In one generation, the world has experienced seismic shifts in the way we communicate and relate to one another, but these changes are coming at a high cost – particularly to our children.
Most teenagers (97%) report being online <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">every day</a>, and nearly half (46%) say they are online “almost constantly,” but recent research from scientists at the University of North Carolina shows that all of this time on social media is linked to changes in the teen brain.
By looking at brain scans of middle schoolers between the ages of 12 and 15, neuroscientists at UNC <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/03/health/social-media-brain-adolescents.html?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=240326364&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--S4odytav8WczfJTRyS9PXa0r8YZK3D8wE8d_b-MTV3TGn7X1t3oh-NPofP84aB2tqXDfJdfoBitTfzH23l80MzzdzQA&amp;utm_content=240326364&amp;utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found</a> that frequent social media users at age 12 showed heightened sensitivity to social rewards from peers over time. Teenagers who were less engaged with social media at age 12 showed less interest in social rewards over time.
Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University and author of iGen, has also <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/11/social-media-children-teenagers-mental-health-tiktok-meta-facebook-snapchat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sounded the alarm</a> on the link between social media use and anxiety and depression in teens. “There is a substantial link to depression, and that link tends to be stronger among girls… The more time the teen, particularly a teen girl, spends using social media, the more likely it is that she will be depressed,” according to Twenge.
Any new habit or learned behavior leaves its imprint on the brain. The fact that the brain is imprinted by social media use should not come as a surprise. But most parents who let their children create social media accounts are probably unaware of the extent to which those social media accounts are training their children to seek peer approval or what the long-term consequences might be. Fear of rejection, fear of missing out, not getting enough likes on a social post can all feed social anxiety and lead to depression. These problems are only exacerbated by the addictive nature of social media.
Entertainment programming featuring and targeting children and teens is also contributing to a toxic media culture by normalizing and romanticizing drug addiction, suicide, sexual abuse, mental health challenges, and violence, and the tragic result is to push those at risk into even deeper darkness and despair.
HBO’s “Euphoria” is a teen-targeted program that has shown adults raping children and full-frontal male and female nudity (of both adult and teen characters); has mainstreamed underage drinking and illicit drug use, and has barraged viewers with explicit language. “Euphoria” revels in this darkness, offering nary a glimmer of hope to anyone struggling with drug addiction or other trauma. HBO markets “Euphoria” to teens on TikTok, where video clips have been viewed over a billion times.
Netflix’s teen-targeted suicide drama, “13 Reasons Why,” <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2019/release-of-13-reasons-why-associated-with-increase-in-youth-suicide-rates#:~:text=The%20Netflix%20show%20%E2%80%9C13%20Reasons,Academy%20of%20Child%20and%20Adolescent" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was associated</a> with a 28.9% increase in suicide rates among U.S. youth ages 10-17 in the month (April 2017) following the show’s release, after accounting for ongoing trends in suicide rates. After a groundswell of public condemnation, Netflix eventually removed the graphic suicide scene from the program, but the series is still available to watch.
Even today, suicide is the second leading <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cause of death</a> among children and young teens in America. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned about the looming mental health crisis facing America’s youth, and <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-suicide-rates-rose-in-2021-after-two-years-of-decline-11664504876?mod=djem10point" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new data</a> shows that U.S. suicide rates rose in 2021, and males aged 15 to 24 experienced the sharpest increase. 
President Biden has <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/unite-against-big-tech-abuses-social-media-privacy-competition-antitrust-children-algorithm-11673439411?mod=opinion_lead_pos5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called</a> on tech leaders to ensure children are protected from online content “that threatens their mental health and safety.”
Leaders must recognize that multifaceted solutions are needed. Congress should focus on ensuring children are better protected from harm online, and work to pass solutions like the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act. Families should have the ability to access content filtering on popular streaming platforms to better shield their children from harmful entertainment content, and Congress should pass the Family Movie Act.
In California, the Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, will ensure that tech companies design their products with children’s safety and privacy in mind. The Ad Council recently <a href="https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/379488/ad-council-targets-mental-health-crisis-in-its-lar.html?mod=djemCMOToday&amp;mkt_tok=ODUwLVRBQS01MTEAAAGH9nN0TkvfsGVUPcHBQwUsnwqx8vLQjrpV0nH7j06oJSb9Z93tTmZCrS4kpDE52HB4CztAvoGRSGOBJDg_ZH19-g3CFdF6QbfzHXjYD3-W_h11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that it would plan to spend $65 million on a seven-year Mental Health Initiative to draw attention to mental health issues.
These are helpful solutions yet more must be done. With a mental health crisis among youth, coupled with growing evidence of social media’s harm on children, it is time for those in the entertainment and technology industries to better protect our children.
Melissa Henson is the vice president of the <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2019/release-of-13-reasons-why-associated-with-increase-in-youth-suicide-rates#:~:text=The%20Netflix%20show%20%E2%80%9C13%20Reasons,Academy%20of%20Child%20and%20Adolescent" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Parents Television and Media Council</a> (PTC), a nonpartisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. Twitter: @ThePTC
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Daily Wire.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) concept. Contents concept. Social networking service. Streaming video. communication network.

