I realize the last thread (25 pages long) was locked in June 2007. I don't want this thread to turn into that.

Do any of you think the Baskin kids will ever be found, and if they are, will they be so brainwashed that they won't want to speak to their parents anyway? Regardless of the truth, they have lived with the grandparents since 1989 now. Whatever opinions they had as children (whether true or not) were undoubtedbly re-inforced over the years by the grandparents who kidnapped them, as they moved from place to place - whether or not we like it.

Did anyone ever check further into the lead about the Farmers in Colorado, asking for Katherine, being told she doesn't live there by an old man; then calling back and getting the answering machine with Katherine identifying herself on it? Or was this just a coincidence?

Have the parents given up? Has anyone talked to them? Or Michael? Why hasn't there been a website setup to help find them ? I found a MySpace, but it says clearly on it that it is created by someone who cares, not by a person related to the family. Sorry for being so curious, but it's hard to not cry when you see some of these segments.

I guess the family could have just moved on . I can't imagine going through that . I would probably want to keep looking and searching, but I guess it could be too consuming and emotionally painful for anyone, and everyone handles stress and emotional difficulties differently.

Has anyone made a search on their SSIs, using their known aliases?

As for the parents, I do not think that they have given up their hopes of being reunited with Kristy and Bobby.

However, now they have reached adulthood, if they are not already dead. Perhaps they have chosen not to go forward, for various reasons. Perhaps they even know that they have been kidnapped, yet do not want to go to the police and have their grandparents arrested.

So besides the Tammy Leppert case, this is the other case that I'm REALLY attached to. These are the 2 cases that I would love to see solved.

It was too bad that the thread got locked. I do understand that it got heated and therefore it needed to end. But to have contact with people in the family was interesting.

As far as I know, nothing has come of that phone call to that Katharine in Colorado. But I also don't remember who called. Maybe whoever called can come back and post and let us know if they found anything else out.

It is interesting like you said that there is no website setup for the children... or should I say adults since they are in their 20's now.

Everyone if different and everyone handles situations in their own way. But I know if my child disappeared I'd be keeping it out in the public eye.

Does anyone know if their brother Michael has a MySpace page? If so maybe someone could tell him about the Katharine Farmer in Colorado. And see if he's aware of it or not. I'm too much of a chicken to do that. lol

So maybe the family did move on???? Hard to say. Maybe they know more then they are letting on. Maybe they know where the kids are and are just letting them be? Anything is possible nowadays.

Does anyone know if their brother Michael has a MySpace page? If so maybe someone could tell him about the Katharine Farmer in Colorado. And see if he's aware of it or not. I'm too much of a chicken to do that. lol

I looked and couldn't find Michael. There is a Robert Baskin in Arlington, Virginia, with some Christine's (Christi?) as friends, but no one writes on his page as if they are his sibling, it claims his birthday is April 4th, and I really don't see physical similarities of any sort with any of the pictures posted of him.

How do you see peoples birthdays on their page?

I remember once that someone searched MySpace by someones birthday. But I can't for the life of me figure out how to do that.

Cause if I remember correctly, there is a Christi Farmer on MySpace with the exact birthday as Katharine Baskin. But I don't know how anyone figured that out.

How do you see peoples birthdays on their page?

I remember once that someone searched MySpace by someones birthday. But I can't for the life of me figure out how to do that.

Cause if I remember correctly, there is a Christi Farmer on MySpace with the exact birthday as Katharine Baskin. But I don't know how anyone figured that out.

It was in his comments - people wishing him happy birthday.

I just looked for Christi Farmer and only found a 30 year old at youngest.

Did you try Robin and Robby Farmer? In the segment's update the grandparents were using these aliases for the children.

I think Robin comes up with someone from Alaska - which is what someone else posted. She says she's a Cancer sign. Katherine would be a Virgo though (Sep 11). A Tammy also posts on her page, I love my sister. Don't think it's her. She's also not the right age. Christine/Katherine/Robin/Robyn/Christi/Christy would be 27 now and 28 come Sep 11, 2008.

I have found a Sandra Gail Farmer who was born in 1936 (In the 1994 update it is mentionned that Sandra Maple would be 57 years old, which puts her birth around 1936-1937). She died in 2007.

SANDRA GAIL FARMER
16 Mar 1936
15 Jul 2007 (Proven)
92604 (Irvine, Orange, CA)
(none specified)
375-34-7069
Michigan

I have found a Sandra Gail Farmer who was born in 1936 (In the 1994 update it is mentionned that Sandra Maple would be 57 years old, which puts her birth around 1936-1937). She died in 2007.

SANDRA GAIL FARMER
16 Mar 1936
15 Jul 2007 (Proven)
92604 (Irvine, Orange, CA)
(none specified)
375-34-7069
Michigan

Possible, but she would have to have changed her middle name from K to Gail.

Her official birthdate on the wanted site is July 2, 1937, although I guess this could easily be forged too.

Any Harvey and Joan Wilsons out there in the SSI? Although by now, they probably have some other fake names too.

Possible, but she would have to have changed her middle name from K to Gail.

Her official birthdate on the wanted site is July 2, 1937, although I guess this could easily be forged too.

The "K" quoted for Sandra's middle name is really her maiden name Kuykendall. Her actual middle name is Joan.

I have researched many of these myspace pages, and none that have been mentioned seem to be Christi or Bobby. The Bobby in Arlington, VA mentioned previously used to have a public profile (it's now private) and his pictures had pics of his parents, they were NOT the Maples...

I would doubt they are using ANY of their real information by now.
Birthdates and all are probably different from their actual ones. But who really knows!

While the Baskin family has NOT given up on finding them, they have tried to go back to as normal a life as possible given the situation.:wave:

The Arlington one I am talking about is a public profile, crochetbuff. Not private. I can read all his comments without being his friend. No pictures of his family. Just pictures of him drunk with some guys. That's all.

As for the family, I can't imagine going back to 'normal'. Why aren't they posting here? Like Mystery Lover said, this case and Nyleen Kay Marshall's baffle me. They are all of age now that they could come post on this site.

The Arlington one I am talking about is a public profile, crochetbuff. Not private. I can read all his comments without being his friend. No pictures of his family. Just pictures of him drunk with some guys. That's all.

As for the family, I can't imagine going back to 'normal'. Why aren't they posting here? Like Mystery Lover said, this case and Nyleen Kay Marshall's baffle me. They are all of age now that they could come post on this site.


I must be thinking of a different guy, or he has since made his space public again and took some pic's off. Sorry.

About the family, I did say "they have tried to go back to as normal a life as possible given the situation", meaning they have "tried" and "as normal a life as possible". Obviously life is never "normal" again. I don't know why the Baskin family haven't (if they haven't) posted here, maybe it's just too hard to deal with and they try to leave it to law enforcement. I know I have had a hard time understanding that too... This case IS very baffling! Some things don't quite add up, but then I doubt that we have all the facts from just the UM segment.

Gotta go for now!

This case baffles me as to why the kids haven't attempted to contact their parents by now since they are both almost 30. I also wonder if the Maples are still alive or not.

This case baffles me as to why the kids haven't attempted to contact their parents by now since they are both almost 30. I also wonder if the Maples are still alive or not.

I agree, it's very baffling.

Best I can figure is that they grew up being told their parents were evil and were looking for them and if they found them, they would hurt them. OR, they were told their parents and brother were killed in an accident, so they don't think they have anyone to contact. OR, they grew up with no one telling them anything, and they have just blocked any previous life out of their minds in the jumble of changing their names several times, moving several times. It's so hard to say for sure.

HI,

IM BACK TO UM AGAIN! MY COMPUTER CRASHED.ANYWAYS, MY SIS AND I ARE THE ONES THAT CALLED KATHERINE FARMER AND GOT THE ANSWERING MACHINE.I CANT BELIEVE WE ACTUALLY DID THAT BUT IT WAS OUT OF CURIOUSITY AND HOPING MAYBE IT WAS HER. WE HAVE SINCE TRIED SINCE THEN TO CALL AND WE ALWAYS GET THE OLD GUY OR THE ANSWERING MACHINE.HOW WE FOUND THE NUMBER WAS WE CALLED 411 AND ASKED FOR A LISTING FOR A KATHERINE FARMER AND GOT HER NUMBER.ALSO, WE WENT TO PEOPLE FINDER.COM AND SEARCHED FOR A KATHERIN FARMER AND AGE 26 AND GOT A HIT IN COLORADO.

I ALSO AM THE ONE THAT FOUND THE ROBERT BASKIN ON MYSPACE TO.BUT IAM TO CHICKENY TO WRITE HIM.

I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THIS WILL ONE DAY BE RESOLVED AND THAT THEY WILL BE FOUND.

Can someone give me a short rundown on this story? I'm not familiar with it...

Can someone give me a short rundown on this story? I'm not familiar with it...

Do a search of the forum..countless threads.

Thanks, Cool Chick.

Can someone give me a short rundown on this story? I'm not familiar with it...
Check your PMs.

I agree, it's very baffling.

Best I can figure is that they grew up being told their parents were evil and were looking for them and if they found them, they would hurt them. OR, they were told their parents and brother were killed in an accident, so they don't think they have anyone to contact. OR, they grew up with no one telling them anything, and they have just blocked any previous life out of their minds in the jumble of changing their names several times, moving several times. It's so hard to say for sure.


See I think that is probably one of the best scenarios. That they were told that their Mom, Dad and Brother were killed in an accident. I've always thought that.

But.... I do think the children were old enough to ask why they didn't go to the funeral. If indeed they were told they all died.

Plus the kids were old enough to know their last name. And it was changed 3 times!! From Baskin to Farmer to Wilson. They should be wondering about that and about why they moved so much.

Just so baffeling to me....

See I think that is probably one of the best scenarios. That they were told that their Mom, Dad and Brother were killed in an accident. I've always thought that.

But.... I do think the children were old enough to ask why they didn't go to the funeral. If indeed they were told they all died.

Plus the kids were old enough to know their last name. And it was changed 3 times!! From Baskin to Farmer to Wilson. They should be wondering about that and about why they moved so much.

Just so baffeling to me....

