The Children Of The Underground...

So who are exactly "The Children Of The Underground"?

The Children Of The Underground is a group established by a woman named Faye Yager to essentially protect interests of children who have been abused, molested or otherwise harmed by one of their parents.

The group hides the child (usually with the complainant parent) into the "underground" and many are never seen or heard from again.

At first this seems like an effective if not radical way of removing a child from an abusive situation but in reality it is believed by many that organizations like "Children Of The Underground" are nothing more than criminal outfits which allow non-custodial parents/guardians to escape with children. These non-custodial guardians at the time of their "dissappearance" are either embroiled in messy custody disputes, have lost custody of their children to their spouse and in many cases make false charges of abuse/neglect in order to undermine the relationship between child and parent and bring the custodial parents (who in many cases are 100% innocent) into lengthy court battles.

Does this sound like an "Unsolved Mysteries" case to you?

It should...In fact it sounds like quite a few. Some of the children alleged to have been helped disappear by organizations such as "Children Of The Underground" include Katherine and Robert Baskin and Savanna Todd.

In many cases the children and "guardians" are taken to foreign countries such as Africa, France and Switzerland where they can be "hidden" far away from where there cases make "news" in the United States. Some reasoning given by groups like "Children Of The Underground" as to why they help "relocate" children is that custody proceedings since the 80s have tended to favor the father leaving the mother helpless. Yager has also been quoted as saying "she can look into a abused wife's/mother's eyes and tell if she is lying about the charges" - A clairvoyant - Lovely *eye roll*

In addition there have indeed been sightings of Lee Barnett (the abductor of Savanna Todd) without her daughter many times. It is widely believed that Barnett is an "underground mom" even though it is obvious to anyone who watched the UM segment on the case that Barnett's ex husband Harris Todd did not abuse Barnett or their daughter. In addition the group Children of the Underground, claims to know Barnett and Todd's whereabouts. However, since Harris would not agree to an agreement that gave Barnett full custody of the child, they took back the offer.

It is my firm belief that not only Savannah Todd but Katherine and Bobby Baskin have been hidden by this group. It is believed groups like these for obvious reason monitor the lives of the children they hide very closely and this continues even into adulthood and even when the alleged abusive parent has passed on.

In fact the only known article on the Baskin case also alleges that the two children and their grandparents were taken into hiding by a group such as "Children Of The Underground".

Personally speaking, how could two middle aged and crazy grandparents successfully hide their two grandchildren for almost twenty years without some assitance? - In my mind it is inconceivable that Sandra and Marvin Maple had the intellect and were stealth enough to avoid such a dragnet including but not limited to the FBI and millions of viewers who tuned into "Unsolved Mysteries". They had to have recieved some help along the way.

There is some light at the end of the tunnel as a number of children who have been hidden by groups like this have been found, reunited with their parents while the abductors are serving long prison terms for their crimes. It's just unfortunate that the cases that most UM are most interested in still remain the most elusive in terms of closure.

For more information on "The Children Of The Underground" go here:

http://members.aol.com/underwatch/

The Children Of The Underground...

So who are exactly "The Children Of The Underground"?

The Children Of The Underground is a group established by a woman named Faye Yager to essentially protect interests of children who have been abused, molested or otherwise harmed by one of their parents.

The group hides the child (usually with the complainant parent) into the "underground" and many are never seen or heard from again.

At first this seems like an effective if not radical way of removing a child from an abusive situation but in reality it is believed by many that organizations like "Children Of The Underground" are nothing more than criminal outfits which allow non-custodial parents/guardians to escape with children. These non-custodial guardians at the time of their "dissappearance" are either embroiled in messy custody disputes, have lost custody of their children to their spouse and in many cases make false charges of abuse/neglect in order to undermine the relationship between child and parent and bring the custodial parents (who in many cases are 100% innocent) into lengthy court battles.

Does this sound like an "Unsolved Mysteries" case to you?

It should...In fact it sounds like quite a few. Some of the children alleged to have been helped disappear by organizations such as "Children Of The Underground" include Katherine and Robert Baskin and Savanna Todd.

In many cases the children and "guardians" are taken to foreign countries such as Africa, France and Switzerland where they can be "hidden" far away from where there cases make "news" in the United States. Some reasoning given by groups like "Children Of The Underground" as to why they help "relocate" children is that custody proceedings since the 80s have tended to favor the father leaving the mother helpless. Yager has also been quoted as saying "she can look into a abused wife's/mother's eyes and tell if she is lying about the charges" - A clairvoyant - Lovely *eye roll*

In addition there have indeed been sightings of Lee Barnett (the abductor of Savanna Todd) without her daughter many times. It is widely believed that Barnett is an "underground mom" even though it is obvious to anyone who watched the UM segment on the case that Barnett's ex husband Harris Todd did not abuse Barnett or their daughter. In addition the group Children of the Underground, claims to know Barnett and Todd's whereabouts. However, since Harris would not agree to an agreement that gave Barnett full custody of the child, they took back the offer.