Tech And TV: Study Shows Excessive Screen Time, Explicit Content Changing The Teenage Brain

Entertainment

Netflix

Readers Pass

Social Media

Teenagers

U.S.

A group of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/teenagers">teenage</a> girls, some as young as 13, “swarmed” a man living in a shelter and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/stabbing">stabbed</a> him to death, police in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/toronto">Toronto</a>, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/canada">Canada</a>, say.
The victim, a 59-year-old man who had been living in a shelter, has not been identified as police are still notifying his family members. The man was found with multiple stab wounds shortly after 12 a.m. Sunday morning when police received a call about an assault, Toronto police said in <a href="https://www.tps.ca/media-centre/news-releases/54716/">a press release</a>. The victim was taken to a hospital but died of his injuries.
“It was learned early on that the suspects being described in this were eight young females,” Detective Sergeant Terry Browne said at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVpzefaLv4w">a press conference</a> on Tuesday.
The teens were arrested soon after the attack and charged with second-degree murder. Three were just 13 years old, while another three were 14, and two were 16.
“What we’ve gleaned so far is that these eight individuals met via social media, they all come from varying parts of the city, and we don’t know how or why they met on that evening. We don’t know why they met downtown,” Browne said at the press conference. “We don’t know how long they’ve been acquitted with each other.”
“I wouldn’t describe them as a gang at this point but what is alleged to have occurred that evening is what we would traditionally call a swarming,” Browne added.
“Swarming” refers to an incident in which multiple attackers target a victim together, CNN <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/us/toronto-stabbing-teens-arrested/index.html">reported</a>.
Browne also noted that three of the girls had “prior contact” with police, but didn’t elaborate.
The detective sergeant said that the group of girls was also involved in an altercation earlier the same night in the same area and that a “number of weapons were secured” once the group was arrested, Vice <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/jgp3pd/toronto-teen-girls-stabbing?fbclid=IwAR1r7J9U-JBnyQhu6kPyTRmXcStFnlqsXAeoyGOE-iLPS0hJBNkHPECKk4Y">reported</a>.
Police wouldn’t describe the victim as homeless, but did say he was “living in the shelter system” due to recent &#8220;hard luck.” The victim apparently had been staying in a shelter since the fall, Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/canada-police-arrest-8-teen-girls-swarming-allegedly-stabbing-homeless-man-death-toronto-street">reported</a>.
&#8220;He does have a very supportive family in the area,” Browne said at the press conference.
The teenagers appeared in court at 10 a.m. Sunday morning and were remanded into custody. Their next court appearance is set for December 29.
Police continue to investigate the incident and have asked for the public’s help in obtaining any video or information relating to the suspects’ whereabouts that evening or any video surveillance that may show the attack.

Police Caution Tape

Eight Teenage Girls ‘Swarmed’ A Man And Stabbed Him To Death In Toronto, Police Say

Eight Teenage Girls 'Swarmed' A Man And Stabbed Him To Death In Toronto, Police Say

Canada

Crime

Murder

Stabbing

Toronto

Teenagers’ brains were physically altered and aged at an accelerated rate during the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lockdowns" target="_blank" rel="noopener">COVID lockdowns</a>, according to a Stanford University <a href="https://www.bpsgos.org/article/S2667-1743(22)00142-2/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener">study</a> published Thursday.
Researchers used MRI scans to study the brains of 163 adolescents in the San Francisco Bay Area who were already a part of a more intensive study “assessing the effects of early life stress on psychobiology across puberty.” The study found that 16-year-olds had more severe mental health problems, and their brains appeared “several years” older than 16-year-olds who were assessed before pandemic restrictions began.
“We already know from global research that the pandemic has adversely affected mental health in youth, but we didn’t know what, if anything, it was doing physically to their brains,” <a href="https://news.stanford.edu/2022/12/01/pandemic-stress-physically-aged-teens-brains-new-study-finds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Ian Gotlib, the first author of the paper and professor of Psychology in the School of Humanities and Sciences.
Children were especially affected by government-ordered lockdowns across the U.S. following the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. In the Bay Area, schools <a href="https://www.sfusd.edu/covid-19-response-updates-and-resources/preparing-fall-2021/notice-covid-19-school-closure-dates-sy-2020-2021#:~:text=Due%20to%20the%20COVID%2D19,was%20provided%20through%20remote%20learning." target="_blank" rel="noopener">remained closed</a> for over a year as students were forced to learn virtually from their homes. Finally, in the spring of 2021, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) offered parents the option of sending their children back to school in person.
Months of forced seclusion from normal face-to-face interactions with friends, teachers, and classmates, along with stress from the pandemic itself negatively affected teenagers’ mental health, according to the study.
“Given the shelter-in-place orders in the Spring of 2020 that led to school closures, academic disruptions, social restrictions, and reduced access to school-based mental health services, the pandemic appears to have been particularly difficult for children and adolescents,” the study’s authors wrote. “In fact, a recent meta-analysis found that the prevalence of internalizing symptoms in youth has doubled since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Stanford researchers’ findings correlate with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/playground-closed-how-lockdowns-have-impacted-children" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> last year that over the course of 2020, “the proportion of mental health-related emergency department (ED) visits among adolescents aged 12–17 years increased 31% compared with that during 2019.”
Gotlib noted that it remains unclear if the accelerated changes to teenagers’ brains are permanent, adding that scientists continue to speculate what it might mean for a teenager whose brain is aging “prematurely.” The psychology professor plans to follow the same adolescents from the study as they age, monitoring whether the COVID pandemic and government lockdowns will affect brain development over the long term.

