THIS IS CRAZY!!! Another child abducted while doing something so normal, such as walking down the road! Thank you very much, but I will take my children being addicted to computer games, the WII and television. It's fine they ride every where that they go. It's okay that I won't let my 8 yr old get on the other side of the country store from me without screaming and breaking out in a cold sweat. AND I am not crazy for constantly looking out the kitchen window while cooking dinner and watching his every move. Gone are the days when children could play outside in their own yards and make mud pies or ride bikes and pretend to be the Mod Squad. Gone are the good days. God help us all!!!

I am sick and tired of hearing these terrible reports day in and day out. There are sick sick people in this world , and you are right , we cannot take our eyes off our children for one second these days...
Where are the updates on this story , the news hasn't posted anything for a whole 24 hours now.

I live only 15min from where this little girl lives. I believed the police when they said they were doing everything they could. But c'mon its now been over 24 hours since she went missing. They have yet to send a Amber Alert( I know it may not do much), and they are turning volunters away. WHY??? I understand that they have insurance liability and other crazy things to look out for...but what about finding the girl?? They are focusing their attention on one main area, where the cell phone signal came from, that by now if someone did abduct her they are long gone. I firmly believe that the police and other authorities need to step up the game here and start looking at other possibilities.

jUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THEY HAVE FOUND THE BODY OF ELIZABETH, THEY JUST POSTED IT ON THE LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL

http://komu.com is reporting her body has been found. :(

Her body has been found in the woods. An "older juvenile" suspect has led police to her body.

Link to fox news story:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569338,00.html

it's very easy to say that this is a product of our times and that we have to watch over our children much closer than we did back in the good old days. but the fact is, that it's not necessarily that we are seeing more child abductions, it's that we're in a time where we are able to hear news pretty much right after it happens, and all over the world. Twenty years ago I wouldn't have known that Elizabeth had been missing and/or murdered - she's in Missouri and I'm in Texas. But now it's all to easy to find out these things, and much much easier to become scared of the world around us because it seems so much closer to us now.

I'm by no means trying to minimize her death, because it's absolutely tragic. But watching your child's every movement is no more likely to protect them now than it ever has.

I knew this little girl, my brother and her big brother were best friends through middle and high school. I am so sad that some one would hurt her. She lived only a couple of miles away from my house, and it scares me to even let my children even go out side to play. I am horrified that a teen would even attempt to do such a crime. It makes you think what are we teaching children to do to other children in this day and age. I can not imagine what her mother is going through, she just only began her life in this world.

I just felt my heart break.

We are about to find out that this is another case of kids killing kids. Wake up and smell the coffee people. The school, the city, the state, the government...they will NOT protect your children for you. Only you can do that.

This is just so shocking that something like this happened just down the road from where i live...personally i would never let my daughter walk home to 6 in the evening im not leting her walk anywhere by herself..makes you wonder about the parents

Rob - thank you for those words of sanity. Too bad that it looks like those trying to keep things in realistic proportions are a dying breeed.

poor baby...my prayers to the family.

Penny, I'm sorry, but you ARE crazy for saying those things. As Rob said, there are no more children being killed today than they were in the supposedly idyllic 50's. It's just that now, with the 24-hour media and the internet, we are hearing about it every time it happens. In fact, children are safer now than they have ever been. We have better equipped law enforcement and a faster recovery rate for missing children than at any time in our country's history.

The answer is not to lock your kids up in the house and let them get addicted to video games and "ride everywhere they go." The truth is, if you do that, your children have a much better chance of dying of obesity-related diseases than they ever would have if you would have let them just be kids. Even worse, by stealing the childhood from your child, and becoming a controlling ultra-sheltering parent, you are robbing them of the joy of being young. Do you think your children will rememember all the "good old days" when they sat around playing video games? no. Childhood and the adventures we have then are about building character. You can't build character playing video games. Don't get me wrong, I love video games -- but I would never let my child play more than an hour a day. It's lazy parenting and it leads to lazy children.

Before you go getting so paranoid -- ask yourself how many children in America were out playing at the exact time that Elizabeth was abducted. Now figure out how many children went missing during that time period. There you have an unscientific but still revealing statistic of how likely your child is to have something like this happen to him or her. What would it be, 1 in 50 million -- maybe more? You might as well be scared of sharks attacking your kid while he's playing in a corn field.

Yes, there are some very common-sense things you can do to keep your children safe, and there are things you can teach them that increase their chances of survival in one of these situations -- but u will never keep them sheltered enough to guarantee their safety. What you can guarantee, however, is that you will raise a socially-maladjusted, unhappy child who will probably have multiple problems as an adult.

