on summers case since the interview room has opened up so much more information. Love to know your thoughts now!

[@ashleenicole71]

What exactly was put out?

[@maddiesullivan588]

DCFS has removed the rest of the children from the home.

[@uncertain_zee]

@@ashleenicole71 also Don's criminal history, including SA of his step sister when she was 5 and he was 12.

[@alicealvarez9235]

@@ashleenicole71 christina randall’s channel covers the past of both mom and dad and the boys have been removed from the home

[@cassiep3616]

@@maddiesullivan588 erreeße Ed dddp as àp as a a qqq

[@ashleyesquivel6439]

I’m sorry, something about the parents stories makes me very uncomfortable…. I just feel like something isn’t right there. Especially after knowing the past of Summer’s father.

[@PinKsparkleZz1]

What was his past??? Sorry im barely catching up to this sad story:(

[@baylorsailor]

I think SA might be involved with the father. Maybe 🤔

[@isabelwatts72]

for me, the father saying he had short moments where he would forget actually goes more towards the argument of him telling the truth. Because it is recent, it actually makes sense that he would not yet be psychologically adjusted to his daughter not being there. Plus, I can remember instances where something awful has happened in my life and just for a brief moment it feels like things are the way they used to be but then I remember and its all shite again, I feel like that kind of thing is definitely real and has happened to me before.

[@Amazing_missB]

I know exactly how you feel. I think it’s partially the brain’s way of protecting itself.

[@daniisaurushax]

Yeah plus like why would he openly admit that is he was guilty or knew anything?

[@aldranzam3456]

yep. When people I love have died I'll forget they are dead the very next day just for it to drop again like a bomb in my gut.

[@caseymaree4370]

daniisaurushax that makes no sense. Him forgetting and saying it ,doesn’t mean he isn’t involved. It’s natural to forgot a lost loved one is gone regardless of how they went.

[@cristinajaime361]

Totally agree. My father passed away and there were moments i forgot and didn't think of him and then boom... all comes running back to me like he said.

[@TammyOne-rd9ng]

Can we seriously get a count of missing/ murdered children in just the past year where the parents are involved ?!? This is crazy

[@leahdavis9434]

@Stephanie Ella Unfortunately I strongly suspect it is. Some of the first people I worried for when schools and daycares closed were abused children who now had no escape and no protection

[@mistydawn2717]

@@leahdavis9434 I have to agree with you!! Summer at home was hell I prayed school would start early every year. Not kidding either

[@kjlandon9140]

Roughly 2,000 children die via child abuse every year in the US and most get reported missing at some point and are similar to these more famous cases. It actually used to be higher than 2,000 So it’s not more common at all. For some reason people are just talking about it more My aunt did foster care for almost 30 years and her husband was a detective They said it was almost impossible to get coverage for most missing children until recently if it was family If it was a stranger the media was all over it It’s crazy if you look into it

[@akristen4971]

@@kjlandon9140 exactly TYVM

[@akristen4971]

We see nearly every case now when in past people got away with it more often, IMO

[@Dannielle.S]

Regarding the father “forgetting” for 15 seconds it is completely normal, the brain cannot be at 10/10 stress without it naturally taking breaks. Such as when he wakes up, when he’s distracted by the tv, when one of the other kids asks him to help make a friggin sandwich lol any task can divert the brain to focus elsewhere for a few minutes, and then like he said, it comes flooding back to him. Also, if my young one went missing, I’d have checked everywhere near my home inch by inch, so I’d be frustrated if the police weren’t looking elsewhere too. It would seem like wasting time while she was getting farther away. I think everything is reasonable because we can’t ACTUALLY know how we’d be in this situation unless we’d been thru it, so parents coming up with tons of crazy theories seems rational to me because as an over analyzer, I’d for sure offer any theory I could think of, at least I think I would. Sadly, after this long being missing, she’s likely no longer alive. Praying for her sweet soul, and for swift and severe justice for whomever took her.

[@murfievds]

I agree 100%. Our brains simply can’t be on 10/10 stress all the time. I think those people just aren’t that intelligent with words. Because we would word it differently, doesn’t mean he’s guilty..

[@AJ-tx9me]

I totally agree with this! Well said!

[@caitlynn74]

ghbvbbbb

[@meagen1342]

When my son was stuck in the car, I called the police. They asked me my address and I had to ask the neighbor even though I’ve lived here 3 1/2 years. Being in a panic makes me forget obvious things

[@jessievales8025]

Exactly my thoughts , well said

[@cortneynichols8537]

Wait... if her mother had knee surgery there is NO WAY she was gardening later that day. I garden and there is just no way.

[@maddiesullivan588]

My dad had knee surgery, and couldn’t even do stairs. He could barely walk at all. NO CHANCE she was gardening.

[@Vexic929]

So for the "forgetting" thing, I feel like it's probably like when someone close to you dies. Every once in a while, even the next day, you have a brief moment of "oh I'll go tell them this/I'll call them/I'll visit them" and then it hits you like a freight train that you can't. The fact that they're gone is soul crushing and constantly there but every once in a while your brain has to do a quick reset of that fact.

[@jennoiler8439]

Agreed. My dad has been gone for over 6 years now but I still find my brain trying to make excuses about why he’s not around (he’s at work, he’s out of town, he’s at the store). My brain definitely tries to rationalize the pain.

[@paulad.patterson4732]

20+ dogs on the property, 5 other family members on the property, property on a gravel road out in the middle of nowhere on top of a hill and yet the child goes missing in minutes and no one hears a damn thing?

[@deeriggs3319]

Yes.. gravel is loud and the dogs woulda went off if somebody came up.. I grew up on a place like this and we knew the instant somebody came around

[@baby5968]

I just started this video.. but they seriously have 20 dogs???

[@evaaat2650]

my spidey senses are going haywire with this family and case

[@michaelaxx8149]

20+ dogs?! What in the world??😳

[@mrss395]

EXACTLY!!!! Makes no sense! The parents know something-their timeline doesn’t add up!!! Suspicious

[@michaelmoore499]

When my mom died in a tragic accident I would forget for a few seconds and then it would come rushing back. Waking up in the morning sucked pretty bad. Your like "oh yeah, shes really gone, isn't she?" Everyone processes things differently. Not saying they don't know something but I definitely get the difficulties with dealing with your minds problems with reality during trauma.

[@abelis644]

I'm so sorry for your loss and I agree completely, I too have that "2 minutes" of forgetting sometimes. I think it's the brain taking a little break. Be safe.

[@laneytowle7612]

I relate to this tremendously. Thank you 💕

[@farfallinaazzurra5318]

@@abelis644 it's been happening to me for ages, especially the waking up thing

[@carriecollinsmusic2894]

Does anyone else LOVE watching Stephanie make coffee?