Yes, those types of things are the things that don't add up. I can see them forgetting some of who they were, even their last name after awhile. I have a hard time though believing that they wouldn't have some of these questions about a funeral or wanting to visit a gravesite, or wanting to see other family members (aunts, uncles, cousins...). Or questioning why they had to move away from everyone else in TN. I guess we'll never know until they are discovered.

Maybe when they got older, the grandparents told them what they believed to be the truth (about the alledged abuse) and convinced them they should never contact their evil parents. :(

Yes, those types of things are the things that don't add up. I can see them forgetting some of who they were, even their last name after awhile. I have a hard time though believing that they wouldn't have some of these questions about a funeral or wanting to visit a gravesite, or wanting to see other family members (aunts, uncles, cousins...). Or questioning why they had to move away from everyone else in TN. I guess we'll never know until they are discovered.

Maybe when they got older, the grandparents told them what they believed to be the truth (about the alledged abuse) and convinced them they should never contact their evil parents. :(


Thats what I don't understand either. That wouldn't they ask about their Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

But not everyone is close to their family. I know people who have family members living in the same town as them and they never talk. So maybe they just weren't that close of a family.

You never know what kind of brainwashing these kids have been through.

Okay so I've been thinking more about this case and I was wondering something....

Does anyone remember or heard anything about what the Baskin kids called their grandparents?

Lets say that before they left they called them Grandpa and Grandma..

After they left, what did they call them? I don't recall if the update on them ever said.

They showed videos of the kids playing in a neighbors swimming pool and the kids seemed happy and all. And the show updated us with their aliases. But I don't recall if it stated what kind of family they were.

So actually what I'm getting at is this...

Do the kids call their Grandparents Grandparents? Or do they call them Mom and Dad?

Just wondering if anyone remembers if the updates on them mentioned this. This would help in trying to figure out what the kids were/are being told.

Okay so I've been thinking more about this case and I was wondering something....

Does anyone remember or heard anything about what the Baskin kids called their grandparents?

Lets say that before they left they called them Grandpa and Grandma..

After they left, what did they call them? I don't recall if the update on them ever said.

They showed videos of the kids playing in a neighbors swimming pool and the kids seemed happy and all. And the show updated us with their aliases. But I don't recall if it stated what kind of family they were.

So actually what I'm getting at is this...

Do the kids call their Grandparents Grandparents? Or do they call them Mom and Dad?

Just wondering if anyone remembers if the updates on them mentioned this. This would help in trying to figure out what the kids were/are being told.

Good Questions:

I watched the segment the other day and in it one of the kids called them "Nana and Stump" not sure on the stump part, but sounded something like that. I went back to hear it again and it was hard to make out.

It did say in the update segment about when they were in Santa Clara, CA that the Maples were posing as the kids' parents. So probably Mom & Dad, unfortunately, which would further confuse the kids in the long-run.:confused:

Good Questions:

I watched the segment the other day and in it one of the kids called them "Nana and Stump" not sure on the stump part, but sounded something like that. I went back to hear it again and it was hard to make out.

It did say in the update segment about when they were in Santa Clara, CA that the Maples were posing as the kids' parents. So probably Mom & Dad, unfortunately, which would further confuse the kids in the long-run.:confused:


Okay so lets say thats the case. That they are posing as the parents...

First of all, even if the Maples brainwash them, the kids are old enough to know in the long run that they really aren't their parents. That they are their grandparents.

Secondly, with all the news over the years with kidnappings and stuff, they would have to question that. Because Grandparents don't just become parents for no reason.

Thirdly, anyone know if they were in school when they were in California? If so, what did those school records say? It would be interesting to know. The kids would have to have some sort of education somewhere.

Fourth... most people by now have gone on the internet. Its in almost every home. Plus schools and libraries and mostly at most places at work. So the kids should/could have access to the internet.

And with their grandparents all of a sudden becoming parents to them, they one day would most likely go online and google their name.

Even if they don't remember their last name as Baskin, they would probably remember Wilson or Farmer. And if they google that, then they would know that they are missing kids.

Just baffling to me....

Okay so lets say thats the case. That they are posing as the parents...

First of all, even if the Maples brainwash them, the kids are old enough to know in the long run that they really aren't their parents. That they are their grandparents.

Secondly, with all the news over the years with kidnappings and stuff, they would have to question that. Because Grandparents don't just become parents for no reason.

Thirdly, anyone know if they were in school when they were in California? If so, what did those school records say? It would be interesting to know. The kids would have to have some sort of education somewhere.

Fourth... most people by now have gone on the internet. Its in almost every home. Plus schools and libraries and mostly at most places at work. So the kids should/could have access to the internet.

And with their grandparents all of a sudden becoming parents to them, they one day would most likely go online and google their name.

Even if they don't remember their last name as Baskin, they would probably remember Wilson or Farmer. And if they google that, then they would know that they are missing kids.

Just baffling to me....

Oh, and I would just LOVE to speak with the people in Santa Clara who turned them in back then! Too bad it wasn't quite soon enough and it didn't all end right then and there.

All rather baffling. Maybe they joined the Amish and have no computer access!;)

Maybe they were so seriously brainwashed that they truly believe their real parents are evil and mean them harm. They could have grown-up so fearful of EVERYONE, they just don't trust anyone but Marvin & Sandra. Being on the run, looking over your shoulder all the time, moving, changing names, etc... could make you quite a different person once you've grown-up.

Oh, and I would just LOVE to speak with the people in Santa Clara who turned them in back then! Too bad it wasn't quite soon enough and it didn't all end right then and there.

All rather baffling. Maybe they joined the Amish and have no computer access!;)

Maybe they were so seriously brainwashed that they truly believe their real parents are evil and mean them harm. They could have grown-up so fearful of EVERYONE, they just don't trust anyone but Marvin & Sandra. Being on the run, looking over your shoulder all the time, moving, changing names, etc... could make you quite a different person once you've grown-up.


My question would be this.... WHO tipped them off that the police were after them. The update did say that someone had to of tipped them off because they were gone so quickly. So WHO was that person or persons????

Kind of makes you wonder. Everyone seems to say that no one in their family knows where they are. But obvioulsy someone does. Complete strangers in their neighborhood wouldn't know.

Someone told them to run again... and hopefully that someone will come forward one day.

My question would be this.... WHO tipped them off that the police were after them. The update did say that someone had to of tipped them off because they were gone so quickly. So WHO was that person or persons????

Kind of makes you wonder. Everyone seems to say that no one in their family knows where they are. But obvioulsy someone does. Complete strangers in their neighborhood wouldn't know.

Someone told them to run again... and hopefully that someone will come forward one day.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the update include some pictures and/or a video of Bobby and Christi at a pool party in Santa Clara? I wonder if the Maples simply got spooked when they realized that pics/video were taken, and that made them decide to take off.
I don't think the segment said how they were tipped off.

Otherwise, yes, someone in their extended family could have been in contact even though they have ALL claimed to have no contact with them.

Well not sure if anything will come out of this...

But a few months ago I sent a request to Brians Dreams for him to do a dream reading on the missing Baskin children.

The timeline is like 9 months for him to do the reading. So I don't expect to hear anything until at least the 1st of the year.

Not all his dreams are accurate. But it does seem like he has a good success rate.

I'm hoping that he'll be able to have a few clues for us to go on. Even if they are only "dream" clues, it'll be a new direction for us to go in.

Can't wait for him to do a dream reading on them.

intersting.... I hope he can give us some info. This case is so extremly baffling and sad

intersting.... I hope he can give us some info. This case is so extremly baffling and sad


Well wether or not people believe in Brians Dreams, I'm still curious as to what his dream will say. I hope its not too vague and that it tells us something that we can work with.

Not sure if I believe in Brians Dreams... but his website does show he has a high accuracy rate!!

Well wether or not people believe in Brians Dreams, I'm still curious as to what his dream will say. I hope its not too vague and that it tells us something that we can work with.

Not sure if I believe in Brians Dreams... but his website does show he has a high accuracy rate!!

That could be very interesting, guess it couldn't hurt any... ;)

That could be very interesting, guess it couldn't hurt any... ;)

If anyone wants to check out his website here it is...

http://www.briansdreams.com/

Other Unsolved cases are already on his website. Like the Tammy Leppert case.

What I don't get is if these kids are in their 30s and this day and age with the internet, you would think they would try and look up their old names (I am pretty sure they remember them), or if they were told their parents died in a car crash look up infomration on that. That is what I don't understand.

Another thing that baffels me is what these grandparents much have said to these kids about not only their parents but their kid brother. Don't they want to see where he is. They were old enough to remember him and honestly he never did anything to them.

I think one day this case will be resolved. It reminds me a lot of the case that was on UM and AMW of a father who kidnapped his son and his mother was looking for him. I remember finding the kid on classmates.com and emailing the mother about it. I read later on that the kid called in about his locatiion and told LE that he did not want to be in touch with his mom. So while the Baskin kids might feel the same way, I still cannot fathom why one of them have not put in a call to LE.

I think one day this case will be resolved. It reminds me a lot of the case that was on UM and AMW of a father who kidnapped his son and his mother was looking for him. I remember finding the kid on classmates.com and emailing the mother about it. I read later on that the kid called in about his locatiion and told LE that he did not want to be in touch with his mom. So while the Baskin kids might feel the same way, I still cannot fathom why one of them have not put in a call to LE.

See and thats why I wonder what the kids are being told.

If this kid was found and then told LE that he wanted nothing to do with his Mom, then thats sad. He must have gone through a lot of brainwashing on the fathers part.

But like you had said... their brother did nothing to them. Wouldn't they want to look for him?

What I don't get is if these kids are in their 30s and this day and age with the internet, you would think they would try and look up their old names (I am pretty sure they remember them), or if they were told their parents died in a car crash look up infomration on that. That is what I don't understand.

Another thing that baffels me is what these grandparents much have said to these kids about not only their parents but their kid brother. Don't they want to see where he is. They were old enough to remember him and honestly he never did anything to them.



Yes, Christi is 27 and Bobby is 26 now. Doesn't make sense they wouldn't want to find their brother.

The whole thing with the brother is what unravels this whole case for me.

