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Enhanced Photo Released In Adam Herrman Case
Butler County authorities plan to expand the search for the man missing for ten years. Reporter: Jennifer BocchieriEmail Address: jbocchieri@kake.com |
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Posted by: Anon
on Jan 9, 2009 at 08:55 AM
Anonymous, I believe both parents will be blamed. Mr. Herrman is far form the innocent bystander. He continued to collect money, he didn't report the child missing, or the abuse etc. No, you cannot blame just one parent - it was both. Makes you wonder how many other children were abused by these ppl - they are also foster parents. I find it frightening that ppl like the Herrman's can be foster parents. You may be tired of hearing about the money, but like it or not, it's still a contributing factor in this case. You are right the about the child being the most important, but I don't think anyone on this board has said he wasn't. Everyone is just entering their thoughts and we are all trying to make sense out of this horrible situation. And finally, SRS did drop the ball. The only victim is the child, and soon I hope, we'll hear the rest of the story. The truth.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 8, 2009 at 01:23 PM
no ms the point you clearly miss is not the money... it IS that they did not report and they continue to lie.. the point is Adam... screw the money.. people rip off welfare everyday.. our system is constantly raped.. I wish everyone would stop with the money thing... Adam should be the focus!!!!
Posted by: ms
on Jan 8, 2009 at 01:00 PM
they collected money but they couldnt report him is the point anon at 12:21 sounds guilty to me
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 8, 2009 at 12:21 PM
ok i am sickened to hear so many comments on the money issue.... is the world so monetarily driven that the biggest concern is OMG they collected money... however horrible it is its miniscule in relativity to the fact this child is GONE... money can be re-printed but this child will never get a chance to feel love... we can point fingers at SRS and the scholls and the family members.. or we can say we as a societydrop the ball on these situations everyday!! There is alot of victims in this case Valerie Herrmann is not one of them... My prayers to her family with all she has put them through..I hope Valerie gets what she deserves and if Doug does not blow the whistle on her too than so shall he
Posted by: CR
on Jan 8, 2009 at 11:13 AM
I have 4 children and if one of my children came up missing or ran away, the first thing I would do is call the Police and report it. The adoptive parents didn't report this child missing after 10 years, someone called the Wichita Police Dept's Exploited and Missing Children's Unit and left them a tip. What took so long? Thank God someone finally called too bad it wasn't sooner. These people (the adoptive parents) need to have charges filed against them ASAP. PD can start by charging them for not reporting the child missing, fraud for accepting money on a child they do not have in their custody and using him as a tax deduction. There's a start. They lawyered up just a little too quick for ppl who are innocent. If I had nothing to hide I would tell PD check me out do what you have to do to clear us, but find the child. Of course, I would have done that the day the child came up missing.
Posted by: Elle
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:56 AM
SRS has to share some of the blame. Abuse was reported by a teacher as well as relatives of the adoptive mother. SRS took the word of the adoptive parents, maybe they should have investigated a little more. I'm not blaming SRS completely, but they certainly didn't do anything to protect this child. You would think they would have continued to do welfare checks on the child as long as the adoptive parents were collecting money on this child. I pray the police get to the bottom of this quickly and that justice is served.
Posted by: mominks
Location: butler county
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Why haven't the adoptive parents at the very least been arrested for fraud? They collected funds for a child who had been missing for years. Isn't failure to report a child missing a crime?? Come on, start putting the screws to these loser parents and find out what happened to this boy! If he went missing and they didn't report it, chances are THEY know where he is or what happened to him. And then they had the audacity to collect money for him? Outrageous.
Posted by: Margaret
Location: Wichita
on Jan 8, 2009 at 12:31 AM
I just can't imagine not reporting your child missing unless there is foul play. That is heartbreaking. I would love to hear of a miracle here that the young man is found alive and doing well. He has certainly been put thru more than any child should have had to go thru. As far as SRS, in all due fairness I think with as many cases that they have, they are probably overwhelmed, overloaded and don't have enough employees for all these cases. My thoughts and prayers are w/Adam. I do think the adoptive parents need investigated thoroughly.
Posted by: dumbfounded
Location: wichita
on Jan 7, 2009 at 06:08 PM
I was just being facetious when it came to facebook or myspace. Simply because I am for sure the parents had to be covering up a lot of things out of convenience to protect something, so they continued to act as if he existed since he was claimed on the bankruptcy 3 years after he had disappeared. Quite frankly, how does the Kansas Dept. of Education monitor homeschooling? Doesn't the family have to submit some record to show that their child attended a certain amount of days in school or in this case "home school"? It is really sad to know that nobody was able to notice he just disappeared until now and that the other kids had so much fear not to tell someone else. God Be with all the abused children and give them the courage to tell the right people...so that these situations are minimized and addressed promptly to prevent these heinous acts against children. Are people's lives so busy that they have become oblivious to situations like this? or Are people afraid to get involved?
Posted by: PT
Location: Wichita
on Jan 7, 2009 at 05:23 PM
This isn't about SRS, this is about a family who chose NOT to report their 11 year old adoptive son/brother (grandson and probably a niece or nephew) missing to authorities because they were "afraid the system would take their other children away from them." Now they are worried about legal issues of what could happen to them if the truth is found out? Where ever Adam is now, rest assure it has to be a much better place than where he was.