[@darrylg3861]

No

[@Xyzjro]

​@@darrylg3861☠️

[@Touchofaweepingangel]

“She walked outside” could easily turn into “she went for a walk”

[@angelina7317]

Thank u! Exactly what I thought

[@joceelee]

Exactly

[@Investigativebean]

Agreed. Especially if that was the dispatch from Don’s call specifically, and he was just relaying what Candus said. They also call her a 4 year old. I can see Dad forgetting that she has already turned 5. My own dad did that all the time 🙄 Not saying it’s good parenting. Just that it isn’t nefarious.

[@summermarie6670]

@@Investigativebean agreed my dad was pretty infamous for that he told everyone I was 18 for years even when I wasn’t. I dont think that’s a suspicious part honestly

[@cheycheyfriend247]

Dispatch is notorious for getting details like that mixed up

[@jacksmedullaoblongata7659]

Don is a contractor, "at work" can be he was at a jobsite, not necessarily at the main office

[@heidiho5179]

Great point! For the yuppies in the crowd…just kidding.

[@meganlyb83]

He did say to the 911 operator that he was already on his way home. So, he could have been halfway home by the time he called.

[@qaetoids]

it's also worth thinking about that when I'm driving fast I can get anywhere in half the time my GPS says and I'm sure if his child was missing he did the same

[@cheycheyfriend247]

@@qaetoids oh exactly, i had a major injury and called my boyfriend and he made a 45 minute drive into a 20 minute drive just by speeding. love is a powerful thing

[@scrossman27]

Where is everyone getting this "contractor" job description? He literally worked for Walmart an hour away. He was a bike builder, basically. His "jobsite" was (according to Google maps at like the 5 minute mark) 39 minutes from his house.

[@danadrewmichelle13]

I will say that I live in the middle of no where Tennessee and when my husband and I had someone attempting to break in, it took 45 minutes for officers to show up. It takes FOREVER. So the dad saying he got home first is highly probable

[@desertlover5027]

You're right. I used to live in a rural area in NC and saw a motorcycle hit a deer one morning throwing him off. He was laying unconscious in the road. My son immediately called 911 and the ambulance arrived and took him away before LE ever showed up.

[@ChanaRo613]

Plus, even if it was a "39 minute drive" under normal circumstances, I'm sure if my kid was missing I would be breaking ALL the speed limits on my way home and get home in record time.

[@SassyCactus86]

If they had more money they would have been listened to more. It’s so easy for media and law enforcement to pass judgment on people with lesser means.

[@sunniegb]

The video of Summer sleeping is not suspicious AT ALL. You can hear her mom ask, “Is her arm still up?” When the grandmother says no, Candice says, “Oh, that’s what I was trying to catch.” I take this to mean Summer’s arm was wrapped around the milk jug and her mom thought she looked cute sleeping that way and wanted a video of it.

[@haileymac9040]

Exactly. I feel in this case some people are reaching with the things they're pointing out as suspicious. I think it's just a small town family who is frazzled and trying to come to terms with the fact they might not see their daughter again.

[@AmiRa-wj9jt]

May you be right, I have a different opinion on this.

[@nikkivenable3700]

@@AmiRa-wj9jt What do you think happened?

[@sunniegb]

@@AmiRa-wj9jt like maybe they “posed” her? I didn’t think of that, but I still feel like she just looked cute hugging a jug of milk and her mom wanted to capture that moment.

[@suzannenichols6900]

I have a problem thinking that a child would feel comfortable sleeping with herself cuddling some milk jugs. 😳I think she was injured and the milk jugs were being used to help with the bruise or something like that. Sorry, I don't mean to be accusing the mom falsely but there's something wrong with her story and there's no way I'm believing Summer was comfortably cuddling milk jugs. I did hear the dialogue that went on around that scene and that did sort of set me to thinking that maybe there was a cute pose that the mom was trying to catch but I still feel there's something odd about that shot and that whole thing felt like a setup.

[@MorbidKat]

It definitely wasn't "2 minutes ".I do the same thing though: my daughter scribbles on the wall and I say "Omg I turned my back for ONE SECOND! " but nah, I'd been sitting on the pot watching a true crime video for 10 minutes!

[@mixedviews3536]

I think “walk” meant “get high”. Which would explain why she stated she doesn’t walk anywhere and why 2 minutes may have actually been 10.

[@MyBelgianAzzy]

Xd I'm not all the way through, so I apologize if this is answered later in the video, but what information or material gives you the impression she was using drugs during the period of time Summer initially went missing?

[@idol7351]

@@MyBelgianAzzy she has 420 tattooed on her upper arm (homemade type) and is known to enjoy pot

[@Investigativebean]

True story. She already says that she isn’t good with recalling times, and that “time gets away from you when you are trying to have fun.”

[@Investigativebean]

Also, I would imagine that she probably didn’t walk summer “all the way to the porch.” I would venture that she ran between the homes all the time with no issue. They’re not far away.

[@sunniegb]

In regards to innocent parents speaking in past tense about their missing children- I see it as they are explaining the way the child “was” when he/she was at home. Obviously, this is not their present reality so they speak in past tense. I pray she is found safe and brought home to her family soon!

[@evilangel2918]

Thank you!! I've thought of this so many times. When ur child is possibly being raped, tortured, starved, scared, murdered, you are gona feel weird saying, " she is a very happy girl. She is always smiling." Etc. B/c you *know* whatever she *was* before she probly isn't *now* & when I talk about my kids, if I'm talking about something she did when she was little or younger, I say, "she was so cute" "you were so funny" etc.

[@brittneyhutchinson1404]

Yep me too , everyone so fast to Jump on every little thing someone says

[@meganlyb83]

Thank you! I agree with this so much! Any time you are speaking of a time that is not the present, it makes sense to speak in past tense.

[@MissyRichmond]

If anything like this happened to me, I’d be crucified. I’ve a habit of speaking in past tense “was” even if the person is right in front of me. I’m also constantly shaking my head no when I’m telling the truth.😩

[@Mama_Bear524]

I fully agree. I hate ppl’s over analyzing

[@tailorforeman7082]

I often find myself "taking breaks from your channel" b/c it is emotionally taxing. However, I LOVE you videos while I'm studying because your voice is truly calming but after a month break here I am again. Thank you Stephanie for what you do for these children!