Why would Sandra and Marvin leave Michael with the Baskins if they really believed the allegations they made about them? Even if he was in another state, did anyone contact CPS about him in that state? I doubt it. The Maples didn't want him, they only wanted Bobby and Christi.

Did any other extended family members every try to rescue Michael? I don't think so, because I believe NO ABUSE ever happened and I think the family members know this deep down. If they really truly believed that abuse was going on, why did they all totally abandon Michael? That makes the entire extended family just as guilty as anyone in this case. Or was it just too much trouble for them? Couldn't be bothered?

I think the Maples were selfish, they decided they didn't want to give Christi & Bobby back to their parents, they hired a lawyer who suggested to claim abuse (as many suggest in custody battles), they did it and won for awhile, then when the kids were about to be legally given back to their parents, they fled with them. They never cared about Michael.


O.K., enough of my rant...

Does anyone know how old their brother Michael was when the kids were kidnapped?

Katharine and Robert were 8 and 9, right?

Does anyone know how old their brother Michael was when the kids were kidnapped?

Katharine and Robert were 8 and 9, right?

The segment said he was 16 months younger than Bobby.

The segment said he was 16 months younger than Bobby.


Well there goes my theory. lol

If Michael was a lot younger than Robert and Katharine then I would have said that maybe the grandparents left him becuase they didn't want to deal with such a small child.

But 16 months younger isn't that young.

Well there goes my theory. lol

If Michael was a lot younger than Robert and Katharine then I would have said that maybe the grandparents left him becuase they didn't want to deal with such a small child.

But 16 months younger isn't that young.

Another thought, as sad as it seems, is that they are all dead. Yes, I can understand how the brainwashing would not make Bobby and Kristi want to contact their parents, but they're adults now. Surely, they would want information on their baby brother. It's natural curiosity. Even if they were alive and thought all 3 were dead, one would want info on what happened.

I don't want to think this, but I wonder if all 4 of them are all dead somehow. Accidents killing all members of a familiy is not unheard of.

Watching the segment, if you pay attention in the beginning when the grandparents are holding Michael, Sandra Maple is discounting all that her daughter says with her opinion like it's the only right one. She seems manipulative, like it has to her her way or no way. When their daughter was leaving for KY, keeping 2 of the kids was like, for a lack of a better term, like keeping their daughter on a shorter leash and in their grasp. When the Baskins were going to take them back, Sandra saw that leash breaking and wanted to maintain control over her daughter. Filing for custody and making up stuff was her way of thumbing her nose at her daughter for getting some independence.

Another thought, as horrid as it is, is that she killed them rather than give them back. I know it's sick, but the Maples were a few fries short of a happy meal. You never know.

Another thought, as sad as it seems, is that they are all dead. Yes, I can understand how the brainwashing would not make Bobby and Kristi want to contact their parents, but they're adults now. Surely, they would want information on their baby brother. It's natural curiosity. Even if they were alive and thought all 3 were dead, one would want info on what happened.

I don't want to think this, but I wonder if all 4 of them are all dead somehow. Accidents killing all members of a familiy is not unheard of.

Watching the segment, if you pay attention in the beginning when the grandparents are holding Michael, Sandra Maple is discounting all that her daughter says with her opinion like it's the only right one. She seems manipulative, like it has to her her way or no way. When their daughter was leaving for KY, keeping 2 of the kids was like, for a lack of a better term, like keeping their daughter on a shorter leash and in their grasp. When the Baskins were going to take them back, Sandra saw that leash breaking and wanted to maintain control over her daughter. Filing for custody and making up stuff was her way of thumbing her nose at her daughter for getting some independence.

Another thought, as horrid as it is, is that she killed them rather than give them back. I know it's sick, but the Maples were a few fries short of a happy meal. You never know.

Yes, I think you're right about Sandra being manipulative and wanting to keep them all on a short leash. Per the segment, there were threats by the Maples to kill the children rather than give them back. Hopefully those were simply threats made in the heat of the moment, but still, they were made.

There is a possibility of them being deceased, though I think it is a small one.

There was a confirmed sighting that the FBI legitimized in Peabody, Massachusetts in 1993 at an antique store. If this was actually them, then they were still alive 4 years after being abducted. That's a good thing.

It's funny though in the segment when Sandra laments that she thought Debbie would be the one (daughter) who would stay nearby. As we learned on the old thread, the youngest daughter was still living with the Maples and going to College nearby, and as far as my research shows, their other daughter seems to have lived in Murfreesboro all her married life (very near where the Maples lived). I realize the segment is made up of conversations recalled by the Baskins, so they can't be taken totally verbatim.

Yeah I don't think they're dead either. Unless from natural causes.

I don't think the Grandparents harmed them. If they wanted to harm them they would have right away. And to have video of them from 4 years later, showing the kids happy, I'd say that they're still alive.

I guess all we can do is hope that one day the kids contact someone. Anyone.

Yeah I don't think they're dead either. Unless from natural causes.

I don't think the Grandparents harmed them. If they wanted to harm them they would have right away. And to have video of them from 4 years later, showing the kids happy, I'd say that they're still alive.

I guess all we can do is hope that one day the kids contact someone. Anyone.

I think any video was from 1989 in Santa Clara (if there was in fact any, I KNOW there were pictures). The Massachusetts sighting I have no real facts on, just that it was confirmed by the FBI as credible.

Too bad that there wasn't any more sightings of them.

It would be interesting to know if the Maples have seen themselves on tv.

Since they're on the run, I wonder if they search the internet regulary looking for themselves to see if anyone is on to them??

SAN DIEGO — Tennessee detectives are asking for the public's help to solve a decades-old kidnapping case involving two children abducted by their grandparents, after a tipster told authorities they were spotted in San Diego.
Twenty years ago this March, Katharine Christine “Christi” Baskin, who is now 28, and her brother Robert Maple “Bobby” Baskin, 27, were kidnapped by their maternal grandparents, Marvin L. Maple, 72, and Sandra K. Maple, 71, said cold case Detective Lt. Bill Sharp of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators have long thought the children and grandparents were living in California, based on numerous sightings reported, Sharp said. It is also believed that at one point they lived in Santa Clara.
After the case was featured on an episode of the television show “Unsolved Mysteries” in December, a tip came in that the Baskins were spotted in San Diego in 1999 and 2000, Sharp said.
Sharp said he has a “gut feeling” that they are still in the area. He also said that it's likely the children attended schools and possibly college because their grandfather had a college education.
The children disappeared after the grandparents accused theparents of physically and sexually abusing them and were granted temporary custody while an investigation was conducted.
Authorities found several inconsistencies in the children's and grandparents' stories and began to question the Maples' motives, Sharp said. Their allegations became more bizarre and included talk of satanic worship and cults, and their list of alleged perpetrators grew to include social workers, attorneys and mental health officials, he said.
No evidence was found to support any of the allegations, Sharp said, and the court ordered the children to be returned to their parents.
On March 1, 1989, the day of the scheduled court appearence when the children were to be returned, the children disappeared.
Their parents, Mark and Debbie Baskin, who have since moved to Georgia where they are teachers, never saw their oldest son or daughter again.
“Think of everything they have missed over the years,” Sharp said.
The Baskins, who also have two younger sons, actively looked for their children for years and still hope to find them, although they try not to get their hopes up, Sharp said.
“They still love them,” Sharp said. “They're their kids.”
They do not even know if both of them are still alive, Sharp said. Investigators believe that the brother and sister have been convinced over the years that their parents mistreated them, which is why they never sought out their family.
They may also be aware that, if caught, the grandparents could still be prosecuted, Sharp said.
The Maples have used the names Ray and Sandra Farmer and also Harvey and Joan Wilson, Sharp said.
At one point the children were called Robbie and Robyn.
Sharp, who has been working on the case for more than a year, said the unsolved disappearance of the children still resonates within the department.
“As a parent, I could think of nothing worse than losing a child,” Sharp said.
Authorities have released a flier with computer-generated images that depict how the brother and sister and their grandparents may have aged and whatthey might look like today.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office at (615) 898-7770.


http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/12/bn12kidnap104611-kidnapping-case/

Wow....good to have some kind of news on this story! I know Dynoguy will be happy :)

I live about an hour away from San Diego. If I lived there I would be looking at everyone I saw....haha.

In a few of the old posts in this thread people are wondering why the kids, now adults, wouldn't follow their natural curiosity about their younger brother (even if they were brainwashed to hate their parents) and why aren't they searching for him.

Personally, I have a sister who is 11 years older than me, that I've never met. She's the daughter of my dad and one of his highschool sweethearts.

I've known about her for years and had an interest in finding her, but then life got busy and it never happened. Maybe that's what happened to those kids. Maybe they grew up, went to college, got jobs and got married, and just decided that after the horrible stories that their grandparents told them about their old family, that it wasn't worth it to search for him and end up opening old wounds.

Thank you for posting this!:wave:

>>After the case was featured on an episode of the television show “Unsolved Mysteries” in December, a tip came in that the Baskins were spotted in San Diego in 1999 and 2000, Sharp said.
>>

I find this line confusing... Who was airing UM in December? December 2008?
Never heard of them being sighted in 1999 and 2000. But then how would I? VERY interesting.

>>After the case was featured on an episode of the television show “Unsolved Mysteries” in December, a tip came in that the Baskins were spotted in San Diego in 1999 and 2000, Sharp said.
>>

I find this line confusing... Who was airing UM in December? December 2008?
Never heard of them being sighted in 1999 and 2000. But then how would I? VERY interesting.

My assumption is that Spike aired it in December ('08), although, it would be pretty difficult for me to believe that I missed it if it were on AND I saw the posts about Spike not re-airing any parental abduction segments.

Can anyone vouch for it being shown in December? If not, then I would assume that this was an article dusted off in honor of the upcoming anniversary and thus not very carefully edited... I might email the contact in the a.m. to verify...

Crystaldawn contacted the folks at SPIKE and they told her there are no current plans to air The Baskin case again.
-------------------------
Its been awhile since I chimed in on this case and my viewpoints have changed a little bit as to the makeup of this case and i would like to present a possibility as to what may have happened in regards to the disappearance of Katherine and Robert Baskin.

