Nevada
‘I just hope she’s in a safe place’: More than 40 children missing in Nevada
More than two years ago, Bobby Penn dropped his daughter Keira off at school. But when he returned to pick her up, Keira never showed up.
Keira has been missing ever since. She was one of more than 40 children still missing in Nevada on Saturday as the country recognized National Missing Children’s Day, according to both Nevada Child Seekers and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
The day serves as a reminder of every missing child throughout the nation, as well as the precautions parents can take to protect their children.
For parents like Penn, it is an opportunity to continue to raise awareness for his missing daughter and share a crucial message with parents: “communicate with your children.”
’I just hope she’s in a safe place’
“It started with the divorce,” Penn said. He and his ex-wife had a “contentious” divorce, and he feels that Keira and her brother got caught in the middle. It culminated in Keira’s mother losing custody, he said.
When Keira and her brother moved in with Penn, he thought the family had finally found a “new normal.”
Penn said Keira was a diligent student in school and an avid gymnast.
But on Jan. 24, 2022, Keira left school during the day and hasn’t been seen since.
“It’s been difficult dealing with that,” Penn said. “I just hope she’s in a safe place.”
‘As of right now, it’s just frustrating’
Over the past couple of years, Penn said the flow of information coming in from police has slowed.
He said that police have exhausted a series of leads. A subpoenaed phone record shows Keira was communicating with a number that Penn said belonged to his ex wife’s boyfriend on the day of her disappearance. But after that, Keira went “completely off the grid.”
He said police have searched his ex wife’s house, but Keira was not there.
He’s worried about his daughter’s quality of life. “Is she going to school?” he wondered. “It’s kind of like she’s living on the run. What kind of life is that?”
‘Unimaginable circumstances’
John Piet, Nevada children’s advocate, said that the frustration parents feel speaks to the challenging nature of law enforcement work. In this statutory role, he prosecutes cases dealing with missing or exploited children.
“They are unimaginable circumstances,” he said. “They want, and rightfully so desire, a return of their children as quickly as possible. And sometimes, that doesn’t happen.”
While he believes this issue is something most parents don’t even want to think about, he said preparation is critical. Piet recommends parents download a mobile app created by the FBI called “FBI Child ID” that allows parents to input current information and photos of their children.
The app also provides detailed instructions of what to do in the event that a child does go missing. “The first thing you do if your child has gone missing is call 911,” Piet said.
The unsolved cases
Margarita Edwards, executive director of Nevada Child Seekers, said around 96 percent of missing children are eventually found.
Every month, Nevada Child Seekers conducts a Saturday search. Volunteers look for information on “open cases that have gone cold.” All volunteers undergo a background check and training before they take to city streets.
Edwards said the team will gather in an area where a child was last seen missing. Volunteers will then spread out, posting fliers and knocking on neighbors’ doors.
Piet said he understands that the longer these cases go on, the more frustrating it is for parents. “Those cases are just as important as the cases that have recently gone missing,” he said.
Nevada’s missing child problem
In missing child scenarios where there is a confirmed abduction with imminent danger to the child, an AMBER alert will be issued.
According to Adrienne Abbott, chair of Nevada’s Emergency Alert System (EAS), there have been 60 EAS activations for 88 cases of abducted and endangered children since 2001.
Of these, 78 children have been safely recovered, and nine are believed to be alive and in Mexico, she said.
Online dangers
According to Edwards, the summer months are the peak months to lure children. This is because children are online more, possibly while their parents are away at work.
“Predators don’t have to drive around looking for kids anymore,” Edwards said. Instead, they can send them ride-share cars and let them come to them.
Edwards emphasized that a very small number of cases involve abduction by a complete stranger. More than 99 percent of the time, a child will go missing because of someone already in their life, interacting with them on a daily basis.
‘Don’t put it off’
When Keira moved in with Penn, he said that he didn’t have a conversation with her about everything that was going on. “All I ever wanted for her was just to be a kid,” he said. But he regrets not having this difficult talk.
He urged parents to stay involved in their kids’ lives. “Don’t put it off, just do it now,” he said, adding that even if she hadn’t wanted to speak to him, “at least she would have heard it, and maybe she would not have run away.”
Keira is now 17 years old. Penn hopes that one day, perhaps once she turns 18, she will reconnect with her father and brother.
“She has a lot of good that she could do in this world,” Penn said.
Contact Estelle Atkinson at eatkinson@reviewjournal.com.
The Southern Nevada Jewish community gathered on Fremont Street to mark the first day of Hanukkah with the Grand Menorah Lighting, the religion’s symbol of light in dark times.
The event, held Sunday evening, was attended by Mayor Shelley Berkley and U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, who addressed the recent mass shooting at a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, Australia, which authorities say claimed at least 15 lives.
Hal Golblatt, director of security for Chabad of Southern Nevada, emphasized the importance of vigilance and protection after news of the mass shooting.