It is my firm belief that not only Savannah Todd but Katherine and Bobby Baskin have been hidden by this group. It is believed groups like these for obvious reason monitor the lives of the children they hide very closely and this continues even into adulthood and even when the alleged abusive parent has passed on.

In fact the only known article on the Baskin case also alleges that the two children and their grandparents were taken into hiding by a group such as "Children Of The Underground".

Personally speaking, how could two middle aged and crazy grandparents successfully hide their two grandchildren for almost twenty years without some assitance? - In my mind it is inconceivable that Sandra and Marvin Maple had the intellect and were stealth enough to avoid such a dragnet including but not limited to the FBI and millions of viewers who tuned into "Unsolved Mysteries". They had to have recieved some help along the way.

There is some light at the end of the tunnel as a number of children who have been hidden by groups like this have been found, reunited with their parents while the abductors are serving long prison terms for their crimes. It's just unfortunate that the cases that most UM are most interested in still remain the most elusive in terms of closure.

For more information on "The Children Of The Underground" go here:

http://members.aol.com/underwatch/
I recall reading awhile back on the net somewhere, that this group (or one like it,I don't recall the name) did admit to hiding savannah todd and her mother,and the reason they gave is because Harris Todd is gay.
Now I'm not judging that,but I did feel,when I saw him on the segment,that he was gay,from the way he looked and acted.SO I think this may be spot on,as far as the explanation goes.

That seems like a selfish reason to dissappear. because the father of their daughter is gay? really? how about divorcing the guy instead of kidnapping his daughter. it doesn't sound like a case of abuse. it sounds like his wife is a nutjob. (of course if it's true they went into hiding) I am guessing there is more to this story than meets the eye.

I'm not even sure how such an organization would be able to be funded to keep tabs on these individuals they are protecting. even when the children are well into adulthood. it sounds rather sketchy.

Also... kinda off topic... are my postings the kiss of death of the threads around here? it seems like when i happen upon a thread I reply to the conversation dies down. or do people just not like my replies or threads? no hard feelings. just curious.

Also... kinda off topic... are my postings the kiss of death of the threads around here? it seems like when i happen upon a thread I reply to the conversation dies down. or do people just not like my replies or threads? no hard feelings. just curious.

Not at all! :)


Children of the Underground I have heard of through readings on the Charley Project. It's unfortunate that children are hidden from the parent(s) in the right, at times by this group. I don't recall the Savannah Todd case...I will look it up on the forbidden site.

That seems like a selfish reason to dissappear. because the father of their daughter is gay? really? how about divorcing the guy instead of kidnapping his daughter. it doesn't sound like a case of abuse. it sounds like his wife is a nutjob.

I agree,and it definitely sounds like she is mentally unstable and even dangerous,if she has BPD.It sounds like Todd would be the better parent...or would have been,since she's grown by now.
I hope their daughter is alive and well.Lee is always spotted without their daughter.

I am guessing there is more to this story than meets the eye.that's my thought,too.I don't see why Lee hasn't been captured by now,if they know her general whereabouts.the fbi should have been in on it.
And Isle of Palms in SC is not a poor area,so lack of funds doesn't sound like a problem...why wasn't more effort put into finding Savannah?
as far as funding these org. that hide ppl...I guess they must have their sources.seems like they need excuses to hide some of these children as well.(ref. to Todd being gay).

Also... kinda off topic... are my postings the kiss of death of the threads around here? it seems like when i happen upon a thread I reply to the conversation dies down. or do people just not like my replies or threads? no hard feelings. just curious.
no idea.I'm new here.luck of the draw I guess.unless you have a bucket of water you are throwing on them. :)

Some reasoning given by groups like "Children Of The Underground" as to why they help "relocate" children is that custody proceedings since the 80s have tended to favor the father leaving the mother helpless.

Certainly not true in New York State, but I'm curious as to how this statement holds up elsewhere?

I remember the savannah case on unsolved mysteries. How the father had a dream about being in a room with all these little girls and he couldnt figure out which one was his daughter. It's sad he hasn't found her yet. Ther is couple other missing kids cases from um I'm wondering about. Does anyone remember the one with to missing boys taken buy their father in a custody dispute? The mother was taking pictures of the kids and their clothes before they left house for visitation cause she new he may try to take the kids. I believe according to the segment everytime the police got to there were abouts the father would disapear with the kids before they got there. Have the boys been found yet? Or the one were a mentially disable m other took off with her baby son. Father believes the family knows were they are. There was fear that because of the moms condition the baby could get hurt. Has this one been solved either?