Isabel Celis and Hailey Dunn are Still Missing…and That’s What Matters

by Pat Alvarez on Jun. 22, 2012, under Tucson Child Welfare News and Information

Hailey Dunn was born August 28, 1997. She disappeared four months after her thirteenth birthday, on December 27, 2010. I don’t know why I said she was 12 in an earlier blog…but, to me, the difference between 12 and 13 is minimal and inconsequential…overall. Fact is she is gone and under seemingly bad circumstances.

An Amber Alert was never issued because the case did not meet the criteria according to reports. Why? Per the national guidelines as to use of the Amber Alert and as interpreted by the State of Texas, they didn’t have a suspect and a vehicle description – which is required.

However, local law enforcement themselves questioned this. They felt her sudden disappearance wasn’t the result of her running away and it was definitely suspicious.

Isabel Celis disappeared from her family home two months ago. She was six years old at the time. An Amber Alert wasn’t issued. According to press reports, there wasn’t an identified suspect and a description of the “getaway vehicle”.

Some people have very strong feelings about this – they feel that the Amber law is as it should be and if a case doesn’t meet the stringent criteria, it shouldn’t be issued.

Some people have strong feelings because I said Hailey was 12 when she disappeared…however, she was 13…by four months. Such is life.

We will all disagree at times on things and see things in a different light…that is the human experience. It is why witnesses aren’t always dependable and why there is conflict between people. Humans see, discern and analyze what is presented to them based on their own unique experience. We are all different, special…valuable and most of us are well-meaning.

Two children are missing and we still don’t know where they are and what happened. I don’t know about you, but that freaks me out. Arguing about little discrepancies in facts…or trying to condemn what each of us sees and feels about an event doesn’t erase the very real fact that at least two children are missing. And, clearly, we all care.

What do we do? What do you think? Do you think Sergio did something to his little girl and there is blood evidence? If that is the case…or were the case…I have no doubt that the TPD would have arrested him. If he is/was dangerous to his children, don’t you think Child Protective Services would have filed a petition with the court rather than having him voluntarily stay away from his boys? Think.

No one knows what happened. But lots of people have opinions and the Police/law enforcement, I am sure, have their suspicions. There are so many maybes here. Maybe she was taken away, to protect her…..due to threats by other parties. I don’t know…I’m just speculating. If the police had concrete information that Mr. Celis was a danger to his children…he’d be in jail and the Juvenile Court would have issued orders.

That being said, there are a lot of questions about this family…their associates and relatives. Most people feel their responses and early interactions with the media were suspect. Perhaps so. I myself felt Sergio was being artificial. But, I don’t know what really happened or why they responded as they did as a family and am not willing to condemn them for not appearing as we think they should.

The important thing is Isabel is still missing…and lately nothing is said about her on the news and in the paper. That is wrong…she is a baby girl and ought to be visible on the news and daily in our thoughts. Let’s just all concentrate on what we can do to keep her alive in our world and in our reality. She’s out there somewhere and deserves our care.

About Pat
Pat is a happy, easily distracted and creative person who lives in Tucson, land of the beautiful evening skies. Pat loves home, family, fun, travel, toys, reading, shopping, living the Diva loco, animals and gadgets. Since retiring from child welfare, she spends time writing, entertaining, gardening, capturing the Zen in life, creating art and planning for the arrival of a puppy. This should keep her out of trouble. She has two books going and scribbles at The Tucson Citizen.Com and Blogspot.Com. You can contact Pat via e-mail at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. Or shout out at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] or [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] She’d like to get to know you…in a good way. Thanks for supporting the human spirit through sharing your heart and laughter.

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