Woman Looking out Window

Teens’ Brains Were Physically ‘Altered,’ Aged By ‘Several Years’ During COVID Lockdowns: Stanford Study

Teens’ Brains Physically Aged By ‘Several Years’ During COVID Lockdowns: Stanford Study

COVID

Lockdowns

Stanford University

Authorities in Delphi, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/indiana">Indiana</a>, on Tuesday unsealed the probable cause affidavit that led to the arrest of Richard Allen, 50, for the 2017 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/murder">murders</a> of two <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/teenagers">teenagers</a>.
The affidavit, <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23321462-allen-affidavit">published</a> by the Daily Beast, reveals that Allen admitted to being on the Indiana hiking trail where 13-year-old Libby German and her best friend Abby Williams were last seen alive and where their bodies were found on February 14, 2017. Video surveillance from the Hoosier Harvestore, a machine repair company in Delphi, and an unspent bullet found at the scene, all point to Allen as the killer, police say in the affidavit.
After the teens’ bodies were found, police pulled evidence from Libby’s phone, including photos of a potential suspect and an audio recording of a man saying “down the hill.” Multiple witnesses reported seeing a man matching the description of the one seen in the photo on the trail within the timeframe that the girls would have been killed, according to the affidavit.
Other witnesses mentioned seeing an automobile parked near an old building that police believe belonged to Allen, whose vehicle was seen traveling westbound in front of the Hoosier Harvestore at 1:27 p.m. Allen said he arrived at the trails around 1:30 p.m.
Allen said he went to the trails on February 13th and on to the Monon High Bridge to watch the fish. This is the same bridge where the teen girls went for a walk. Allen also told investigators that he owned firearms and knives.
On October 13, 2022, more than five years after the girls were murdered, police executed a search warrant of Allen’s home and found numerous weapons, including a Sig Sauer Model P226 .40 caliber pistol.
&#8220;Between October 14, 2022 and October 19, 2022 the Indiana State Police Laboratory performed an analysis on Allen&#8217;s Sig Sauer Model P226. The Laboratory performed a physical examination and classification of the firearm, function test, barrel and overall length measurement, test firing, ammunition component characterization, microscopic comparison, and [National Integrated Ballistic Information Network],” the affidavit said. “The Laboratory determined the unspent round located within two feet of Victim 2’s body had been cycled through Richard M. Allen&#8217;s Sig Sauer Model P226.&#8221;
Investigators learned that Allen purchased the firearm in 2001, and he told him during a voluntary interview with the Indiana State Police on October 26, 2022, that he “never allowed anyone to use or borrow” that particular weapon. At the time, however, he denied any involvement in the murders of the two teen girls but couldn’t explain how the bullet was found between their bodies.
Definitively proving an unspent bullet came from a particular gun is not as simple as the affidavit makes it seem, according to Stephen Gutowski, a certified firearms instructor and reporter who founded The Reload.
“The forensic techniques used by crime labs to match specific guns to specific bullets have come under heavy scrutiny in recent years,” Gutowski told The Daily Wire. “So, I think it&#8217;s important to examine claims like this with a healthy dose of skepticism. The idea you could match a mark on the rim of a casing to a specific gun&#8217;s extractor seems dubious to me.”
“I could see an argument that an extractor on a certain model of gun could leave a unique marking on an unspent round if the round were cycled through the firearm since the extractor may have dimensions that are different from other firearms,” he added. “However, the Sig Sauer P226 has been an incredibly popular firearm for decades, and it&#8217;s unlikely the mass-produced extractors included on each pistol would leave a marking that&#8217;s obviously distinguishable from another P226.”
The affidavit also highlights the unreliability of witness testimony. Allen said he witnessed three juvenile females while walking the trail, and those three described a man they saw walking alone, believed to be Allen. One of the girls said the man she saw was wearing “like blue jeans a like really light blue jacket.” Another said the man wore a black hoodie, black jeans, and black boots. The third girl described the man as wearing a blue or black windbreaker jacket and baggy jeans.
Witnesses also described seeing a vehicle parked at an old Child Protective Services building near the trails. One witness said he saw a purple PT Cruiser or small SUV backed up to the building. Another witness described it as possibly being a “smart” car.
Allen owned two vehicles in 2017, a 2016 black Ford Focus and a 2006 gray Ford 500, according to the affidavit. Investigators saw a car resembling Allen’s Ford Focus traveling in front of the Hoosier Harvestore store. They also suggest the witness descriptions of the vehicle “are similar in nature to a 2016 Ford Focus.” A Ford Focus is described as a compact vehicle, but it is not small or distinct enough to be confused for a “smart” car. It is also not large or distinct enough to be confused with a PT Cruiser or an SUV.
The affidavit makes multiple notes that Allen was the only male seen in the vicinity of the crime at the time the murders were alleged to have occurred. Yet, last week, prosecutors in court suggested they believe a second person may have been involved, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/prosecutors-allege-second-person-involved-in-delphi-murders-of-two-teen-girls">reported</a>.
The news surprised not only those following the case but also Allen’s defense attorney, who said as much to reporters outside the courtroom.
“If you read the probable cause affidavit it does not mention anything about any other person. That was news to us,” defense attorney Andrew Baldwin said.

