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Find Marissa

October 16, 2011 permalink

Two-year-old Marissa Whalen is missing, feared dead by police. The facts have been published and Canada Court Watch has announced a search party to help locate the girl. Why doesn't this happen when a baby dies in CAS custody? Those cases remain secret. In a news article on Marissa, a friend of her mother applied unsuccessfully for an order preventing publication of her name. CAS has such an order in all cases, built right in to the Child and Family Services Act.

The CCW poster and news article are enclosed.

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search for Marissa Whalen


Fort Erie woman charged with murder in disappearance of Fort Erie girl

Child's body has not been found, police say

NIAGARA - A Fort Erie woman has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a two-year-old child whose remains haven't yet been located, Niagara Regional Police said Friday.

Rainbow E. Hill, 28, of Fort Erie was arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree murder.

Hill appeared briefly in bail court in St. Catharines Friday afternoon and requested through a lawyer that the court impose a ban on the publication of her name.

The justice of the peace said she had no authority to make such an order.

Hill was remanded in custody until the charges are dealt with. With murder cases, it is up to the accused to request a bail hearing in a higher court.

Her next appearance is on Nov. 1 to update court about whether she's retained a lawyer.

Investigators began looking into the disappearance of the toddler who is identified in court documents as two-year-old Marissa Whalen. Police said the accused and the victim knew each other, but aren't disclosing their relationship.

In court, a justice of the peace ordered Hill not to have any contact with Rosanna Whalen, Cynthia Whalen or Brian Smith.

The incident occurred between July 29 and Aug. 8 in Fort Erie, according to information filed in court in St. Catharines.

A police press release issued Friday did not identify the victim.

Police began their investigtaion Oct. 8, but didn't release details of the investigation to the public until Friday.

Foul play was suspected in the child's disappearance and the NRP's major crime unit immediately launched a homicide investigation, police said.

"Based on the information received by investigators and the highly sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation, information on this investigation could not be publicly released until this time," Staff Sgt. James Prinsen said in a news release. "Any prior release of information would have significantly hampered our ability to conduct a complete investigation."

Police haven't yet said why they believe the missing toddler is dead.

"At this time the remains of the deceased have not been located, we will continue to work diligently to accomplish this recovery," Prinsen said.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call investigators at 905-688-4111, ext. 4251, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477. Anonymous tips can also be made online at www.niagaratips.com or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword 'Niagara' followed by your tip.

Source: Thorold News

Addendum: Here is a video report on the search by members of Canada Court Watch YouTube, and local copy (mp4).

The police found the body even before the CCW search was complete.

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Arrest Made in the Homicide Investigation of a 2-year-old Child - Update 3

Update #3 - Remains Discovered, 3rd Arrest
On Sunday October 16th, 2011 at approximately 2:00 p.m. the remains of a young child were discovered at a site within the Six Nations Territory. The discovery was made after a search of the area near 3rd Line, between Chiefswood Road and Seneca Road in Ohsweken, Ontario. The remains were located in a wooded area near a trail that runs through the area. This is the area where investigators have been concentrating their search efforts for the past several days.

The remains are believed to be that of 2-year-old Marissa Whalen, missing since late July 2011. A conclusive determination of the identity of the remains cannot be made at this time. Further forensic identification efforts will be made to conclusively determine the identity of the child.

The scene surrounding the discovery of the remains continues to be maintained by police pending the conclusion of a complete forensic examination. This examination is expected to take a number of days.

In addition to this recovery, a third person has been arrested in relation to this ongoing investigation. On Sunday October 16th, 2011 members of the Niagara Regional Police Service arrested and charged 30-year-old Amanda Dipota of Niagara Falls with Accessory After the Fact to Murder and Indignity to Human Remains. Amanda Dipota is the sister of Rainbow E. Hill, a female currently facing 2nd degree murder charges in this investigation. The accused is scheduled to attend a bail hearing in St.Catharines on Monday October 17th, 2011.

The Niagara Regional Police Service wishes to recognize the outstanding cooperation of the Six Nations Police Service in relation to this ongoing investigation.

Niagara Regional Police Service Superintendent Cliff Sexton, in charge of Investigative Support & Emergency Services will be available for media interviews in relation to this investigation on this date in St. Catharines. Any interested media agency is asked to contact Cst. Sal Basilone via email at 9004@nrps.on.ca to make interview arrangements.

Information on crimes can be submitted anonymously using Crime Stoppers of Niagara.

To leave an anonymous tip, please contact Crime Stoppers via:

Telephone: 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
Online: www.niagaratips.com
Text: 274637 (CRIMES), keyword 'Niagara', then your tip.

Crime Stoppers guarantees that you will remain anonymous through any of the methods offered to provide tips. You may also be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000 if the information leads to an arrest.

Incident Number: 93197

Prepared By: BASILONE, Salvatore
Rank & File No: Constable, 9004
Unit: Chiefs Office

Authorized By: BASILONE, Salvatore
Rank & File No: Constable, 9004
Unit: Chiefs Office

Date Submitted: 10/16/2011

Source: Niagara Regional Police Service

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