Where is baby Shannon?

since my first post on the "tonights show" things arent really adding up now...found out that shannon wasnt crawling yet, and when parents discovered the baby missing, instead of immediately calling 911, goes knocking on neighbors doors to see if they saw anything...then afterwards calls the sheriff... and the fact the baby was in the same bedroom w/ the parents? something is awfully fishy here...

It sounds mysterious – and horrible. What grabbed my attention at first was the timeline of sleep: you have a 7month old and you don't go to bed until 3 am ? Unless the baby was awake as well.....sick? And how could you sleep in until 11 am, again with a 7 month old? And it isn't until that late in the morning before you even checked on your baby?? The timeline of events just seems highly suspicious. Whatever the case, I hope the baby is found unharmed.

Either your daughter IS arrested and the police CAN keep you from talking to her, or she is NOT under arrest and the police can NOT keep you from talking to her!!

Here in the local news and general conversations with people..and trust me in a small town this has ALL thats been talked about today..the investigation seems very strange. To all of us living here it seems this was never a rescue mission...only recovery. I dont believe they are searching for a "live" little girl...within hours of the report they were bringing in cadaver dogs? Something has police suspecting that there will not be a happy ending to this story.

How do you sleep for 8 hrs with a baby in the house? Maybe the baby was no longer an issue by the time they went to bed. Sounds awfully odd.

There is something really strange about this story; first of all, I have a granddaughter that is 5 months old and has been sleeping through the night since she was 6 weeks old, however, if we were to put her down at 3:00 am, there is no way she would sleep until 11:00 simply because of her body's time clock. Then, at 5 months old, my granddaughter weighs 14 lbs.; this baby is 7 months old and only weighs 11 lbs.; that's not a lot of weight on a healthy baby. Could there be a possibility of neglect there?

Baby Shannon's parents know where she is. My babies never slept in until 11 am. That is such b.s.

i can't imagine going through this as a parent or a grandparent. Can't imagine how i would handle life if anything happened to any of my children. i simply hope this baby is found safe.

I do know the out come of these thing are usually not god but my prayers go out to the grandma and the baby at this point and i pray the parents didn't harm the baby.

Guilty...sooooooooo guilty....7 mo's old...11 lbs????????? are you kidding me? that's starvation!

I hope the person if interest is either the mother or the father. This is the only thing that makes sense. What else doesn't make sense is the lack of concern from the parents. Why aren't they on tv begging for the return of their daughter?

Has anyone noticed that this baby appears to be without emotion in every single photo? That's odd. Even if you did take a few pics without the baby smiling, you would provide the media with typical smiling baby photos. This is NOT a happy, healthy baby. How sad.

Also, I'm curious about the spots around the baby's right eye in this photo. I wonder if there is something wrong with her eye or the photo.

My first born was 10lbs at 8 months. Then again, he was a micro preemie and has never gained weight fast. At 2 years 3 months of age he is only 21lbs. The child eats like a horse and has pedisure 4 times a day. His Dr. is pleased. So there are reasons for small children.

But I agree that some of the other things are not adding up.

When my daughter was 7 months old, she would cry at any hour and I would hear her, why didn't they hear her? and they woke up at 11:00am?? i don't think so!

This story breaks my heart. I have a grandbaby and If he was missing I would comb the world over. My heart breaks for this beautiful Baby. God Bless this family.

Where as i agree that a 7-month old could very well be only 11lbs,(my daughter always has been very slender from birth,she is 6 and only weighs 38lbs) I cannot picture ever sleeping that length of time without a baby that age waking up. SOMETHING is definitily wrong here.

Hi Nancy, There's only been 3 pictures of Shannon Dedrick shown so far & every one of them shows a baby w/ such a flat & cold affect. By 7 months, any baby's eyes should be dancing w/ joy. I think someone close to her knows exactly where she is. Why can't these people just give their unwanted children to an adoption agency ???

WOW! Alot of questions to be answered! I totally agree that this baby did not look healthy and emotionless! Did she have maybe failure to thrive? Were the parents feeding her drugs or feeding her at all? On that specific night, were the parents so blowed out of their heads that they themselves did something to this baby? Police shouldnt have to search far. Look at the parents!

He is in a paper suit due to standard procedures. The police don't want him to attempt suicide in jail. That is the only reason. They want to bring him to justice. If he kills himself he dies with the answers. No defense attorney made the decision to put him in a paper suit. I use to work in the cuyahoga county jail where he will be transfered to. i am sure they will have him a paper suit also. Jamey

Nancy I know that you are going to take this one until someone is brought to justice why ? because we havebabie and I remember that numberone 3:00 a.m. is no time for babies to be up and secondly the story smells very bad by 11:00 a.m. my babies were bathed, , and ready for a nice warm lunch. Here we have a story that just does'nt click. I will tell both parents, get yourself a very good lawyer because you are both going to need it., and not exactly to keep them out of jail , if they had anything to do with this horrible case. Nancy as you already knew many years before you had your beautiful twins, not every parent is fitted to be a parent, some of this want to be mommy's and daddy's have a place in heaven and I read many times that is boiling hot., hot. Baby Shannon, we are all praying for your safe return to the Department of Children and their families for now ,until they find a better home for you sweetheart .

dear lord...we pray you take baby shannon in your loving arms and protect her from harm...and we pray lord that shes safe and will be returned to her family soon.but we pray if someone has harmed her in any way you will get the sorry s.o.b. that so heartlessly hurt her.I dont know whats wrong with this world and will be so glad when you have had enough and strike down ANYONE

THAT HARMS A CHILD....specially priest..amen

So are there more children going missing with their parents at fault, or is it the media coverage that makes it seem that way? Seems like everywhere you turn there is some horrifying story of apparent abduction that turns into a parent turning on their child, murdering them, and desperately trying to cover it up. Is this a new phenomena or is this sadism been prevalent, but not exposed?

Dear Nancy, We have watched your show since Court TV, and respect your views. The reason we are writing this is because a very obvious telling thing about baby Shannon's picture. It looks like she has just been raped in her little mouth. Look at the brusing around her lips, and the liquid on her chin, and neck. It is very obvious what has happened to her. We Love you, Norma, and Nancy (p.s. we are twins too!)

COME ON PEOPLE.........We all know what PROBABLY happened to this poor baby..but are to afraid to say it outloud.
The parents obviously have something to do with this abduction, or should we say murder???
I will be shocked if it turns out any other way. I feel sorry for kids who have parents that should have never been able to reproduce in the first place....these people should be steralized before they ever get the chance.
I hope this turns out different, but we know it won't. Who sleeps until noon while their baby is MISSING.....???

Nancy , We forgot to mention her little eye's look like she has been gagging on something??? We believe that picture was taken just after the assault, so that he could remember the moment. My husband is a retired Police Detective of 35 years and we have seen so much and heard so much about this kind of thing. My sister Norma and I can just sense thru the photos how much hurt is showing in her little eyes. Has she ever smiled for a picture??? We believe she is being abused daily. That is our opinion but felt that no one has said anything about what we see. We have never ...never ...ever written to anyone with our feelings but here we are and just wanted to share that with you. God Bless you, Nancy and Norma

As a father of three young children ages 6, 2, and 10 months and there is no way you are getting a chance to sleep in to 11 am. Not if your are a responsible parent that is. Especially with the child in the same room as you. In a trailer? Really? There is obliviously a serious case of neglect and possible drug abuse by the parents. I only hope the poor child is found in good health and her assailants brought to a severe justice.

All of you deciding that somebody is guilty off of weight and sleep patterns are ridiculous!
You do not know if the baby weight 4 lbs because she was born premature, which would mean 11lbs was actually great for a 7 month old! Also, smost babies dont crawl till 9 -12 months which is average development!
Not all children have regular sleep patterns, this isnt the 50's! Leave these people alone untill you know for sure their guilty! Your harsh words and judgements arent making the situation with their missing child any easier! Dig deep inside your cold hearts and find some compassion before you get unrashional and foam at the mouth with judgements!

Well folks, now you know how things are in Washington County Florida . . .F@%& UP!!!!! This is the most media anything has ever gotten around here. The local law enforcement wants to keep EVERYTHING hush, hush around here. If the local news reports on something on the six o'clock news, you won't hear it @ ten o'clock news. Washington County Sheriff Officers has been busted for sex with minors in exchange for drugs & all they have to do is resign & in a years time they can be hired again. Just a few month ago an Investagator was taking a girl that was arrested in a meth house bust & on the way taking her to the jail he pulled down a dirt road to have sex with the girl, but was caught in the act. . .early full pay retirement is all he got. I have heard on more than one occasion, "You want the best drugs party with the cops." SOMETHING IS UP , SOMEONE IS GULITY, AND THE SHERIFF IS WANTING TO KEEP SOMETHING UNDER WRAPS. . .THIS AREA IS THE GOOD OL' BOY CLICK BIG TIME!!! The judges, lawyers, sheriff, depuities, are all related. Old money RULES the area!!

How was this child in good health only 11 pounds. At seven months my babies was alot more than that and did not sleep until no 11:00. What is this woman thinking.

Nancy, I have spent the last 8 hours researching this case, and people blaming the mentally challenged parents are way off on this one. The so-called baby sitter S Baker,in 1987 , in South Carolina,was suspected of murder in the diasapearence of her step-son Paul Baker,age 3 years old(case is still open) and CONVICTED of abuse of his sister, which was found to have broken bones and brusies all over her body.She ( I think was sentensed to 10 years)The case is on going still .SBaker the babysitter) of Shannon , I feel took advantage of the young couple, and took little Shannon.Websleuths are the ones to break this case with the S Baker name as the mising child, Paul Baker is one of the cases they investigated, S Bakers's niece has been on topix for the last 3 days spewing lies and inuendo about the young parents to sway guilt to them and not her aunt Sue. She may even be charged with interferring with an on going investigation.Anyway, these parents have been strglling due to their mental capacity, but so far it looks like they loved this baby, and tried to do everything Child services asked them to do.After what I have learned today, I would be greatly surprised if the parents had anything to do with this case.Please temper your fuse where the parents are concerned, the majority out here in public land believe Sue Baker is the one who took that baby and knows exactly where she is.