I first saw The Baskins segment probably about thirteen years ago and like many here I was outraged at a lot of the things The Maples did culminating with the abduction of their grandchildren. Upon rewatching the segment time and time again however, I've come to view the segment as terribly skewed and lacking in crucial information.

As I've stressed at least once before on these forums something that is woefully missing in regards to this segment is the question of motive. UM goes out of its way to stress that Debbie Baskin had a good relationship with both of her parents for many years. They then make the leap from portraying The Maples as doting grandparents to borderline psychotics who are doing everything in their power to bring about a world of misery of their daughter and her family.

I'm sorry but to me that doesn't make sense period. People in real life don't just make that kind of jump overnight. There is something crucial missing in this segment and it has been suggested to me that a conflict may have arisen between The Maples and The Baskins in regards to religious beliefs.

Now whether or not this would provide enough motive for some of The Maples extraordinary behavior I really can't say. But I will say this, it is possible as in many families (including my own) that conflicts have a way of snowballing and becoming bigger and more volatile as time goes on. There is certainly an indication of an escalating conflict here in that Mark and Debbie went from a stable relationship with Debbie's parents to being banned from their house to being accused of molesting their kids.

I am not excusing the behavior of Marvin and Sandra Maple as its both irrational and in abducting their grandchildren illegal. However in regards to this case I've begun to look at it from less of a perspective as the evil incarnate grandparents from hell to a case dealing with complex family issues which we still know very little about that wound up in a tragic conclusion brought about by a snap decision by Marvin and Sandra to abduct their grandchildren in order to have "the final word".

I have also come to accept that there is the possibility that both Katherine and Robert Baskin may be fully aware of the events surrounding their "disappearance" and have chosen not to turn in their grandparents/make contact with their parents. I wouldn't have thought it even five years ago but from where I'm standing right now there is just too many little things about this case that make me consider that Katherine and Robert might just not want to be found after all.

Dante, I would say it was more of a case of the Maples wanting the 2 kids as a means of "keeping themselves young." When the Baskins dropped off their kids to the Maples for awhile, everything was reasonably fine between them as far as we know. I think that the Maples, realizing they couldn't have any more children, really enjoyed having kids around the house and wanted it to stay that way. Also, notice that both the Baskins and Maples originally agree that it was a temporary arrangement, but when Mrs. Baskin goes to get them back, Sandra Maple believes that the kids are "theirs" and now thinks the arrangment was permanent. Something happened during the kids time with the Maples that made the Maples want to keep them.

cmyweb and crochetbuff: I think the 20 years was just a rough estimate, as has been known to happen sometimes. I don't think they meant to say 20 months to the exact month or day. But it's been roughly 20 years.

Dante, I would say it was more of a case of the Maples wanting the 2 kids as a means of "keeping themselves young." When the Baskins dropped off their kids to the Maples for awhile, everything was reasonably fine between them as far as we know. I think that the Maples, realizing they couldn't have any more children, really enjoyed having kids around the house and wanted it to stay that way. Also, notice that both the Baskins and Maples originally agree that it was a temporary arrangement, but when Mrs. Baskin goes to get them back, Sandra Maple believes that the kids are "theirs" and now thinks the arrangment was permanent. Something happened during the kids time with the Maples that made the Maples want to keep them.

I used to think that too (probably still do) but that alone in my mind isn't enough of a motive for The Maples to do what they did. But as I mentioned its probable that the action of abducting their grandchildren was a snap decision made by Sandra and Marvin with probably little thought to the consequences if they were caught. There have been some suggestions throughout the years that initially The Maples were unaware of the type of dragnet that would be employed in searching for their grandchildren.

In response to this they made threats that they would kill the children before returning them (this has been viewed as possibly a ploy on The Maples behalf in trying to get Debbie & Mark to call off the search) and there has also been the suggestion that once The Maples realized what they were up against that they may have sought out aid from some type of underground railroad that helps relocate people who don't want to be found.

Dante, I would say it was more of a case of the Maples wanting the 2 kids as a means of "keeping themselves young." When the Baskins dropped off their kids to the Maples for awhile, everything was reasonably fine between them as far as we know. I think that the Maples, realizing they couldn't have any more children, really enjoyed having kids around the house and wanted it to stay that way. Also, notice that both the Baskins and Maples originally agree that it was a temporary arrangement, but when Mrs. Baskin goes to get them back, Sandra Maple believes that the kids are "theirs" and now thinks the arrangment was permanent. Something happened during the kids time with the Maples that made the Maples want to keep them.

cmyweb and crochetbuff: I think the 20 years was just a rough estimate, as has been known to happen sometimes. I don't think they meant to say 20 months to the exact month or day. But it's been roughly 20 years.

I've come to that conclusion myself, in a sense. I also tend to believe that the Maples developed a warped perception of their daughter and son-in-law---that they were "abandoning" their children for work, that they would sooner pass them off to someone else than take lower-paying jobs. I think that made the Maples irrationally angry and might have fueled a portion of the reason why they took the kids.

MSNBC has picked up the story too: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28637338/

Very cool.....hopefully it makes the local news there too!

DarkDante, on one hand I have to agree that it's unlikely we're getting the whole story from the Baskins. But on the other, we've got the Maples threatening to kill the kids if they had to give them up, and cutting themselves off of their own families for over 20 years for the sole purpose of keeping the kids away from their parents. I remember from an earlier thread that Sandra Maples' mom died a few years ago. She hadn't seen her daughter in over 20 years because of the kidnapping. That's pretty hardcore, to stay away from your own family for so long.

I can appreciate that something might have prompted the Maples to break with the Baskins, maybe related to religion or whatever else. But I'm still leaning to there being something "wrong" with the Maples.

Unfortunately I'm of the opinion that the Baskin kids are probably either in South America or no longer with us, and that the latest sighting might be mistaken identity. I think the Baskin kids were just a little too old to have all of their memories of their time with their parents brainwashed out. My stepdaughter remembers bits and pieces of the time she lived with her father, and my stepson remembers quite a lot. They were 4 and 7 when they left his house; the Baskin kids were 7 and 8 when they were kidnapped. And memories are stubborn things...now that the Baskin kids would be older the Maples wouldn't be around 24/7 to tell them, "No, those weren't your parents, we are your parents, you're mistaken." I don't know. I hate to say I don't have a good feeling about the case, but I think the Baskin/Maples case ended some time ago, and not well.

I went and found the old thread and that "dipa" person was quit the troll, no? Anyway, I do remember this one from the original run and there was something off with the grandparents.

I hope the now adult kids can find the rest of the family and find out what REALLY went down.

The kidnaped kids stories always get to me because you can never get those years back.

I think the Baskin children haven't been found because the Baskin children don't want to be found. I think it's safe to presume that their grandparents have poisoned them against their natural parents and they have no desire to see them again and any non-family close enough to them (given their ages, they could be married and have families of their own) keep quiet out of a respect for their wishes.

I think the case will be solved when the Grandparents die and the children alert LE to inform them to stop looking.

MSNBC has picked up the story too: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28637338/

Hmm, be sure to go and read this article, it's actually a different article from the one in the Union Tribune. I don't know if it's from an interview that they have televised or what, but it's mostly quoting Mark Baskin. One of the quotes sounds like it's from the UM clip "I don't have any family anymore..." which was actually something Debbie said.

Going now to tune in MSNBC:dog: :dog: :dog: :dog:

Wow....good to have some kind of news on this story! I know Dynoguy will be happy :)

Hell yeah! I never knew why this case has haunted me in a way all these years...it just did. Probably because it was so odd.

I hope to GOD something comes of this for the Baskins.

It's interesting to hear all the different theories. Mine remain the same. I'm convinced that the Maples simply told Bobby and Christy that their parents died. They're not going to go look for their parents if they think they're dead.

I just always wondered how the children could apply for school or jobs now that they're grown up. Don't you need your social security number, birth certificate, any other personal ID's?

And one more thing. How come we never heard about a potential 2000 sighting before? The last known sighting of them, according to an UM update was in Peabody, Massachusetts in 1994.

I don't know if it's from an interview that they have televised or what, but it's mostly quoting Mark Baskin. One of the quotes sounds like it's from the UM clip "I don't have any family anymore..." which was actually something Debbie said.

Yeah, I noticed it right away. It's an interesting quote because Mark and Debbie are all very close with his side of the family. It's Debbie's side of the family who seems to have cut all ties with the Baskins. Her sisters, her nieces and nephews, even her grandparents. Whatever Sandra and Marvin told the family members, it must have been pretty damn convincing because I think Debbie's family members know where they have been hiding all these years. They just aren't talking.

And Debbie's exact quote from the UM segment went like this...

"You get up every morning and you think perhaps this will be the day that our FBI agent will call or SOMEONE will call and say, "We've found the kids." And then, it doesn't happen. And you have a little boy who will go to bed at night and say, "Please don't let grandma and granpa come and steal me too." And I don't have a family anymore. And I don't know if they're alive or if they're dead. They've threatened to kill the kids before they restore them so it's fear...it's constant fear. Sometimes when people ask me how many children I have, I want to say, "Michael..." so I don't have to even deal with it. But it's always there. The fact that my parents have stolen my children. It wasn't good enough to just kidnap them. They had to destroy any love the children had for me by making them think I was some kind of a monster."

No kidding about destroying any love and respect for the mom. I heard an FBI agent or something on another show talk about non-custodial stealing the kids away: "Parents can still ove their kids yet still inflict rtremendous pain." And the grandparents did just that! They probably brainwashed the poor kids against the mom and dad!

Here's a new article and it sounds like police may have an idea the area they're living in!!

http://www.wsmv.com/news/18469380/detail.html\

Leads Surface In 1989 Kidnapping Case
Children's Grandparents Suspected Of Taking Brother, Sister

POSTED: 8:49 am CST January 13, 2009
UPDATED: 12:37 pm CST January 13, 2009

SAN DIEGO -- Almost 20 years after two children were kidnapped in Rutherford County, the mystery might be solved.

In March 1989, Katharine "Christi" Baskin and her brother Bobby Baskin disappeared.

Investigators believe the children's grandparents, Marvin and Sandra Maple, took them in a custody dispute.

