Families Using Websites and Comment Boards for Missing Children

When Kelsey Smith disappeared Saturday, June 2, breaking news stories about her disappearance from an Overland Park, Kan., Target store swept the nation and appeared on seemingly every news channel.

Flyers were taped to convenience store counters, some people even had posters on their cars, and a Kansas Citian could not have a conversation with another without talking about Kelsey.

However, some of the most poignant conversation occurred between Kelsey's family, friends, and several complete strangers on the web site for Kelsey.

Family and friends of missing teens are increasingly making use of web sites and message boards to not only increase awareness about their missing loved one, but to communicate with the public and express their agony.

Kelsey's family had set up a website, www.findkelsey.com, and on June 6, they had to move the site to Blogger.com to accommodate the overwhelming number of posts. On June 6, after the move of the site at 2:50 p.m., 226 comments were logged. Three minutes later, the family posted again, to communicate that detectives had come to the house to deliver the news that they'd found a body believed to be Kelsey, though there had been no confirmation. Since that date, there have been nearly 2,700 comments in response to posts.

Kelsey's parents recognized the tremendous outpouring of both grief and support not only from their own community, but from people across the nation and the world. They wrote on the site:

Kelsey's Army

Greg, Missey, and the entire Smith family would like to express their deep appreciation for the outpouring of love and support from across the country and around the world. The comments you posted here will sustain them in the days ahead.

And on a separate post from the previous day:

From Missey and Greg

Words can not express our heartfelt thanks for all the love and caring assistance in our search for Kelsey. Your dedication and tireless efforts are deeply appreciated. Although the outcome is not what we desired, we know that Kelsey is Home.

Please continue to remember our family in your prayers. We love you all.