Posted by: LS
on Jan 7, 2009 at 05:22 PM
JC, they also listed the child as a tax deduction stating he was 14. These ppl are something else.
Posted by: LS
on Jan 7, 2009 at 05:17 PM
In an article in the Wichita Eagle, a relative says she saw the child chained to the bathtub faucet when they lived in Towanda. Other close relatives of the adoptive parents say they saw the Adopt-mom abuse the child & he was forced to sleep in the bathtub. One relative said they reported the abuse. Relatives of the adop-parents said the adopt-mom told them the child had been taken back into state custody. Adopt-mom also said the child ran away. Other members of the adopt family saw the adopt mom abuse the child and didn't report it. Looks like everyone dropped the ball when it came to this child's well-being, including SRS after the aunt reported the abuse. You can go to the Wichita Eagle's web site and read the article, if its not posted on here. I can't imagine how anyone could be so cruel to a child, I know it happens but I still can't understand it. It makes me sick to my stomach. Adam, I pray you get the justice you deserve and that charges are filed against those who did this.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 7, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Anon at 12:59 you are the only intelligent person on this site an 11 year old could not make it on his own. The rest of these idiots must believe he was raised by Santa clause or something. NO good person would take in a strange kid and not report him to authorities. Adam I'm sorry no one in this world didn't treat you better.
Posted by: jc
Location: kansas
on Jan 7, 2009 at 01:40 PM
well I just read in the wichita paper that they did indeed get 700/month for him some kind of adoption fund, and collected it the whole time he was gone. I do not believe this little boy is alive as sad as that is. this is truely heartbreaking how a child can disappear unnoticed.
Posted by: jen
Location: wichita
on Jan 7, 2009 at 01:18 PM
to jc: they claimed him as a dependent on their taxes after he was gone...that's what they're talking about with the money. this whole thing is so sad. "persons of interest"?? are you kidding me? guilty ******** is more like it.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:59 PM
come the heck on... myspace...facebook... are you serious... reality people.. life does not revolve around internet websites.. take some of the energy you are focusing on these ridiculous pride sites and get off your rump and go do some good.. if a child truly ran away at 11 years old and paper just vanished on him.. with no education or license or anything how could he afford the bs luxury of internet... he is gone.. Valerie is a b$%^& and Doug is protecting her. HER own bio kids feel the truth they never knew!! SHE HURT THAT POOR CHILD RELENTLESSLY and was not much better to her own kids!
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:50 AM
if i had been missing for this long an no one noticed i wouldnt want to be found
Posted by: ms
Location: wichita
on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:49 AM
srs was knocking on my door for spanking my 7 and 4 year old with a belt outside wwhere were they at for this boy
Posted by: jc
Location: kansas
on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:35 AM
I can almost bet this adam herrman is NOT on facebook or myspace. You can almost bet he is no longer alive. Otherwise there would not be 2 different stories by the adoptive parents, either they gave him back to the state or he ran away which is it. If he ran away do you seriously believe there is no paper trail of him? I think he was abused 1 to many times with the end result not good! as for collecting money from the state on him... not if he was adopted which is what they all say happened when he was real small
Posted by: wegee
Location: ohio
on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:43 AM
I am a parent, I took care of my kids and a couple of my grandkids. Our oldest daughter got mad at her dad and went to school and made reports of abuse, unfounded. She actually ran into the leg of a swing set and told them her dad did it with a tree limb. They did not investigate BEFORE they went to school and took her report. They forced me to sign the papers cause if I did not I would go to jail. They stripped searched my other 3 children and took their stories. They only removed the daughter. After being put through the wringer by these ppl I finally went in and demanded her release because I found out they had no charges and they only had 72 hrs to charge us if they did. Our daughter came home and every time she gave me crap I would pick up the phone and call her favorite person, Cheryl Paul with CS. She would start crying and say no mom, hang up I do not want to go back there. You ppl need to understand that some kids never get ENOUGH or outside sources are involved.
Posted by: Dumbfounded
Location: Wichita
on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:17 AM
I seen an "Adam Herrmann" on facebook, he has some similarities in facial features.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:12 AM
tHOSE PARENTS SHOULD BE ARRESTED THE SAME AS THEY DID CASEY ANTHONY
Posted by: jc
Location: kansas
on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:12 AM
how did he go from having brown eyes to blue?
Posted by: Dumbfounded
Location: Wichita
on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:53 AM
I wonder if they were still collecting money (tax dependent)for the child even though he was missing??? There is more to this story that is not being said...at least for now, unfortunately...
Posted by: tony
Location: wichita
on Jan 7, 2009 at 06:47 AM
I know the biological parents of the boy they had some issues with the state they were not perfect parents but they would have cared enough to call someone!they would not have lost there child like that the sad fact is that they the the adoptive parent didnt care enough about him to call.Then the hired a big trial lawyer and lawyerd up that screams guilt O M G people wake up take the other kids from them if they didnt care about a child enough to call him in missing why would you let them keep any of the other children in there custody that is a system failer. SRS in kansas is over worked and under staffed and needs to look more then the surface of a person me and my wife tryed to adopt a hard to adopt child in this state but was shot down because im over weight. God only knows we would make good parents! but they look at the surface My heart goes out to Bud Groeniger and Gerri Goerge and all the family We wish you the best on bringing justis to this case Love You Guys!!!