[@caninecastleddc]

My dad committed suicide and 16 days later my husband almost died from a heart condition we didn’t know he had. I kept thinking I needed to call my dad and then it would hit me all over again that I couldn’t. So I kind of understand how you can forget for brief moments that someone is gone. Then it floods back in like a kick in the gut. It’s been over a year now and it still happens when I go to text him or find something he’ll enjoy and then I remember all over again that he’s gone. It’s a weird thing. Like your brain tries to protect you from the grief and horror. It’s easy to say what you would do or think in the circumstances until you are actually living those circumstances. Your brain can’t handle constant distress like that. It need breaks.

[@Birdsarecoolunlikeyou]

This comment is so on point!! My mom passed in March, and I totally understand!!! It comes in waves like they say. Certain things make you think you want to call your loved ones, it hits you like a brick when you can’t call! My condolences to all hurting!

[@caninecastleddc]

@Holli SakuraSunshine stay strong. I’m so sorry you have to deal with this. I wish I could tell you it gets better but it’s more like you learn to live with it. It does get to where it’s not the only thing in your mind and not the first think you think of every day. You can do this. Your dad would be so proud of you for staying sober. You’re doing a great job. Keep going my friend. My heart is with you.

[@caninecastleddc]

@@Birdsarecoolunlikeyou this is crazy but my last name is Salyers too!! I’m so sorry you are dealing with a great loss too.

[@M0msspaghettii]

I'm so sorry to you all for your losses. 💔

[@gabriellahedarv1782]

I know what you mean. My dad passed on November 18 2020 and I often find myself thinking “I should ask dad what he thinks about this”, and then it hits me again that I never will be able to. It just can’t be at the front of your mind all the time.

[@Tornado77700]

IPlaying devil's advocate: If the mother, grandmother, and Summer were out early at a store. It's possible that someone saw Summer swimming and followed???

[@heidiho5179]

Good point. I would think they would have noticed but with kids in the car or if you’re hot and tired, you never know.

[@brandi6087]

Oh good point. I didn't think of that. I commented above somewhere I just don't think this family could have done something and got rid of all evidence in a matter of hours. Your scenario seems very possible to me.

[@aprillester3212]

I really can’t believe that I mean I can but at the same time nobody will talk about their child in past tense unless they’re ready not hare

[@aprillester3212]

I really can’t believe that I mean I can but at the same time nobody will talk about their child in past tense unless they’re ready not alive

[@Tornado77700]

@@brandi6087 there are so many children and women who go missing. I know with the internet we hear more quickly and more often anout missing people. The increase in missing people has risen significantly. Human trafficking could possibly be the cause. Think how often there are stories of cars marked in parking lots, women followed in stores. If the mother and grandmother were talking they might not have noticed being followed.

[@SuperMandi11]

I think this perfectly shows how people will nit pick over every little thing. They let Summer have bodily autonomy by shaving her head and that's a red flag. Candus doesn't do the interview and they're suspicious. She does the interview and they're suspicious. It's MADDENING. I'm neurodivergent and I know for a fact I wouldn't act how people think I should if this were to happen to me.

[@SuperMandi11]

@@heatherh4100 Right?? people want to be able to solve the case and be like "HA! I KNEW IT!" and that is so damaging. Sometimes we need to take a step back and just watch.

[@MScrista24]

Same

[@jenniferfarmer8615]

Well when Candice did the interview she did in fact use past tense when referring to Summer she said she was the angel and blessing of my life notice how she used she was and not she is and she referred to her daughter as her I miss her she was very sweet do you see the word she's using as in past tense that's the only thing that throws up major red flags to me she was I miss her she is sweet

[@crystalh450]

@@jenniferfarmer8615 I agree with you on the past tense thing being the only item that bothered me. The haircut thing doesn't seem suspicious to me if her entire family had short hair and she was outside being a tomboy. The guy even comments on the fact that people are upset with him using past tense and then the pair of them continued to do it even after they acknowledge that. I don't know whether to think this makes them look more guilty or less because I wonder if they just assume she is dead because it is a coping mechanism. Who knows? Maybe this is why I don't have a job profiling people but it is kind of fun to speculate and see if you are right. I am interested to see the outcome if they ever solve this and I hope that little girl is somewhere safe, though it seems less likely the longer she is missing.

[@looold7412]

@@jenniferfarmer8615i definitely agree it’s weird but i still just don’t think that’s a good enough reason for random people on the internet to be accusing a family who just lost their child of murdering her, it’s terrible how they’re treating them, let the detectives do their jobs and just observe and provide information if needed

[@DesTCAllday]

This case is so weird and I’m extremely upset that it’s gone cold. There used to be an interview here on YT that showed the property, Candace’s house and the “room” that Summer lived in… which was more like a moldy dungeon. The interview video was deleted from YT last time I checked - super sketchy.

[@HailDanielle]

It’s possible her mother is just lying about certain details so she isn’t frowned upon and torn apart by the media. Maybe she was gone from the home when Summer went missing and is just feeling guilty about that

[@molly3713]

honestly I think this is a really good point, especially with the classism already surrounding the case

[@ellavaughan1788]

This is a great point. As a Tennessean, I can say that a lot of the things the mother has been saying are pretty typical for parents in the area. Also, the classism in this case is bad enough that I wouldn’t be surprised if the parents were afraid of being labeled negligent.

[@221BBakerStreet]

"Maybe" isn't evidence in a court of law. You can speculate until the cows come home, won't necessarily make it true.

[@HailDanielle]

@@221BBakerStreet I never implied that maybe was evidence in a court of law. I was simply stating what could be. This video you just watched is literally someone making speculations about the case.

[@221BBakerStreet]

@@HailDanielle The difference is that YOUR speculation points directly to the mother's guilt and or negligence when there is no concrete evidence she did anything wrong. You suggested that she a) lied b) is feeling guilty c) was gone from the home. I'm just fed up with people trying to pin her disappearance on her mother.

[@salad1224]

Can we just assume that the parents are not involved until there are concrete clues that lead to the parents??? How awful to pick apart everything these people do and accuse them of something awful, without proof, as they are dealing with a missing child. People online really take things to far. You could be the perfect mother or father, with video proof that your are innocent and people online will still pick you apart at your most valuable, traumatic moments and claim you have something to do with your missing kid. Please give these parents a break until more stuff comes out. They have plenty to deal with already.

[@valleygirl2530]

Shelly Hall - I assume now that they’re both going to amend their versions AGAIN about what really happened to Summer that week of 6/14. It’s taken the couple over 2 weeks to get their stories straight and to strongly appeal to the public for any kind of valid evidence or tips to help find Summer. Their overall behavior doesn’t fit with their conflicting statements. I’m not able to trust either of them - WHAT IS THE TRUTH ??

[@cheycheyfriend247]

@@valleygirl2530 they don't have to tell the truth to you. Just LE.