I agree with Rose about the weight issue only because my 2 1/2 only weighs 22lbs. He is taller than average but skinny! Doctor says its all in his genetic makeup. But if this was my child missing, I would be all over the tv begging for whoever took my precious baby to return her immediately. There hasnt been hardly any media coverage about this which makes me wonder if they have a pretty good idea about what really is going on here. Poor baby girl, I hope your safe.

If you read yesterdays story the parents were up all night because they are drug addicts.
They have killed the baby for sure.
When these babies are born to scum like this they should be taken away at birth.
I think the whole family is trash it takes the grandmother five days to decide to drive there to see whats happened I would of been on the road the minute I got the call.The last thing I would be worried about would be talking to the media, you know what the apple dose'nt fall far from the tree.

Sue Baker was babysitting the 3 yr old, laid him down for a nap, when she went into the room,,he was gone,,,His body has never been found.Paul is still in the missing kids web site.His poor little sister was brutally beaten by this woman, suffering brokens bones and lots of brusies, after the boy went missing and they went in to investigate the family, they found the little girl,,,S Baker was convicted, and sentensed to 10 years I think. She is related to the Deadrick, the baby's father's side of their family. There is alot more here than blaming the parents,,,,,,get your guys to investigate and what I have said you will find to be true. I couldnt believe no word tonight was brought up about the history of this woman and how she wheaseled her way into this couple's home...Maybe she wanted some of their SSI money, or she wanted the baby since she tried to have it removed from their care with all the letters she wrote to the governor, and child services, telling them untrue lies about physical abuse,on the baby which was never founded.I hope tomarrow night you get this stuff straight, and hopefully we can find that precious little baby Shannon,,,I hope alive.

Earlier reports stated that the baby does have a developmental delay, which would account for her small weight. Also, I read that the father seemed very distraught but the mother seemed to be very calm and "non-caring". Seems she opted to go door-to-door first instead of calling 911. A neighbor stated that she answered her door and mom asked if the neighbor had seen any suspicious cars earlier. When the neighbor asked why, the mom stated "my baby is missing" (and was calm). I think mom knows exactly where baby is. Dad, to me, seems innocent (at least his behavior seems to suggest this). Perhaps Mom was tired of dealing with a child with problems. If this is the case, there is a special place in hell for her. My prayers are with baby Shannon and all of her loved ones who are so worried!

A friend of mine is on one of the SAR teams looking for Shannon since Saturday. He is going again tomorrow and for as long as it takes to bring Shannon home. They are being directed where to search and it isn't in a rescue mode anymore. That's all I can say.

Google the babies name and see if you can find the blog from a relative in Texas. She says some very interesting things.

This story is not adding up at all because our law enforcement here really have no clue what they are doing. According to the local newspaper on the front page today a letter was written to our Gov 3 months ago concerning the well being of this child. The panama city news harold is where you can find an actual copy of this letter on page 8A. Seems like someone knew what was going on with this child and her family. According to some conversations around this small town community the mother of this child asked neighbors the next morning if they had seen anyone near their home. Then when the neighbors said they had not the mom then claimed that her child was missing. Me, if I were a mother, I would not go into asking someone if they had seen anyone around my house first but would have been screaming to the tops of my lungs that my child was gone. Now, they are looking to the babysitter/neighbor/author of the letter as the key suspect. To me this is crazy!!! Sure she has a past but wow, these parents seem to have some serious issues that do NOT add up in this case. Don't think you can rule out them right now and put all the spot light on the babysitter and please doing what the Sherrif.....Bobby Haddock wants you to do......since when does that happen.

I just hope and pray that this baby is somewhere safe!! I HATE seeing stories like this and with being a mom of 4 kids and one on the way I just cant imagine how someone could let this happen to their child. Parenting is NOT easy at all, but its not that hard to ask for help when you need it either.
People need to cherish their kids more... and the time they have with them.

i can't understand, why they walk to neighbors asking ,,if they seen anything.... could have been asked so they would know if the neighbors seen anything,,they could have done? their story is really BS.. AND 7 MONTHS OLD, only 11 lbs. .. omg !! poor child was starved,, what is wrong people???? i know i don't want to go to flordia..

im looking at the photo of this child .. it appears to me , the baby has a really deep scar on the left arm,,near the shoulder.. i could be wrong,,, but looks like a scar to me !!

Baby Shannon has a skull shape that looks abnormal She may have been born with a genetic syndrome. Also, 11 pounds at seven months is not a healthy weight. Could a medical condition be more than the parents are able to deal with??

my daughter is 22months and weighs 20lbs and is on pedisure her father and i are both skinny and eat alot she was 6lbs at birth and 1 wk late when she was born

I am originally from this area and hate that this community is going through this horrible tragedy. I have been told by relatives that both parents were drug addicts and would trade their food stamps/WIC for drugs.

Where are you getting the baby weighed 11 pounds? The article I read said they slept til 11 a.m.
Yes, I agree with Rose some children have to make up the smaller percentile but something is definitely amiss here.
Yes, some of these young people and their kids will sleep funny hours
as I've been to my son's house in the mornings when I thought my gr.babies would be awake for sure but they all would still be asleep at 10 and 10:30 in the a.m.
My son worked second and she and the kids always waited up on him and then they spent tome together and all went to bed late and got up later.But I' know my dghtr-n-law still would check on them.
Possible coming down off of meth or something couldn't stand the crying many possibilities guess we'll just have to wait to see what they tell us

Is the baby's head unusually large or is it the angle of the photo? (Although that's not the reason for my writing.) I wonder if one of them rolled over in a drugged stupor or whatever and smothered the baby accidentally and tried to cover it up by acting like the child was stolen.

I agree. Timeline is very fishy. Also, the first thing i noticed was the baby not smiling in any pics. I am not a Dr. but this baby facial features are smilar to me of a child with FAS Fetal Alcohol Sydrome. I Hope htis baby is found unharmed. Very sad.

In Bloggers News Network.....
http://www.bloggernews.net/122857

"The baby sitter, Susan Baker was interviewed Tuesday and she claimed the baby’s mother said she wished her daughter would disappear weeks before the child disappeared. She stated that she had her concerns for the baby even before that. She emailed the governor in August begging him for help saying that child needs help and no one is helping her.

Baker said she did get a call from CPS that said they would investigate. Peter Digre, DCF’s assistant secretary for operations said that he received two reports on the family of allegations including the use of marijuana around Shannon and a complaint that the baby had been shaken. He said no evidence had been found by the doctors to prove that.

The family then entered into treatment programs and got help from food stamps and a Women, Infants and Children program. DCF stayed in contact with the baby’s pediatrician.

Baker identified the parents as Tina Mercer and her boyfriend Rusty Dedrick even though the Washington County Sheriff’s Office would not confirm that.

Now I am reading that the authorities have confirmed that they are investigating a possible connection between a 22 year old missing case in South Carolina and the missing Shannon Dedrick case.

After the interview with Susan Baker they say it appears she is the same Susan Baker that was implicated in a 1987 missing child case in Beaufort South Carolina. The child involved there, 3 year old Paul Baker, has never been found.

A woman that investigators spoke with saying she was Baker’s niece who has verified that Baker is the same woman accused of the 1987 disappearance. The niece, Tabitha Phillips claims though that the arrest of her aunt was on a technicality and her aunt was innocent.

When digging up the case it was found that Paul Baker lived with his father and step mother, James and Susan Baker. The two of them were arrested and charged with assult and battery of a high and aggravated nature for allegedly beating him before he disappeared on March 5, 1987.

Susan Baker claimed she has put the child down for a nap and when she returned for him later he was gone. Detectives searched the area and never found any trace of the child.

After the disappearance, the couple’s 6 year old daughter was removed from their home by social workers who discovered she had broken bones and sores all over her body.

Susan Baker was convicted of beating the little girl and was given 10 years in prison for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. The baby Paul has still never been found though.

Baker’s niece says, “That’s the only reason they’re putting her as a person of interest now is because of all that crap that happened way back then.”

They need to start asking the mother where the child is,” said Phillips. “She’s the one that put it somewhere.”

So I guess the question here is, is this Susan Baker involved in the disappearance of little Shannon Dedrick or did her parents do something to her."

I created a site for Community members....you can create your own mini site, create community awareness, and so much more. Post pictures to wanted forums, missing forms, general forums and so much more...WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN....The portal is for adults, no little myspacers and you have many more capabilities.... I was prompted to create this site because there's so much more we can do (the community) to bring back a sense of community. There's also a personal reason, like Jim with Equusearch. Anyway, I think it would help our community and would love to have you join. Please look over my site....you can also google it if your concerned this may be a fraud. I have agencies and individuals joining daily, but would love for more to join. We can prevent some of the tragedies by using this portal.

I'm part of the Womens Business Org. , and I've been advocating for our community as well as others for a while....along with a great deal of other things...

We all deserve to have a safe and happy community. Support the community and help protect our children.

You can google americauknight or go to http://www.americauknight.com browse the menu on the left and you will see a great deal of information. Thank you again.

Register for an individual profile and then look at the examples. Theres state forums, city forms, and state and city blogs. There's also general blogs and safety resources....so much....join for your kids....for our kids.