Think about what's really endangering your children!

it is so sad what has happened to our country that our children our no longer safe even in our front yard and its not just children noone is safe

I think that the law system needs to step up and start trying youths as adults and giving them adult sentences..
they sit and laugh when they do somethin cause they realize that they are goin to get a slap on the wrist..and a slap only..
The law system needs to be stop bein lazy and actually get with it..
Fill out the paperwork an deal with these criminals even if they are children

i worked 31 yrs in a state mental hospital..we had wards for just teens.. they mostly just laughed about the crimes they did.. only sorry they got caught..when they turned 18 we turned them loose to do adual crimes,, its really sad..most start out torturing animals...

this is sick what is wrong with pepeole

Penny, your comment is crazy. If you allows your kids to spend all their time playing video games and "riding everywhere they go" they are far more likely to die of obesity related diseases later in life than they are to have something like this happen to them.

Things like this have always happened. It is safer for children now in America than every before. The thing is, we now have a 24-hour news cycle and internet so you HEAR about things like this a lot more than you used to. "The good old days" were never that good. It's just that people didn't know how truly bad they were.

However, stealing away your childrens' youth because you are too paranoid to let them out of your site is a crime too.

We warn our children about the danger of strangers but so often death comes at the hands of someone they know.
And for those who say the problem isn't any worse, it's just that it's reported on more, homicide is now the fourth leading cause of death of preschoolers and the third among children 5 to 14. The world is definitely less safe for children than it used to be when one could walk home from school without disappearing

i know this is being highly speculative, but Elizabeth Olten's father is involved with another missing person, that missing person had 3 children, one of them is now about 15, and a girl. ????

As a member of a nearby community fire department, I felt it was my duty to aid in the search, as did several of our other department members. We were searching not too far from where she was found Friday. They called us all out of the woods and on our way back to the staging area, the news broke and tears started flowing from eyes of people who had never met Elizabeth or her family and friends. Those tears spoke a thousand words and moved everyone. This is what communities everywhere need to be like. Help your neighbors everyone. And let the authorities do the speculating and investigating.

The sad thing about this whole thing is that the girl is 15. It's like you can't even trust an older teenager to be with your kids or even around them. It's just upsetting to hear a 15 year old is the main interest because having the guts to murder someone or even thinking about planning to do it at that age is outrageous.

I hate how the generations have changed so much. Now a days kids are having sex and raping other kids, just like the incident that happened outside of a dance when a girl was gang raped and other students just watched; no one reporting anything.

But to all of your comments, everyone has their own parenting style and the ways they want to do things. And I believe that the outcome of the child does fall onto the parents. So if they do become obese or anti-social or any of that, it's because of the parents. And in this case, maybe it's the way the 15 y.o. was brought up that led to this tragedy. Or they're having mental issues. That's just my opinion.

The way I look at it is, every time we hear about someone's child missing, killed or raped, it's a way for us to take that and learn from it. Like picking up our child even if they're a few houses down or coming a little bit early when picking them up and just wait for them.

Of course crimes are going to happen regardless but I think it's what we take from it that is important. And I also think that these crimes do help us as parents plan and teach our children better as well as help us reevaluate some of our parenting styles. That's just how I see it.

My heart and prayers go out to Elizabeth's family and friends along with all the other families around the world who have dealt with something like this or are currently experiencing it.

Sorry to correct some of you but we are in fact living in a different world than we used to. I do not let my children play unsupervised anywhere at anytime. Growing up in the 70's I was aware of the boogeyman of that time, the Zodiac Killer, but we still roamed the neighborhood freely including after dark. No one drove down our streets looking to drag us into their cars because the penalties were different then...those imposed by law, those imposed by the communities and those imposed by society as a whole. We now live in a time of acceptance, political correctness and inaction. These crimes against children have increased and you can verify this through crime statistics. Society, community and criminal law no longer send the message that our children are precious and fiercely protected but rather that they are disposable and inconsequential. These sick predators are more prevalent and much bolder. We all do what we feel is right in this life and it is my choice to keep my children close and protect them because that's a better alternative than telling them just how dangerous the world that I brought them into is.

I'll keep my kids close to me too instead of letting them out on the streets. i would rather have my children die from obesity than be beaten to death by someone. today's killers are cowardly. they go after the weak and prey upon the innocent. they don't know what the word "man" means. they are punks and followers. Anyone who would stand by while a woman is raped is about as sick and gutless as you can get. They are too lazy to have any goals in life and a big day for them is to beat up some kid and take his money or maybe shoot him in the head. Wow, that makes them feel real powerful. Oh, where would you be without your weapons. Wouldn't feel too powerful then. And always hanging with gangs cause they can't stand alone. Maybe next time it will be your sister or your mother. That should wipe the smirks off their faces. Elizabeth and all the other women, men and children who have been murdered are God's creations. You will not get away with any crime. God is the great equalizer and your day is coming soon.