Richard Allen

Unsealed Probable Cause Affidavit Explains How Police Linked Richard Allen To 2017 Delphi Murders

Indiana

A former <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/virginia">Virginia</a> state trooper was killed in a shootout with <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/california">California</a> police after allegedly <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/murder">murdering</a> the family of a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/teenagers">teenage</a> girl he had catfished online, according to police.
Austin Lee Edwards, 28, reportedly drove more than 2,500 miles from Virginia to Riverside, California, to meet the teenager on Friday, the New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/11/28/austin-lee-edwards-allegedly-kidnapped-teen-after-murdering-her-family/">reported</a>. Once there, Edwards allegedly killed the girl’s grandparents and mother, set fire to her home, and then kidnapped her.
Around 11:08 a.m., Riverside police officers were dispatched to check on the girl after she was seen “distressed” while getting into a vehicle with a man. While officers went to check on the girl, Riverside’s Public Safety Communications Center received calls about a home on fire near where the girl was seen, according to <a href="https://riversideca.gov/press/three-homicide-victims-found-after-house-fire?fbclid=IwAR0Roo399LFKX79BD0P6VrHHaZNldu7tAPDdaGKCiSAjOb2NXbOPWPX548g">a press release</a> from the Riverside Police Department.
The Riverside Fire Department went to the scene of the fire and entered the home, where they found three adult victims lying in the front entry. Their bodies were removed and determined to be the victims of an apparent homicide. The victims were identified as Mark Winek, 69; his wife Sharie, 65; and their daughter Brooke, 38.
Authorities quickly determined that the girl mentioned in the earlier call lived in the home where the fire was started.
Around 1:15 p.m. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies saw the vehicle described in the distress call. They followed the vehicle until a SWAT team could catch up, according to <a href="https://nixle.us/E4AC7?_ga=2.170990435.257325873.1669605016-2096478158.1669605016.%C2%A0">a press release</a> from the Sheriff’s office. When SWAT intercepted the vehicle – determined to be driven by Edwards – he fled, firing at the deputies, according to police. Edwards then lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road.
His teenage victim ran from the vehicle and was rescued by sheriff’s deputies. Edwards also exited the vehicle and pointed his gun at the sheriff’s helicopter that had been pursuing his vehicle, the press release says. Deputies then fired at Edwards, killing him at the scene.
“Our hearts go out to the Winek family and their loved ones during this time of tremendous grief, as this is a tragedy for all Riversiders,” Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said in a press release. “This is yet another horrific reminder of the predators existing online who prey on our children. If you’ve already had a conversation with your kids on how to be safe online and on social media, have it again. If not, start it now to better protect them.”
Detectives determined that Edwards met the teenager online, where he apparently catfished her by pretending to be someone he was not. Police believe Edwards developed an online relationship with the girl and obtained her personal information before driving to her home and allegedly murdering her family.
Police also learned that Edwards had worked for the Virginia State Police until recently when he was employed at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia.

Austin Lee Edwards

Former Virginia State Trooper Killed By California Cops After Murdering Family Of Teenage Girl He Catfished Online, Police Say

