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Danny Barter: FBI Re-Opens 50-Year-Old Missing Child Case
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by Jordan Yerman | June 22, 2009 at 01:22 pm
451 views | 2 Recommendations | 9 comments
Danny Barter has been missing since 1959. The four-year-old boy went missing during a family camping trip in Perdido Bay, Alabama, and has never been seen since. Danny's parents have since died, but his siblings are carrying on the search, with the help of modern age-progressive photo technology. They've launched a website to entreat aid from anyone who visits. The search is spurred by a lead procured by the FBI and the local sherriff's office, after what could be a minor detail was revealed by an overheard conversation.
Long before anyone cointed the phrase "Amber Alert", or before missing kids were shown on milk cartons, police searched in vain for Danny Barter. Now, his surviving family hopes that the Internet's many eyes can help.
"A lead was sparked when someone was sitting in a public area talking about what happened," FBI spokeswoman Joyce Riggs wrote in an e-mail to the media.
As cold case cops know, a wisp of a lead can turn into a big break, a fact FBI Special Agent Angela Tobon believes can solve the Daniel Barter mystery.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (9)
at 23:08 on June 22nd, 2009
This is good news the poor soul has gone but most certainly not forgotten, Hope....... and the love of our family seem to always win the day.
at 10:57 on June 24th, 2009
Your story about the FBI’s interest in new leads is not true, most unfortunately.
Two weeks ago I called the Mobile, Alabama FBI office with VERY SPECIFIC information concerning an EYE witness of the abduction of Danny Barter from Lillian, AL in 1959.
Last Saturday night, June 20th at the Barter Family reunion – the 50th anniversary of their brother’s abduction, the SAME agent asked me, “Where’s Lillian?” and then “Where’s Perdido Bay?” Very sad.
IF the FBI had followed the leads I shared [including actual names and directions to their homes] Danny could have joined his family last weekend with “I recognize my sister’s voice.” What joy!
Yesterday’s press release by the FBI that “a lead was sparked when someone was sitting in a public area talking about what happened” is true. That someone listening and taking notes is me, BUT the only sparks or fireworks are my own.
I followed the leadsI gave the FBI myself the afternoon after the candlelight vigil at the site of the abduction (Sunday, June 21st).
In FOUR hours including ONE hour driving I had located and interviewed four individuals – my contact, her husband whose Father was the first suspect and helped in the search, the eye witness and her neighbor.
TODAY – day three of my investigation [Tues. 06-23-09] I returned as scheduled and have the contact information of the landowner who rented a house to the couple that abducted Danny in 1959.
The FBI is clearly not working this case.
Worse of all, the agent to whom I gave my extensive statement to two weeks ago did NOT share my information with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s office : “You don’t need to call him, it’s my responsibility.”
Most unfortunalty I believed her.
I contacted the Sheriff’s office almost 24 hours ago, I left 2 messages. I had also driven out to Lillian early this AM because my contact had mistakenly switched her phone to fax. I take this seriously.
I believe the new identity of the now 54 year old man once known as Danny Barter is just around the corner.
His family will be whole again.
The hole in Danny’s heart will be filled with the love
he has missed for 50 years.
UPDATE: Wed. 06/24/2009 2:00PM
Returned from Escambia County Court House and have direct contact information concerning the family that rented the home to the very possible abducters of Danny Barter. As of this writing - neither the FBI or Baldwin County Sheriffs Office have followed through with the information shared on June 9th.
Sincerely,
Lauren Ragland
Foley, Alabama
at 06:42 on June 25th, 2009
Now Thursday June 26, 2009
I left two messages concerning the eye witness to the abduction of Danny Barter in 1959 two days ago. I did the same moments ago.
I am prepared to share the information and let the "authorities take over."
This is extremely difficult to accomplish when there is no response to my calls.
Yesterday morning, Wednesday June 24th I visited the Escambia County Court House in Pensacola Florida and have direct contact information for the person whose family rented the home that MY eye witness believes the abductors lived in 1959. So far, noone but myself and her know the details, Amazing, I have tried.
I have had NO response from the authorities as of this moment 9:30 AM. Why?
I am truly surprised and saddened by the complete lack of follow through on what the FBI stated on Monday as a NEW LEAD. Reading their statements on AP and CNN and one would think they are sincerely focused and near completion to solving this "cold case". [Believe me, this is FAR from 'cold'].