The television show "Unsolved Mysteries" profiled the case, and authorities in San Diego have received tips that the four lived there in 2000.

A detective with the Rutherford Sheriff's Department told a San Diego newspaper that they believe the family is still living in the San Diego area.

another reason why I think the Maples planned to do this during the time the kids were staying with them and not before is because I don't think the Baskins would have allowed the kids to stay with the Maples if there were alot of long-term problems between the Baskins and Maples.

Wow. . .

You had to figure sooner or later this would be solved. In this day and age, it's pretty hard to keep information from someone for too long. You have to figure with the internet and cable TV somehow they would be recognized or find info on themselves.

It will be SO cool to see this resolved. Let's hope this new info leads to something!

Here's a new article and it sounds like police may have an idea the area they're living in!!

http://www.wsmv.com/news/18469380/detail.html\

Leads Surface In 1989 Kidnapping Case
Children's Grandparents Suspected Of Taking Brother, Sister

POSTED: 8:49 am CST January 13, 2009
UPDATED: 12:37 pm CST January 13, 2009

SAN DIEGO -- Almost 20 years after two children were kidnapped in Rutherford County, the mystery might be solved.

In March 1989, Katharine "Christi" Baskin and her brother Bobby Baskin disappeared.

Investigators believe the children's grandparents, Marvin and Sandra Maple, took them in a custody dispute.

The television show "Unsolved Mysteries" profiled the case, and authorities in San Diego have received tips that the four lived there in 2000.

A detective with the Rutherford Sheriff's Department told a San Diego newspaper that they believe the family is still living in the San Diego area.

Oh my GOD. Could this saga finally come to an end? I'm obviously keeping my fingers crossed. I just wish we had more information. Like how did these tips come about? Did someone recognize the computer aged photos of the kids?

Must know more!!

How would you like to be those poor kids?

You grow up most of your life with your grandparents, most likely being told your parents are dead or don't want you or some other horrible story... And then one day someone tells you that your grandparents were lying to you all along and your parents are alive and well and were looking for you the whole time.

I can't imagine that kind of hell. May God be with those poor people. It will be great to solve this but the healing will take a long, long, long time.

Oh... and there isn't a punishment on Earth that is severe enough for the grandparents. Those people are SICK!

OMG! I'm totally shocked! This really sounds too good to be true but hopefully we'll get some more information soon. I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed. I can't believed they still lived in the States as late as 2000!! Wow, I would've thought they'd be hiding away down in Brazil or something.

How would you like to be those poor kids?

You grow up most of your life with your grandparents, most likely being told your parents are dead or don't want you or some other horrible story... And then one day someone tells you that your grandparents were lying to you all along and your parents are alive and well and were looking for you the whole time.

I can't imagine that kind of hell. May God be with those poor people. It will be great to solve this but the healing will take a long, long, long time.

Oh... and there isn't a punishment on Earth that is severe enough for the grandparents. Those people are SICK!

I know! If they are indeed found, Mark, Debbie and the kids would still have a rough road ahead of them to fully grasp what happened. Christy and Bobby would have to deal with the fact that the last 20 years of their lives revolved around lies. That's something they would have to live with the rest of their lives.

But I can't think that way right now. The most important thing is that they are found. And the Maples being thrown in jail would be the icing on the cake.

It would really be great if they put this story on Dateline, or NBC Nightly News. Come on, NBC!!! :wave:

Oh my GOD. Could this saga finally come to an end? I'm obviously keeping my fingers crossed. I just wish we had more information. Like how did these tips come about? Did someone recognize the computer aged photos of the kids?

Must know more!!

I know that UM hasn't reshown this segment but it is shown occasionally on the weekly tv show "Missing". Maybe someone saw them on there or their doe network profile and phoned in a tip.

I'll restate my position that the fact Judge Corlew is still on the bench is a disgrace. Mark Baskin is 100% correct in his assertion that Corlew in part is responsible for the events that lead to the abduction of his children in my opinion.

I'll restate my position that the fact Judge Corlew is still on the bench is a disgrace. Mark Baskin is 100% correct in his assertion that Corlew in part is responsible for the events that lead to the abduction of his children in my opinion.

I agree. I watched this segment online today and the judge's comments were a pathetic attempt to cover his own ass. He messed up and he knows it.

He's still a sitting judge, 20 years after giving these kids to their delusional granny and pa? That's unbelievable.

I don't know if anyone is looking at Websleuths, but there is a lot of discussion on their Baskin thread due to the new articles too. If you read through the recent postings there is mention that the judge was removed from the bench and sanctioned. Unfortunately, I was unable to find anything to substantiate that claim...but I may not be searching on the right name.

Here's another recent article that does confirm they got a tip not very long ago about a possible sighting!!

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Missing-Children-Spotted-in-San-Diego.html

Here's another recent article that does confirm they got a tip not very long ago about a possible sighting!!

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Missing-Children-Spotted-in-San-Diego.html

Thanks for the link but it looks like the same article that was posted last week. Did I miss something? All it mentions is the sighting from 8 years ago.

If you click on the video clip, they show a couple highlights from the Unsolved Mysteries segment that I uploaded to the internet! They must have copied my file! And that came from the DVD I got from you, crystaldawn.

Hmm. I was just looking at Webslueths's and saw that this article was posted today. It was written a year after the children were kidnapped and mentions in more detail about the Atlanta based underground railroad that saves abused children. The Maples apparently contacted them several times the month before they went into hiding.


ROME, Ga. - Debbie Baskin 's eyes well up with tears when she describes a recurring dream that reflects her desperation and frustration: She sees her two missing children and calls to them, but they pay no attention.


Mrs. Baskin has lived a nightmare since March 1989, when her parents, who accuse her and her husband of devil worship, disappeared with Bobby, 8, and Christi, 9.


"It's a terrible uncertainty that never ends," said Mrs. Baskin, who moved from Kentucky to Rome last October when her husband, Mark, took a job selling insurance. "It would have almost been easier if they were tragically killed. There would have been an end."

The Baskins say they lost their children long before they disappeared 16 months ago, when the grandparents began weaving a web of spiteful lies.


The grandparents, Sandra and Marvin Maple of Murfreesboro, Tenn., had been given temporary custody of the children a year before their disappearance. The Maples told a judge the Baskins were members of a satanic cult and that they sexually abused their children.


A detective who investigated the case said no evidence of abuse was found.


"The children's stories were inconsistent and got increasingly bizarre, like they were repeating something someone told them," said Detective Carolyn McGowen of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department in Tennessee, where the Maples have been charged with kidnapping.


The Maples fled with the children when a Juvenile Court judge appeared ready to order them returned to the Baskins, Detective McGowen said.


The children's abduction has been traumatic for the Baskins' third child, Michael, 7, who is confused and lonely, Mrs. Baskin said. "We're trying for him to have a normal life," she said. "It's hard."

The case has appeared twice on the TV show "Unsolved Mysteries" and has attracted more than 800 calls. Investigators have confirmed that the Maples and the two children lived in Santa Clara, Calif., last summer. The four are still believed to be on the West Coast, changing identities and locations to thwart the FBI, which is seeking the Maples on charges of interstate flight to avoid prosecution.


Mrs. Baskin thinks activist Faye Yager played a part in her parents' flight and their earlier campaign to destroy the Baskins in court.


"There are records that my parents called Faye Yager two or three times in February [1989]," Mrs. Baskin said. Police confirmed the calls.


Mrs. Yager, whose Atlanta-based underground network hides allegedly abused children, was recently charged with kidnapping and cruelty to children for allegedly intimidating a child to lie about sexual abuse and satanism in an unrelated case. She has denied the allegation.


Mrs. Yager said she talked to the Maples "several different times" before they fled with the Baskin children, "but they are not a part of my underground," she said. "I gave them advice on what I'd do if they were my children. I told them step by step. If they've followed my direction, they've done a good job."

Mrs. Yager said she believes the Maples' allegations about the Baskins but said she has not talked to the elder couple since before their disappearance and does not know where they are.


Mrs. Baskin, who has two sisters, said her mother always dreamed of having a son and thinks that longtime obsession is behind the events.


"It's strange. Mother and I were always close," Mrs. Baskin said. "I really trusted and adored my mother. Maybe too much."

Thanks for the link but it looks like the same article that was posted last week. Did I miss something? All it mentions is the sighting from 8 years ago.

If you click on the video clip, they show a couple highlights from the Unsolved Mysteries segment that I uploaded to the internet! They must have copied my file! And that came from the DVD I got from you, crystaldawn.

Watching the highlights from the internet segment caught me completely off-guard! It goes to show how keeping those videos online may help renew focus on cases even decades afterward.

I live in San Diego county, and I don't remember seeing the case profiled on any other news channels other than the NBC affiliate. You can also find a clip of the news segment on "the website," as someone recently posted it.

Hi,

I don't understand the new info that the police have. I read the following online:

Mark said a tipster apparently spotted the kids and grandparents about eight years ago (in 2000.) He believes they settled in San Diego and are still living here.

Elsewhere online, the police themselves have been quoted as saying that they believe the family is still living in the San Diego area. How do they know that? Why would they believe that? Just because somebody says that they saw them in SD 8 years ago doesn't necessarily mean that it was actually them and certainly doesn't mean that they are still living there now.

So what I don't understand is why is this tip is considered to be so credible and is receiving so much press? There must be - just must be - more to this tip than we know about. My feeling is, and this is pure speculation, that somebody from Tennessee had been in contact with the Maples and came forward finally after 8 years saying that he knew them, had been in contact with them, and last he knew they were in San Diego. Can anyone else think of any other way this "tip" and subsequent publicity would make sense?

Also, why does the FBI feel that the antique shop sighting in New England is so credible? We all know that eyewitness sightings of missing people are less than reliable (think Kari Lynn Nixon) so why are the police so certain about these 2 sightings?

Also, I have read rumors about this Atlanta based group for years, does anybody have more info about this Faye Yager character? If we knew exactly what she advised them, perhaps it would give police a window into how the Maples were/are thinking. Her association, Children of the Underground, has apparently been profiled in Time magazine and it is claimed elsewhere online that the FBI has supposedly declined investigating her which many take as advocating her work. Check out this link detailing her trial (and acquittal) on charges of kidnapping and cruelty to children:

http://www.dartcenter.org/dartaward/1998/winner/05.html


Also, I think that somebody should have really scrutinized the background of where they were caught living in California in the early 90s as the Farmers. I am surprised an extensive investigation of their existence there did not turn up more evidence or links to them or the help they had, the id they had, the lives they led, etc.