Sincerely,
Summer
Dr. T

No one has mentioned the shape of this baby's head. That looks abnormal to me as well as the her weight. If the parents aren't on TV pleading and not speaking with the grandparents, I would suspect they are in jail. Just from what I've read here, I would imagine this story is related to drugs. No parent, in their right mind, would stay up until 3 am and sleep until 11 am with a 7 month old baby in the house.

I pray for the grandparents of this child, that what they find when they arrive in FL is not what all of the posters are thinking.

God be with them and the baby.

The picture of baby Shannon doesn't look quite right. Were there any medical problems with the baby? She just doesn't look like a "normal" 7 month old baby. Usually they are smiling or crying or showing some type of emotion. Also, if the police are being this secretive it's more than likely because the parents are in one way or another involved. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE NOWADAYS? HOW MANY MORE CHILDREN HAVE TO SUFFER BEFORE WE START ENFORCING HARSHER LAWS FOR ANYONE THAT HARMS, KIDNAPS, BEATS, KILLS OR DOES ANYTHING BUT LOVE A HARMLESS PRECIOUS GIFT FROM GOD!!!!!!!??????

Shannon HAS BEEN FOUND!!!

Washington County Sheriff Bobby Haddock was crying as he delivered the news that baby Shannon Dedrick was found alive.

The Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement called for a news conference around 11:00 p.m Wednesday for 1:00 a.m. Thursday. Shannon was reported missing at 11:30 a.m. Halloween morning by her mother.

Authorities believe she went missing some time between 3:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Saturday from the bedroom of her parents on Brown Street in Chipley.

Wednesday investigators began looking into possible connections between Shannon’s disappearance and the disappearance of her reported baby sitter’s step-son. Susan Baker’s son, Paul, was reported missing in 1987 in Beaufort County, South Carolina, his body was never found.

Authorities in South Carolina extradited Susan and her husband Paul from Washington County in 2000 on charges relating to the disappearance but the grand jury did not indict them. Haddock says Shannon was found in a box under Susan and Paul’s bed around 9:55 p.m. Wednesday.

Shannon was rushed to Northwest Florida Hospital. Susan and Paul Baker are in custody. The mother of Shannon, Christina Mercer is also in police custody. The investigation is on-going. News 13 Panama City FL will have all the details as soon as they released.

The persons of interest is the ones who seem her last that the reason parents have not been on the news. they need to in jail for holding knowedge of her wereabout because they know ,how can you sleep 8hrs with ababy that young im a grandmother and when my grandchildren was that young and stay over I WOUND BE UP AND DOWN CHECKING ON HER .and as a mother no matter how old they get you still check on you kids during the night if they are in your home.

They Found Baby Shannon Tonight. Under the Bed of the babysitter in a box, alive. The Mom is being charged along with the babysitter.

The parents and the babysitter did it. You know that they have planned something. I read on another website that they were charged in the murder of a son of the babysitter's back in 1987. They were planning on killing that baby, plain and simple. You know what really ticks me off about this? People like that can procreate but there are a ton of good people in this world who can't. I am fed up with people hurting those weaker than them. If someone had any balls, they'd attack someone who was an adult of their same gender, instead of hurting kids or animals. People are sick.

Baby Shannon has been found ALIVE and well.

You can confirm it on http://www.newsherald.com There was a 1am press conference and there will be a second on at 11am

My daughter was really tiny baby. People use to think sometimes that she was a baby doll. She didn't reach 20lbs until she was almost 3. I never once starved her. She ate plenty she was just tall and skinny. I thought i read in a different article that the baby was found under the babysitters bed(alive) and 3 people where arrested. Wasnt they talking bout this baby?

SHE'S ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHE'S DOING GREAT! GO TO http://www.newsherald.com What a miracle! Thank you Nancy for coming to Chipley.

I hear they found the baby alive under the babysitter's bed. That the babysitter is related to the father but that they only arrested the child's mother, the babysitter, and the babysitter's husband. ,

I live in Panama City, FL and baby Shannon was found alive in susan Baker (the babysitters home) in a box under her bed late Wednesday night. Very good news...go to wmbb.com for more info.

Why would the mother, babysitter and her husband take the baby and hide her? This is turning into another hoax, which is taking the police away from other criminal or missing cases.
I am glad the state took the baby away from the parents.......
Charges need to be brought against everyone involved..................

baby was found under babysitters bed. the mother is also arrested. when something smells fishy, it usually is!!!

i forgot to mention the baby is ALIVE. Thank goodness this story is positive

dothaneagle.com says baby was found under the babysitters bed. So there goes the theory of the mother and father although they do have the mother in custody too. And they gave the babysitter a lie detector test and she passed it, shows you that those are not reliable either. Hmmmm..... and the plot thickens.

The baby is alive and was found under the bed of the babysitter....hmmm....now shut up all of you pointing the finger at the parents...

This child apprears to have hydrocephalus (as evident in the shape and size of the head). This may be why the child weighed so little.

I don't know what happened here, but little Shannon looks like an angel and I'm really tired of hearing these types of stories. It's tough having kids, I know, but please, please, please don't hurt them. They are innocent gifts from heaven. Drop them off at a hospital or an adoption agency or even my house. If it's too much, don't do something you'll regret, let someone else help, there are alot of good people who can give your baby the love he or she deserves.

Another child abuse case. The parents are guilty as sin. Mom and Dad already know what happen as we will see in days to come.

AOL has this posted by a photo of Shannon:
Shannon Lea Dedrick: The 7-month-old girl was found alive and well under her baby sitter's bed several days after she was reported missing from her family's home in Chipley, Fla., police said. Authorities planned to file charges against three people: her sitter, Susan Elizabeth Baker; the child's mother, Chrystina Lynn Mercer; and Baker's husband, James Arthur Baker.

Child has been found:

7-month-old Shannon Dedrick is alive and well.

Investigators found the child alive, in a shoebox, under her baby sitter's, Susan Elizabeth Baker's, bed.

The baby sitter, her husband, Arthur Baker, and the child's mother, Chrystina Lynn Mercer, are all arrested.

Shannon had been missing for five days.

Sheriff Bobby Haddock said authorities don't believe the father was involved.

This is very interesting and found in the Hilton Head Island, SC newspaper the "Island Packet"

Beaufort County sheriff's deputy is headed to Chipley, Fla., to help authorities there investigate possible connections between a 22-year-old, unsolved missing-child case in Beaufort and the recent disappearance of a 7-month-old Florida girl.

Search teams have spent days looking for Shannon Dedrick in the wooded area surrounding the family's mobile home outside of Chipley, a rural Panhandle town. The girl was reported missing at about 11 a.m. Saturday, and her parents said they last saw her at about 3 a.m.

On Wednesday, Washington County sheriff's deputies were at the home of Shannon's baby sitter, Susan Baker, thought to be a former Beaufort resident convicted in 1987 of abusing her step-daughter and suspected in her step-son's disappearance that same year.

Authorities would not immediately confirm if the Susan Baker convicted in the Beaufort case was the same woman questioned Wednesday about Shannon's disappearance. However, Tabatha Phillips, who said she is Baker's niece, told The News Herald newspaper of Panama City, Fla., that Smith is the same woman accused in the 1987 disappearance.

But that arrest, Phillips told the newspaper, was "on a technicality" and Baker was innocent.

Baker had not been named a person of interest in Shannon's disappearance as of Wednesday afternoon, but a Washington County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman told the News Herald that Baker had been interviewed and that the Sheriff's Office was aware of the similarities in their case and the 1987 disappearance of Paul Baker.

I am curious to see what conclusions they come to and hope and pray they find this baby safe.

Shannon was found alive in a box under the babysitter's bed this morning.

I agree with Debbie. The first thing I noticed was that this is an odd picture. There is obviously something wrong with the baby, Mentally maybe? Do we know that? If not then this baby is very unhealthy. Sounds like these people are party people who mistakenly did something to the baby while high or drunk and now are trying to hide it by saying she was taken, Just like that little Hailey.

just learned that baby shannon is alive and well under sisters bed.

What is it with all these nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!! they need to put them all away and through away the keys!

Baby Shannon was found. Living here in Panama City we heard early (1am ) that she was found but not much more. She is fine and in good health.

I pray that the baby is okay. but this story is fishy to me. Who sleeps to 11 am knowing they have an infant in the house. Even if she didnt wake being a mother I would have woke up before 11 to check on my baby. What infant sleeps to 11 unless they are not feeling well and then they will cry and be restless.

they found her in a box underneath the babysitters bed!

In response to Debbie Van Pelt, you are so right on the pictures of the baby – There is no emotion. I'm glad they found the baby and hopefully that baby will grow up in a loving evironment.

Strange how the parents had another baby missing years ago in a different state and that child was never found.

It is upsetting that they would waste everyone's time, money, and energy searching for this girl when they already knew who had her. What in the world were their intentions here? Were they going to let her rot in a box and all split the money?

The dots around her eyes are pixels from blowing up the picture. If you look those same dots are all over the picture. other then the fact shes underweight and looks very sad for a 7month old, she looks ok. But truely why can't anyone talk to the childs mother? there is the question..... I believe they have her in custody or something.

They have found baby shannon! they found baby shannon yesterday under the baby sitters bed. more details to come tonight in our paper.

"Diane November 4th, 2009 6:16 pm ET

How do you sleep for 8 hrs with a baby in the house? Maybe the baby was no longer an issue by the time they went to bed. Sounds awfully odd."

My daughter was sleeping all night at 3 months. Granted, not until 11am, but still...

Don't all of you feel guilty now, blaming these parents! Why does everyone have to automatically think the worst of the parents. The baby has been found safe, thank the Lord!

Seven months and only eleven pounds!!!!!!! my son was born weighing in @ 9.5.. something is VERY WRONG HERE!!!!!! a healthy seven month old should weigh in @ about 17.5 to 18 pounds and why in the world would they go knocking on the neighbors doors asking had they heard anything??!!!! If my seven month baby went missing.. I think i could run to the police station faster then dialing the phone.. FISHY FISHY FISHY....

i read an article saying that the baby had been found hidden in a box under the babysitters bed...it had a lot of info why are there no updates here?