[@cheycheyfriend247]

@@valleygirl2530 you aren't entitled to the truth tbh.

[@shawnmaguire1491]

Wow. So the moms changing story and the dad referring to her in the PAST tense AND the lack of emotion is ok? You would have to take me down with an ELEPHANT tranquilizer to get me to STOP looking for her.

[@alaskangal1973]

Yes......Let the professionals do their jobs!!

[@666ydney]

i think it's reasonable that the dad WOULD say he's losing hope! i know that's not what everyone wants to hear, but maybe he's just being honest and the way he expresses himself might make people uncomfortable, but make perfect sense to him. 1. everyone references the fact that the first 48 hours in a missing child case are crucial. the more time passes, the more likely it is that the kid is not coming home alive. is he not allowed to have that thought? maybe he thinks it's realistic and doesn't necessarily want to get his hopes up; he said it's things like his sister going missing that MAKE HIM lose hope, not that he already has. maybe that's the reality he sees because 2. his sister literally never came back. he has experience with people who... went missing... and never came back. so why is it so shocking or suspicious that he would lose hope about another family member coming back when it literally already happened to him?? i think the parents just don't express their emotions in the most eloquent way. some people are raised to push down their emotions and hide them, for example. and people have mentioned that the "forgetting" thing the dad said could be a completely normal trauma response and i agree.

[@jenellebelle9828]

Thank you!! I agree with everything you say about the father!! I think sometimes the public has a very rigid idea of how someone should respond to the trauma of a missing child. I only get suspicious of a parents if what they’re saying doesn’t match the facts (or if their behavior is especially outrageous, like Casey Anthony). Otherwise, I feel kind of slimy trying to analyze their trauma response and whether or not it is valid. If they make a statement about how they feel, and people respond, “Oh I wouldn’t feel that way”... that doesn’t necesssarily mean anything. Dissecting whether or not you would possibly forget about what happened for as brief a period as 15 seconds if you were in a particular situation just seems like pointless over-analyzing of something so subjective.

[@flowerbabyliz]

Exactly. I've met people who are just nonchalant about everything too. It seems like there is no 'right' way to react to missing people. There was a dad who's wife and baby went missing. In the video he is struggling and is obviously trying to cope by telling positive memories of his wife. The comment section made him out to be a bad guy when he was completely innocent. If you dont cry, you're sus and if you cry then it's not believable enough.

[@666ydney]

@@jenellebelle9828 exactlyyyyy. like yeah, he could be lying and that's unfortunate, but the human experience is so vast. there are 7 billion people on this planet, each with their own subjective life experiences and personalities... generalizations can be made about some things, but ultimately we just don't know what's going on in another person's head, and we can't expect them to act a certain way just because we would.

[@666ydney]

@@flowerbabyliz ugh, i hate that. if you're under scrutiny online, nothing is ever good enough. like you said: if you cry it's bad, if you don't cry it's bad 😒 i watch a lot of true crime vids and in cases where it's known that the family member is innocent, i've found myself focusing on their language and imagining if they HAD been a suspect. i've definitely heard innocent parents of missing kids speak in the past-tense about them, for example. there really is no definite way to decipher between innocent people and guilty ones in situations like that, it sucks to see people throw accusations around so casually.

[@ChanaRo613]

Plus, he was very clear about not thinking the authorities are doing a good job in the search...he wants them to search people's basements, and they can't do it at this point, so he's frustrated by their inability to do the ONE THING he feels would be helpful. I'm sure that adds to his sense of pessimism and hopelessness.

[@michellecoyne6665]

I binge watch this channel so often. Her humor along with her story telling/reporting skills are such a treat!

[@aprilgeewhiz3814]

When my son was 2 years old he decided to go find his Uncle Art. We felt he was just gone for 3 minutes. That kid went 6 blocks! He was gone for probably 15 minutes until the police found him (he went to a house and they called police right after we did) worst 15 minutes of my life. I cannot imagine what this family is going through. We need to be very sensitive to their feelings.

[@sherrikins3557]

My daughter hid at the store when she was 4. She hid in the rack of clothes. I almost lost it. They shut the store down (Kids r Us clothing store in the 90s) the clerk found her. My mind was in a very dark place very quickly. She thought it was fun to hide. Yep, they do that. But also other things can happen.

[@graciejolin]

as a tennessean, i can say our whole state feels like family. it’s absolutely heartbreaking when we can’t find someone who’s missing, but especially someone so close to home. i’ll be praying for her.

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

Gracie Jo • A fellow Tennesseean here, and I echo everything you said.

[@nadjaannabel1]

@@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043 How do you as locals feel about the parents?

[@catseatcookiessofiagacha5210]

Praying for all of you 💕💞💓

[@Automalice]

i've only visited once (from the UK) when my sister was studying there and honestly i couldn't agree more with your comment. Southern Hospitality is a huge mindset in Tennessee and the people are so warm. Awful that there are the few bad eggs out there that have to break the peace

[@LaLaLonna]

Same, I'm all the way over here in Nashville but I feel for this family I hope the truth comes out

[@EpiphanysFaithPolitics]

Having treated trauma victims/survivors the dads statements about forgetting lines up if the event traumatized him. As forgetting is a symptom of trauma as your mind uses this method to protect itself.

[@lauren9004]

I was thinking like this too. I feel like it’s slightly unfair judgement

[@savannamark4345]

Yeah forgetting is also a symptom of taking Xanax and other Benson. Which u can tell they are on and is a commonly abused drug in boozy creek...I know cuz I from 15 mins away. Ppl around here think the girl is dead or sold due to there reputation with the ppl around here.

[@reddishf0x237]

i have been treated and treated others for cPTSD and i can agree with this.

[@tracilord4854]

Or a sign of being GUILTY

[@zeealo]

I have c-ptsd and this is absolutely correct.

[@peppapotato]

I just lost my kitty two months ago. She was my whole little world. Forgetting in grief is something I have to do or it consumes me. And floods me and fades. In minutes or hours or days. You are caught up in things, have to eat, brush your teeth... so to me, this makes so much sense personally.

[@squidney_ink]

As someone who lives in Virginia, specifically in an area with very similar terrain to where Summer went missing, it can be very easy to go missing or (on a darker note) hide a body. And if the area has scavengers such as coyotes and vultures any remains would be extremely difficult to find, especially those of a five year old...all this being said I hope Summer comes home safe and my heart hurts for the friends and family who love Summer

[@bigfishbunny77]

When my daughter was 2, I lost her for a minute at a park. I thought about calling the police but called my mother instead. Then I found my daughter. It's hard to decide if you are being a concerned parent or over reacting.