Like all of you my heart has broken for the millionth time. I am so tired of these stories. I think anyone that ignores the amount of registered sex offenders living in the average neighborhood and insists that children are at no more risk than years ago, needs to do their homework on statistics. I am not a paranoid parent because my children are made aware of the dangers out there. They are driven everywhere they need to go, within reason. At the end of the day, if God forbid something terrible happens, as a parent you have to live with the decisions you have made. You can make them more safe, ridiculous to say you are traumatizing them by doing so. I think neighbourhood watches need to become far more vigiliant and as communities we need to be more aware of our most vulnerable.

I wish neighbors would not wait for a horrrific crime to take place to extend themselves to others. I live in a community where so many would rather find negative things about each other to spread as oppose to helping make the neighborhood a safer place for everyone. I realize it isn't my neighbors job to raise my child, but if we cared more about raising todays young then we would have stronger more stable adults tomorrow.that could only benefit everyone!!!

I agree that it seems like more crimes are being committed against children now more than ever, but I am not so sure that is true. Of course our media brings the rapes, abductions, and murders to our attention right away but that doesn't mean it hasn't gone on for years.

I can speak from experience. I am now 36 and was born in Canada and my paternal grandfather molested so many of my family members, including three different generations. It has affected so much of the family and, back in the day, my family decided it was best to keep it all a secret. God only knows what else has happened that people back in that day kept secret.

To add to that, since I have lived in the US, I have made so many friends and a large majority of female friends of my generation (and some of the male) have all been molested as well, either by family or very close family friends. Having studied Sociology and Psychology, I tried to figure out the connections, but they are all from different parts of the country (and some, other countries) and all different walks of life. I can only believe that it has been going on for generations and just covered up.

It is good now that we have the Nancy Graces (although obnoxious) to get the word out there that children are being abused because as far as I am concerned, it is about time, it would have saved me a lot of time in therapy! :)

I too am very protective of my children. I drive them everywhere. They are well trained to call me if they are with friends or at friends' house and decide to go to get a bite. They call when they leave point A and arrive at point B. And again when they leave point A and arrive back to point A. But really, when they are hurt,killed or harmed in any way by the friend's family member...how can we protect them? My children are not allowed to a friend's house unless I have met the parents and have known them for a few months. I simply have them come here. But if something happens after I know the family well...what am I suppose to do?

Well, here we have another teen tragedy... Alyssa will have her few moments of public fame, and then be yesterdays news.

If Alyssa wanted to stay in the spotlight a little long, she should have raped Elizabeth and then committed the brutal murder. It would add a little twist, some "spice" and give the reader much more to try and figure out. Plus with Alyssa being a girl, and committing a rape/murder would keep her in the news longer.

This story should not surprise you, I have read many posts, and keeping a 24hr watch on your child is not possible, and if someone wants to get your child they will... It can happen at the mall, the grocery store, a park, a friends house, the community pool, ANYWHERE!

So, Alyssa will have her day in court, which by the way, is the same judicial system that allows registered sex offenders to reside in the same house with a child, once they have served their time. Oh yes, very true!

In fact, the Fort Osage School District a few years ago allowed a registered sex offender to walk your halls, and attend sporting events that were school related! How did this happen? Because nobody stops to ask you if you are a threat!

So, if you think your child won't end up a victim, think again, it will happen. At some point you will let your guard down, and when that happens, someone just might be waiting!!!

Yes, I believe that if someone targets your child the chances increase. However, most children are taken out of sight of their parents. I am a firm believer that watching your children is the way to protect them. I have two boys and I ALWAYS drop and pick them up from school. I ALWAYS go to the park with them. It's a matter of odds. The more times your children go unsupervised the greater the chances of them being taken. I know that there are those sad cases where the one and only time parents let their guard down the child was taken but don't give up watching your children and other children for that matter. WE need to fight these animals and show them that we will NOT stand for their abuse. The majority of the population are law-abiding citizens. We can win this if we work together.

Okay, this may sound weird, but I looked this girl up on myspace. Her profile pic is one featured in this article.
I clicked on her Myspace, to see maybe what she was like, and it blocked me, and said the account has been deleted.

So Myspace deleted her account.

WHY DOES THIS SURPRISE ME SO MUCH?