California

Virginia

Prosecutors in Delphi, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/indiana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indiana</a>, made a startling admission on Tuesday, revealing for the first time they believe that suspect Richard Allen is not the only person involved in the 2017 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">murders</a> of two <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/teenagers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">teenage</a> girls.
The news surprised not only those following the case but also Allen’s defense attorney, who said as much to reporters outside the courtroom.
“If you read the probable cause affidavit it does not mention anything about any other person. That was news to us,” defense attorney Andrew Baldwin said.
Police previously said they would not release the probable cause affidavit used to arrest Allen for his alleged connection to the murders of 13-year-old Libby German and her best friend Abby Williams. On Tuesday, prosecutors said they “believe Richard Allen is not the only actor involved in this.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Biggest news that came out of this morning’s hearing about sealed records in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delphi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delphi</a> murder case is this statement by the prosecutor. “We believe Richard Allen is not the only actor involved in this.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wthr?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wthr</a>
— Bob Segall (@BobSegallWTHR) <a href="https://twitter.com/BobSegallWTHR/status/1595079429075734529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Baldwin, however, dismissed the allegations against his client, saying Allen “is the wrong guy,” <a href="https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/delphi-girls-murdered/judge-to-decide-on-releasing-court-docs-on-suspect-in-delphi-killings-richard-allen-libby-german-abby-williams-indiana-murder-charges/531-c6a10fa7-e709-4d82-be15-dcfbd8b65983">according to WTHR</a>. He also called the probable cause affidavit “flimsy” and said his client “very emotionally looked us in the eye and said I am not guilty thank you for helping us…helping me.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
“You know, we’ll see, again our client very emotionally looked us in the eye and said I am not guilty thank you for helping us…helping me”
-Attorney Andrew Baldwin
— Max Lewis (@MaxLewisTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxLewisTV/status/1595079943679053824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Allen on Tuesday requested to be let out on bail before his trial, arguing in his petition that &#8220;because neither the proof of guilt is evident, nor the presumption of guilt strong, the Accused is seeking a hearing to release the Accused.”
After the bodies of German and Williams were found, police pulled evidence from Libby’s phone, which included photos of a potential suspect, as well as an audio recording of a man saying “down the hill.” Police released two sketches of possible suspects, as well as a short audio clip. The Murder Sheet Podcast was also able to obtain court documents this summer that showed an FBI agent sought a search warrant for the property where the girls’ bodies were found, a property owned by Ron Logan.
The search warrant revealed that the audio recording containing the “down the hill” clip was actually 43 seconds but wasn’t fully released to the public. In addition, investigators reportedly found a large amount of blood where the girls’ bodies were found and believed the perpetrator must have gotten blood on their hands or clothing. Police also suggested that the perpetrator may have taken a “souvenir” from the girls and “moved and staged” their bodies.
The warrant also suggested Logan fit the physical description of the man seen in photos on Libby’s phone and that he had lied about his alibi. Logan has never been charged with a crime relating to the murders and has never been named a suspect.

Prosecutors Allege Second Person Involved In Delphi Murders Of Two Teen Girls

The man arrested in connection to the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/murder">killing</a> of two <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/teenagers">teenage</a> girls in 2017 has begged for a defense attorney in a letter he wrote from jail.
Richard Allen, 50, was arrested and charged late last month in connection to the murders of Delphi, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/indiana">Indiana</a>, teenagers Liberty “Libby” German and Abigail “Abby” Williams. Allen wrote a letter from his jail cell, which was <a href="https://fox59.com/indiana-news/i-throw-myself-at-the-mercy-of-the-court-man-arrested-in-delphi-murders-asks-for-public-defender/">obtained by Fox 59</a>, begging the court to appoint him defense counsel.
“I am begging to be provide [sic] with legal assistance in a Public Defender or whatever help is available,” Allen wrote in the letter, saying he had initially planned to hire his own attorney but did not know at the time how expensive even speaking to a lawyer would be.
Allen also discuss the hardships his family have endured since he was arrested, saying he had to leave his job because of the arrest and that his wife had to leave hers “for her personal safety.”
“She has had to abandon our house for her own safety,” he wrote. “What little reserve there is will fail to even maintain the original residence.”
“Again, I throw myself at the mercy of the court. Please provide me whatever assistance you may,” Allen added.
Allen has been moved to a secret location, yet the return address for the letter is from the White County Jail, where he was being held before being transferred to a state facility, Fox 59 reported.
Little has been released regarding Allen’s arrest, including Allen’s potential role in the girls’ killings. On October 31, police formally <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/police-wont-release-probable-cause-affidavit-for-man-arrested-in-connection-to-delphi-murders">announced</a> his release but said they wouldn’t release the probable cause affidavit regarding his arrest.
“This investigation is far from complete,” Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said during a news conference, adding that the “time will come when additional details can be released.”
Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland added that “per the court order, we cannot talk about the evidence that’s in the probable cause” affidavit, but said a public hearing would be held to discuss unsealing the documents.
As to why the documents are being sealed – unusual in most cases – McLeland said it was “because this case is still open” and that there was “extra scrutiny.”
“We haven’t closed the door on the investigation,” McLeland said. “We’re going to continue to take tips, take any information that anybody has.”
Allen, the man who was booked into the Carroll County Jail for the murders, is a married father whose name previously had never been tied to the case, The Independent <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/delphi-murders-indiana-richard-allen-latest-b2214010.html">reported</a>. He also had reportedly posed for a smiling selfie in front of a police sketch of the suspect in the murders.
Allen has been charged with two counts of felony murder.
On February 13, 2017, 13-year-old Libby German and her best friend Abby Williams went for a walk along the Monon High Bridge in Delphi, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/indiana">Indiana</a>. The next day, their bodies were found in a creek about a mile away.
After their bodies were found, police pulled evidence from Libby’s phone, which included photos of a potential suspect, as well as an audio recording of a man saying “down the hill.” Police released two sketches of potential suspects, as well as a short audio clip. The Murder Sheet Podcast was also able to obtain court documents this summer that showed an FBI agent sought a search warrant for the property where the girls’ bodies were found, a property owned by Ron Logan.
The search warrant revealed that the audio recording containing the “down the hill” clip was actually 43 seconds but wasn’t fully released to the public. In addition, investigators reportedly found a large amount of blood where the girls’ bodies were found and believed the perpetrator must have gotten blood on their hands or clothing. Police also suggested that the perpetrator may have taken a “souvenir” from the girls and “moved and staged” their bodies.