[@samanthafortner1]

Same thing. My daughter was walking a friend home when she was 8. After a few minutes I called out for her and no answer. I can see her friends house from the road. So I got into my car while 7 months pregnant and husband deployed crying screaming and called my dad who calmed me down and told me to call the cops. I was so lost at that moment that calling the cops didn't even pop into my head.

[@kim2823]

I agree, it's like when they're ill, am I overreacting if I call the doctor etc. Sometimes certain situations are such tough calls to make😬

[@AllTheCloudsArePink]

I've been disgusted by the poor shaming and classism surrounding this case

[@TheZombifiedFairy]

Exactly.

[@jenniferlane9000]

Same..I live in rural NC..I don't live like that, but know a lot who do. It doesn't mean they love or care for their children any less.

[@soupluv]

Appalachia is always criticized just by being what it is. There’s nothing wrong with it, but the culture is different. I feel like that’s where the suspicion is coming from , maybe their approach is unfamiliar?

[@meverly4133]

I grew up in rural Appalachia. I can't say whether the parents are guilty or innocent, but they are frankly a fairly typical working class family in the rural south. They could have been any of my neighbors. I didn't find their background to be startling at all, nor their mannerisms suspicious. There could be drugs and alcohol involved, which may make them evasive or bad parents, but not guilty of killing their child.

[@jadajohnson5733]

Same here. A lot of my friends are southern and I'm planning on moving with some of my southern friends to a state in the south and the stereotypes we already get is trifling.

[@candlekrazedgirlie1037]

It doesn’t bother me that dad said for 20-25 seconds he forgets. He has other kids and wife to be there for and support and grief can sucker punch you. I used to forget my dad died after I lost him , and then wham it felt like a blow to my gut out of nowhere.

[@SjofnBM1989]

I agree. My mother passed suddenly (she'd been ill but we didn't expect her to leave us so quickly) and I forget all the time, especially immediately after it happened. My sister too. Mom used to bring her coffee every morning and she told me for weeks after she'd wake up and think "Oh Mom will be here soon." And then remember she was gone

[@kitssewingkit]

Same, my grandmother died back in January, and I would sometimes just sort of forget. Obviously different situations, but the brain has weird ways of dealing with trauma.

[@ginadipippo1629]

I'm not trying to be a jerk but IF by chance the parents are on 'medication', I'm not judging, but that could also make it easier to occasionally forget for a few seconds, and it's also probably a survival mechanism for the brain to temporarily forget during times of extreme grief. And when you're used to someone being in your life all the time it can be difficult for the reality that they are suddenly gone to sink in. But on the other end of the spectrum Dad also refers to Summer in the past tense a lot, and with an uncomfortable sense of certainty.

[@lynsayrooney7753]

When I was 4 , I walked out of my nursery school ( pre school in the US) They left the fire escape door open due to it being summer , it took them 4 hours to notice I hadn't returned from the Bathroom .I was later found in a park 11 miles away ! No one thought to stop me ask why I was walking alone . Nothing ! It's madness I'm glad I was found safe I know this doesn't happen for other kids x no distance is far enough to look for a missing child in my opinion

[@ellamayoxoxo9510]

I feel like the family is being treated so poorly because they’re “simple folk” This is a blatant case of classism in my book. Summer was beloved by her entire family, she was the baby of the family. If she was killed, I don’t think it was on purpose not by her own family. I wanna know more about this “H” … 🤨 they’re making him into this mysterious figure

[@notasuccubus7439]

Solved! Blame it on the pot smoking simpletons, case closed

[@caseymaddox435]

Trial by media.. that shit pisses me off. Bc it is very, very real

[@notasuccubus7439]

@@caseymaddox435 there are so many layers here...of details and then judgement. That long interview they did sitting outside....i challenge anyone to sit in the TN heat for that long and be normal! In all seriousness though, I really feel like theyre being judged unfairly for things that'd either be minimized or covered up if same thing happened in a wealthy community

[@kristin5035]

I saw on another channel that H is Hunter and he is Candus’ friend’s son.

[@Nopee906]

@@KateBee123 just because someone has a record doesn't automatically mean they're guilty of killing their children. Do you understand what kind of disgusting logic that is? Hypothetically (not specifically this case BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW) a mother who was an alcoholic. In and out of jail and rehab before having kids. Had a kid, got cleaned up, and then the kid gets kidnapped. If she was found immediately guilty and that kid was actually kidnapped by a serial killer? What then? Situations like that happen. Where police hone in on the easiest suspect without actually doing their job. Evidence proves a case. Not a record.

[@ariellelillian8644]

The biggest tell to me is that people who are guilty try to cry -- her dad is trying *not to.*

[@mentalalchemy4819]

Agreed. There were some sketchy members of their church that were supposedly spending time with the children. I don’t think the parents did anything, but (I believe) let the wrong people around their children (I think summer was led away by someone she knew), and maybe be a little neglectful. I feel bad they have to go through this, and be accused.

[@sineadking1824]

That doesn’t make them innocent. It may have been accidental. They clearly know she’s gone because they constantly use past tense. They even used a very similar tell to Chris Watts, when asked if she’s in school “This was supposed to be her first year”. Supposed to be, meaning no longer feasible. She’s dead, they know it because they’re involved.

[@mentalalchemy4819]

@@sineadking1824 that interview was taken two weeks after and very religious people are more likely to believe their child would be better off in heaven. Just playing devils advocate (for lack of a better term), though I do believe parents are innocent of harming their daughter.

[@gabipassantino7239]

THIS!!!!!!!!! can't emphasize enough. especially him looking or being a slightly older man, growing up being told not to show emotions and being in prison I bet its hard, they are still suffering just not shown publicly the way everyone wants.

[@gabipassantino7239]

@@sineadking1824 I totally understand thinking that way, however some people (including me) have the mindset of expect nothing and you won't be disappointed. in some way to them maybe, talking and thinking that there is no doubt she will come home and is alive might will make it hurt much worse if the latter happens. I hope they aren't involved, I don't really get that vibe from them, but even though they talk like that, im sure they are suffering together and doing all they can and hoping she comes home. and saying it was supposed to be her first year, I get because it happened so close to school starting and its already been 2 weeks, if she is alive she probably won't be found for a little bit longer and would maybe need time off school to recover. so saying it that way isn't really indicative of her being dead, just that she's not experiencing what every other 5 yo is/will be. just my take though, I hope you're wrong, I hope everything is okay. so heart breaking.

[@Mykidsaresmarterthanyours]

In the area where they live... There is no "rush hour" traffic... No city traffic.... So if he left as soon as she called and flew like a bat outta hell... he was probably there in 15 min

[@moanathecat4664]

Not really. He works in Jonesborough. So he would probably take the interstate to get home.