Posted by: LS
on Jan 7, 2009 at 01:35 AM
The adoptive parents need to be investigated and charged. How do you not report an eleven year old missing or as a run-away. Any normal parent would have had the police involved immediately. Here it is 10 years later and they're just finding out this kid has been missing for 10 years and the adoptive parents kept their mouth shut - someething is seriously wrong with this scenario. Butler Cty police checked the mobile home in Towanda, maybe they need to check the residence of the adoptive parents prior to when they moved to Towanda. The child went to school before they moved to Towanda, after the move he was home schooled. Nah, this story has some serious holes in it and I pray the BPD investigates and find some answers.
Posted by: Anon
Location: Wichita
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:51 PM
The big question is -- where is his biological mother? Does she know anything?
Posted by: CJ
Location: Wichita
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:15 PM
http://registry.adoption.com/records/49393.html It looks like the grandfather was searching for him back in 1999.
Posted by: Sally
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:07 PM
The sad fact is, if parents did their jobs as parents and took care of their children we wouldn't need SRS. Of course sometimes parents die, or due to serious health problems cannot take care of their children and have no family to take them in. Not all the parents are 'bad' parents. Many are though, so because of that we have to have SRS. SRS isn't perfect and the final decision as someone pointed out, is up to the judge, who is also human and makes mistakes as we all do. Judges, SRS, the police, everyone only has a certain amount of information to go on. I seriously doubt a disturbed eleven year old child just ran off and lived a happy life on the streets. If a truly good family found him and took him in, they would have reported it to the police. I hope they figure out what happened to him, but I don't look for a good outcome. We need to be more aware of the children around us so this doesn't ever happen again. All of us can make things better for the children here now.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Lay off the SRS people...I have three kids and have never had any issues with the SRS. Maybe that's because I take care of my kids, and have never had anyone say otherwise. If you think for one minute they just like to run in and destroy families your nuts! These are real people with real families too. Maybe if people standing hours in a welfare line would spend half as much time trying to find a job or getting on birth control, we would not have such issues. People get there kids taken away for a reason, it's not like these people get some sorta bonus for taking a child out of a home !seriously! I personally have seen some children in public that I would take away from their parents just because of appearance...filth, I can't tell you how many times I have been in walmart and seen kids with no coat no shoes, yet their parents are all bundled up gloves, hats, and all. And I am not one to judge my kids wear snow boots with their shorts in the summer,just cuz it makes them smile!!
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: Derby
on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:37 PM
Some people might remember Adam lived in derby before the Herrmans move away. He was a kid that liked to play out side just like every other kid. When I saw this on the news about him it was very hard. I could not believe it. He used to come over to my house and play with my kids. I do hope he is ok. He does not deserve this.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:09 PM
I did the myspace thing and if you add 30 pounds to the pic.....what cha think??
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:06 PM
How do you know he's not sitting back and reading all this himself?? I know from experience some people just don't want to be found!!
Posted by: Gena
Location: El Dorado
on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Whether he ran away 1 time or 100 times there is no excuse for not reporting it. I'm praying that he is alive and well.
Posted by: Unknown
Location: Unknown
on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:17 PM
How does SRS destroy families? The goal is to protect children and it isn't a perfect system but do have a better idea? Child abuse is the perfect crime....you can away with inflicting horrific abuse on your children. If a stranger did the things that some unfit parents do, they would go to prison for a very long time. Many parents just get a slap on the wrist.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:13 PM
SRS Destroys Families! Hhhhmmm...we know all too well how the system works. Knew the facts as caseworkers would lie to cover their own mistakes. Then they place your children in abusive foster care or adopt children out to anyone to get them off their hands.
Posted by: I Care!
on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:04 PM
For anonymous; the community has a right to be involved in this matter whether if it's by expressing their own concern or opinions. Everything is speculation for the time being. It's devastating to know that a child has been missing this length of time and on top of it the parents never reported the child missing. How could you or anyone expect people to not say anything? If you don't like what you're reading, then don't read this forum.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:45 PM
I believe that the sheriff stated his birthday was 6/8/86, but I read on one site it was 6/8/87. Either way he would be 21 or 22 years old.
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: wichita
on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:25 PM
do you people know for sure that this child is dead? do you know fore sure that the parents used him on thier taxes after he was gone? dont say things on here unless you know the facts. worry about your own children, and what you are doing instead of dreaming up stories where you have no proof. let the police handle this, unless you are activly out there looking for this person, or you have an active role in this sit back and watch nancy grace..
Posted by: Unknown
Location: unknown
on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:12 PM
I knew a mother who nearly murdered her child and the judge let the child go back into the home. Sad but true!
