9 months and counting... an update on Chioma Gray

We are now approaching the 9 month mark since the disappearance of Chioma Gray, the 16 year old high school student who was kidnapped by Andrew Tafoya from her school in Oxnard California. 9 Months have passed... 9 months... and during that time we've heard countless cries and pleas for Stacy Peterson, Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, Madeline McCann, and now, little Caylee Anthony.

I grieve for the families in each of these tragic situations; no family should ever have to endure the grinding despair or enervating uncertainty of a missing loved one. But I have a special place in my heart for Chioma... I am pained by her disappearance and disheartened by the apparent limits of our compassion. Can we all not grieve for her as well? Can we all not share her mother's burden?

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Why is it that CNN, FOX, and MSNBC, the FBI, Nancy Grace, John Walsh, America's most Wanted, and all of these people and agencies can come together and stake out Drew Peterson's home, investigate leads for Madeline McCann all the way over in Belgium, track down Ceasar Laurion in rural Mexico, and tape and analyze every conversation Mom Casey Anthony has, and bring in all sorts of equipment to do air sampling within Casey's trunk, and yet there is no National push to find Chioma? Why?

Chioma is a good girl, she has dreams, she has a bright future, she is an excellent student, she cares deeply for her family, she is a person of deep and abiding faith; She deserves more than a couple missing person flyer's in the foyers of a few Walmarts.

I spoke with Chioma's mom yesterday... She told me that she hasn't received any word, NOTHING, from the FBI since February. She told me that the Ventura Police Department has already stopped looking. There were leads in the case that Chioma may have been spotted in Mexico, but they were never followed up on, reports of various sightings, and she still has no information and no real assistance.

Over these past 9 months, I have come to know Mrs. Black, and I consider her a friend. And it is truly painful to hear the hurt and the pain in her voice as she asks the very simple questions, "why won't anybody help me find my Chioma?" and to know that there is no good answer...

But we are not helpless. Collectively, we can make our voice heard. We need to speak out on behalf of Chiomaezronesha Gray and make the CNN's, Nancy Grace's, John Walsh's, and FBI take note. With Internet advocacy groups like the Afrospear, Color of change, and Netroots, representing hundreds of new media outlets with hundreds of thousands of readers, if we all spoke together, the message could not be ignored. And here is the message:

We want to find Chioma, we want resources dedicated to finding her, we want updates on her case, we want to know that there are people out in the field following up on leads, we want to know that the latest technology is being used to uncover evidence, we want to know that Andrew Tafoya's contact with his family is being taped and scrutinized, we want someone to be in contact with the family of Chioma Gray, and we want to make it clear that we love our children too; just as much as Cindy Anthony loves Caylee, just as much as Gerry and Kate love Madeline McCann, just as much as friends and family love Stacy Peterson... We want our Chioma back too...

Readers, I want to ask a favor of you all... first email, copy, reprint, repost, or retransmit this post in any and every medium you can. And second, please take a second or two and contact the following people and let them know that you want an update on the case of Chioma Gray:

• California Dept of Justice, Missing and unidentified persons unit EMAIL
• Chief Pat Miller, Ventura PD EMAIL Business phone: 805-339-4400
• FBI, Los Angeles Field Office (310) 477-6565
• Nancy Grace EMAIL
• Greta Van Susteren EMAIL
• Gloria Allread EMAIL
• America's Most Wanted EMAIL

...and please leave a word or support or encouragement for the family of Chioma Gray here in the comments section... I'll be sure that Mrs. Black gets each and every comment...

Tech Tags: Chioma+Gray

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A letter to Chioma

Guest posted by Choima's Mother, Franciene Black

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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, so that anyone who believes in him shall not perished but have eternal life.

On April 27, 1992, God loaned us one of his most incredible, gifts of all. The gift of life! A beyond, beautiful child of God. This gift was just what I had requested from Jesus. A healthy, beautiful baby girl. It was so very important that I observed this gift for two months before God gave me the name inscribed in Gods hand. It was so important that she be given a name of her character and a meaning representing God. She was blessed with his "Word" of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Lord knew that she was so special that he even stamped a birthmark on her body, representing Love, a beautiful heart!!! The definition of this baby loaned by Jesus Christ. A Child of God!