I gave a complete interview on June 9th to Agent Fields in Mobile, AL. - names, addresses and details - the same ones I followed myself on Sunday afternoon. She seemingly did NOT share with Capt Arthur lead investigator with Baldwin County Sheriff's Dept. But I am trying to.
My interviews from Sunday 6/21, Tuesday 6/23 and Wednesday 6/24 are typed and prepared for printing, including all details, phone numbers and addresses.
Truly this situation is the OPPOSITE of what any American would expect. I have two grown sons and cannot imagine how I would feel if there was someone chosen like myself, listening to the voice from above and doing what one is told, feeling extremely alone in her quest for an answer on the abduction of a little boy so long ago.
VERY VERY possibly "we" [who is we?? - me?] are HOURS, or DAYS from knowing who abducted Danny Barter. Unless he has succombed to cancer like members of his immediate family - I believe in my heart of hearts that he is ALIVE.
Soon, very soon, he could be back into the loving arms of the family he does not even know he has, that are waiting for him.
During my numerous trips from Foley to Lillian and back and from Foley and Pensacola and back - I have been listening to James Taylor : "I've always thought that I'd see you again."
at 07:08 on June 25th, 2009
PRAISE GOD!
I am meeting with Capt Arthur of Baldwin County this afternoon.
He was on vacation and returned my call as soon as he could. Actually, he left his families time together to attend the Barter Family Reunion and the candlelight vigil on Saturday, June 20th.
HALLELUJIAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\
PS.
FBI Agent Fields did NOT contact Capt. Arthur as she said she would telling me "it's my responsibility".
She is on vacation right now, it should be permanent as far as I am concerned.
at 15:41 on June 25th, 2009
Shared my interviews and information with Chief Investigator Arthur of Baldwin County this afternoon.
He is planning on meeting with the witnesses next week and following through to
contact the family that may very very possibly have rented a home to Danny's abductors.
This is truly the first live lead in this case. He is taking it very seriously.
Patience is indeed a virtue. He was on vacation until today.
The FBI Agent had NOT shared this information with Chief Arthur on June 9th as she told me was responsible to do - but now, the lead the FBI describes as "new and hot" is actualy in experienced professional hands.
Sincerly,
Lauren Ragland
at 11:43 on June 29th, 2009
Lauren,
I have been reading the updates you provided and how you have handled this situation and sometime I wonder how you can sleep at night( in a good way). If I knew that that kind of information it would linger on my shoulders until Danny was found and I am sure thats how you feel. It takes a special person to put that much effort into something or someone that you don't even know. I will keep checking back on your updates and if you can keep me posted on how things turn out. I truly hope this turns out positive and the family can get their brother back or atleast know what happened to Danny. Again you are wonderful and their family must be very thankful
Emma
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
at 09:24 on July 1st, 2009
Sweet Emma, Thank you so for your words of encouragement.
We all have the opportunity to hear the voice, but not everyone listens. I am humbled by this experience and can now truly rest at night. You were rght!
No, I have not heard from the family whom I met at the reunion. They posted on the 360 CNN blog that they support the FBI and Capt. Arthur's efforts and do not agree wth the comments of mine [those printed here, above].
I had told them individually after the candle light vigil at the abduction sight that the FBI [specifically Agent Fields] had NOT shared my hot tip with Capt. Arthur and she clearly told me "you do NOT need to contact him, it is MY responsibility."
I believe that if she HAD shared my tips that Danny could have joined his family at the family reunion in Foley, Alabam last weekend.
Now after meeting with Capt. Arthur last Thursday 06/25 - I feel that this case is in VERY competant, experienced hands.
I am truly blessed by your Canadian hug. As you seem to grasp, I pushed myself because I was listening. I did what I was told to do. I almost blew the engine in our van traveling back and forth to Lillian and Pensacola 6 times in 4 days [fixed now!].
Seriously, like other times in our lives, when one listens, one hears, and one does. Thank you for very kind message.
God speed,
Lauren
at 08:44 on August 6th, 2009
Please let me know of any updates on Daniel Barter. I always look him up on the internet to see if there has been any new leads. Today I came across yours and it got me tremendously happy to know that Danny might just be alive and could possibly be reunited with his family. I don't understand how can a family abduct somenones child and not have remorse. GOD BLESS HIM.
at 05:23 on September 18th, 2009
Lauren, do the first names of Lucille or Lucia or Marlene have anything to do with your time in Pensacola?