Posted by: Angel8
Location: Wichita
on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:11 PM
To the last Anonymous post, Relinquish is to surrender/ What SRS does is (Manipulate) To manage or influence skillfully especially in an unfair manner to manipulate peoples feeling. After seeing how this county does things, I would wager a good steak dinner with drinks that the catch all phrase would be manpulate. After all the phrase to end all phrases used by every Social Worker, case worker and SRS agent is "The best interest of the Child". Lets hear it for the bubble gum chewing pierced family service workers with the short skirts that show up at Juvenile Court. "Best interest of the child my foot.
Posted by: b
Location: wichita ks
on Jan 6, 2009 at 01:57 PM
I have been reading the comments about the bio parents giving up their son. As a person who has been involved in the SRS/Youthville system I can tell you that often SRS reports are not accurate and social workers are easily intimidated by the DA. The youthville and SRS requirements to keep custody of your child are very intense and often when a parent thinks they have completed more stipulations show up. During the time a child is in foster care the parent, grandparents and other family members are only allowed short visitations usually around 2x monthly. Once a child is adopted the adoptive family will receive an adoption subsidy monthly plus SRS geta a set amount from the FED for each child adopted and gotten out of the system. Wouldnt you like to see how much SRS receives annuaslly for their adoption services?
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: Wichita
on Jan 6, 2009 at 01:47 PM
you know what's really funny? when i was reading through these comments a couple of hours ago, they seemed to all be against SRS. now all of those comments have disappeared and all of the comments are supporting SRS. I think that's pretty strange. new comment editor maybe?
Posted by: Dee Claen
Location: Wichta
on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:59 PM
For someone not to report a child missing is just not right.How can anyone do that.As a mother od a missing and Jan. the 11 she will be missing 9yrs this hits my heart very bad.Now that we know may we find him alive and good.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:43 PM
well i am glad to see that the names of the worthless parents are out seems it looks like they will get away with not reporting their son missing. i dont care where you think he is going his was your child you made the vow when you adopted him if youcant love a child because he is not your blood than dont adopted this poor boy if he is alive probably feels like he has nobody. with you names out i hope people treat you like you deserve to be treated you dont deserve to be happy and now you claim you should have turned it in only because you are caught.
Posted by: turtle2
Location: ict
on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:40 PM
i hope they find this child. that being said i am adopting 3 children all sister's and believe me you go thru a tough system to adopt i dont know what it was like back then but for the last year ive gone thru home inspections back ground checks now its monthly home visits at first it was twice a month.you have to get at least 6 people who know you to fill out paperwork full of questions about your character and why they feel you would be best for those kids.you have to get physicals and take tb tests you have to go to court so many times its not funny,then you meet with att's and srs theres so much ive been going thru this for a year now and still have at least 3 months to go.srs and youthville have done their jobs as far as i am concerened in my case so hopefully the system is better now than it was then. i think this child is dead and the adopted parents no it.or he ran away and doesnt want to be found.either way i hope something gives and we learn something
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:38 PM
And maybe he is truly better off wherever he is, hopefully alive. Maybe he doesn't need to be found, and has been living a wonderful life away from a abusive adoptive mom.
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: wichita
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I have read the comments about SRS. I have worked both sides. I used to work as an adoptive social worker. Most of the talk comes from people who don't know the system. First of all the family relinquished their rights according to the news. Look up what relinquish means. Once a child is adoptive we would track them for three years and after that the case was closed. This child becomes and has all the rights as your biological child. Meaning they will become an heir. SRS is darn if the do and darn if they don't. Why don't those who sit in judgement try to help raise the children in our community like when I was a child. I don't want to hear any excuses kids or kids and they can be reached. So had they let the children in the home and something happened who's flaut would it be, hum you guys would once again blame SRS. SRS only provides the facts and the judges make the decisions. So why aren't you talking bad about them, hum.
Posted by: Sally
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Why are you guys saying he was nine when he disappeared? The news article says he was eleven. Also if SRS had him in their care, then why are the adoptive parents saying they regret not reporting him missing? Re-read the article again. The adoptive parents lied to family and others saying the state took Adam back. Otherwise they would not be facing possible charges in not reporting him missing. Also he could not have run to his sister's...she was a child herself at the time and living with another adoptive family. If he had showed up there, her adoptive mom would have called his adoptive mom and so they could pick him up...or the police. I also don't understand why the news is saying Adam would be 22 now..Tiffany is 22 and said he is two years younger then her. Said she last say him when she was seven or eight and he was around six years old. They said his birthday on the news conference but I don't see it in the article now. The math isn't figuring out right though.
Posted by: e
Location: wichita
on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:01 AM
SALLY - this story has been updated. Adam's picture HADN'T been released when the comments were made. THINK ABOUT IT, DUH!
Posted by: How stupid are we?