Finally, the more I think about it, the more I think that the kids must have been so totally brainwashed. Now young adults, they must have memories of their parents and of living in California and of also having to change their names growing up and also of having to flee at least twice at the drop of a dine? Whole thing doesn't make sense, assuming they are alive, what on earth do they believe about their existence? If they want to get a job, where is their social security number and id from? Why do they think they have to keep changing names? How do they understand this whole thing?

I just don't understand so many things about this case and I can't believe that it has gone on for amost 20 years, it just leaves me in a state of disbelief.

Hi,

I don't understand the new info that the police have. I read the following online:

Mark said a tipster apparently spotted the kids and grandparents about eight years ago (in 2000.) He believes they settled in San Diego and are still living here.

Elsewhere online, the police themselves have been quoted as saying that they believe the family is still living in the San Diego area. How do they know that? Why would they believe that? Just because somebody says that they saw them in SD 8 years ago doesn't necessarily mean that it was actually them and certainly doesn't mean that they are still living there now.

So what I don't understand is why is this tip is considered to be so credible and is receiving so much press? There must be - just must be - more to this tip than we know about. My feeling is, and this is pure speculation, that somebody from Tennessee had been in contact with the Maples and came forward finally after 8 years saying that he knew them, had been in contact with them, and last he knew they were in San Diego. Can anyone else think of any other way this "tip" and subsequent publicity would make sense?

Also, why does the FBI feel that the antique shop sighting in New England is so credible? We all know that eyewitness sightings of missing people are less than reliable (think Kari Lynn Nixon) so why are the police so certain about these 2 sightings?

Also, I have read rumors about this Atlanta based group for years, does anybody have more info about this Faye Yager character? If we knew exactly what she advised them, perhaps it would give police a window into how the Maples were/are thinking. Her association, Children of the Underground, has apparently been profiled in Time magazine and it is claimed elsewhere online that the FBI has supposedly declined investigating her which many take as advocating her work. Check out this link detailing her trial (and acquittal) on charges of kidnapping and cruelty to children:

http://www.dartcenter.org/dartaward/1998/winner/05.html


Also, I think that somebody should have really scrutinized the background of where they were caught living in California in the early 90s as the Farmers. I am surprised an extensive investigation of their existence there did not turn up more evidence or links to them or the help they had, the id they had, the lives they led, etc.

Finally, the more I think about it, the more I think that the kids must have been so totally brainwashed. Now young adults, they must have memories of their parents and of living in California and of also having to change their names growing up and also of having to flee at least twice at the drop of a dine? Whole thing doesn't make sense, assuming they are alive, what on earth do they believe about their existence? If they want to get a job, where is their social security number and id from? Why do they think they have to keep changing names? How do they understand this whole thing?

I just don't understand so many things about this case and I can't believe that it has gone on for amost 20 years, it just leaves me in a state of disbelief.

Join the Club! I'm sure that many of us feel this way. This case certainly has many components that are baffling.

No doubt the reasons for the credibility of some of this information and tips is being kept under wraps for now. There must be enough to the San Diego tip for them to take it to the CA press. Getting this story back out in the media, even if only in one region of the U.S. is a good thing either way. Then that the story gets picked up and run at least once in TN.

I imagine at the time that the Maples w/Christi & Bobby were found to have been in Santa Clara in 1989, the authorities did do some work on the entire situation. Any info. they found is no doubt in some file with the Rutherford County Sheriff's office and/or the FBI.

Faye Yager is a piece of work. I now her original intentions were good, but she went too far, and usually did not investigate the other side of the stories she was being told. She must've given the Maples some good advice as they have managed to stay mostly under the radar for 20 years.

Another article, published today:

http://www.murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=14943

I would love for it to be true about the sighting in 2000 - maybe indeed there was. But I think it's being released now because they want to use the 20th anniversary, which I believe is coming up and get some news articles, which they're getting. Not uncommon.

Thanks for the link but it looks like the same article that was posted last week. Did I miss something? All it mentions is the sighting from 8 years ago.



The article I posted does have this line:

Just last month, Tennessee authorities got a tip from that they may have been spotted in San Diego, according to Mark.

Another article, published today:

http://www.murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=14943

Thank you - this is a must read everybody, brand new article.

Thank you - this is a must read everybody, brand new article.

You can say that again. Wow. And I agree with the detective who believes Debbie's sisters have been in contact with the Maples all these years and knows where they have been living all this time. Such a tragic case that should have been solved long ago.

Interesting reader response in the article as well about 2 sides to every story. What do you all make of that?

yeah, I saw that. BlueRaider1 is a lying sack of ****. When the Maples accused the Baskins of sexual abuse, there are going to be some people that believe it. But the Maples added the satanic worship angle, which makes the claims incredibly hard for any rational person to believe. Then they started accusing everyone from lawyers to mental health professionals of being nefarious people and hurled similar accusations against them. And they also contacted this Faye Yeager, who sounds like a real piece of work. In order to believe the Maples, you have to believe that just about everyone in the world is heinous and a criminal and that Faye Yeager is a hero. extremely far-fetched.

I agree. Unfortunately Debbie's side of the family swallowed it all hook-line-and-sinker and they are continuing to hand it down through the younger generation, which doesn't seem capable of stepping back and taking an objective look at the entire case.

Here is the quote from the Murfreesboro article comment section (I can't see it there, it may have been removed by now):

By: blueraider1 on 1/18/09
"THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER SIDE TO EVERY STORY. Mark Baskin filed charges in Rutherford County of child abuse against his own father in the late summer of 1986 for sexual abuse to his son, Bobbie. Bobbie told his maternal grandparents, Marvin and Sandra Maple, about what his "Paw" had done to him and how he had hurt him and told his parents, also. Detective Carolyn McGowan told Mr. Maple that it was the clearest cut case of child abuse she had ever investigated when the original charges were against Mac Baskin. The charges against Mark's father were dropped, after some of the physical evidence 'disappeared'. Mark and Debbie left Murfreesboro after that; and asked her parents to take all three children while Mark went to seminary school in Kentucky for a two year study program. The Maples agreed to take the two older grandchildren only; as physically or emotionally they didn't feel able to raise three young children for an extended period. The youngest child (Michael) was three or four years old with learning differences. Bobbie and Christie were both enrolled in school (kindergarten and first grade at Northfield) with Mark and Debbie's approval. After the children had lived with the Maples for several months, they then told Marvin and Sandra Maple, that it wasn't just 'Maw' and 'Paw' (Mac & Charlotte Baskin) that had hurt them but also their parents, Mark and Debbie Baskin. Mr. and Mrs. Maple did not want to file criminal charges against their own daughter, Debbie. They asked Mark and Debbie to give them permanent custody which they refused. The Maples taped many conversations with threats on it to Bobbie and Christie from Mark and Debbie, but the court would not use this as evidence. It was against the law to use in court unless both parties knew they were being taped. After over a year of fighting in civil court for the protection of their grandchildren the Maples disappeared with Bobbie and Christie. They gave up everything they knew to protect these two children. The Baskins could have seen their children again, BUT, of course, that would mean they would have to tell the truth. It appears personal reputation is more important than justice or resolution or restoration or healing. So, yes, I agree I can't imagine how they live with themselves each day ….or have gone on with no knowledge of their own children. That may be preferable to them over what their children would have to say about them."

Never heard this before. Very interesting.

My feeling is this and I tried to post it a minute ago and I don't think it worked, so if it shows up twice, my apologies.

So IF Mark Baskin actually filed charges against his own father, doesn't that make him a hero, to man-up enough to do that? Doesn't make any sense that all of a sudden it gets turned back around onto him. Then it's not just Grandpa Baskin, it also Mark AND Debbie AND Grandma Baskin? Sounds a lot like the daycare cases where there was abuse alleged and soon EVERYONE was allegedly abusing kids left and right, killing bunnies, etc... and yet there was no evidence and the allegations just kept getting more and more bizarre.

Would love to see the original charging papers against Grandpa Baskin. Do they exist? Sounds like a fable that keeps growing.

Here is the quote from the Murfreesboro article comment section (I can't see it there, it may have been removed by now):

By: blueraider1 on 1/18/09
"THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER SIDE TO EVERY STORY. Mark Baskin filed charges in Rutherford County of child abuse against his own father in the late summer of 1986 for sexual abuse to his son, Bobbie. Bobbie told his maternal grandparents, Marvin and Sandra Maple, about what his "Paw" had done to him and how he had hurt him and told his parents, also. Detective Carolyn McGowan told Mr. Maple that it was the clearest cut case of child abuse she had ever investigated when the original charges were against Mac Baskin. The charges against Mark's father were dropped, after some of the physical evidence 'disappeared'. Mark and Debbie left Murfreesboro after that; and asked her parents to take all three children while Mark went to seminary school in Kentucky for a two year study program. The Maples agreed to take the two older grandchildren only; as physically or emotionally they didn't feel able to raise three young children for an extended period. The youngest child (Michael) was three or four years old with learning differences. Bobbie and Christie were both enrolled in school (kindergarten and first grade at Northfield) with Mark and Debbie's approval. After the children had lived with the Maples for several months, they then told Marvin and Sandra Maple, that it wasn't just 'Maw' and 'Paw' (Mac & Charlotte Baskin) that had hurt them but also their parents, Mark and Debbie Baskin. Mr. and Mrs. Maple did not want to file criminal charges against their own daughter, Debbie. They asked Mark and Debbie to give them permanent custody which they refused. The Maples taped many conversations with threats on it to Bobbie and Christie from Mark and Debbie, but the court would not use this as evidence. It was against the law to use in court unless both parties knew they were being taped. After over a year of fighting in civil court for the protection of their grandchildren the Maples disappeared with Bobbie and Christie. They gave up everything they knew to protect these two children. The Baskins could have seen their children again, BUT, of course, that would mean they would have to tell the truth. It appears personal reputation is more important than justice or resolution or restoration or healing. So, yes, I agree I can't imagine how they live with themselves each day ….or have gone on with no knowledge of their own children. That may be preferable to them over what their children would have to say about them."

