Hope for Families of Missing Loved Ones

The safe return of the women in Cleveland is giving hope to families in this area whose loved ones are missing.

And that includes the mother of a north valley teen.

Vanessa Smith was 15 years old when she disappeared near her home in Atwater in 1997.

Her mother and authorities continue to work for her safe return.

Beverly Smith keeps a room filled with her daughter Vanessa's stuffed animals and items left behind the day Vanessa disappeared.

”There was a feeling there I cannot express, it was a feeling she wasn't there, she wasn't around the house, where could she be?” Beverly said.

For the past 16 years Beverly has not given up looking for her daughter. Printing and distributing flyers and posters.

Her faith hasn't waivered - that her daughter is alive.

“I am glad they found those girls. That has thrilled me to no end. That has given me a lot of hope,” Beverly said.

It's also encouraging for Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin, who now overseas the investigation into Vanessa's disappearance.

“When these good incidents happen it gives us renewed hope and courage to persevere and hopefully somebody will come forward,” Sheriff Pazin said.

Child safety advocate Mark Klaas says it's important for communities to be watchful. His daughter Polly was abducted and murdered in 1993.

In Ohio, it was a neighbor who helped rescue the women not far from where they were kidnapped.

“This demonstrates yet again that kidnapping is a local issue. That if your children have been kidnapped the chances are very, very good that they're in close proximity to where you are,” Klaas said.

The KlaasKids Foundation will hold two child safety events in the valley this month. The first is Saturday, May 11 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m at:

Matson Alarm Company

8401 N. Fresno Street

Fresno, CA93720

559-438-8000 

The second event is Saturday, May 18^th from 10:00am to 2:00pm at:

HilmarCheeseCompanyVisitorCenterPark

9001 Lander Avenue

Hilmar, CA95324

(209) 634-2929