“6:30 this morning, I was on the phone to Metro, arranging for more security here,” he said.
The Chabad of Southern Nevada has hosted the event for the past 30 years.
“I would like to let the community know not to be afraid, not to be scared, to be loud, to be proud, have Jewish pride.” Rabbi Motti Harlig said.
He expressed his devastation over the attack, noting that one of his friends was injured but is now recovering. Tragically, another Chabad rabbi did not survive the shooting.
“The way we deal with evil, with terrorism, is that we fight it, by not running, not hiding, but going out there and showing that we’re not afraid,” Rabbi Shea Harlig said.
The event served as a reminder of the enduring message of Hanukkah: faith, resilience, and the triumph of light over darkness.
Steve Alford recaps the Pack’s 78-75 win over Duquesne on Saturday
Steve Alford recaps the Wolf Pack’s 78-75 win over Duquesne on Saturday
Nevada will go into Mountain West Conference play in a four-game winning streak, but the fourth of those wins was not easy.
The Wolf Pack ended its non-conference slate with 78-75 win over Duquesne on Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 7,238 fans at Lawlor Events Center.
In the final 90 seconds, Wolf Pack freshman Peyton White got a huge rebound, then hit two free throws to help the Pack go up by three
The Dukes got their first lead of the second half with 1 minute, 38 seconds left, 71-70.
Tayshawn Comer led the Pack with 16 points, White had 12 and Elijah Price had 10 points and nine rebounds as the Pack improved to 8-3.
Nevada’s Joel Armotrading and Corey Camper Jr. did not play as they are still dealing with injuries.
“We battled hard. It wasn’t our best game but we came through and got it done,” White said.
Tre Guinyard led the Dukes (6-5) with 21 points.
Nevada (8-3) opens conference play against Boise State on Saturday.
Top Takeaways
The Dukes tried to win it from the arc, going 11-33 from there, after knocking down their first two of the game.
The Pack shot 4-of-10 from the arc, and 25-of-56 from the field.
The Pack won it at the free throw line, making 24-of-32 from the line, while the Dukes hit 18-of-20 free throws.
The Pack entered the game leading the Mountain West in made free throws (20.1) and second in free throw attempts (27.1).
Duquesne held a 38-35 edge in rebounding.
Bench comes up big
The Wolf Pack got 37 points from its bench, to 20 for the Dukes, and Alford said that was a key to the win.
“There’s very few games I’ve had where your starters are all negative in points per minute and your bench is all positive,” he said. “It’s good that the starters get to see that. It’s good in learning to trust one another when you’re not playing well.”
He said the bench saved the game for the Pack, but that is a sign of the depth the team has.
Phenomenal Freshmen
Pack freshmen White and Myles Walker played substantial minutes, 23 for White and 13 for Walker. Walker scored five points, including two key free throws in the final minute.
“Myles and Peyton continue to make veteran plays,” Alford said. “That was a hotly contested game, down to the wire and you’ve got two freshmen going to the line in the last two trips and they go 4-for-4 at the line That’s big time.”
He said the pair has been consistent and they keep improving every game.
“Myles has given us a lift every time he comes in,” Alford said. “Those two give us energy.”
Walker said the Pack showed it can win even when things go wrong.
“It showed how tough this team is. Even at the end when things didn’t go right, we still found a way to win,” Walker said.
Half
Nevada led 42-35 at the break, after leading by as many as 15 earlier in the half.
The Wolf Pack shot 17-of-33 field goals and 2-of-6 from the arc along with 6-10 free throws in the first half
The Dukes shot 10-of-28 from the field; 7-18 from the arc and 8-of-10 free throws.
The Pack outscored the Dukes, 20-6, in the paint in the first half.
Up Next
Nevada opens Mountain West Conference play by hosting Boise State (7-3) at 7 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 20).
The Broncos play Saint Mary’s on Sunday (Dec 14).
Finals are over on Wednesday for the Pack players. Alford said they will take that day off from practice.
“That’s going to be a war on Saturday,” Alford said. “(Duquesne) is an A10 team (Atlantic 10 Conference). We’ve played some really good competition, so I’m very pleased with where we’re at 11 games in.”