Location: kansas
on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:30 AM
Again these adoptive parents have lied to the authorities - yet have they asked the questions that WM posted on jan6 @ 2;21 am? It seems that the authorites especially in Sedgwick county go with whatever is told to them without investigating - makes their job easier. The Herrmans are telling the autohorites anything to COVER UP what has been done here - break their statments down - address each statement. Also what school reported the abuse? Was it in Sedgwick County? More than likely - they are known for ignoring abuse of children.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:58 AM
Angie F ... just a tid bit ... biological parents may have given birth but in the eyes of the court = law they are not is parents they have no rights to him ... either through parental relinquishment = willingly siging your rights away or through parental termination of rights determined through a court of law - ultimately a Judge. I agree something is terribly wrong with this situation but his birth family - mom and dad have proven they are unfit or willingly gave this poor child up so they are also in great fault for failing this child by either not loving enough or wanting enough to be a parent to do the right thing for this child and/or just putting their name on a piece of paper givining him up. Wouldn't you jump through any hoop that was placed in front of you to regain your child/family? Anyone would who truly loved their child. And is a child less important than a piece of paper ... I would never willing give my child away.
Posted by: a concerned mother
Location: Wichita
on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:46 AM
they know exactly what they did to the boy..they should be charged with a federal crime a well for using him on their taxes when he was not physically living with them..This is a straight cold case, they should be charged even without a body, they know what they did...
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:37 AM
This is so bizzare!!
Posted by: WM
Location: Wichita
on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:21 AM
I'm confused, in one news report it was said that the Herrmans didn't report him missing the very last time he allegedly ran away but did they ever report him missing any of the other times? The Herrmans also commented that they figured he went back to his biological family. Oddley his bio. sister told reporters that she tried to contact Adam and was told she couldn't talk to him because the Herrmans didn't want Adam to know he was adopted. So which is it? Who's telling the truth? Who's not? Also Valerie told her family that she took Adam back to the state, so why would she even think she could claim him on her taxes and other legal documents? Because she knew the state had no record of that such return and she was safe to claim someone no one else would be claiming. Sounds like a guilty person to me. Poor Adam.
Posted by: Sue
Location: Wichita
on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:19 AM
My advice to Sheriff Murphy, if you are going to find some one use his Biological parents name. and not his adoptive name Parents It would be very hard for a nine year old boy to get by with out some one seeing him I would think his Sister would be the first place he would go.
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: Wichita
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:21 PM
I can't believe the adoptive parents didn't report him missing. They shouldn't be allowed to have any children if they don't know the responsibilities of parenthood. Why would anyone want to believe what they have to say now?
Posted by: Unkown
Location: Wichita
on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:09 PM
It is nice that people care and want to help find Adam, but don't you think the LEOs have already thought about checking Myspace and other sites?
Posted by: Jenna
on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:38 PM
As I agree, someone should be accounted for his disappearance....my god i have a child that is 12 and there is no way he could take care of himself on his own....why wouldnt a parent call the police....i agree...sounds toooooo suspicious too me and someone**ahem** mr and mrs herrman know EXACTLY where this little boy lays!
Posted by: Melissa
on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:37 PM
I did the myspace search too. If he is alive, one could only wonder how he maintained a job without his ssn and drivers license? Wonder if he was actually trying to get a drivers license when the sister called last. Isn't that what the adoptive mother told the sister? My family and I pray that Adam is alive and doing well.
Posted by: concerned citizen
Location: Wichita
on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:15 PM
What the hell are wrong with these parents? How would any caring parent NOT report their 11 yr old missing? Better yet, why didn't the school that he attended take notice of this child not attending school? What about the Herrmans other family members? Neighbors? Friends? How could any person think an 11 yr. can go out on his own and find his biological family when the Herrmans told the sister that they didn't want him to know he was adopted. A little vague and too suspicious...time to fess up Doug and Valerie Herrman!!! The citizens hold you accountable!!
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:10 PM
If you people search Adam Herrman on myspace, there is a 24 year old that strongly resembles the kid in the pic. I realize the age is off, but hell you can put in anything on myspace???
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 06:46 PM
1:37pm - it is my understanding that the Derby school was starting to ask questions. Perhaps the "parents" found it easier not to put him back in school after they moved. In news conference they said that they believed he may have been home schooled.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 04:47 PM
okay ele or elle, mispelling your own name name now? No matter what city/county/whomever is handling it, it still does not follow that they would be actively looking for an individual who was DEAD. Do you see the point? Okay so fine, does this help?: Butler Co. Sheriff Craig Murphy is seeking help in locating a missing person, we can pretty safely assume that they don't have the remains of said missing person. Do you understand now, or do I need to dumb it up a little more?
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 04:43 PM
The news conference was a waste of air time, he gave no more information that the public didn't already know. Duh the family that adopted are persons of interest well of course they are it doesn't take a CSI or FBI to know that geez. Those people have done something with that little boy!
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 04:16 PM
2:24 pm== I think it is also interesting that the Adoptive Parents continued to claim him for years even though he "Ran Away"-- The Eagle reported that the couple continued to claim the child years after he disappeared, first in bankruptcy proceedings filed in 2002, and later in a divorce case filed in 2003. The divorce case was later dropped.
Posted by: ele
Location: Wichita
on Jan 5, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Anonymous, get your facts straight it's Butler County, this has nothing to do with WPD. You just blowing smoke out of both sides of your mouth. You must like to hear yourself rant and rave over nothing.
