Opinion : Missing teenager should give all of us pause, consternation - Frontiersman

Missing teenager should give all of us pause, consternation


Published on Monday, January 11, 2010 8:44 PM AKST

Pearl Lyle left her home in the dark, wee hours more than a week ago. She has not been heard from since.

Her parents think she might have been in contact with someone on the Internet. It’s possible whoever picked her up that morning may have found her on a MySpace account.

This is a family nightmare.

It’s also a time for parents to check what their children have on their computers. The right to privacy doesn’t trump the safety of children. Youngsters these days are far more worldly than is good for them and a lot of that seeming maturity comes from television, music, peers and certainly the Internet.

Part of the problem is that many children know more about computers than their parents do. So trying to see what’s on the computer is hard for moms and dads. Teenagers are good at hiding accounts and unblocking parental blocks.

The Internet is a fine thing. It allows us to communicate with people all over the world. If Pearl was contacted by a stranger and they began chatting online, well it’s not hard to figure out how she and someone else might set up a grand scheme to leave home and hearth.

If that’s the case, and with the advances in computer technology, there are probably clues hidden in her machine that could lead to a name or place to start looking.

Another complication is that Pearl is a special needs child. That makes her especially vulnerable.

One question: Why there was no Amber Alert sent out.

Another oddity is that few other media outlets have picked up the story. Stories like Pearl’s need as much attention as possible. Her face should be in every area newspaper and on all the television screens and radio broadcasts.

The more days that pass makes the trail even colder. Today marks the eighth day since she was taken in that cold, dark morning.

In the meantime, the Lyle family can only wait and worry until their daughter is home safe and sound.

And whoever took her is brought to justice and sent away for a long time.

Until then, everyone from Fairbanks to Homer to Tok and Valdez need to keep our eyes and ears open. Pearl is out there somewhere and she needs to be found.

Copyright © 2010 Frontiersman

Comments

8 comment(s)

    confused wrote on Jan 18, 2010 10:24 PM:

    " Seems like there is something more to this story. Sometimes the public doesn't get all the information. Was she a runaway? It says she was "taken." Is that accurate? Lots of holes here....also, who wrote this story? If the police think there was foul play you can rest assure they will check her computer! "

    joe wrote on Jan 13, 2010 3:03 PM:

    " It was on the front page last week and now its on the "local news" page
    (the system wouldnt let put a web address in this message)

    apparently the wind was more important...great job Frontiersman! "

    Janet wrote on Jan 13, 2010 9:31 AM:

    " There is a Christian book that addresses this problem. It is called MySpace, My Kids and shows you how to open a My Space account and how to monitor your kid's account. Of course, having a relationship with your kid should be the basic foundation, but this book will show you how to navigate My Space. The author is Jason Illian. Hope they find the girl and she is willing to communicate . "

    Wow wrote on Jan 13, 2010 9:11 AM:

    " Was this a story about computers and internet usage or a story of a missing girl? It's a shame it took a week for her to be missing before we heard about it. News should be relevant and up to date, now let do the right thing and get a picture up and follow up with more info. "

    wondering wrote on Jan 13, 2010 8:55 AM:

    " Why is there no photo of this Girl so the Public can keep an eye out fr her? This is the First I haave heard of it . "

    Lorraine wrote on Jan 13, 2010 8:29 AM:

    " This story is lacking a lot of pertinent information. Though there was no Amber Alert your article failed to state what area of the Valley is she from? What was she wearing, a picture would be helpful. You should re-run this story and do it some justice. Was this story meant to help find Pearl or just post views on the dangers of the internet? "

    Angie wrote on Jan 12, 2010 9:38 AM:

    " Is their any way you can post a picture of her, perhaps on my space or facebook, as a missing person so we can see her face to know who we are watching out for? I cant believe this is the first we have herd of it, I would of thought they would of did a Amber alert for sure. Even though she is 16 she is special needs and that should make it Special circumstances. "

    Our Thoughts are with you wrote on Jan 11, 2010 10:09 PM:

    " This has to be a nightmare for this family, please if any of her friends know anything please let this family know as soon as possible. We'll keep you in our prayers. "

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