Thank God this baby was found today and I hope she is never returned to her Parent's! what were they thinking? This entire story is NUTS! and Nancy you knew it from the get go! good for you..Keep going strong Nancy and Happy Birthday to the twins!

This is an amazing story. For all that jumped to conclusions and blamed the parents, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. For her to be found alive is a the best news I've heard in quite some time. http://news.aol.com/article/missing-baby-shannon-dedrick-found-alive/753349. Glad it was a happy ending for this family.

Baby Shannon has been found. Police held a press conference at 1am advising that she was found and is alive and healthy.

This has already been reported on other major media outlets.

Pray pray and more prayers to family

Baby Shannon was found safe and sound around 10 pm last night in the babysitters home under a bed in a box. The baby sitter, her husband and the mother are all in custody. Thank God for happy endings!

You people should be ashamed of yourselves jumping to crazy conclusions based on a few paragraphs and some photos. The baby was found alive, healthy and under the baby sitter's bed. Don't understand why everyone was so quick to judge that because the family went to bed late and got up late that means they are murderers. There could be a million reasons why a family is up late- they work late shifts, someone was sick, that is the normal schedule they keep, it was a busy day, etc. and obviously if you are tired and there is no baby around to wake (presumably because she was taken) you you might sleep in past your normal time.

Read the news! The baby has been found. This post needs UPDATE,

im glad shes safe now

Update-they have found baby Shannon under the baby-sitter's bed!

And...today...we have the answers! Baby is alive and well...TYG But the whys are yet to come. Sounds like this babysitter/father's mother is someone who needs intense investigation. WTG to all police and officials who were more than diligent in their search!

Good news baby found alive!! Was with babysitter all along.

well thank god they found her ALIVE...although im concerned if shes been in a box under the bed for days.... with no formula, no food, no water, nothing! in that diaper too for days....how in the hades did no one notice her, surely she would have been crying after a few hours of being hungry and.or in a soiled diaper???

Looks like they found baby.. told ya this was a suspect story

I saw the updated story this morning, and the first thing that struck me was how flat the babys head was in the back. That is PURE neglect, meaning the baby was layed down for extended periods of time, possibly always. I hope that parents are arrested and charged with child neglect, and MORE. If the baby was active (crawling and rolling over), her head was not be like that. There is also no reason that she only weighs 11 pounds, other than starvation AND neglect.

Baby's been found alive, under the bed of the babysitter. As Sue Moss would say, "Baby ain't dead, she was under the bed!" Thank God, she's alive. Now, how did she get there and why? This child needs justice and a strong advocate for her welfare!

Thank you for covering this case!

I have an update from the P.I.O. on the person(s) they are holding and looking to possibly charge. You can find that information at: http://www.michellesigona.com – Just updated it a couple hours ago.

Thanks!

They found baby Shannon alive and the mother had something to do with along with a "babysitter" who has a criminal history and a history of her own child going missing

It is so sad, a 7 month old baby have mother like that. Drinking, partying is more important, that her baby. Unfortunately, so many unwanted child have the same, horrible life.

Do you know if "whoever" even took this sweet baby out of the "box" to feed and change her? How in the world do you manage to keep a baby in a box like that? Whoever did this terrible deed should be put away for ever. Thank you.

Okay, I've been watching the coverage this afternoon in regards to locating Shannon (which is wonderful)! BUT ... as a mom to other moms/parents/grandparents/people in general ... does anyone notice that this little baby shows NO emotion whatsoever. Just a blank look in her big eyes ... no blinking, no smiling, no crying!

Something tramatic has happened to this little girl and I do NOT think she is okay! I see where she is in protective custody ~ thank God!

This baby, Shannon, is NOT a normal 7 month old. For her not to be crying when tucked under a bed, in soiled diaper & such ... BIG RED FLAG PEOPLE!!! I hate to say this, but maybe it was good someone took her so that she could be removed from her home altogether!!!!

She was found alive under the babysitters bed in a box

SHE IS ALIVE PRAISE GOD! my previous post has not yet shown up but anyway, the previous post was correct! she has been found alive! she was found under the babysitter Susan Bakers bed.

She was found ~~ UNDER the babysitters bed.

I am very happy that they have found this baby alive. Its rare that things turn out good! It is sad though to think of that baby being under the bed, I pray she wasnt there the whole time without food or anything!

You're so right, Rose. I have 4 grandchildren. The first, a boy, is now 7 and was 30 lbs at a year. His doctor's told my daughter to no feed him so much. I told her to ignore the idiot. Let the baby tell you, they aren't stupid and know when they are full. My son, his uncle who is 36, was 30 lbs at a yr old and now is 6'6" tall. As he grew up, he had two sets of clothing my husband and I had to buy, One for his dormant time(regular) and for the shoot up time(slim). One year, in May, he grew 6 inches and had to get a new wardrobe at the END of the school year. My grandson is in the 95% for height and 50% for weight and will eat anything that isn't nailed down. Takes after his father. Narrow as a rail and can out eat anyone. Now, my grandson's sister is 3. She is in the 30% for weight and about 50% for height. She is around 27 lbs. Her younger sister at 19 months weighs 26 lbs.

They found her ALIVE!

Thank God they found her!!!

The baby sitter, Susan Baker, thought to be a former Beaufort resident convicted in 1987 of abusing her step-daughter and suspected in her step-son's disappearance that same year.

Authorities would not immediately confirm if the Susan Baker convicted in the Beaufort case was the same woman questioned Wednesday about Shannon's disappearance. However, Tabatha Phillips, who said she is Baker's niece, told The News Herald newspaper of Panama City, Fla., that Smith is the same woman accused in the 1987 disappearance.

But that arrest, Phillips told the newspaper, was "on a technicality" and Baker was innocent.

Baker had not been named a person of interest in Shannon's disappearance as of Wednesday afternoon, but a Washington County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman told the News Herald that Baker had been interviewed and that the Sheriff's Office was aware of the similarities in their case and the 1987 disappearance of Paul Baker.

The story about shannon was just nuts from the start. I also don't understand that a 7 month old infant is only 11 pounds. That is tragic unless she was a very premature infant or had medical problems, but nothing has been said about this. We call those babies "Failure to Thrive", and she does look okay? but something is not right there. She is way too smal for her age. I just find people are getting dumber and dumber and have no common sense, am I wrong

That poor little girl!!! She is going to need some extra special attention for the rest of her life. She obviously has parents that don't give a crap about the well-fair of their beautiful child. I am so glad that she was found alive!!!! Maybe now she can become part of a family that really does love her and will take care of her like she deserves.

Hi Nancy: I was appauled to hear about poor baby Shannon found under the bed after 5 days. Why didn't the police check the house right away? I would think it would be one of the first things done. Also, I thought it was odd that the baby weighed 11 lbs, but after hearing about the mothers other 2 children, poor Shannon was prbably hardly ever fed and was abused as well!!

Love your show,

Debbie

Thank God she was found Alive. What was the mother thinking? The parent's had to be on drugs, who gives their child away? The world has gone nuts!

Nancy – Thank you Thank you for being you. Love love love your show.

thank you jesus

This baby is simply adorable..she is so cute she looks like a little angel. I wish I could adopt this baby...I am sooo glad she is alive. God bless baby Shannon.

i too noticed that shannons eyes seemed blank, no emotion, and her head was a little large( shaken baby syndrome) and now seeing the updates about the complaints about drugs AND shaken baby syndrome? maybe jumping to conclusions, but that to me makes sense, given the blank, emotionless expression of the pics, and the large head... i thought i read too, that a picture showed a flattened head( by her laying down on her back, in a carseat ) ...
again im glad shes found, i just pray she goes to a safer home...

Apparently I'm not the only one that noticed the shape of little Shannon's head. It seems flat in the back and abnormally elongated, which could be due to several things. She may have been neglected and left to lie on her back continuously or she may have a medical condition.

My son had craniosynostosis as an infant which causes the fontanels or sutures in the babies head to close prematurely which can cause the head to be misshapen because the brain presses on the skull. And don't think that your pediatrician will necessarily pick this up. My son's head looked like a triangle from the top but the doc poo-poo'd our fears. We had to threaten to sit in her office until she did something. When we went to the specialist she took three seconds to diagnose him and asked us what took us so long to get him treated. ARGH!!

I am so glad that she is ok. My family has been involved in the search for the past 5 days and it is just a releif that she is ok. I know these type of things go on everyday but it just is really hard to take in, since it hits so close to home. I just pray that Baby Shannon can live a normal life now with these two horrible women out of her life.

Baby Shannon has been found ALIVE and doing very well. After the police finally got a search warrant for the baby sitters house they found 7 month old baby Shannon alive hidden under a bed in a cardboard box.

I am so glad this turned out this way

I am so excited that they found her alive, what was the parents thinking. How can you do this to a child, especially when there are people out there who can not have kids. I would take her in a heart beat and care for her as if she was my world. Some people just should not be parents.

Look at the pictures of that baby. The physical proportions of the baby's face do not seem right for a normal/healthy baby. Also, the baby seems emotionless. I'm no doctor, but somethin' ain't right with that there baby.

First off Thank you God for saving this child!
I as well have had 2 preemie children, one of which was a micro preemie with numerous complications including but not exclusive to eating and gaining weight (Failure to Thrive) as well as apnea and bradycardia (or "A's & B's" as some fellow preemie parents may call it) which greatly affecting his feeding. At 7 months old both my children weighed more than 11 lbs. In fact, the one picture that is shown of her in an (outdated) carseat looks as though she had once been healthy and, after an unknown amount of time being neglected, had lost a lot of weight. The skin on her legs is loose as though there had once been baby fat but has since been starved out of her.