The Power is in the Blood of Jesus, was given as her first name: CHIOMA= Gods Good Blood, ATINUKE= loved cherished and protected from the womb. AMARACHI= Gods blessing, Gods Grace, OGECHI= Gods Time! We must know with his power that God did not send his son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. I give many thanks and praise for this young beautiful daughter Chiomaezronesha... Truly, Chioma has represented her name through out her 15, years of life. Who is Chioma? Chioma is my daughter, whom loves Jesus. She is a very well respected and loved girl in her community. Chioma is invited to an International event every year, for students that have high GPA, and Excel in sports. Chioma wrote a story called “The Perfect Story”. She describes how great her life is. Her love for her family is so innocent and pure. Chioma is my last beautiful baby girl.

On December 13, 2007, as usual, Chioma was driven to school by her father and two brothers. She was taken inside of the campus. That same day she was abducted by, Andrew Joshua Tafoya, a convicted felon. He abducted her on the same day he was released from work furlough. If anyone knows Chioma, she always takes a few important things with her. First her make-up, second electronics such as sidekick phone, and if she was going far away, third she would have taken her 1lb dog “Pink,” that she carries everywhere in her purse. All of these personal belongings were at home. Trust and Believe that Chioma has been “ABDUCTED AND KIDNAPED.” She is completely against her will, and her beliefs.

Her education is extremely important. Chioma’s number one dream in this life since the age of 6 was to become an OB/GYN. She was looking forward to join her sister, who is presently studying to become a Pediatrician. They had planned to open a practice together after receiving their degrees. My daughter, Chioma and my dreams are on hold. The absence of my Soul “Chioma” is desperately seeking the safe return of Chioma. Please pray that all of our dreams will come true. Our family has a strong belief in our Lord Jesus Christ; He is our Alpha and the Omega. We know that God’s word is True. Chioma is in God’s beautiful big hands, just waiting to return. No matter what the situation, God is in control! God has never failed! God is the same yesterday as he is today! I will always love him, worship him, adore, believe, have faith and trust only GOD!

And I know this, that whatever God does is final-nothing can be added or taken from it; God’s purpose in this is that man should fear the all-powerful God.

Whatever is has been long ago; and whatever is going to be has been before; God brings to pass again what was in the distant past and disappeared.

Moreover, I notice that throughout the earth “JUSTICE” is giving way to “CRIME” and even the “POLICE” and COURTS” are “CORRUPT.” I said to myself, “In due time season God will judge everything man does, both good and bad.”

Remember, “ Delay is not Denial.” “Continue to pray without Ceasing”

“LORD SHOW ME HER FACE, SO WE CAN JUST SEE YOUR FACE”

Missing You “Cho Cho"!


Members of the Afrospear, Afrosphere, and/or any other blogger association, NAACP Branches, Community Activists, Webmasters, and blogmasters: please reproduce and help distribute this information.

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Update on the Abduction of Chioma Gray

Non-Family Abduction

CHIOMA GRAY
DOB: Apr 27, 1992
Missing: Dec 13, 2007
Age Now: 15
Sex: Female
Race: Black
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
Weight: 115 lbs (52 kg)
Missing From: VENTURA, CA

ANDREW TAFOYA
Abductor

DOB: Mar 13, 1987
Sex: Male
Race: Hispanic
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'9"

Weight: 165 lbs

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The investigation of the abduction of Chioma Gray has been fraught with mistakes and misinformation. I will attempt as best I can to ensure that factually correct information is made public, and that all are held accountable for doing everything that is right and just to find this young girl.

For starters, the original poster from the Center for Missing and Exploited children stated the Chioma was missing from Oxnard; she was not. Chioma is missing from Ventura. They also listed Andrew Tafoya's race as White; he is not. Andrew Joshua Tafoya is Hispanic. He is NOT 6 feet tall, he's 5'9" and he is NOT 195 pounds, he's 165 pounds. The poster also stated that a felony Kidnapping warrant had been issued for his arrest on December 14th; That also was not true. According to the National Crime Information Computer System (NCIC), a National criminal database, viewable by Law Enforcement, no felony Kidnapping warrant was ever issued. In fact, while Chioma has now been missing for 50 days, there is STILL no felony Kidnapping warrant. The warrants issued are for: (278pc) Non-custodial person detainment or concealment of a child, which, while a felony is still far less severe than a (207pc) Felony Kidnapping charge. An additional warrant was issued on the charge of (10851vc) Stolen vehicle. The poster also stated that they "may" travel to Mexico, when in fact the stolen vehicle was tracked by the license plate number crossing into Mexico on 12/13/07, the day of the abduction. The poster itself was not issued until the 22nd of December...