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: Towanda
on Jan 5, 2009 at 03:56 PM
What is sad is that everyone wants to throw blame on the overloaded system cuz biological parents are not able to care for the children that they decided to have. I blame both sets of parents cuz it was all of their responsiblities to love and care for this young boy and all 4 of them have failed! What happened to the other children that lived with these adoptive "parents". Were they cared for the right way. Why would you not report a 9 yr old missing no matter what he was just a child. This just makes me sick.
Posted by: linda
on Jan 5, 2009 at 03:36 PM
This is not a Wichita issue, it has nothing to do with WPD or Sedgwick County for that matter.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Sure, they found his remains and are just asking if anyone has seen him to throw us off. 'Cuz the WPD have a lot of time on their hands and they just like to joke around. "Please call if you've seen this little boy, haha, just kidding! He's actually dead. Boy howdy, we fooled you but good!"
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 02:26 PM
Thank you, Sally!
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 02:24 PM
I agree- it sounds like they have found him (remains) and are getting DNA tests to confirm identity.
Posted by: thank you Sally
on Jan 5, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Good grief, why don't we blame the President! It's unfortunate this event happened....clearly the adoptive parents who didn't report him are at fault. There is a lot to be said by their actions, or lack there of. Blaming the Schools and SRS is just uneducated and immature assumption. They aren't involved and I suggest everyone take a look at the key players in this story and the roles they had. Let's pray for him instead of cast stones.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 01:37 PM
The last school that the boy went to was in Derby. Why would'nt they send him to a Towanda school?
Posted by: Elizabeth
Location: Wichita
on Jan 5, 2009 at 01:16 PM
My husband & I are adoptive parents. Once the adoption(s) go through, the agencies step out of the picture. What truly puzzles me is why the parents did not "sound the alarm" when this young boy went missing. If either one of our boys went missing, or did not respond to the handy talky, we would start an immediate search. I cannot imagine what the bio. family members are going through. My prayers are with them!
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: South Central Kansas
on Jan 5, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I question why his parents didn't care enough to report him as a runaway. We need to step back and not point fingers at SRS and other authorities, the boy had been adopted and once that is finalized SRS is sadly out of the picture which I hope will someday change. My personal experience is that there is such a push to get these kids adopted that there isn't adequate enough time spent during the transition of the child to the new environment, and of course foster and adoptive parents can sound wonderul in the beginning. I have family who adopted and the first visit the child was calling them Mom and Dad, the child was only 2. They rushed the move in transition only after two weekend visits and called with news they could have him permanently, luckily things turned out well. I just think there should be more follow up. Does anyone know this family? Why didn't other family question his absence? Are there other children? Who finally reported him missing?
Posted by: Mom of 4
Location: Wichita
on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Why dont we stop blaming every one and let each person be responsible for their own actions. SRS is not the reason this boy is no where to be found. Every one blames SRS for being so horrible but what about the parents that loose their children?!? Come on people! If the parents were doing a good job and putting their children first at all times they would have never lost them. But no too many parents put their boy friend, friends and drugs first. These addoptive parents should deffiantel be punished. They didnt even care he was gone. He could have been kiddnapped but the parents thought it would be easier just thinking he ran away.
Posted by: t
Location: wichita
on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Okay, everyone who has posted needs to read the article. He was placed into foster care after a family divorce, more than likely the bio parents put him there, then some family adopted him. Srs only did the legal part of it I am sure. Its not just srs, srs is the state of kansas, not a little company, every is jumping ahead of themselves. I am wanting to know why the adoptive parents (possibly the then foster parents) didn't report it, and if they did why didn't it make news.
Posted by: Sally
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:53 AM
I am amazed at the replies on here..and the anger too! Why are you all so angry when you don't even know anything really yet? Second, did you not read the news article or watch the conference? They did release his picture...and we all know SRS doesn't take children from divorced families. Think, for Heaven sakes. Why does SRS take children from their families? Instead of angrily jumping to conclusions why don't you wait for some facts first and think things through? As someone pointed out once a child is adopted SRS fades out of the picture. And the article says the adoptive parents home schooled. So quit blaming SRS and the schools when you don't even have your facts straight. We need to support the police in their investigation and be patient. There is no reason to be so terribly angry over information you got wrong to start with.
Posted by: aj
Location: leon kansas
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:36 AM
if adam is still alive try looking on myspace.he could be on there.
Posted by: RE: Angie
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:31 AM
I beg to differ. He was taken by SRS and therefore it has EVERYTHING to do with SRS. He was adopted out by the courts with the help and influence of SRS, so again, it has everything to do with SRS and their failures. SRS failed to make sure that the adoptive family was safe and responsible. Thus, we have a child (now grown man) who has been missing, unreportedly until recent days, for 9-10 years. Do you still assertain this has nothing to do with SRS? If so, your blinders must be pretty thick.
Posted by: Cheryl
Location: Kansas
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:26 AM
I think it would be the smart thing to do to wait until you get if not all the facts at least more than you have now before making up your mind who is at fault. We don't even know for sure what has happened to this young man yet. Jumping the gun and premature blame usually comes back to make you look like an idiot.
