Katherine Phillips -- Missing 6/29/2011

LUDINGTON, mich. -- Police in Ludington, Mich., have issued an amber alert for a 4-month-old child.

The child was last seen Wednesday afternoon at 922 E. Tinkham Road in Ludington, police said.

Police described the child, Katherine Phillips, as 2 feet 2 inches tall with blue eyes and no hair. She was last seen wearing pink shorts with a matching pink top with black and pink flowers.

On Thursday, police said Sean Phillips had been charged with kidnapping. Katherine was with Phillips when she went missing, police said. He is being held at the Mason County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Phillips was found and arrested Wednesday, but Katherine was still missing, police said. Police said Phillips is the father of Katherine's older sister.

Police said Phillips has not made any indication on where Katherine is or could be.

Police said the child could be in danger.


Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ludington Police Department at the Mason-Ocean Dispatch at 231-869-5858 or the department at 231-843-3425.

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Breeze, do you have a link for this article? Did they have a picture of this baby? Is there a mother in the picture, and why was she not mentioned? Too many questions and not enough information.

sitemama wrote:Breeze, do you have a link for this article? Did they have a picture of this baby? Is there a mother in the picture, and why was she not mentioned? Too many questions and not enough information.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/28428365/detail.html

Thats all I have right now but am still looking.
More here http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=8227722

Authorities continue search for missing baby
Saturday, July 02, 2011

Katherine Shelbie-Elizabeth Phillips was last seen June 29, 2011. She was last seen wearing pink shorts and a pink tank top with black and pink flowers.

LUDINGTON, Mich. -- The mother of a missing 4 1/2-month-old west Michigan girl says the child's father has indicated the infant is still alive.

Ariel Courtland told the Ludington Daily News that she spoke with 21-year-old Sean Phillips on Friday evening.

Police scoured the area between the Ludington apartment where Katherine Phillips lives with her mother and the Scottville home of Sean Phillips.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/nw_mich/Amber-Alert-was-delayed-for-baby-Kate

Amber Alert was delayed for baby Kate
Is anyone held accountable?

Updated: Friday, 01 Jul 2011, 8:02 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 01 Jul 2011, 4:21 PM EDT

By Joe LaFurgey

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Issuing an Amber Alert has one purpose: To get as many sets of eyes as possible looking for the missing child.

But the public didn't find out about Katherine Phillips -- more commonly known as Kate -- or her alleged kidnapping until several hours after she was confirmed missing.

It's still unclear why the transfer of information took so long.

"There was some delays, simply from the logistics of getting the information loaded into the computer," Ludington Police Chief Mark Barnett told 24 Hour News 8 during a news conference Thursday. "I can't out it any more simply than that."

Photos of Baby Kate, the suspect, her mother and more can be seen at: http://interactives.woodtv.com/photomojo/gallery/609/1/amber-alert-katherine-phillips/katherine-phillips/

Authorities: Missing Baby's Clothing Found

UPDATED: 7:55 pm EDT July 2, 2011


~Snipped~
Ariel Courtland says her daughter was in the car when Phillips drove off Wednesday afternoon from her apartment, 80 miles northwest of Grand Rapids.

Courtland says he told her Friday that Katherine is alive.


Read more:
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/28428365/detail.html

Oh my, not good news...why would her clothing be removed? The police won't state where they found her little clothes.

Sadly I do not have a good feeling about this.

This doesn't sound good at all.

It sure doesn't Piper. I was crying the whole time I was posting.

[i]Kate remains missing, questions linger
Phillips' friend: 'Doesn't make sense'
Updated: Tuesday, 05 Jul 2011, 11:42 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 05 Jul 2011, 9:34 PM EDT
By Marc Thompson


LUDINGTON, Mich. (WOOD) - Investigators are working to determine whether the droplets of blood found not far from accused kidnapper Sean Michael Phillips' home are animal or human.

Mason County Sheriff Jeff Fiers wouldn't release details about the evidence.

Evidence technicians, two state police tracking dogs and a Michigan State Police helicopter were on scene Tuesday near the Scottville home. The search began around 3 p.m. Footprints were found near the blood as well, police said.