Never heard this before. Very interesting.

My feeling is this and I tried to post it a minute ago and I don't think it worked, so if it shows up twice, my apologies.

So IF Mark Baskin actually filed charges against his own father, doesn't that make him a hero, to man-up enough to do that? Doesn't make any sense that all of a sudden it gets turned back around onto him. Then it's not just Grandpa Baskin, it also Mark AND Debbie AND Grandma Baskin? Sounds a lot like the daycare cases where there was abuse alleged and soon EVERYONE was allegedly abusing kids left and right, killing bunnies, etc... and yet there was no evidence and the allegations just kept getting more and more bizarre.

Would love to see the original charging papers against Grandpa Baskin. Do they exist? Sounds like a fable that keeps growing.


Don't believe everything or anything "Blueraider1" says. Probably a relative. Or very, very close friend. That knows where Bobby and Christy are. I did find a "blueraider1" on MySpace named Andrew, this really ugly punk, but, couldn't find any Bobbys or Christys or anything remotely attached.

Don't believe everything or anything "Blueraider1" says. Probably a relative. Or very, very close friend. That knows where Bobby and Christy are. I did find a "blueraider1" on MySpace named Andrew, this really ugly punk, but, couldn't find any Bobbys or Christys or anything remotely attached.

Oh yes, I agree. People who attend (mascot) Middle Tennesee State University, located in Murfreesboro are known as the "Blue Raiders". So as that article was published in Murfreesboro, could be anyone!

Another article, published today:

http://www.murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=14943

Whoa.

"They believe Debbie Baskin’s siblings still have contact with the Maples."

So I guess Debbie doesn't talk to her other sisters anymore because of all of this. If the above is true, it is appalling to think that they (her sisters) know where the Maples and the kids are right now and won't tell anyone. Unbelieveable. :rolleyes:

Whoa.

"They believe Debbie Baskin’s siblings still have contact with the Maples."

So I guess Debbie doesn't talk to her other sisters anymore because of all of this. If the above is true, it is appalling to think that they (her sisters) know where the Maples and the kids are right now and won't tell anyone. Unbelieveable. :rolleyes:

I find that circumspect because unless Debbie's siblings are being extremely stealth about these matters you think that any contact with The Maples would be inroads to finding the children.

For example look at how the FBI located Alex Kelly.

I find that circumspect because unless Debbie's siblings are being extremely stealth about these matters you think that any contact with The Maples would be inroads to finding the children.

For example look at how the FBI located Alex Kelly.

Right, you would think they would hire a private investigator

Interesting article, it was also nice to read that the Baskins sticked together all these years and trying to build a normal life for them and their two kids (Michael and Paul). I really hope something will come out of this new San Diego lead.

Interesting article, it was also nice to read that the Baskins sticked together all these years and trying to build a normal life for them and their two kids (Michael and Paul). I really hope something will come out of this new San Diego lead.

Yes, that is great that they've done the best that they could to have a life all these years. It's had to be very difficult.

Right, you would think they would hire a private investigator

I imagine that they may have hired p.i.'s in the past, don't know for sure.

I find that circumspect because unless Debbie's siblings are being extremely stealth about these matters you think that any contact with The Maples would be inroads to finding the children.

I also agree, that to stay hidden for so long, not too many people can know where the Maples are. There could be some contact through some mail system or somesuch where they may not exactly know where the Maples are, but are able to correspond occasionally.

All in all, I think that it's time for Christi and Bobby to be allowed to come forward and let people know that they are alive and as well as can be expected. I think that they should be given the "file" on their lives and be given the freedom by both sides to take that information, put it together with what they remember and make their own decisions about their lives, without anymore influence from anyone else. At the least let Mark & Debbie know that they are alive. Make some contact with their brother.

It will be painful either way, there's no getting around that. I believe that even if they have up to this point absolutely NO CLUE about their past and think they just have parents who are older. Deep down they know that there is just something that is not quite right about their lives. So even if some people think that they should just be left alone because they (Bobby & Christi) don't know about this whole saga, and would be traumatized to find out about it, I think that they DO know that there is something wrong in their life, they just can't put their finger on it.

I think that they should be given the "file" on their lives and be given the freedom by both sides to take that information, put it together with what they remember and make their own decisions about their lives, without anymore influence from anyone else. At the least let Mark & Debbie know that they are alive. Make some contact with their brother.

It will be painful either way, there's no getting around that.


That, right there, is the problem. When they are found, there is a very good chance this could come out with a bittersweet ending. After growing up with the grandparents, they may not want to get to know their real parents, they may think the real parents "abandoned" them, or they might not want to deal with the pain.

It would be great to think this will lead to people being happy, but there is a very good chance it will just lead to pain of a different order.

I pray for all of them because of this.

I'll restate my position that the fact Judge Corlew is still on the bench is a disgrace. Mark Baskin is 100% correct in his assertion that Corlew in part is responsible for the events that lead to the abduction of his children in my opinion.


Actually, somebody posted on the Baskin segment that Judge Corlew was removed from the bench and sanctioned after the Baskins lodged a grievance against him. Afterwards he moved into private practice. I asked them how they knew this and they replied, "lots of Internet research." If this information is correct, Corlew must have clawed his way back to the bench.

Here is the quote from the Murfreesboro article comment section (I can't see it there, it may have been removed by now):

By: blueraider1 on 1/18/09
"THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER SIDE TO EVERY STORY. Mark Baskin filed charges in Rutherford County of child abuse against his own father in the late summer of 1986 for sexual abuse to his son, Bobbie. Bobbie told his maternal grandparents, Marvin and Sandra Maple, about what his "Paw" had done to him and how he had hurt him and told his parents, also. Detective Carolyn McGowan told Mr. Maple that it was the clearest cut case of child abuse she had ever investigated when the original charges were against Mac Baskin. The charges against Mark's father were dropped, after some of the physical evidence 'disappeared'. Mark and Debbie left Murfreesboro after that; and asked her parents to take all three children while Mark went to seminary school in Kentucky for a two year study program. The Maples agreed to take the two older grandchildren only; as physically or emotionally they didn't feel able to raise three young children for an extended period. The youngest child (Michael) was three or four years old with learning differences. Bobbie and Christie were both enrolled in school (kindergarten and first grade at Northfield) with Mark and Debbie's approval. After the children had lived with the Maples for several months, they then told Marvin and Sandra Maple, that it wasn't just 'Maw' and 'Paw' (Mac & Charlotte Baskin) that had hurt them but also their parents, Mark and Debbie Baskin. Mr. and Mrs. Maple did not want to file criminal charges against their own daughter, Debbie. They asked Mark and Debbie to give them permanent custody which they refused. The Maples taped many conversations with threats on it to Bobbie and Christie from Mark and Debbie, but the court would not use this as evidence. It was against the law to use in court unless both parties knew they were being taped. After over a year of fighting in civil court for the protection of their grandchildren the Maples disappeared with Bobbie and Christie. They gave up everything they knew to protect these two children. The Baskins could have seen their children again, BUT, of course, that would mean they would have to tell the truth. It appears personal reputation is more important than justice or resolution or restoration or healing. So, yes, I agree I can't imagine how they live with themselves each day ….or have gone on with no knowledge of their own children. That may be preferable to them over what their children would have to say about them."

Never heard this before. Very interesting.

My feeling is this and I tried to post it a minute ago and I don't think it worked, so if it shows up twice, my apologies.

So IF Mark Baskin actually filed charges against his own father, doesn't that make him a hero, to man-up enough to do that? Doesn't make any sense that all of a sudden it gets turned back around onto him. Then it's not just Grandpa Baskin, it also Mark AND Debbie AND Grandma Baskin? Sounds a lot like the daycare cases where there was abuse alleged and soon EVERYONE was allegedly abusing kids left and right, killing bunnies, etc... and yet there was no evidence and the allegations just kept getting more and more bizarre.

Would love to see the original charging papers against Grandpa Baskin. Do they exist? Sounds like a fable that keeps growing.


This is the second time molesting charges were mentioned against Grandpa Baskin. On our old thread, Dipahead said that it was not Debbie who was accused of child molesting but Mark Baskin and his father (a prominent citizen in Murfreesboro), who apparently did something to Bobby at the hotel. Now we have another version. But in all the online article on the case I have never seen mention of molesting charges being lodged against Grandpa Baskin. So where is this idea coming from? Was Grandpa Baskin ever accused of child molesting? Are the Maple relatives deflecting molesting charges on Grandpa Baskin because perhaps they can't quite bring themselves to call Debbie a child molester or is it something else entirely against Grandpa Baskin?

I would remain sceptical about blueraider1; after all they did not say how they were supposed to know all this so we don't know how reliable blueraider1 was. Besides, the comment has been removed, suggesting it was indeed a pack of lies. I wondered if blueraider1 was just a nasty hoaxer but they mentioned Michael had "learning differences", suggesting they do know something about the family. So it could be a Maple, a family friend or some other enemy of the Baskins.

By the way, I see our old friend "Spit-fire" is back, posting to the Murfreesboro Post. Well, I learned my lesson from what happened on our old thread - so I am not going to say anything in reply to her! By the looks of things, nobody else is, either - good idea!

There is another thread devoted to this case over at Websleuths page. Here it is:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sho...t=53020&page=2

Something I've never understood about the Baskins' behavior--they said that they ended up having to leave the kids for far longer than just the summer and that the relationship with the Maples had deteriorated to where they were no longer welcome to stay in their home and had to get a motel room when they visited.

Why would any reasonable person leave their kids in a home where they, the parents, were not welcome? I don't get that. It seems like they would have realized at that point that the arrangement wasn't working out and ended it immediately, even if it meant uprooting the kids on short notice. If my own parents won't let me stay in their home, I'm not leaving my kids there.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and they obviously loved and trusted her parents, so they had no reason to ever imagine this would happen.