A second poster was released on 1/22. On this one, Andrew Tafoya was ALSO listed as missing along with Chioma and he was listed as her companion! Understand family, these are not schoolmates: this is an Adult who has absconded with a child. Andrew Tafoya is a convicted felon who has served time for (261.5pc) Unlawful sex with a minor.

It is a tragic irony that the Ventura District Attorney's office actually produced a 'Resource and Referral guide for Teens, Parents, Educators, and Community' on the subject of "Unlawful Sex with a Minor" and the title of the guide is "A Crime we cannot ignore". Yet somehow, they seem to have found a way... I wonder whose decision it was to redesignate the kidnapper as a companion; who authorized that change? The very idea of it is offensive and a breach of the public's trust.

The current poster from the NCMEC (this is now the third version) lists Chioma as an endangered missing person, but it still lists Andrew Joshua Tafoya as Chioma's companion! The poster no longer claims that a Kidnapping warrant has been filed. This is shameful!

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In defense of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, they create their posters with the information they are provided by Law Enforcement (in this case, the Ventura PD). The NCMEC is not responsible for posting information to the National Crime Information Computer system (NCIC) and in this case, I understand from speaking with the family that the NCMEC has been extremely professional and has offered well appreciated aid and assistance. But Clearly, the Ventura Police Department and Ventura County Districts Attorney's Office have simply dropped the ball. The information the Ventura Police Department provided for the NCIC and Center for Missing and Exploited Children has been routinely plagued and imbrued with the personal opinons, prejudices and unaffected attitudes of its investigators. We need to hold their feet to the fire and demand that they get it together and get out there and find Chioma!

On a more personal note, I would also ask all of you who read this blog to lift up Chiomaezronesha "Chioma" Gray in prayer, and that you would also lift up Chioma's family... Since the abduction I have had the opportunity to speak and to really dialogue with Chioma's Mother and I have found her to be a woman of great faith who is fighting with everything she has to find her baby. Chioma has siblings and a loving family who desperately want her home. Her mother has worked so hard in this case, doing everything a mother could possibly do to try and find her baby and we all need to just pray that God gives her the strength to keep her head up and keep fighting for Chioma's safe return. I am trusting and believing in almighty God that Chioma will make it home safely. Let us all keep that faith...

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)

Ventura Police Department (California)
1-805-650-8010

I will update you all with contact information for Legal Counsel once secured...
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Members of the Afrospear, Afrosphere, and/or any other blogger association, (Gina, Francis, Eddie, AAPP, Field, Wayne, Villager, Yobashi, Adrienne, Dogon, Lola, and everyone else I missed) NAACP Branches, Community Activists, Webmasters, and blogmasters: please reproduce and help distribute this information. I am putting my faith in God and believing on his word that together we can help find Chioma and bring her home...

If any of you would like to leave a message or a word of encouragement for the family, please post it here and I will see to it that they receive it...

Tech Tags: Chioma+Gray, Amber+Alert, Kidnapping, NAACP

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AMBER ALERT: CHIOMA GRAY

Non-Family Abduction


CHIOMA GRAY
DOB: Apr 27, 1992
Missing: Dec 13, 2007
Age Now: 15
Sex: Female
Race: Black
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
Weight: 115 lbs (52 kg)
Missing From: OXNARD, CA

ANDREW TAFOYA
Abductor


DOB: Mar 13, 1987
Sex: Male
Race: White/Hispanic
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
Weight: 195 lbs (88 kg)




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Chioma was abducted by Andrew Tafoya on December 13, 2007. A felony warrant for Kidnapping was issued for Andrew on December 14, 2007. They may travel to Mexico in a white 2008 Acura TSX with the California license plate 6AXX928. Andrew has multiple tattoos.


ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)

Ventura Police Department (California)
1-805-650-8010
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It's a terrible shame that the National News media is often selective in determining which lost and missing children will receive media attention. CNN, Fox, and MSNBC regularly update the nation on the search for missing blond haired blue-eyed women and girls, while the families of other victims are often left to rally support by passing out flyers and sending emails.

But beyond complaining, we want to do our part. Henceforth, we will do our best to post information here on the blog about those women and girls whose plight goes unnoticed by the mainstream media. If you have received information about someone who is lost or missing or you would like help in spreading the word about a loved one, please send a message to president@wichitanaacp.org

Branches, Activists, Webmasters, and blogmasters: please feel free to copy, forward, repost, print, or reproduce any amber Alert information found on this page...

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