[@moanathecat4664]

56 min. Have to get on I 26

[@tiffanyheatherly3255]

I made it from Tennessee to Laceys spring al which is over an hour away in actual traffic in 22 min it was an hour drive! I did over 100 all the way there ran red lights stop signs the whole 9 to get to my sisters! It’s possible

[@Mykidsaresmarterthanyours]

@@tiffanyheatherly3255 ... I've done a similar drive as well... highly possible. Although I do not believe the mother 100%, the fact that the dad could get home in 15 min is probable.

[@cg6314]

He's a contractor too so we don't know exactly where he was working. Likely not even at the office

[@hightopv1352]

I understand what her Dad meant. The days following my dog passing, I knew he was gone but there were moments I caught myself "forgetting" or not thinking about him. As soon as I realized this, the emotions would come rushing back in. There are moments I guess your brain suppresses to help you cope with things. I hope they find her soon.

[@Elvoalven]

Summer’s mother seems a little out of it to me. Maybe it’s medication for some kind of health issue, but I feel like she’s slurring her words and her eyes are half-closed the entire time.

[@amesie9384]

I agree Mr. Mercury

[@minuscaps]

I believe she has addiction issues.

[@BeerElf66]

Could be addiction, could be sedatives from the Dr, since she has to sleep and take care of the other three kids. That doesn't bother me as much as I wonder whether they have dogs? If they had dog's then why no noise if a stranger came and snatched Summer away?

[@TheStar798]

True, but looking at her mouth and facial muscles she could also have Bells Palsy 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@jeff3040]

Those are opiate eyes

[@hannahmartin7334]

Personally, I'm wondering if she was taken by a family friend or neighbors. Someone who knows the area and the family's habits, and knows Summer so that she would feel safe going with them. The parents might be guilty, theres definitely some strange things going on here, but the behavior in the interview doesn't look guilty at all to me. As far as i can tell, that interview was done ~14 days after Summer disappeared. For people judging how they're acting, imagine what 14 days of your child being missing would do to you. Are you sleeping and eating? Are you crying every day? (Plus those parents have been out looking for her in the southern heat.) By 2 weeks, you're not going to still be in hysterics, because no matter how you feel, you are gonna be so emotionally and physically exhausted by then. And thats how those parents look to me. After two weeks and not a *single* sign, how could they not feel like they have no hope of seeing her again? I don't blame them for talking in past tense about her. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd rather assume they're innocent now instead of adding onto their pain with all of these accusations. If they're guilty, justice will prevail and there will be plenty of time to scrutinize them later.

[@GiGi2O11]

You have NO IDEA how a particular person will or won't behave two weeks in. Even if you experienced this same thing firsthand, you can't say what the next person would do.

[@marysupernova7780]

I'm a little more skeptical of the people around the family than i can be of the family itself, based on what actual evidence & behavior there has been to date. I hope this poor baby is okay wherever she is, and i wish there was more we as the public could do to help. The Unmasked interview with H's mom was.... Odd. I don't find a former friend with complicated small-town beef to be a credible source for info that attests to the mother's character. Back in the day, i kept company that wanted to wrap me into their lies & shifty plans, i was young and less confident & just didn't know how to respectfully break off "friendships" with users. Especially if i had emotional bonds with their kids. I cut a lot of them off abruptly when i got pregnant with my own. 5 years later, I'm sure a few of those women would be happy to capitalize on my child's suffering to get attention, maybe a few bucks, but most importantly to lock in a few digs at me & drag their baby daddies. Maybe she was honest, maybe she wasn't, but it reminded me of people I've met and it seemed to me like finding Summer wasn't her first, or even second motive in speaking on Candus. I know they love their church family and feel close to God among them, but they all really need to be looked at. Summer was so friendly and social with everyone there... Child abusers often make their way into the parent's circle of trust, then move on to getting their future victims to trust and like them as much as possible 😞 it's more likely than they wanna believe it to be. They'd know where their house is, what they all do. For all we know, maybe at service they all prayed for Grandma Candus' knee procedure to go well that fateful morning & that's how someone knew when to lie in wait.

[@1972dsrai]

Considering the window of opportunity, it makes the possibility of whoever took Summer, if that is the case, it being someone who knows her and also possibly lives locally. Being such a rural area it makes it more unlikely that it would be a passing stranger as theres no reason for anyone to be there.

[@cheycheyfriend247]

@@1972dsrai there's 40 sex offenders in their area. I definitely think it was a neighbor

[@Fay_F_2]

@@cheycheyfriend247 me too I think some neighbor or someone who was watching them I get a male figure in my vision is responsible . I know the parents were a bit off not all there but I don’t think they are totally responsible

[@brandybeans7653]

I get a sense that the neighbors should be looked at more closely.

[@kristyallman4161]

Me too that’s my gut feeling. Many people “loved” Summer at church.

[@shaney215]

That’s another good point…

[@ariaaa_g]

Absolutely! I don’t rembeber the name of a girl, but a child was held for hours at the neighbour’s house. If the police came an hour later, she would be dead. It’s a very recent case.

[@mattDettling]

The mother is drugged or has a brain injury for sure . I personally believe that summer drowned

[@sophiasdreamquinnblue8977]

@@mattDettling me too. I don't think she made it home that day she went to the river.

[@Brandon-a-writer]

As Some Guy once said, before you look at outlaws, look at in-laws.

[@kali8255]

I really appreciate your unbiased and non-judgmental view of this case. It's refreshing especially when other true crime you tubers have such strong views and try to push their narrative. Love you Stephanie. I really enjoy all your videos.

[@StephanieHarlowe]

Thanks so much!

[@AllTheCloudsArePink]

@@StephanieHarlowe I wanted to reply somewhere where you might see it but I have PTSD. My mind blocks out strange things in strange ways. I managed to block out that a dear friend of mine was tortured to death for years and it all came running back one day. Not too long ago I couldn't remember my grandfather's name who raised me for years. I don't judge anyone for forgetting in her dad's case like he said it happened.

[@beanmachine917]

These poor parents, especially her mother. I can just feel that these two are emotionally drained, they’re tired. I don’t think the family had anything to do with her disappearance, they seem to truly love Summer and want her home.