Something I've never understood about the Baskins' behavior--they said that they ended up having to leave the kids for far longer than just the summer and that the relationship with the Maples had deteriorated to where they were no longer welcome to stay in their home and had to get a motel room when they visited.

Why would any reasonable person leave their kids in a home where they, the parents, were not welcome? I don't get that. It seems like they would have realized at that point that the arrangement wasn't working out and ended it immediately, even if it meant uprooting the kids on short notice. If my own parents won't let me stay in their home, I'm not leaving my kids there.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and they obviously loved and trusted her parents, so they had no reason to ever imagine this would happen.


I've wondered that too, and I'm quite sure that it's something that they've "kicked themselves for" ever since.

I think Debbie sums it up in one of the recent articles (on pag. 6 of this thread) where she says"
"It's strange. Mother and I were always close," Mrs. Baskin said. "I really trusted and adored my mother. Maybe too much."

Yes, I wonder why Debbie and Mark didn't remove their children immediately instead of mucking around with this hotel business. Still, even if Debbie had tried to take her children back, I am sure the grandparents would have tried something to keep them, perhaps abducting them right there and then. Maybe they would even have carried out their threat to kill the children.

Of course, it could be that the Baskins did try to remove their children but the grandparents got nasty and resisted, and the parents didn't know quite what to do.

Now and then I have raised discussion of the Pat Farmer case which also featured on Unsolved Mysteries and had strong parallels to the Baskin case. Pat Farmer tried to take her grandson Jared away from his mother Ladonna, claiming Ladonna was member of a satanic cult and was abusing the child. It turned out that Pat was reacting so badly to her daughter's divorce that she was trying to frame her and brainwashing her grandson to say things. When the courts saw through this she kidnapped the boy. Unlike the Maples she was caught.

I have found an article on the Pat Farmer case at www.akidnappinginthefamilymovie.blogspot.com. It includes details of what happened to Pat Farmer. Pat's younger daughter Amanda sides with her to the point that she sheltered her mother while she was on the run. Amanda sounds just the Maple relatives. She offers her contact details if you want to hear "the real story."

And believe it or not, the arresting detective says, "until the day she dies, Patricia will think she did the right thing".

Yes, I wonder why Debbie and Mark didn't remove their children immediately instead of mucking around with this hotel business. Still, even if Debbie had tried to take her children back, I am sure the grandparents would have tried something to keep them, perhaps abducting them right there and then. Maybe they would even have carried out their threat to kill the children.

Of course, it could be that the Baskins did try to remove their children but the grandparents got nasty and resisted, and the parents didn't know quite what to do.


I don't think at the point Debbie's parents were resisting them taking the kids back at Christmas, that the Baskin's had ANY idea that they would do something so drastic as to charge them with abuse and later kidnap the children. She just thought her mom was a lonely lady who found she was enjoying feeling needed again. Debbie was also portrayed as being made to feel guilty for moving away, and I think she wanted to placate her mother for a little while longer by letting the kids stay for another couple of months. Who knew the bizarre things that were about to occur.

I don't think at the point Debbie's parents were resisting them taking the kids back at Christmas, that the Baskin's had ANY idea that they would do something so drastic as to charge them with abuse and later kidnap the children. She just thought her mom was a lonely lady who found she was enjoying feeling needed again. Debbie was also portrayed as being made to feel guilty for moving away, and I think she wanted to placate her mother for a little while longer by letting the kids stay for another couple of months. Who knew the bizarre things that were about to occur.


Certainly nobody would have anticipated the grandparents would do anything like that. I wonder if they took any cues from other cases that were in the news such as the Elizabeth Morgan case or even the Pat Farmer case? Worries about satanic ritual abuse were also on the rise at the time, and perhaps there was growing concern about it at the schools where Bobby and Christie were going. From the sound of things, it took on the symptoms of those daycare scare cases later on when the grandparents began accusing social workers, mental health workers and attorneys as well as the parents. No mention has been made in the accounts of other Baskin relatives being accused (besides Dipahead and blueraider1 who said Grandpa Baskin was accused) but it would not have been surprising.

Any new information or news articles about the kids whereabouts? I hope the San Diego tip was a new one and not from 8 years ago. It would be AWESOME to be able to bring the kids home to their parents this year!!

Any new information or news articles about the kids whereabouts? I hope the San Diego tip was a new one and not from 8 years ago. It would be AWESOME to be able to bring the kids home to their parents this year!!


The San Diego tip was eight years old but the detective had a "gut feeling" they were still there. I know gut feelings should not be ignored so that must be why they made such a fuss about the San Diego lead. Even if they're not found, if they were there for eight years, enough people would have seen and interacted with them to give the detective an idea of how they were doing, what they were doing, whether any of them were still alive, what aliases they were using, etc.

Actually, somebody posted on the Baskin segment that Judge Corlew was removed from the bench and sanctioned after the Baskins lodged a grievance against him. Afterwards he moved into private practice. I asked them how they knew this and they replied, "lots of Internet research." If this information is correct, Corlew must have clawed his way back to the bench.

Anyway, according to the Murfreesboro Post it was court referee Jeff Henry who restored the Baskins' custodial rights - not Judge Corlew. So there must have been a change of judge over the custody battle.

I still can't believe this!!!! There is a place online (that I'd rather not say where) where occasionally Debbie posts. In her post dated today she states that Marvin Maples has been found and is in police custody!!!!! The police scanned a picture of Marvin to Mark & Debbie Baskins for him to identify. They did identify it as Marvin!!! In the wee hours of this morning they were also scanned pictures of Bobby and Christi!!! Debbie states that her children are beautiful. They then called later and said that Marvin Maples had been taken into custody!!!! The man did admit to being Marvin Maples and he did suffer a stroke a few years ago but has recovered. They believe that Sandra Maples is dead. Christi is single and has a nursing degree. Bobby is married. Thats all the further info she had. She has no idea if her kids will want to see her or not.

What wonderful news!!!!!!!

Anyway, according to the Murfreesboro Post it was court referee Jeff Henry who restored the Baskins' custodial rights - not Judge Corlew. So there must have been a change of judge over the custody battle.

I haven't found anything about this yet on the news, charley project, amw, doenetwork, etc.

Anyway, according to the Murfreesboro Post it was court referee Jeff Henry who restored the Baskins' custodial rights - not Judge Corlew. So there must have been a change of judge over the custody battle.


Wonder how Corlew's reacting to the news, and what things he would like to say to Marvin? He may decline to comment. I bet Karen Hornsby, who represented the children, is relieved, and so is Anita Flagg. Finally, Anita can go out and say "yes!" to anyone who asks her if the Baskins have been found yet!

I haven't found anything about this yet on the news, charley project, amw, doenetwork, etc.

They probably need to cofirm details before they can make changes. We should see them in a day or two. Keep your eye on the Murfreesboro Post! We should see something there very soon.

They probably need to cofirm details before they can make changes. We should see them in a day or two. Keep your eye on the Murfreesboro Post! We should see something there very soon.


http://www.murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=15245

It is on the Murfreesboro Post now.

Dynoguy88 posted pictures in the Marvin Maples has been found thread. A thank you to him.

Thanks for the news link. It even shows pictures of the kids now, as adults.

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=9784091

There's also a video there of the news report. This article is a transcript of it.

Makes it sound like Christi really had no idea she was missing...:wave:

UPDATE!!!!

Hey everyone I'm new here. Alright I just watched the local news here in San Jose, and they ran a segment on the Baskins. When I heard, I was really amazed. I could not believe my ears. I've been watching unsolved mysteries since I was 5 years old and this case was one that always kept my attention. Anyways, Sandra Maple is now dead and her husband (forgot his name) has been living with the kids in San Jose, California. When I heard that, it brought chills! He was going under the name of bunton. I forgot his first name. Sorry I'm really bad with names. Apparently, Mr. Maple read a column in the newspaper about this case and he decided to tell his friends. His friends called the police and the rest is history. He is now in custody and the children are reuniting with their parents tomorrow. Bobby is now married and his sister has a nursing degree (I think). Mr. Maple was also a regular at a bar. The bartender knew Mr. Maple and said that he was a really nice guy. I wonder if they can have a normal relationship with their parents after 20 years of being brainwashed. Wow. This really made my day!

Thanks for that info. I'm so glad that the kids are willing to meet with their parents right away. I hope their family can heal from this, and have a normal loving relationship with each other.

i posted on the marvin maples thread also.... i have known the Baskins for years. This is a huge miracle. The culmination of 20 years of praying, searching, and persistence. Debbie and Mark never gave up.

This was on the Today show this morning:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/18424824#29030597

Not sure how well know this is yet but the following article describes exactly why The Maples allegations against The Baskins as far as abuse may have fallen apart back in the late 80s:

Authorities investigating the allegations found several inconsistencies in the children's and grandparents' stories. The grandparents' allegations became more bizarre and included talk of satanic worship and cults, and their list of alleged perpetrators grew to include social workers, attorneys and mental health officials, Sharp said.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/04/bn04found112540-found/?zIndex=47955

IMO this whole reasoning for taking those 2 kids is hogwash. I mean really the grandparents were so adament that these kids were being abused. Ok fine, however if they was so concerned for these kids safty, why did they not take the 3rd child? I have read in other posts that the reason for not taking the other child was he was out of state at the time. To me that is just ridiculous. They was so concered for these kids & not being abused any longer by the parents then they should have also taken the 3rd child with them. You just dont take 2 & because the other one is not around when you plan to just up & leave so you just leave them behind with his parents who you think are abusing there kids to continue the abuse. Whatever... From what I have gathered after this happend & years later there was no accusation from the 3rd child of abuse. Plus they was able to adopt a child. I am pretty sure the adoption agency knew about this story & throughly checked them out.

This case just makes me so angry. These grandparents robbed there grandchildren almost 20 years from being with there parents. 20 years that they can never get back. The parents & the kids have missed out on alot. If the grandfather has any decency at all, he will finally come clean & admit the real truth on why he & his wife took those kids. I doubt though that will happen.

If I upset anyone with my comments, I do apologize but this is just so wrong what these grandparents have done.

Thank you - this is a must read everybody, brand new article.

Correct. The Post did a cover story with new age-progression photos a few weeks ago in honor of the 20th year.