Posted by: A
Location: Wichita
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Angie - they just said during the live news conference that they're having photos drawn up now of what he might look like today...not sure why they won't release photos of what he looked like when he was a kid...
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:15 AM
SRS didn't lose the child. Who knows why the kids were in foster care; that really isn't the point. Once a child is adopted, SRS is rarely involved. They don't do visits as if they were in foster care. Don't get me wrong; someone is definatly in the wrong here, but I think it is a bit early to be pointing fingers to anyone other than the parents! They are the ones that did not report him missing in the first place. Very fishy!
Posted by: M
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:04 AM
He was school age-Why didn't the school turn them in? SRS FAILED AGAIN!!!!! I think someone is covering something up( SRS OR SCHOOL)
Posted by: Robbin
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:00 AM
The previous comment suggests that SRS is covering something up regarding the disappearance of Adam. The adoption process is a lengthy one in which the biological family is at first either found to be unable and/or unfit to parent the child, and their parental rights are severed. This takes many months and sometimes years to happen, and it happens in a court of law. The child is then adopted by a family that has gone through a lengthy home study, background check, and months of having the child in their home before the adoption is finalized, again in a court of law. That adoption is usually handled by another agency, such as Lutheran Social Services (at least back then). After the adoption, it is that agency, not SRS that does follow-ups on the child. If the family reports no specific needs after at least a year or more, the agency is available, but does not continue to do routine checks on the child. Sometimes things happen, but I don't think SRS is in any way responsible.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:32 AM
To the biological sister...I'm the same age as he would be now and grew up in Towanda. I don't ever remember a boy by that name being in my school. They need to release what time of the year he went missing. If it was summer and they had just moved in, he wouldn't have been in school yet.
Posted by: Re: Angie
on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:29 AM
This has nothing to do with SRS. He was adopted, therefore SRS is no longer involved. Clearly you need some built up anger, it was his adoptive parents' fault for not reporting this. WTH!?!
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Wow. What a great way to start the New Year. A boy goes missing for a decade and NO ONE questions anything. The "family" didn't even report it. Sounds to me like the adoptive family had a big part in his "mysterious disappearance". If so, I would love to know what the bio family members are going to do about that? Hopefully, KAKE can get the bio family to come together for a full on interview soon. I think SRS needs to be banned from taking anymore kids from anyone, a new system needs to be built, and the families that are actually trying to stick together and survive should be left alone. Of course, don't leave the kids that are really neglected and abused in their situations, but MAKE SURE that you're taking the right ones. So many are taken that shouldn't be, and so many are left in the homes they should have never even been born into at all. Very disappointing again for SRS and it's major failures. I hope the bio family gets the young man back safely, and soon.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:05 AM
It is not hard to read between the lines, the investigators have found the remains of this poor young child..he was not obviously loved by his adoptive parents
Posted by: nb
Location: Gods' Country, Kansas
on Jan 5, 2009 at 08:46 AM
Has anyone started the 15 Minuets of fame clock yet?
Posted by: Taxpayor
Location: Wichita
on Jan 5, 2009 at 08:35 AM
So the children were taken because of a bruise on one of the older children. Could this be a case of rhetoric gone south "In the best interest of the child?" Or an example of things done behind closed doors without scruitiny? The state underestimates the power of family and blood.
Posted by: Angie F.
Location: Wichita
on Jan 4, 2009 at 11:56 PM
If he's really missing...if investigators really want to find him...WHY AREN'T THEY RELEASING ANY PICTURES OF HIM!? I've heard that Amber alerts are very fast and effective ways to find missing people! Who looks for someone when they don't know what they look like? Maybe SRS DOESN'T want too much of this story to get out, because then we'll all know THEY could've prevented it but they FAILED! Was he really placed in foster care and ADOPTED out just because his parents got divorced? What are you trying to cover up, SRS??? Was he taken from his real family to PROTECT him? Way to PROTECT him SRS!!!! I hope you don't take my kids away to "protect" them, and the people you give them to LOSE them(for over 10 years), or murder them! And then you don't even release a photo so they can be found?! Is it in Adam's best interest that he NOT BE FOUND? or is that just what's best for the State of Kansas?! I hope Adam's family gets him back, and they sue the %$#& out of SRS for losing their son!!! |
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I understand why the money issue is such a big deal! They are to collect that money each month to help Adam, supporting him, so where did the money go if Adam wasn't there? They surely weren't using it for school clothes or doctor visits, or maybe even after a few months of thinking he just ran away, did they use that money to try to contact his bio. father or even a private investagator to possibly find him! No, for 10yrs. they sat and cashed those checks that we're intended for Adam, and did god knows what! The money becomes an issue because, as sick as it, they kept recieving money that wasn't intended for them, but really belonged to Adam! Maybe they wouldn't be broke today on lawyer fees and what ever else, had they saved that money they recieve every month, and used it the right way, giving it back to help find they're son! So I think it really upsets people because in the end in seeems that the money was more important to them than Adam! Now that says ALOT about the Herrmans!!
JW: There is such a thing as "Adoption Subsidy" And the Herrmans received this money for Adam because he was considered "hard to adopt" only because he had other siblings with him. The amount was around 700 bucks per child in his bio family.