[@LovingAtlanta]

😞I hope you’re right & I hope I’m wrong…but my heart, soul & mind says…Summer’s whole entire family including her brothers are ALL persons of interest! Someone in that family knows who caused Summer’s disappearance!😡

[@cheycheyfriend247]

@@LovingAtlanta lol i mean people would say the same about you

[@LovingAtlanta]

@@cheycheyfriend247 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@FSOKrYpTo]

Referring to Dons time discrepancy I feel like this needs to be said. My wife and kids got into a vehicle accident in Fort smith AR, I was in Panama OK when she called me and I arrived to the accident before emergency responders. Its not hard to believe that he made it back that quick especially if he was as scared as I would be

[@leannefrost.4006]

In the fourth grade my mom,sisters, and I were in a severe car accident. They didn’t know if my mom would make it. We were four hours from home. My dad was at work and he made it in a hour and a half tops. So I agree with your theory.

[@qassandraable]

He probably had pedal to the metal the whole way home.

[@ssb4020]

I agree. I had to get a flight for life going into preterm labor and my husband made it to the hospital before we got there and we left the other hospital at the same time. His sister said he was going over 100mph cuz she was with him. He made a 35 minute drive in 11 minutes... so I don't doubt he made it home before the police.

[@Queen_of_Hearts-Sharnell]

I also just heard the dispatch conversation, and the police gathered together at Mt Carmel baptist church before they headed to the house, and they were worried about dogs, and so I am pretty sure that search and rescue rally before they even left the church took time. They were gathering all the police force from pretty remote locations, also, is my guess. But I am just learning about this. All this to say, I think Don flew there. I have a lot of opinions that I just don’t have answers for yet. I heard there is a super sleuths group that I am going to go look up so I can read the buzz. I don’t want to be stupid and settle on any opinions until I know facts.

[@emilycorby8997]

Little kids can really wander quite far. My Nan always told a story about my Dad as a toddler. He would be playing in the backyard and then climb the fence and walk to the corner store. The man at the store would give him a little paper bag of lollies to keep him busy while he called my Nan and let her know where he was. The bad thing was because he kept getting lollies it reinforced his behaviour so he would continue to do it lol. This is 50+ years ago in a small rural town.

[@jennjeffs4893]

I hate the "past tense" talking that people tend to focus on. Not everyone is well spoken or has proper Grammer & it's just the way they speak.

[@aliciamarcel3620]

I Know. I always talk about people in present tense like my paw that passed away. I cant help it. I have a hard time letting go

[@ohyeahoh693]

This. I hate this so much. If my brother moved out of state I would probably refer to him in a past tense manner knowing fully he just wasn’t around me all the time anymore.

[@styphlynne8253]

True that. And America will always turn to the parents first. These guys haven't received more negativity than thousands of other missing children's parents do. Statistically Candus' social media will hang herself

[@marymary20]

Ridiculous

[@styphlynne8253]

Right? The way they live & speak along with Terrible family planning does not make them murderers. In fact Summer always has a bow in her hair/head, adorable dresses, and big smile. Imagining Candus loved her best she knew how.

[@katiechisholm]

Stephanie, I’m with you…I have NO idea what to think about this case. I’m getting such mixed signals from her parents. Wow. 😵‍💫

[@MelissaModsMetal]

I too keep going back n forth with what I think happened to her

[@janewalls169]

Me too! I can't get any vibes!

[@joeakaprolifik7735]

@@janewalls169 I’m getting too many vibes !!and keep chopping and changing my thoughts ,I’m not on fb or ig though I’ve seen some wtf theories/comments 🤦‍♀️im in 🇬🇧and summer has touched my heart I’m. 🙏she’s found safe 💔

[@katiechisholm]

I’m fairly intuitive and I, too, get gut feelings when I’m researching a case but I don’t have one solid gut feeling about this one. I don’t sense any negative vibes from her dad, so if this is was an “inside job,” the dad definitely didn’t do it. If his wife or anyone else in the family did it, I’m guarantee you the dad has no idea they were involved. He seems sincere.

[@mnikcd123]

Her parents both have criminal histories, particularly the father, serious stuff cant be overlooked.

[@MHDbeauty]

The fact that the dad is aware of how it will look for him to talk about her in past tense, yet cannot help doing it makes me feel a certain kind of way.

[@MariaGuzman-vv2pt]

I agree with you , but could it be they just don’t know any better ?

[@PreppyPoly]

Both

[@MHDbeauty]

@@MariaGuzman-vv2pt The fact that he says in the interview himself, that he should not speak in past tense, yet does it - even right after saying so, makes me feel otherwise. I don't think that this is a sure sign that they know that she is dead, but I have to admit that it makes me even more suspicious that they do, that he is trying not to speak in past tense, but it just falls naturally for him to do so. I sure hope that you are right, though!

[@TheStar798]

Tbh it could also be a sign of his innocence, in that he knows that's how he talks so asks folks to bear with him, as he can't help it - but knows 'City folk' would judge him 🤷🏽‍♀️ If he was guilty he wouldn't know he was doing it and would force himself to use present tense

[@cheycheyfriend247]

@@MHDbeauty remember heidi broussards case? Don't judge people based on interviews like this. Especially people who aren't used to being in front of cameras

[@ML-pe7ed]

Interestingly enough, a news article online says Summer's Aunt Rose disappeared more than 10 yrs prior to Summer's disappearance, and she too, has never been found. I pray this little angel is found and receives the care she needs to move on with her life 🙏

[@louiseharraway2599]

I love the way Stephanie does her shows, she really gets involved and from the heart. It's not just reading things off screens or books or whatever. I think Stephanie really does a great job and it must be hard for her with a young family and husband herself.

[@Toltecgrl]

I agree!

[@BhappyD]

She’s my absolute favorite! In my opinion, she’s the hardest working true crime sleuth influencer on KZbin. The level of detail in all of her videos and the level of effort and passion she puts into them is unmatched. She genuinely cares about the people involved in the cases she covers, and it shows. Unlike many others on the platform, she doesn’t just regurgitate a Wikipedia article. If I think I already know everything there is to know about a case, even extremely high profile ones, I can always count on Stephanie’s videos teaching me something I never heard before. She’s a true one of a kind gem and we’re so lucky to have her! 💕🌻

[@LilySaintSin]

She puts so much into these videos. She goes above beyond what most other true crime channels do. I love the banter that her Derrick have too.

[@user_angelmum]

Don's comment "The mind forgets then it comes flooding back" As a Mother who has lost a child I can tell in in those first days/weeks/months and even years ... There are times when for a minute you forget ..then reality hits hard ... So his statement to me isn't that bizarre .. Though my situation us different I know my son has passed ... I do understand his thought process .

[@dreamzofhorses]

My experience too. The rest of the world goes on. Your other children need cared for. Your attention shifts to handle business or whatever that occupies your mind for a minute or two. You don’t truly “forget” you never will. Your focus shifts so you can do tasks whether it’s to look for a missing child or arrange to bury them. Or just to fix dinner for your other children. Or call work and say you aren’t coming in. I guess it’s the way our brain is made to be able to function by compartmentalizing. Does not mean anything. People cannot know what they will do until they are in a situation. Wish the judging and speculating would stop. Not of any help to anyone whatsoever.