I hope that this child gets to grow up with a family that Loves her and treats her as the precious gift she is.

I just read that the baby was found alive in a box under the bed. What is going on ? You think they would have checked that place first.

What a precious little girl! Thank God she was found alive and unharmed!

Florida. says it all....

This 7 month baby only weighed 11 pounds. Has that drawn any attention?

They (the Washington Co. Sherriffs Office) found Shannon alive at the home of the baby sitters

Also, a healthy baby would not quietly stay under a bed for five days. Something's fishy.

I am so happy they have found baby Shannon. Looking at her pictures and the report today I am very concerned about baby Shannon. She has many of the physical signs of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She also is very flat affect and as you said what baby sleeps til 11:00. My first though is a baby that has not had appropriate attention. She was in a trunk for at least 12 hours, she should have been hysterical and the aunt should have been worried she would be screaming. There is something wrong here. I hope that this has nothing to do with her disappearance. If they did not want the baby then they should have given her the opportunity to live with a relative or adoption. This baby needs someone to love her.

I just don't get these sick sick people. I heard social workers had been out to the house previously and said the parents smoked pot and had a dirty house but that the baby was "ok". why do these poor kids have to suffer? I hope she finds a nice home where she will be loved and taken care of. Its too bad that there's people in this world who can't have kids and would be so blessed to have one and then you get these idiots who put there children in the worst situations and are so darn selfish. I'm so happy the baby is ok.

i love you show and love seeing your twins as iam a twin myself there is 2 sets o ftwins in my family 16 months apart , love you show as it makes me fell safer about my grand children that live in the usa

Nancy do we know what motivated these people? Was it Balloon Boy all over again, did they want to keep it away from the father?, were they going to sell her? what would they have done if they had of gotten to the baby before the police once they realized they'd been found out?

I was just reading these blogs and was stunned to see the baby was found. Thank God.. Will watch Nancy for more updates tonight. I am sure there will be more baffling and conflicting stories.

First off PTL she is alive...second off, I have 7 month old twins who were both premature. One weighs 23 lbs and the other one about 19...11lbs is ridiculous. Another thing...neither of my babies sleep more than 5 hours straight and if on the off chance that they did, I would be up checking rather frequently. Rather the police think the
da had anything to do with it or not he is just as guilty. Please find this poor child a loving home. She has been through more than enough. She deserves to know what a good mommy and daddy is like. Give her a reason to laugh and smile and giggle like other babies...so many families want a baby and can't have
them and you have freakshows like these people having them just to harm them...makes
me sick!

FYI My children went to bed between 6 and 7PM and slept straight through till 10 or 11AM. They woke up happy and ready to start the day. Neither one would take a nap starting at one month old.
Do not judge people when you do not know what you are talking about.
I hope to God Shannon is found alive and well soon!

Poor little innocent baby. She looks so sad, no expression. It appears to me that she has probably been neglected and malnourished. She obviously has some medical problems. Mom probably did drugs while pregnant. It's so heartbreaking, some people just need to be neutered. I hope she is never allowed back with her loser parents. Mom probably traded her for some crack. I pray she finds a loving, caring home and receives the love and care every child deserves.

The baby is safe! The Mother gave the child to the baby sitter who was the half sister to the father of the child. The baby sitter left her in a cedar box under a bed in the baby sitters house, for over 12 hours before the deputy found her. Very touching news conference at 1:15 am this morning. Mother & Baby sitter have been charged.

I prayed that this baby would be found, and GOD answered my prayer for little baby shannon.

This story needs to be updated! I agree that this baby does not seem like a normal 7 month old. Also, her head is flat in the back showing that she was left lying on her back constantly with no other stimulation. She also didn't show any emotion which makes you wonder how much attention she got. What in the world was the purpose of hiding her then reporting her missing? Was it maybe a plot to sell her or give her to the babysitter? I don't get it. If the parents were drug addicts, it makes you wonder how low they would go to pay for their addiction. I hope to God they didn't drug this child to keep her quiet. I hope they give this poor child a loving home.

Well I read some comments and I personally can sleep late and my kid sleeps later and I go to sleep rather late also. I'm not saying the parents DIDNT do it I'm saying you CANNOT point fingers. There is no proof behind anything. I just hope that poor baby is found SAFE and ALIVE!

Wow!

Baby disappears, parents are instantly tried and convicted online, baby is found alive.

How does it feel to be a member of a lynch mob, folks?

She is the cutest little thing, her little bald head is so precious! My 12 year old wants to adopt her! She looked so innocent in the arms of the sherriff. You can tell she is a good baby! I am so happy they found her alive and well. It is my prayer that someone will take her that will love and protect her. She needs the love of a family! Who knows we might be the family she needs!!!

I just wanted to let SOMEONE know that me and my family would LOVE LOVE LOVE to adopt, foster or whatever need be little baby Shannon! We live in St. Augustine, FL (the opposite coast of where this little girl was found). The location could be a good thing, and we would be ready to start TOMORROW!!!!! Sincerely, Laura and Tim O'Neal and our kids, Riley, Kelly, Casey, and Grady (Hey! Shannon fits right in with all those Irish names!)

Sounds to me like this baby's parents are friends with Misty Croslin. Stories sound too much alike. Except in this case, you haven't seen the fake tears.

is this the baby they found under a babysitters bed somewhere in flordia

I agree that this baby has a flat affect. Also, look at any of the videos of her being held by the police chief. The back of her head does not look normal in its shape for a 7 month old. Could this baby have been abused and her injuries caused brain damage or possibly deafness. She would appear flat if deaf at this age. There is not one picture or video that shows Shannon with a smile or even a half smile. She did not even change her expression when being kissed in the video by her grandmother. Something is seriously wrong here.

I have seen the pictures of this little child and also the coverage after they found her. I have yet to see this poor little thing smile - what a sad looking child....

We have two grandsons, 3 year old and a 10 month old. Neither of them were as small as this sweet little baby is at 7 months. In fact have never seen a WELL baby in this condition! Her head also looks mis-shapen. Also, the expression on her face, or the lack of expression reveals that something is wrong. Who is the quack that said said that she was healthy at that weight.
We hope that justice is served on those that did this to that innocent child.
Were they going to kill that little angel? Why keep her in a sealed box if you care about her? If the mother could no longer care for her then she should have went to Child Services or the grandparents, not turn her over to a baby killer. We would adopt little Shannon in a heartbeat and give her all the love and care she deserves.

I was wondering if the baby has been deprived of human contact long enough to give her lifelong issues? I can't help but think of how much stress she must have been under and if it will cause detachment issues..

Hi Nancy, I watch you every night. Bless you for the work that you do for the victims. Baby Shannon was the best outcome that we could every ask for. It brought tears to my eyes. I am blessed to have a 5yo and a 16month old. I do not understand these people. We fought an uphill battle for our children as you know it's not easy to conceive over the age of 40.
Thank you again. Happy birthday to the twins.

can i adopt the baby?

Wonderful that baby Shannon has been found; however, not only does she have v. sad eyes, but they do not have the alertness usual for babies. It begs the question of the conditions she has experienced in her short life.
These young brains need stimulation; I pray a better future for her.

Nancy, I love your show.
In re: to Baby Shannon. She is so beautiful. She looks like a porcelion doll. She has no expression on her face, she doesn't look like she has smiled in a long time if ever. I would think due to not having had the love and affection that she is due. I have a great grandson that is 17 mos. old. I love that baby to death, he is my life. I would do anything for him. I don't understand how people especially a mother could mistreat and not love their own child. I hope all ends well and Shannon gets the home with lots of love and attention that she surely deserves. Thanks Nancy,
Jeanette Conrad/Grove City, OH

This story, right after reading the one about the mom who slashed her sons' throats makes me wonder why our country has such a fear of strangers. We parents are expected to hover over our children day and night... don't let them play outside by themselves! don't let them walk anywhere alone! don't even think about leaving them in the car for 30 seconds to drop something off! (All of which, my generation's parents did on a daily basis, and we're all still OK!) Statistically speaking, children are far less safe with their own family than with perfect strangers! Look it up! Can we please stop putting the fear of god into our youngsters about the world around them?

Baby Shannon shows no emotion what-so-ever!! It's heartbreaking to think what this child has had to endure in her short lifetime!! Someone surely will be held accountable!

SICK! SICK! SICK! Throw all involved in prison and throw away the key!! Better yet, stuff THEIR bodies in a small box with NO holes poked in it...let the punishment fit the crime!!! Baby Shannon needs to be with a family that will love her and protect her from insane people like her mother and babysitter!
Kudos to the policemen that found her under that bed.
I'm praying for Baby Shannon.

My concern is in looking at pics of Shannon, why doesn't this child's facial expressions ever change. No smiles, no crying? Has this child suffered from parents shaking her? Child seems to have a large head albeit a precious one...but have doctors investigated if any cranial abnormalities or damage from abuse?

I sure hope that if child is released to grandmother and the way our court system is, that the parents are never allowed near her. Bless her heart.

Shannon appears to have no affect,-no facial expressions. Has she been tested by a pediatric psychiatrist?

It is si nice to see Mark Klass smile..he deserves some happiness and to feel joy. You're awesome Mark I've been a follower since beautiful Polly was taken from you.
God
Bless You

I'm happy that baby Shannon was found. My concern is whether she was also a victim of neglect. She's seven months old and in every publicly shown photo and video she does not smile. I wish her only the best.

The cedar box they found her in looks more like a CASKET than just a Cedar chest.
Were they prepared to bury her in it when she died?