Suspect In Delphi Murders Begs For Attorney In Jailhouse Letter

Two <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/teenagers">teenagers</a> from <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/iowa">Iowa</a> stand accused of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/murder">killing</a> their Spanish teacher last year after she gave one of the teens a bad grade.
Prosecutors allege that Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale, who were both 16 at the time of the murder, followed Fairfield High School Spanish teacher Nohema Graber to a park where she was known to take daily walks after school and killed her, the New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/11/02/iowa-students-willard-miller-jeremy-goodale-killed-teacher-nohema-graber-over-bad-grade/">reported</a>.
Earlier in the day on November 2, 2021, Miller met with Graber to discuss the low grade she had given him, court documents reviewed by the Post show.
“The poor grade is believed to be the motive behind the murder of Graber which directly connects Miller,” said the court documents, which were filed by Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding and Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown.
The next day, Graber’s body was found hidden under a tarp, wheelbarrow, and railroad ties in the park where she had been walking.
Witnesses reportedly told police they saw two males driving Graber’s van away from the park less than an hour after she had arrived for her daily walk. The vehicle was later found abandoned on a rural road. A witness said they picked Miller and Goodale up from that same road, according to court documents.
Miller allegedly told police he was angry about the low grade Graber gave him, which was dragging down his grade point average. The teenager denied killing Graber but “later stated he had knowledge of everything but did not participate,” claiming a “roving group of masked kids” killed his teacher and forced him to hide the body, court documents said.
Meanwhile, Goodale was allegedly bragging about the murder over Snapchat. Police were given photos of a Snapchat conversation where Goodale allegedly indicated he and Miller were involved in Graber’s murder.
Christine Branstad, attorney for Miller, reportedly claimed in the documents that the search warrants were issued illegally, claiming &#8220;law enforcement failed to provide information to the issuing magistrate to show the informant is reliable or that the information from the informant should be considered reliable.”
The teens, who are now both 17, will be tried as adults, CBS News <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nohema-graber-murder-willard-miller-jeremy-goodale-killed-spanish-teacher-over-bad-grade-iowa-prosecutor-says/">reported</a>. Miller’s trial is scheduled to begin on March 20 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, while Goodale’s trial will start on December 5 in Davenport. If convicted, the teens face life in prison.
Graber’s family released a statement after her death describing their loss.
&#8220;To know Nohema was to love her — she was the kind of person every community longs to have in its midst and we were blessed to have her in our lives,&#8221; the family said, according to CBS. &#8220;She lived for her children, her family and her faith. Her next priorities were her job as an educator and the children she taught, her local Parish, and the Spanish-speaking community in Fairfield.&#8221;

USA, New York State, New York City, Crime scene barrier tape

Teenagers Allegedly Killed Spanish Teacher Over Bad Grade, Prosecutors Say

Iowa

Teacher

Police on Monday formally announced the arrest of Richard Allen, 50, for the 2017 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/murder">murders</a> of two Delphi, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/indiana">Indiana</a>, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/teenagers">teenagers</a>.
In announcing the arrest, however, Delphi police said they would not be releasing the probable cause affidavit leading to Allen’s arrest, nor would they discuss any information relating to the investigation or arrest.
&#8220;This investigation is far from complete,&#8221; Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said during a news conference, adding that the “time will come when additional details can be released.”
Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland added that “per the court order, we cannot talk about the evidence that’s in the probable cause” affidavit, but said a public hearing would be held to discuss unsealing the documents.
As to why the documents are being sealed – unusual in most cases – McLeland said it was “because this case is still open” and that there was “extra scrutiny.”
“We haven’t closed the door on the investigation,” McLeland said. “We’re going to continue to take tips, take any information that anybody has.”
Allen, the man who was booked into the Carroll County Jail for the murders, is a married father whose name previously had never been tied to the case, The Independent <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/delphi-murders-indiana-richard-allen-latest-b2214010.html">reported</a>. He also had reportedly posed for a smiling selfie in front of a police sketch of the suspect in the murders.
Allen has been charged with two counts of felony murder.
On February 13, 2017, 13-year-old Libby German and her best friend Abby Williams went for a walk along the Monon High Bridge in Delphi, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/indiana">Indiana</a>. The next day, their bodies were found in a creek about a mile away.
After their bodies were found, police pulled evidence from Libby’s phone, which included photos of a potential suspect, as well as an audio recording of a man saying “down the hill.” Police released two sketches of potential suspects, as well as a short audio clip. The Murder Sheet Podcast was also able to obtain court documents this summer that showed an FBI agent sought a search warrant for the property where the girls’ bodies were found, a property owned by Ron Logan.
The search warrant revealed that the audio recording containing the “down the hill” clip was actually 43 seconds but wasn’t fully released to the public. In addition, investigators reportedly found a large amount of blood where the girls’ bodies were found and believed the perpetrator must have gotten blood on their hands or clothing. Police also suggested that the perpetrator may have taken a “souvenir” from the girls and “moved and staged” their bodies.
The warrant also suggested Logan fit the physical description of the man seen in photos on Libby’s phone and that he had lied about his alibi. Logan has never been charged with a crime relating to the murders and has never been named a suspect.