[@samanthamoore8693]

I am so sorry :-(

[@Gingerbreadgorl]

Just wanted to say… I’m so sorry for your loss. ❤️

[@LaPrimaRara]

So very sorry for your loss 💗

[@user_angelmum]

@@dellahicks7231 💛 Thankyou

[@peoplenoodlesoup]

That recording the mom says “does she still have her arm up, oh that’s what I was trying to catch”. That just sounds like me, thinking my kids cute in the mirror then asking my husband to take a picture of him but darn we missed whatever was cute.

[@erikamarie6015]

I thought the same thing 😊

[@hardyquinn9442]

Yeah same, I didn't put much into that. People are over analyzing everything these people are doing. I don't get the same feeling towards them as I did with Gannon stauchs step mom or Chris watts. However, there are some things in the case that are shady but I'm not gonna jump to any conclusions until we know more. The timeline and the pasts of the parents are slightly disheartening but then again, everyone has a past and maybe a timeline would get fuzzy if your child went missing. I thank God I've never been in that position and Ill pray I never will be. I couldn't imagine losing one of my kids, that's like losing an organ I don't know how I would go on. My heart hurts for anyone who's been in that position (and didn't put themselves there, obviously) prayers for summer🕯🙏

[@glamoursangel]

Yea I thought the same thing 🥺 I really just don't think the parents did it

[@dejacavu6259]

Does anyone know who made that recording? The gma or H? There is no evidence on when it was recorded.

[@butterfliesjourney6439]

@@dejacavu6259 grandma did I believe

[@Raithization]

I don't think people realize how ridiculously easy it is to go missing in rural areas and forests and mountains. I follow a channel that is specifically about strange missing people cases and a lot of them vanish with no explanation or trace into forests or national parks, only for their bodies to show up later in places that people swore were searched or in areas that it was thought to be impossible to reach. Also, looking on a map, the mountainous region they are in is part of the Appalachians, which happen to have countless unknown caverns and holes. It would be easy for her to vanish without a trace.

[@lilithacacia]

“I’m not super good at life.” Relatable.

[@sp33ctrum]

When my dad died i sometimes forgot he was gone, i would go to call him and then milliseconds later remember i couldn't call him. It's a type of defense mechanism so you doesn't get overwhelmed with grief i think

[@Mama_Bear524]

6 years later with my mom and I still forget and want to call.

[@brianamonique8312]

My best friend of 11 years just died last month & ive been doing the same thing . I keep texting him like he’s going to answer… & I know one day someone else is going to text back saying “sorry wrong number” 😓

[@blueeyedscorpio7]

@@Mama_Bear524 Same... Lost my dad at 12! Never a day goes by that they're not on my mind!!!! 😔

[@farfallinaazzurra5318]

@@Mama_Bear524 three years here. I do relate so much

[@danyelliebelly6964]

Idk why, but I have this weird feeling like what about someone from her church? If it’s a targeted attack…Her parents said she loved her church family…maybe it was someone she trusted.

[@annamorgan1772]

I was thinking that could be a HUGE possibility! She would trust this person and go with them. So no fight or no noise of a struggle. Entirely possible…

[@BantiarnaMacRaghnaill]

As rermote as this place is, I'd say the only people in her life were family and church members, so I believe that is a good theory.

[@marcedeesdimytruk960]

They are constantly refuring to her in the past tense. Both mother and father.

[@melancholymelanie]

I actually have a very bad habit of talking in the past tense. Even when I write, I will proofread and realize I used both present and past tense in the same paragraph. Plus, I was the child in school that if our class would get in trouble because a couple kids were being naughty, I would look and feel guilty, even though I wasn't misbehaving. I always think if, God forbid, something happened to someone I know, I'm sure the police and everyone would be judging me because I would totally be anxious and nervous, look guilty and talk in the past tense. 😅 I mean, sometimes these traits are spot on in showing guilt, but not always.

[@tinkgraves7677]

Same I talk about my husband in the past tense sometimes lmao 🤣 and he's very much alive

[@aHavenForTheLost]

Very true! I talk in past tense sometimes and my family always corrects me. Lol. Summer's parents seem to talk like that in general. If they switched back and forth(from past tense to present), then I would find it strange. But overall, I think that's just how they talk.

[@cheycheyfriend247]

Yeah I think summers parents are just a case of being extremely imperfect and uneducated and country

[@Countrygirlwithasideofgangsta]

Same! 😬😅

[@MinkxNAli]

I relate to this so much!

[@PascalleLepas]

To be frank, they just don't seem sophisticated enough to fool the FBI.

[@Lauren-kl2ws]

Those were my thoughts as well.

[@changeofattitude8781]

Rude

[@laurenheinzman5617]

I agree 100%. I’m not trying to be rude or judgmental in the slightest bit-I don’t know many people who I’ve met in my lifetime that I would say I thought COULD fool the FBI...

[@valleygirl2530]

Pascalle Lepas. I’m sure that they haven’t convinced either LE or the FBI.

[@laceyjade9834]

@@changeofattitude8781 your username is my response 😂 I’m sure it’s not to be rude, it just is what it is.

[@BLoren]

When it comes to the thing about "your brain forgetting", I get what he's saying. When my cat was sick and dying, it was like a living nightmare. But sometimes my mind would forget for a second while I was going through the motions of the day. But then it comes back a few seconds later. That's probably all he meant. It's a normal reaction to extreme stress, imo. You brain tries to protect you by disengaging sometimes otherwise you'd probably just be constantly freaking out.

[@dragondahl3828]

Yeah, this. Sometimes you don't fully mourn until it really sinks in.

[@sport1girl]

I lost my sister and niece in a 6 month period last year. It still greatly affects me. There are minutes when I don't think about them but it comes flooding back.

[@haleybeldin9247]

Just went through this myself with my kitty. Sorry you had to go through that too - the last month of her life was so painful. I wouldn't have been able to work or care for my other animals if I couldn't put that stress away sometimes.

[@BLoren]

@@sport1girl ❤❤❤

[@BLoren]

@@haleybeldin9247 ❤❤❤

[@mrsks5399]

The things that stood out to me that support the theory that they sold her are the fact that Don's stepsister said in an interview that he tried to sell his oldest son (Don) on a street corner and then the video of Summer dancing in the rain ... There is a red barrel behind her that says FOR SALE ( and this barrel is not up against a wall or off to the side, it's directly behind her in the middle of the yard)