I am just so relieved to see that Shannon has been found. I have 3 children of my own and I couldn't imagine myself every handing my child over to endure anything like that. She has serious mental health problems and should never be allowed to have more children. I think that she is a beautiful baby and I would adopt her right now. She looks like a little angel and my heart just breaks everytime I hear the stories of what she has possibly endured. Litterally my heart just aches of her.

this is really sad that someone could even think that they could even do this to a baby they have a soul and the mother should get what is coming to her thank God that this baby was found alive i have know petty for her at all i have children of my own and they mean the world to me and i am with them every second of everyday thank God nothing has ever happen to them they are my world

Thank God that baby Shannon was found alive. This poor baby has been through alot. I hope that justice is served. It is a miracle that this baby didnt sufficate in that box. It looks like a coffin. What were they thinking.. Was this woman gonna go back to South Carolina with baby!!! I just want to hold baby Shannon and give her love...Tonight we can sleep peacefully!!!

Hey Nancy:
Grandmother got there TODAY!!! How long was the baby missing; 5 DAYS? THINK GIRL, WHATS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE!!

I wonder if it is possible that the babysitter is in the business of baby trafficking?? She was obviously "hiding" the baby. For what purpose? Perhaps she sold her step-son in 1987? It makes me sick to think of the possible future Shannon may have face, had she not been found.

nancy,
have you noticed how unresponsive baby shannon is?
this baby has never been socicalized. she's been ignored, not stimulated by anyone. this is why she could stay in a box and not make any noise for long periods of time

if the mother is receiveing WIC, then health officals, a nurse which visits the home every week, should have picked up on this.

With a special needs child I'm ashamed to think that my first gut reaction to opening this story and seeing this picture was one of guilt toward the parents. Regardless of weight or timeline, little have mentioned the head size in this picture.

I'm willing to be that this child had special needs and perhaps the parents didn't know how to deal with it. I and my wife did, though it was torture and a time I've learned to forget.

I have to think that someone close to this child thought they either believed they were doing it a favor or removing themselves from the burden put upon themselves as parents.

I know this sounds tought and calous. And predudiced but thought I'd bring it up.

My baby was 8 weeks premature and is now 10 weeks old and he weighs 9 pounds. Shannon is 7 months and weighs only 11 pounds. Is there a reason why she is so small at 7 months old??

can we adopt her??? pUH-LEASE!!

Thank God! Shannon does seem a little quiet while in the arms of a loving sheriff. Not scared, yet quiet. Perhaps she is quiet. Or, like many of us, I wonder if she is just lacking in exposure to stimulation for her cognitive and mental growth. She may just be a slower thinker. It happens (I am an elementary teacher). We are all just relieved and happy the little girl appears physically fine.

Concerning baby Shannon

I believe the reason for the baking soda in the box, is to cover-up decaying body as she dyes. Then all they have to do is to remove the box and perhaps Barrie it. These two need to be punished.

L.Sims

Thank you Lord for allowing little Shannon to be found alive! It is truly a miracle! It absolutely sickens me when thikngs like this happen. If you do not want your child...find someone who does! There are thousands of people like me who cannot have children and would love to adopt. I can say I would not care if the child had ANY disability, what happened to Shannon and others like her is WRONG!!! They are not trash...they are little angels sent from God. God bless the people who found her and may more children be found safe.

How on earth could ANYONE do this to such a sweet little baby! Babys are to LOVE NOT ABUSE!!! There are SO many people now abusing, murdering, raping children. Catching and putting them in prision is NOT good enough!!! Who ever dares hurt a child should be put away FOREVER, with no chance of ever getting out to where they could hurt another child.
( PROUD GRANDPARENT !!!! And NOT afraid to fight the whole world over my grandchildren!!!)

Nancy I know that you are going to take this one until someone is brought to justice

I too noticed that this baby has 'dead' eyes. It looks like it cannot smile. It's head is way too big for the body. This smacks of child abuse. The grandmother is kissing this baby and there's no response from the child. I hope they take this baby away. This is another case of parents that are trailer trash – not the first case like this in Florida. Sad, very sad, indeed!

Has anyone brought up the father yet.

Did he do something that made her give the baby to the sitter? And when he found out she had to call in the fake kidnapping.

There has to be more to this, not said yet.

never ever have i heard of a 7 month old baby sleeping that late....my daughter is 8 months old and wakes up every three and half to four hours for a bottle....this baby is precious and a gift from God, and anyone who would ever do anything to damage or hurt this angel needs the worst punishment possible!

What a miracle to find this precious baby found alive! Has anyone noticed baby Shannon looking up at the Sherrif as he was announcing that this was indeed her? Priceless.

This baby is 7 months old and only weighs 11 pounds. I wonder what care she has been given prior to this "being turned over to the babysitter"? That is an exceptionally small baby for that age.

I am a young professional engaged to the most wonderful man and dedicated physician. I would give anything to have a beautiful child, such as baby Shannon. How can any human being lock a pxrecious child under the bed! I would give anything for the chance to love and cherish this child. I would love to adopt this child anonomously to give her a life of unconditional love and supoort. It is truly God's will that she is alive and well. If adoption is even a possibility, please let me know. I am in Atlanta and am willing to go to FL to get qualify for custody.

Shannon is God's whole and perfect child and deserves a life filled with love and peace.

Kindest Regards,
Mitzi Cloud

Please,please,please tell me that this sweet baby will not go to anybody in that family. This mother must not have been treated very well when she was growing up, where else could someone learn to treat her own baby so badly. Where is the father? I want & need to know this baby is not going to be thrust into such a questionable family without a thorough investigation.

Hi Nancy,

Thank you for all you do for these children !..

This story is very important to my family...

Re Baby Shannon:

I want to know why the maternal grandmother has not been able to take immediate custody of little Shannon?

Why is Shannon still with the foster parents?

What documented proof does the police have if any, that the child is safer with the foster parent vs maternal grandmother?

Thank You,
Vickie West
360-277-4884

Perhaps the mom was being drugged by the baby-sitter...
and this is why her stories are conflicting.
Makes perfect sense to me.
Thank God for Grandma!!! You go Girl – Support your Family!!!
Judge, lest ye be judged.
There is much more to this story.
Seems the hand that rocks the cradle...is a real worry!
A new mom's re-settling hormones...being drugged...
a real concoction.
Let's give the mother some time to re-group.
Cause...I think ... she's been duped.

This poor little soul is found alive and yet she is dead inside. I think this
is more than the recent trama,this baby doesn't smile has blank stare. I
pray to God this baby is given up for adoption to "loving parents." As far
her other family members there're involved with the abusers. Blood does not necessarily make a family as this story attests to. May God be
with and guide the right people to this precious baby.

While watching the program, it was reported that the babysitter sent a letter to the governor mentioning, among other things, that baby Shannon was a special needs child (something to that effect). When reports came out that the mother said she was manipulated into giving up her child, do you think that the babysitter told the mother that she may face a lifetime of medical bills, that she wasn't prepared for a child with special needs, etc., and perhaps the mother saw her future as bleak and that she wouldn't be able to take care of Shannon in the long run?

Hi all i feel the same as the rest of you. This mom and dad should not be able to have any more children and that Shannon should go to a family that will give her the love that she needs.
I am a single person with no Children but work with them all day. I just want to drive out there and give her that hugs and kisses that every child needs. If i could i would take her in a heart beat,
I hope everything comes out very soon and then baby Shannon can get on to a happier life she should have. These are the most memoryable time of their lives to see the first step, crawl, tooth, and many more...
My heart goes out to you Baby Shannon

Not only does Shannon have no other facial expression, but she cannot hold her head up very long. She has clearly been left alone for long periods over all of her life. I am so saddened by this story.

Thank the Dear Lord this little Angel was saved!

What the heck is wrong with people these days?? Trying to give away you're OWN infant?! She apparently didn't care about baby Shannon; she's very much underweight for her age, so she obviously hasn't been taken care of as she should. That's a shame. Another innocent child paying the price for some "mother's" selfishness. Thank goodness Shannon is alive. And hats off to the law enforcement officers who did their job in finding her!

honestly..i think they all should be shot..this is the dumbest thing i ever heard..she is a gorgous baby girl..i lost my 2 month old son due to SIDS, and there is nothing in this world that i wouldnt do to get him back..and then i turn on the tv..and find this crap...realy ppl what is this world coming to..i honestly believe these ppl need to be shot..

I just need to add something, why people exagerate, seen the news they say that the baby was inside the box but does not said that the baby was 24 / 7. therefore why they try to make it so tragic on that part

This story just pulls at heart .There no way a person in the right mind would do this to a child because kids are gift from God and never should be hurt like this. That women should never have kids.There should be a test you have to take to be a parent or some kind of class you should take that can help with how to take care of a child. My prays go out the child and the grandma.

Thank God that baby Shannon was found alive. I can not believe that anyone would cause harm to an infant, and I am awfully disquisted that they would put this beautiful baby in a wooden box suffted and hidden underneath the bed of the babysitter/aunt. If she was so concerned why did she committ this awful crime of hate toward this infant who is so innoncent. This baby is so adorable I would be willing to adopt her at any moment possible. She does not deserve to be treated the way she has been treated, and this is only a window into the future if ever returned.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS WORLD IS COMING TO THESE DAYS. HOW COULD YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO SOMETHING SO HELPLESS. I HAVE A SEVEN MONTH OLD BABY AND SHE MEANS THE WORLD TO ME. GOD MUST OF BEEN WATCHING OVER BABY SHANNON. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD THESE DAYS. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING KIDS THESE DAYS DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN U HAVE A CHILD YOUR LIFE STOPS AND ITS ALL ABOUT YOUR KIDS AND THERE NEEDS.

Now that Shannon has been found...in a cedar chest!!!! My thought/question is this the same way the babysit got rid of the 3 year old?