313436428_449625703983195_3390307141751766065_n

Police Won’t Release Probable Cause Affidavit For Man Arrested In Connection To Delphi Murders

On February 13, 2017, 13-year-old Libby German and her best friend Abby Williams went for a walk along the Monon High Bridge in Delphi, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/indiana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indiana</a>. The next day, their bodies were found in a creek about a mile away.
On Friday, more than five years since the girls were murdered, law enforcement sources <a href="https://fox59.com/indiana-news/major-development-coming-in-delphi-murder-case/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> Fox 59 that a man named Richard Allen has been booked into the Carroll County Jail in connection with the murder investigation.
Police are expected to make an announcement regarding the case on Monday.
After their bodies were found, police pulled evidence from Libby’s phone, which included photos of a potential suspect, as well as an audio recording of a man saying “down the hill.” Police released two sketches of potential suspects, as well as the short audio clip. The Murder Sheet Podcast was also able to obtain court documents this summer that showed an FBI agent sought a search warrant for the property where the girls’ bodies were found, which is owned by Ron Logan.
The search warrant revealed that the audio recording containing the “down the hill” clip was actually 43 seconds, but wasn’t fully released to the public. In addition, investigators reportedly found a large amount of blood where the girls’ bodies were found and believed the perpetrator must have gotten blood on their hands or clothing. Police also suggested the perpetrator may have taken a “souvenir” from the girls and may have “moved and staged” their bodies.
The warrant also suggested Logan fit the physical description of the man seen in photos on Libby’s phone and that he had lied about his alibi. Logan has never been charged with a crime relating to the murders and has never been named a suspect.
The case recently received national attention due to authorities finding a social media profile that had interacted with Libby at some point before her murder. Police found that the username “anthony_shots” belonged to Kegan Kline, who was already under investigation for child exploitation. Kline is going to trial for 30 counts of possession of child pornography, child exploitation, and obstruction of justice, Fox 59 <a href="https://fox59.com/news/case-goes-ahead-against-man-linked-to-delphi-murders-investigation/?ipid=promo-link-block3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
Kline has not been charged with anything relating to the Delphi murders, nor has he been named a suspect.
Kelsi German, Libby’s older sister, <a href="https://twitter.com/libertyg_sister/status/1586019451681611776?s=20&amp;t=ywc2PcloC-lkmh8WQ4wWNg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a> about the upcoming press conference regarding the case and the arrest, writing, “Today is the day.”
“Just know how grateful I am for all of you. No comments for now, any questions please refer to the Carroll county prosecutors office. There is tentatively a press conference Monday at 10am. We will say more then,” German tweeted.

A prisoner behind bars with hands cuffed

Man Arrested In Connection With Unsolved Delphi Murder Of Two Young Teens

A 14-year-old Boulder High School student who was missing for more than a week has been found alive and safe.
Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold told reporters on Monday afternoon during a press briefing that the missing teen, Chloe Campbell, had been found around 5 p.m. in a suburb 26 miles from Boulder, Colorado.
&#8220;While investigators continue to believe that Chloe ran away, there is an ongoing investigation about where she was and what occurred while she was separated from her family,&#8221; Herold said at the briefing, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/missing-colorado-chloe-campbell">according to Fox News</a>.
Police added that Campbell was released to her family and will undergo medical evaluation, but is not believed to have been held against her will.
Campbell was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/14-year-old-missing-over-a-week-under-suspicious-circumstances-police-wont-issue-an-amber-alert">reportedly last seen</a> on September 30 near Boulder High School, possibly with two older men.
“She was described by eyewitnesses as being with two men. Older men. Too old to be in high school. One of whom was Asian and the other who had a beard,” Chloe’s father, David Campbell <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/boulder-police-missing-14-year-old-chloe-campbell/">told</a> CBS Colorado.
When Chloe didn’t return home from the football game, her parents began searching for her, including hanging fliers throughout town. After more than a week, Boulder police began asking the public for help finding Chloe.
Her father said that no one close to Chloe had had any confirmed contact with her after she disappeared, but added that they had received communications claiming to be from Chloe from a social media handle no one recognizes.
“The communications that we’ve received through third parties that purport to be from Chloe originate in a Snapchat handle that we’re not familiar with,” David said. “It could be anybody.”
David did say they have received a photo of Chloe since she disappeared, possibly proving she’s still alive but not making her parents feel any better.
“She looked injured and unwell,” David told CBS of the photo.
Authorities maintained that they were confident Chloe had been alive even as her friends and family worried something may have happened to her.
&#8220;There are indications that considerable steps were being taken by Chloe to avoid contact from law enforcement as well as her family,&#8221; Boulder Deputy Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said on Monday, according to Fox. &#8220;We, however, had indications that she was alive throughout the week.&#8221;
Last week, Boulder police said they would not issue an Amber Alert for the missing teen, saying her case did not meet the criteria for issuing such an alert despite fears from her family.
&#8220;Boulder police had no evidence to suspect that an abduction had occurred,&#8221; Redfearn said. &#8220;Detectives consulted with Colorado Bureau of Investigation agents who agreed the case did not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert.&#8221;
Police said the case is still under investigation.