Nevada’s Upcoming Schedule
- Saturday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. vs. Boise State (TV: KNSN, Ch, 21/Radio: 95.5 FM)
- Tuesday, Dec. 30 at Colorado State (TV: MW Network, Ch, 21/Radio: 95.5 FM)
- Saturday, Jan. 3 at Fresno State
- Tuesday, Jan. 6 vs. San Diego State
- Saturday, Jan. 10 vs. Wyoming
- Tuesday, Jan. 13 at Utah State
- Saturday, Jan. 17 at Air Force
- Tuesday, Jan. 20 vs. San Jose State
- Saturday, Jan. 24 at New Mexico
- Tuesday, Jan. 27 vs. Grand Canyon
- Friday, Jan. 30 vs. UNLV
- Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Boise State
- Saturday, Feb. 7 vs. Fresno State
- Saturday, Feb. 14 at San Diego State
- Tuesday, Feb. 17 at San Jose State
- Saturday, Feb. 21 vs. Utah State
- Tuesday, Feb. 24 vs. New Mexico
- Saturday, Feb. 28 at UNLV
- Tuesday, Mar. 3 at Wyoming
- Saturday, Mar. 7 vs. Air Force
First team
Gigi Benoualid, Coronado — The senior finished seventh at the 5A Southern Region meet (19 minutes, 26.3 seconds) and was eighth at the 5A state meet (19:41).
Scarlett Cotrone, Faith Lutheran — The junior finished 11th at the 5A Southern Region meet (19:52.4) and was ninth at the 5A state meet (19:45) to help the Crusaders win the 5A team state title.
Ryen Hughes, Shadow Ridge — The junior finished fourth at the 5A Southern Region meet (19:12.4) and was fifth at the 5A state meet (19:16).
Aislin McMahon, Sky Pointe — The junior finished second at the 5A Southern Region meet (18:54.8) and was second at the 5A state meet (19:00).
Brooke-Lynn Miller, Coronado — The senior won the 5A Southern Region individual title (18:40.8) and was seventh at the 5A state meet (19:19). She is committed to Cal Baptist.
Elynn Okuda, Shadow Ridge — The senior finished sixth at the 5A Southern Region meet (19:16.1) and was third at state (19:11).
Lacy Tippetts, Sky Pointe — The junior finished third at the 5A Southern Region meet (18:58.2) and was 13th at the 5A state meet (19:57).
Sophia Weisz, Faith Lutheran — The junior finished fifth at the 5A Southern Region meet (19:13.1) and was 10th at state (19:45) to help the Crusaders win the 5A team state title.
Coach of the year
Jeff Edwards, Faith Lutheran — Guided the Crusaders to the Class 5A team state title, the program’s fifth overall and first since 2001.
Second team
Jenna Anderson, Faith Lutheran — The sophomore finished 24th at the 5A Southern Region meet (20:34.6) and was 14th at the 5A state meet (19:57) to help the Crusaders win the team title.
Lola Borsh, Desert Oasis — The freshman finished 16th at the 5A Southern Region meet (20:16.5) and was 26th at the 5A state meet (20:26).
Katherine Hodges, Sky Pointe — The junior finished 13th at the 5A Southern Region meet (20:12.8) and was 23rd at the 5A state meet (20:18).
Lacy Mayes, Centennial — The sophomore finished eighth at the 5A Southern Region meet (19:30.6) and was 19th at the 5A state meet (20:05).
Autumn McQuirter, Liberty — The sophomore finished 15th at the 5A Southern Region meet (20:15.7) and was 12th at the 5A state meet (19:54).
Mia Musemici, Desert Oasis — The senior finished 10th at the 5A Southern Region meet (19:47.8) and was 24th at the 5A state meet (20:23).
Belle Parrel, Centennial — The freshman finished ninth at the 5A Southern Region meet (19:47.4) and was 17th at the 5A state meet (20:01).
Michelle Stana, Clark — The freshman won the 4A individual Desert League (21:19.9) and state (20:43.2) titles.
Mackenzie Teel, Sky Pointe — The senior finished 14th at the 5A Southern Region meet (20:15.5) and was 37th at the 5A state meet (20:57).
Julia Vancura, Faith Lutheran — The senior finished 12th at the 5A Southern Region meet (20:01.0) and was 21st at the 5A state meet (20:10).
Honorable mention
Mandi Abney, Shadow Ridge
Savannah Abney, Shadow Ridge
Emma Ansorge, Basic
Maleah Bennett, Centennial
Allison Blazi, Amplus Academy
Kensley Bleak, Lincoln County
Isabella Bustillos-Rivera, Desert Oasis
Ava Dupuis, Palo Verde
Isabelle Franks, Faith Lutheran
Leah Groppenbacher, Arbor View
MJ Gutierrez-Hess, Green Valley
Payton Howse, Clark
Sadie Ivins, Lincoln County
Madeline Labay, Bishop Gorman
Aubrei Lay, Sky Pointe
Selina Leipard, Clark
Ava Levy, Palo Verde
Stella Lin, Coronado
Mackenzie McClain, Sky Pointe
Adalyn Mosley, Foothill
Yalitzi Muro, Western
Elizabeth Neumann, Silverado
Julianna Ondrisko, Pahrump Valley
Sophie Romero, Pahrump Valley
Isabelle Searer, Liberty
Avery Stanton, Coronado
Eliott Stepanek, Faith Lutheran
Amira Turner, Centennial
Isla Ulmer, Coronado
Olivia Wheeler, Sky Pointe
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
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