Thank God they found little baby Shannon!
I am interested to hear the whole story, and hope that we will hear more. I was wondering if I heard correctly that this baby weighs only 11 lbs at 7 months? That seems awfully light to me–Is there something wrong with her, or is she malnourished or what?
Seeing the tender side of law enforcement when she was found almost brought me to tears too!

I have been to Chipley Florida and it is filled w/ inbred people. Sorry, but the genetic pool is very shallow in that part of FL. I would think the babies features are more from bad genetcs than Hydrocephalus..I really hope that they place her in a home where she will know nothing but security and love for the rest of her life.

Hi Nancy,
I am sooooo concerned about the maternal grandma who all of the sudden came into baby Shannon's short lived life. When you questioned her she immediately DEFENDED HER DAUGHTER! I would be VERY CONCERNED TO RELEASE that beautiful innocent angel into that family. Grandma also seem to be posing for the cameras. If that was me I would have grabbed up that baby and held her so close to my heart. I think grandma need investigating before baby is turned over to her and I feel the baby needs at lease a year of child services checking her her at LEASE monthly for at LEASE A YEAR! PLEASE do what you can to have that concern enforced.
Thank you

FIRST !! THE MOTHER SAID, HER DAUGHTER WAS CONFUSED ? WELL, IF SHE DID NOT SMOKE POT MAYBE SHE WOULD NOT BE !! ALSO, HOW CAN THE LITTLE BABY HAVE HAPPY EYES ? UNWANTED, AND IN A BOX FOR SO LONG. THIS BABY IS VERY VERY THIN !!! I HAVE FIVE CHILDREN. MY BABIES ALL WEIGHED 11 POUNDS WHEN THEY WERE TWO MONTHS OLD. AT SEVEN MONTHS THEY EACH WEIGHED 25 TO 27 POUNDS. PLEASE SOMEONE GET THIS BABY A WARM BOTTLE OF MILK AND A COUPLE JARS OF GERBER BABY FOOD, PLEASE !!!!!!! OHIO

FIRST, THE BABY WEIGHS 11 POUNDS , THATS AWLFUL !! I AM THE MOTHER OF 5 CHIDREN. MINE WEIGHED 11 POUNDS AT 2 MONTHS. AT 7 MONTHS MY KIDS ALL WEIGHED BETWEEN 22 AND 27 POUNDS. ALSO, MAYBE IF THE DAUGHTER DID NOT SMOKE POT SHE WOULD NOT BE CONFUSED !! HOW COULD THE BABY HAVE HAPPY EYES WHEN THE POOR LITTLE THING IS UNDER WEIGHT AND UNWANTED ?? OHIO

On the close-ups, I do not see any hair on the child's head. Isn't that unusual also?

There are comments about her not smiling or making expressions that I'd like to address. My daughter is a very happy baby. But when we take her to a new situation, she neither smiles or makes any other expression. It's like she's quietly observing everything. Then when she is used to the environment/situation, she becomes interactive. If that were my daughter surrounded by strangers, cameras, and in a new place, she would react exactly the same.

I am so happy that baby was found. I do hope they put her in a good home. 7 months old and 11lbs, My 2 month old grandson weighs that much. How could the hospital say she is healthy. My middle daughter was walking at 7 months. This poor child, she has no hair, I know thats not uncommon, but for her it looks due to malnutrition and lack of stimulation. My other issue is why is this happening so much in Florida what is the problem there.

@Cookie: Wow, what you said gave me chills! I think you may be right. They could have been starving her, which would explain her tiny stature. As for this being a "lynch mob," I disagree. The parents are still rotten parents to say the very least. The words I want to call them would most likely not be approved by the moderator but the first word is Trailer. @Katherine: You have hit upon something vital. These months of detachment and no love or interaction will affect her for the rest of her life, as these are formative months, when they learn empathy and the warmth of a mother's touch noursihes the heart and the brain. When my kids were 7 months old, they all weighed over 20 pounds and were crawling, pulling up, laughing, etc. Sadly, we may see Shannon again on the news as an adult, only this time as a criminal.

SO glad the baby has been found. I must agree with what has been said about the baby so far. She shows no emotion in her face. I once worked with a child just like this and it was a result of neglect. My guess wuld be that Shannoin hasn't bonded with anyone and her needs, both mental and physical, have not been met. It's so sad to look inot her eyes and see such sadness.

I only hope that this sweet little baby is placed with a family that showers her with love and attention.

This child should not be returned to her family...ANY member of the family.

The child shows failure to thrive...not only physically but psychologically. The baby's affect was bizarre...she was so placid even toward her grandmother. Surely there is someone who could better raise this child. I hope the state of Florida does not make yet another tragic mistake and return this child to "family".

PS. It certainly appears that the parents did not deprive themselves of calories

THANK GOD THIS LITTLE ANGEL IS IN SAFE HANDS...
Im sorry but this mother should be made to sighn her over.. that aunt needs tobe investigated a little deeper.
I am at aww as to how any mother or person could do these things toher.
sooo many wonderful people could offer her a wonderful life.
and grandma .. I understand u standing by your daghter but how could your daghter be so far gone to have done this with your grandaughter??? wake up!
bless your little hard sweet baby girl!!
thansk nancy for cov\ering this and thaks soooo much for all the specila men and woman wo kept looking to find her!

oh and one more thing..how can this baby weigh 11 lbs, not crawl and look so sad and grandma not know..i dont care if i was 10thousand miles away...
my 9 year old grandaughter asked me if the baby had cancer?? ?? and she looks so sick and sad nana?? out of the mouths of babes
bless yu sweetie

I don't think in all the years and all the stories I have watched aired on your program that ANY story ever touched and upset me so bad. I want to take that precious angel into my arms and never let her go! After all she has been through still be so angelic and stick out that bottom lip showing how tough she is. MY HEART aches for her and for the loss of humanity. What has happened to society? God have mercy on all our souls!

I truly believe the mother of Shannon is very mental ill. I am sorry for he grandmother, but, lets consider the grandmothers aching heart, I believe the baby sitter was being the witch she is (I hope they will be able to determine just what happen to the child that has gone missing from this babysitter) no doubt this vicious woman has taken the life of that child, time will prove it. I can see that the grandmother needs to talk with the mother of Shannon, but, I think the grandmother has known all along that her daughter (mother of Shannon) is most disturbed and has been for a long time. I use to think that only TOT MOM was a useless piece of trash, but, it seems Florida has more than its share of mentally disturbed mothers. I hope that soon a pretty smile can be put on Shannons sweet little face. Now for ANOTHER miracle, LET US FIND HAILEY CUMMINS STILL ALIVE, We are needing another prayer with Hailey. Betty

Hi,
I am the mother to Nina Baker and Paul Baker maternally. We are finally hoping some questions will be answered with it once more coming out what kind of person Susan Baker is. Our family is once more thrown into an emotional turmoil by it all being examined again. We are thankful baby Shannon was found safe and well, unfortunately we were never given that ending. We now pray for closer and yet still hold out the hope Paul will one day be found healthy and well. Our well wishes to baby Shannons family, hold her close and love her.... tomorrow is never promised. Lynda Solorzano

I have noticed that there is something abnormally wrong with the size of her head. You can tell that it is hard for her to hold it up.....my heart breaks for this baby girl She is so precious and beautiful, people are so terrible.

Come on people....sometimes people have insomnia. I do i don't go to bed typically till 3 or 4 am and i sleep till 11. I would never awake on my own unless i have an alarm clock or the baby would be crying. If the baby is already missing before 11AM then i can see why the parents slept till then. Do the math people they go to sleep at 3 if you add the normal sleep time of 8 hours you get 11AM. Nothing strange here. What is strange is that whoever took the baby was so quiet that the parents did not hear them. But if there is no baby and no noise i can see why the parents slept till 11. My children by that age were just starting to sleep thru the night.

I am not saying the parents are innocent...but if i spent months without a solid straight thru sleep night and for some reason my baby did not make noise i probably would not wake up either.

Children become the victims of a world where drugs take over .When parents have few resources and no sense of love or duty these smallest and most defenseless citizens are sacrificed.My own son would say that since he could not vote that he had no rights as a child.Abandoned by his father and ignored by the courts,children are keenly aware of their rankings in society.Of course,DCF does not win prizes for its lack of interest..As a child advocate I have buried children weighing 42 pounds at the age of 12.I was told tha the child was better off dead by workers of DCF!The mother may have been guilty of filing a false report but only time will tell if she was too afraid of her husband to report him.I hope this child is safe and given a good home.The system of child protection needs a complete overhaul.

I think her poor little body is just so small it looks more out of proportion. I pray God Blesses her and continues to watch over her! I want to just scoop her up and protect her forever. She is just so precious! I love how sh sticks out her little bottom lip! Poor angel!

They should take the people who put her in this chest and do the same thing to them! Wonder how they would like being stuck in a box and hidden...with out food and laying in their own body waste! If I was that baby's grandparent.. you can bet your bottom dollar that I would be in the middle of the parents and aunt! Wouldn't you just love to be able to take that little one and just love her to death. To reassure her that she is precious and loved. I have noticed so many asking or saying they would love to adopt her. She deserves to be loved by parents who would cherish her!

What a beautiful baby. good job sheriff .

I think that it is to soon to blame the parents. if they are innocent think how all this is affecting them. they are worried about their child and have everyone saying they did it. my son was always under weight but very healthy and all you moms know that if you dont hear your baby cry or make noises that if you are sleep deprived your not always just going to wake up every couple of hours. i know plenty of moms who would take a nap or something while their child was in their pack n play. until we know the facts i think that everyone should just send their prays out to the family and the child that things turn out for the best.

Perhaps the child is autistic and that's why she shows no emotion and seems a little "off". It also would explain all the odd behaviors she's displayed.