Female feet in jeans and sports shoes

Colorado Teenager Missing More Than A Week Found Alive

Chloe Campbell, Colorado Teenager Missing More Than A Week, Found Alive

Colorado

Missing Person

On September 30, 14-year-old Boulder High School student Chloe Campbell went to a school football game and hasn’t been seen since.
Her parents, Jessica Knape and David Campbell, have told police and media that witnesses have said their daughter was seen walking on the Boulder Creek Trail, possibly intoxicated. They have also said she was apparently last seen with two older men.
&#8220;She was described by eyewitnesses as being with two men. Older men. Too old to be in high school. One of whom was Asian and the other who had a beard,&#8221; David Campbell <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/boulder-police-missing-14-year-old-chloe-campbell/">told</a> CBS Colorado.
When Chloe didn’t return home from the football game, her parents began searching for her, including hanging fliers throughout town. After more than a week, Boulder police began asking the public for help finding Chloe.
Her father said that no one close to Chloe had had any confirmed contact with her since she disappeared, but added that they have received communications claiming to be from Chloe from a social media handle no one recognizes.
&#8220;The communications that we&#8217;ve received through third parties that purport to be from Chloe originate in a Snapchat handle that we&#8217;re not familiar with,&#8221; David said. &#8220;It could be anybody.&#8221;
David did say they have received a photo of Chloe since she disappeared, possibly proving she’s still alive but not making her parents feel any better.
&#8220;She looked injured and unwell,&#8221; David told CBS of the photo.
The photo led her parents to believe she’s being held against her will or possibly trafficked, but they aren’t giving up hope.
&#8220;Chloe, honey&#8230; we love you so much. You are not in trouble,&#8221; her mother told the outlet. &#8220;If you can come home please do and if you can&#8217;t, we will not stop until we find you.&#8221;
Complicating the case are rumors and misinformation claiming Chloe has been found or that she ran away and is living with a family in Arizona.
“We have gotten tips from various parties claiming that she is in Arizona and that she’s, quote, safe and that she has money and that she’s with a family in Arizona. We want to make it clear that we do not have family in Arizona, so this is very suspicious to us,” David <a href="https://kdvr.com/news/local/parents-of-missing-boulder-teen-speak-as-concern-for-her-safety-grows/">told</a> KDVR.
Boulder police reportedly labeled Chloe as a runaway initially, prompting outrage on social media, including from John Ramsey, whose half-sister JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in Boulder, Colorado, in 1996.
“Damnit @boulder police get off your *** and find this child! Have you ever met a 14yr old kid? Not usually trusted to make sound rational decisions,” Ramsey tweeted on October 7.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Damnit <a href="https://twitter.com/boulderpolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@boulderpolice</a> get off your ass and find this child! Have you ever met a 14yr old kid? Not usually trusted to make sound rational decisions. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/boulder?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#boulder</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chloecampbell?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#chloecampbell</a> <a href="https://t.co/9spB96aJla">https://t.co/9spB96aJla</a>
&mdash; John Andrew Ramsey (@JRamsey_Truth) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRamsey_Truth/status/1578594780354781184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Police are assisting in the search but have <a href="https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/boulder-police-seek-publics-assistance-locating-missing-teen">said</a> Chloe’s disappearance “does not meet the criteria for the issuance of an Amber Alert.” They added, however, that “investigators are growing increasingly concerned about the teen’s safety as it is believed that she has no access to money or her medication.”
The Department of Justice <a href="https://amberalert.ojp.gov/about/guidelines-for-issuing-alerts">lists five core criteria</a> used to determine whether officials should issue an amber alert:
<ul>
<li>There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred.</li>
<li>The law enforcement agency believes that the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.</li>
<li>There is enough descriptive information about the victim and the abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child.</li>
<li>The abduction is of a child aged 17 years or younger.</li>
<li>The child’s name and other critical data elements, including the Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.</li>
</ul>
It is unclear how Chloe’s case doesn’t meet this criterion, given reports that she was seen with adult males and a photo of her looking “unwell” has been sent to her parents.

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