The Hermanns didn't want to care for him, they just wanted the $ to care for him. SRS taught them well! It's all about $. I took care of my 3 kids, working 40-70hrs/week at my job, making $20,000/yr with no assistance except SRS payed PART of my childcare. My kids were healthy, happy, clean, well-fed, etc. SRS had them taken away and they're telling me they cost over $13,000 A MONTH (over $158,000/yr!) to be taken care of in foster care!!! I see them once a week, they have long dirty fingernails, uncombed hair, bruises, scratches, shoes that dont fit, and one of them just got their FIRST cavity! (8 yrs with me and NO cavities). They have changed schools 3 times in 6 months and they are getting really bad grades(imagine that). Can someone please explain to me what the foster home is doing with all that money they are being paid to take care of my kids? & HOW could SRS accuse ME of "neglect" and take my kids away and send them to a place that REALLY neglects them? SRS DESTROYS FAMILIES!
Much less do you think anyone in Kansas could afford to pay out $4,400 dollars a month??? Think not. Their almost homeless now and too broke from paying all of their lawyer fees in hopes to get their children back home....as for Mike, when you have your children ripped out of your home for more than a year, one hour supervised visits per week IF YOUR LUCKY, seeing your children bruised by foster parents, lost all of your savings due to all the lawyer fees,court fees, SRS child support and then some, please tell me if I'm going overboard!
Melissa, that is a great idea. Take SRS workers and Youthville workers' kids away and then make them go through DCCCA to "try" to get them back. Then, after they do everything that DCCCA requires for reintegration, tell them, "sorry, you took too long and they don't want to come home now!" or maybe as in this case, "Oops, we adopted them out to someone and they lost them!!!". Oh, and don't forget to charge them child support! The State of Kansas pays DCCCA $4,400 per month, per child! and they expect to be reimbursed by the parents! Does anyone really believe that it costs DCCCA $4,400 a month to take care of ONE child???
Am I missing something or is the coverage of this way overboard? Must we know every detail of this everyday?
WAY TO GO MELISSA!! WELL SAID..... SRS DOES DESTROY FAMILIES!!!!!!!
No, here's a better idea! Let's take SRS and Youthville's caseworkers children away from them and let them see how they like having their children ripped from them for a change. SRS DESTROYS FAMILIES!
lets make SRS disappear and not ^%*%$ report it!!!
and if the inevitable happens... THEN PROSECUTE THE BIO PARENT. TO THE FULLEST. AT LEAST THERE WILL BE ANSWERS!!! ALSO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE ABUSED PARENTS TO SELECT THE ADOPTED PARENT FOR THEIR CHILD IF THEY WISH TO RELINQUISH THEIR RIGHTS... NO ONE LOVES A CHILD LIKE THEIR OWN PARENT!!
how many of you agree with me..read up!!! with as many kids that have been put in custody. the numbers are high of children abused,neglected,raped,molested,murdered and missing. All in states custody. not just the state of KS.. but all of them..DON'T YOU THINK THAT ITS BETTER THAT THE CHILDREN REMAIN IN THE HANDS OF A ISOLATED ABUSE CASE OF A BIO PARENT, POSSIBLY DUE TO STRESS OF THE PARENT...RATHER THAN IN THE HANDS OF STRANGERS THAT, STATISTICS SHOW DO THE VERY SAME THING. IF NOT WORSE..I think we as a community need an out cry to change the laws of SRS who continually fail children everywhere. Their mistakes are grave. Why can't they put the child back with the stressed parent and make them take a class of horrible stories like this one. AND PARENTING CLASSES. I would almost guarantee that the bio's extended family care enough to make a complaint of abuse. and if the abuse continues make them pay a very hefty fine... and if the inevitable happens then prosecute them fully!!!
Bud, You of all people....I know that you fought for your kids. I am so sorry to hear that this has happened to your beautiful son. I pray that god see us in the right direction and that Irvin III is found alive and well... I'm so sorry that you were robbed the chance to even know your son. They have to pay for what they done... make srs pay!! challenge any lawyer to help you make them pay. And I don't mean Pay by money... Pay by changing the laws...God bless you and your daughters.. The Wilsons.... friends for 25 years....
These animals are just as bad as the one in florida, they know what happened to this boy, they are guilty of murder, they have lived this lie and God will judge them, the realatives of these animals are just as guilty, they knew, God will judge them all no matter if they avoid the laws of man or not.
I hope that they do find him, to give his family (biological) closure. If his other siblings were adopted by the same family, why didn't they ask, or were they also told he ran away. I'm sorry, but it just seems like this is child abandament if nothing else. I mean to not report it, and then to move on like he was never there.
I'm sure what everyone is saying is that, These parents had the nerve to collect his adoption subsidy for 10 years and not report him missing. It just makes it look like they are trying to cover something up. Lets just hope and pray that its only the fact that they didn't report him missing. and not a murder. And if they find his body... whether or not they killed him... They should be prosecuted for murder and failing to protect him. Due to the fact of not reporting a child as a runaway..... I also think that SRS should be slapped in the face with failing that child also!!! They most of all failed him.