I've worked with the developmentally disabled. I wonder if this poor baby was ever evaluated for that? Besides being neglected, she looks like she has some serious physical issues. Has she even had
any medical care? What a tragic situation.

The evolution of culture is ultimately determined by the amount of love, understanding and freedom experienced by its children... Every abandonment, every betrayal, every hateful act towards children returns tenfold a few decades later upon the historical stage, while every empathic act that helps a child become what he or she wants to become, every expression of love toward children heals society and moves it in unexpected, wondrous new directions.
– Lloyd de Mause

ONE THING IM PUZZLED ABOUT?? WHAT HAPPEND TO DADDY??? WHO IS HE??? SEEMS LIKE HE WOULD STEP UP HERE UNLESS HE TOO WAS INVOLVED???
BABY SHANON HAS A LOVING FAMILY NOW ALL AROWND THE WORLD !!
OXOX SWEET LITTLE BABY

I'm very glad to hear she is alive and relatively well! Its everyones worst nightmare when a child goes missing!

I would like to say something about the child's weight. I know everyone here has been saying "Well, my kid was THIS big, that baby must obviously be deprived!" I understand what your saying, but its not necessarily true. My daughter was born at 6 pounds, and was only at 14 when she turned a year old. I was worried because she ate great and alot. We went to several doctors and specialists, thinking there was something wrong. Finally the endocrine specialist said to me "Look, you are 5 foot tall and 90 pounds. Your husband is 5'9 and weights 110 pounds. Being small and light runs on both sides of your family. So just how big of a baby were you expecting???" Testing proved she was perfectly health, just small. She is now a perfectly healthy 13 year old, is 4'8 and weighs all of 70 pounds. And eats like a horse! In our case, its just genetics!

As for the shape of the baby's head, it is certainly possible that there is a problem but then, as a health care worker, I can also say I have seen baby heads of all sizes and shapes and most of those kids were healthy. Again, it could just be genetics, we don't know.

AS for that poor babies blank look, that can be caused by several things and it is again possible that there is a problem. Something that certainly needs to be checked by a doctor. She could be autistic, she could be sensory deprived, she could be anything, including just stunned. Unfortunately, it will take time to find out those things.

I do have to wonder why Shannon's father isn't under arrest. I suppose it IS possible that he honestly didn't know and that Shannon's mom was playing games with him as well as authorities. BUt I have to wonder, if he is related to Susan BAker I'm sure he knew her history. HOW could he allow the mother to leave her with this monster?

And to Lynda.... my heart goes out to you. I hope you get your answers. You have waited way too long for them!!!!

To all the 'beautiful baby' comments: What picture are you looking at?

What is up with parents in the state of Florida? This "trend" is highly disturbing!

this is more than a story this is real and some one needs to give this monster all she deserves she has hurt many people since 2007 who are related to paul baker he was the best and i will always miss him i just wish i could get closure for me and my family nina

Stuff like this would never happen if more people read good books like "The Truth About Wicca and Witchcraft-Finding Your True Power" by James Aten! They would learn how to tune in to the Divine through meditation and be calm.

to someone who made a comment about people thinking the baby is beautiful:

ALL children are presious and BEAUTIFUL! Maybe not in YOUR eyes, bet certianly in the eyes of so many others. Just because one person does not see the beauty in someone or something does not mean it doesn't exist. Think what a beautiful personality this little one could have possibly have. Have you ever thought about what a miserable life this little one has had..just from what the public knows now? Would you smile? What kind of emotion would show up in your eyes, if you had been treated like she has been? Would you smile and coo? I think not. ANYONE who has had to go through what this little one has would act the same way...maybe she is just so overwhelmed at everything...has no one she can trust? There are a lot of possiblities....
I am among the many who say she IS beautiful! My prayers are intended that this little one will have the happiest life ever! I wish I was her grandparent.! I would be proud!!!

So, after reading many of these posts, I have to agree with the majority that something is very wrong here. I have 4 babies, NONE of them slept until 11am. I can agree that if the child was a micro-preemie that could explain her small size. Her emotionless face could be signs of like her parents, limited capacity, autism, abuse, or so many other disorders.

I would like to quote Linda in her statement: ".Anyway, these parents have been strglling due to their mental capacity, but so far it looks like they loved this baby, and tried to do everything Child services asked them to do." If this is true, I am sure that the Florida Dept of Childrens Services is going to have problems again. How can any department let a "mentally challenged or limited mental capacity" person have cusotdy of a child?

I think that the Protoective services need to be looked at. This all could have been stopped possibly if this child would have been given a normal home from the get go.

This is a point-in-case that certain people just need to sterilized before they can ever have children and harm these gifts from God.

Books from a practicing witch for several decades? Sorry 'C' but I think not.
How about Viktor Frankl's – Man's Search for Meaning?

In fact this "stuff" will always happen until sin is removed from the hearts and minds of men and women.....Beware all that things will likely get worse before we get to that point.

I mean look at Florida.....That place gets worse everyday. Children do not seem to be safe there.

In regard to the "went to bed and 3 and *gasp* who sleeps to 11"....it makes sense. The bab y was up, they put the baby to bed and went to bed themselves. They didn't set a clock, figuring the baby would wake them as usual. Then the baby didn't.

I'm just now reading this blog and Shannon has been found under a bed. I'm commenting on some of the earlier posts about the baby looking unhappy. My daughter is 6 months old and only stops smiling when she's investigating something but we're all different. My comment is on the shape of her head. This baby obviously has positional plagiocephaly – which is an irregular head shape due to the position she is in the most. The shape of her head implies she spent an awful lot of time on her back (brachycephaly) which makes me wonder if her parents are abusive in the sense where they never showed her any affection by picking her up. Poor kid.

The weight means nothing without more info – my last baby was 9lbs 7.5 oz and didn't gain weight for many months – he's 15 now and weighs around 100 but he's healthy if tall and thin.

Babies come with very different temperaments, too. I remember a time after a reaction to the DPT vaccine that my daughter cried all night. At one point I had to just walk outside for a few minutes when absolutely nothing I did would keep her from crying and I was already exhausted from my other baby. Someone with less maturity and self control might have 'drugged' the baby thinking it best for everyone or become physically violent. Lack of sleep can wreck your judgement – that's why they use it for torture.

This is a horrible thing, but I'd like to address comments made about the photo.

The issue with the photo shown here is with the technical details or rather lack of technical details.

The comments that about the baby looking 'flat and emotionless'. That is due to the lack of catch lights in the eyes leading to that 'nobody home' kind of look. It's a photography thing.

As for the babies head....yeah it looks like this baby has a heart shaped head/face, and the angle at which this image was shot only amplifies that.

You really can't make a judgment based on this really crappy snapshot of a child.

As for the weight? I weighed just 4lbs 4oz at birth and I was full term. I was the size of a six year old at the age of ten and perfectly healthy! Small people do exist!

"Shannon’s aunt from Texas notified the sheriff’s office to tell them she would like the area residents to know that Shannon’s mother, Christina suffers from a growth development problem that Shannon could have inherited. She says the problem includes a somewhat larger than average head. She is reporting this in hopes that this would make her niece easier for a stranger to spot."
http://www.bloggernews.net/122826

It appears the Aunts suspicions are confirmed when viewing photos of 7 month old Shannon's head, which appears abnormally large for her body. The growth developmental disorder may very well also be responsible for her abnormal weight growth, and because her mother shares the same disorder, perhaps it is to blame for her poor decision making when giving her child to a woman suspected and found guilty of severe child abuse. May Shannon and her mother receive the great medical, social, family and spiritual help they so greatly need at this time and always.

To the people who say a baby doesn't sleep in till 11 am...actually, a few do. Mine used to, if he had a day with a couple of long naps and didn't go to sleep until 9 or 10 pm. I'm not saying that the parents did or didn't have anything to do with the baby's disappearance, but I wouldn't necessarily say it's so impossible that the parents wouldn't think it odd that their baby slept that late. Maybe, maybe not. It's easy to be presumptuous when you're sitting in front of your monitor or television set, isn't it?

Dave..just because one practices witchcraft does not mean they are ignorant. I doubt if many people even have a true understanding of what "sin" truly is. But there is a beastial side to people..some let it run amok and that's where the problem starts. It truly does seem to be widespread lately!

Okay... So this is somewhat suspicious. The timeline. The baby's weight/inability to crawl.

My daughter was fairly petite. She was just barely 17 pounds at a year old. I don't remember what she was at 6 months, but I know she was definitely at least beginning to crawl at 7 months! I'm pretty sure she WAS crawling at 7 months...

And she needed fed at least every 3-4 hours. Except at night, she would sleep one long stretch of 6-7 hours, but woke up ravenous.... So I don't see how they could just "not know."

Praise God! I am so thankful that this beautiful baby was found alive. Now, I just pray she will be put in a loving, safe, stable home, and that the parents have NO access to this child again.

Why are all these children disappearing from Florida ? Any one looking into that ?

Last night my daughter Nina Baker, sister to Paul Baker went on the Geraldo at Large show to ask that anyone that knows anything no matter how small or susan baker has talked to , no matter how small it be reported to an authoriative figure. For this is the only way we know she will ever come to justice. We sat and listened and put our faith in the system 23 yrs ago and our arms are still empty though our hearts remain full. The one thing i want to reiterate is this woman, susan baker, is not a hero and she is not innocent. This all makes us wonder how many other children she might have done this with over the years... and was only caught this once. Sadly we may never see my son Paul again, be we do rejoice in baby Shannons safe return. Please please anyone help us, ty Lynda Solorzano Durham NC

I hope he feels beter!!!

I hope they get their baby back

I think this was sick.I am a mother and i cried when i heard this story.This is heartbreaking.I pray this little girl gose to good parents and I hope this littlergirl will be able to get away from those people.I know god will be there to guide her.