Why don't you people mind your buissness? Making these stories like this public is only going to give sick people ideas, and I have no idea why they did so when the suspect is a 15 year old. This is so f'ed up. Besides Alyssa Bustamante is a very attractive girl, who cares if she killed a little girl? She is dead and by the looks of it was more then likely going to end up being another fatso, human waste, living of welfare. Elizabeth's family members are serving time in prison too, if she ended up killing a child would she still be an "angle"? Maybe alyssa stopped her from killing a person more important than her, but that's just my 2 cents.

I say keep Alyssa in protective custody and put in the care of youth services and release her.

Kelle, you are an idiot. How dare you judge Elizabeth. She was a precious girl with unlimited potential. And according to your logic, anyone who thinks you are unattractive should be able to kill you! Alyssa Bustamante should serve the rest of her life in prison where she will, on a daily basis, receive exactly the kind of attention she craves. My only regret is that I will go to work everyday and a portion of my taxes will support this scumbag. I wish one of her suicide attempts had been successful! Anyway, I am certain she will never see the "real world" again and I predict that this low-life piece of trash is released, she will not survive 24-hours before someone institutes their own form of justice.

Alyssa Bustamante DID have problems in her past. Yes it wasnt right to kill this beautiful little girl. Alyssa stated that she wasnted to see what it felt like to kill someone...well honey....why didnt yuh kill yourself...you were half way there anyways. Elizabeth NEVER got the chance to see the real world...elizabeth NEVER got the chance to see what it felt like to get married go to college and or have kids.ALYSSA on the other hand KEPT CUTTING HERSELF, ATTEMPTED SUICIDE, AND THEN KILLED THIS POOR INNOCENT LITTLE GIRL. its horrible how the world is today. and im only 15 writing my comment. ALYSSA SHOULD BE IN JAIL FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE. SHE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK OUT OF THOSE 4 CELL WALLS SHES IN.
Thank you :)
-Shakerra

I am so interested in why you fagbags are getting so worked up over one little girl you dont even know when there are children living, starving, suffering and dying in stark abject poverty and you more than likely do nothing about it? I find this interesting "how dare you judge elizabeth" now isnt that what youre doing to Alyssa.
Alyssa is clearly a troubled young lady who has not even begun to realize the full scope of her actions, life imprisonment for thi 15 year old is absurd, she deserves a chance to rehabilitate herself. I'm disgusted with ignorance.

Kelle - did your parents have any children who lived?

Kelle:
Did you say "So worked up about one little girl"? It all starts with one little girl. I am torn about everything in this tragedy. A murdered little girl, and a 15 year old that died along time ago but didn't know it.

Elizabeth is an "angel", and this is where I am torn Alyssa is an "angel" as well. What a terrible act she committed, and if she did this to my daughter I hope I would feel the same way. I wonder who didn't tell Alyssa that they loved her everyday, that she was beautiful, gave her hugs and loved her unconditionally. I wonder if that would have been enough to have stopped this horrible crime.

I am sad that another helpless child was murdered,and I am scared to think of the possibility of something like this happening to my lovely children. Love your kids, protect, and educate them. And to the parents/family of both girls I am very sorry for you loss.

Alyssa Bustamante! She is a sick 15 year old! She murdered this girl to know "what it felt like"

Kelle,
You state that you are sick of ignorance, yet your post was ignorant in itself. You were clearly out to shock people with your cold-hearted statement. I believe that you are simply out for the shock value of your statement, nothing more. My wife and I personally donate our time and approximately $500 per month to help under-priveledged children in our area ($500 that we really can't afford by the way). At the same time we also raise a son and daughter of our own. We teach our kids to care about everyone and never to treat people badly because of what they do or do not have. And I will tell you something Kelle, our hearts still go out to that "one little girl we don't even know" who was strangled, stabbed, throat slit, and died alone in the woods. My question to you is this: do you do anything at all to help the children you mentioned in your post? Or did you just mention them to blow smoke up everyone's ass and maybe get some reactions? Because I seriously do not think you would make a statement like that if you truly cared about what you were preaching.

A Dad,
Keep doing what you are doing. Love your kids unconditionally and always make sure they know you are there for them.

I believe in rehabilitation all the way. A 15 year old CAN unlearn their behavior. One life has already been taken. There is no reason to consider a second child dead.If I were the parents, I could not handle the pain of losing my daughter, but I would not want to have a second childs life destroyed until I knew there was no chance of rehabilitation. At the same time, I don't want this girl out in the public where she could hurt another person. She needs to be in jail, but not given up on. Rehab, years of it.

My heart goes out to Elizabeth's family. I could not imagine the pain her family is feeling. God is with their little Angel.