Investigators are searching for Katherine Phillips, or evidence linked to the 4-month-old's disappearance. She was last seen Wednesday afternoon. Sean Michael Phillips, 21, may be her father, but a court-ordered paternity test hasn't been taken yet to confirm either way.

He's being held on kidnapping-child enticement charges, and was arraigned last week.

Police had already searched the area near his Scottville home, but wanted to revisit the area Tuesday.

Additional help was provided by the U.S. Forest Service.

Katherine's mother continues to hold out hope that her daughter is still alive, despite the fact that six long and exhausting days have passed without much information.

"I'm not giving up on Kate, no matter what," Ariel Courtland said.

She and Phillips have a daughter together, and Courtland said she's telling 3-year-old Haley that her daddy is in "time out" until baby Kate is found.

"I miss my sister," Haley said.

Investigators also learned Tuesday that Courtland's cell phone was left in Phillips' silver, 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue when he allegedly took off with Kate last week.

The phone is described as black with a light purple trim ring around the display window. Police ask that anyone with information on the HTC Desire Model ADR627SA cell phone contact them immediately.

Investigators are also looking for more witnesses or people with information on Phillips' whereabouts between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. Wednesday.

"I've never seen him violent in any sort of way," said Nicholas Young, who has been Phillips' best friend since the third grade.

Young said he introduced Phillips and Courtland, and that Sean is a a quiet loner who likes to fish and hunt -- but would never hurt a child.

Phillips has repeatedly denied being Kate's father, Young said.

Young has been questioned by police several times and said he believes Phillips gave the baby to someone, but doesn't know who.

"I hope she's OK," he said.

Phillips was always a steady presence in Haley's life, Young added.

"He was such a good father with Haley that it doesn't make sense that he would do anything to a child," Young said.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/nw_mich/Phillips-friend-Doesnt-make-sense

Kate remains missing, questions linger: woodtv.com

Blood droplets found near suspect home
Search continues for Katherine Phillips
Updated: Wednesday, 06 Jul 2011, 5:14 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 05 Jul 2011, 3:21 PM EDT
By Ken Kolker and Marc Thompson

Blood droplets found near suspect home: woodtv.com

LUDINGTON, Mich. (WOOD) - Droplets of blood and footprints were found not far from the Scottville home of Sean Michael Phillips, the accused kidnapper of 4-month-old Katherine Phillips, police told 24 Hour News 8.

The search for Katherine Phillips - Kate, as she is known - has been ongoing since she was allegedly taken by the man believed to be her father after he argued with her mother, Ariel Courtland, at her Ludington apartment on June 29.

Evidence technicians arrived on the scene around 3 p.m. Tuesday and a Michigan State Police helicopter was in the area. Two MSP tracking dog teams were also deployed down the road from the home, and joined the search teams of the Blue Lake Township Fire Department Search and Rescue, the US Forest Service and the West Michigan Search and Rescue and Fountain Fire Department.

On Tuesday, search teams found what appeared to be blood evidence on a tree trunk about one-eighth of a mile west of Phillips' home in the area of US-31 and Millerton Road, north of Scottville.

On Wednesday, Blue Lake Township Fire Chief Larry Radtke told 24 Hour News 8 he can't confirm what was found is blood until test results at the Michigan State Police Crime Lab are complete.

Radtke also told 24 Hour News 8 a different search team found Kate's clothes during a previous search in the same area, but not in the woods where the suspected blood evidence was found.

There are coyotes in the area, he said, adding much of the potential evidence could have been washed away by recent heavy rains.

Twenty-six people took part in Tuesday's search in an area one-half mile by 250 yards north of a previously searched zone. The search was prompted by the scent of a male and female picked up by tracking dogs earlier, as well as a tire track discovered previously by the FBI, Radtke said.

Witnesses said they saw Phillips in the area during the hours after Kate went missing.

The evidence found during the search was turned over to the Mason County Sheriff's Department. Tests are being conducted on the blood, the footprint and the tire track.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this story.
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/nw_mich/Blood-droplets-found-near-suspect-home[/i]

why oh why would I not feel bad if we took out the cruel and unusual punishment from the constitution? In cases like this and KC's just go in start beating this dirt ball and he would talk. Feeling very bad about this one!

Volunteers asked to help search for missing baby Katherine Shelbie-Elizabeth Phillips at 1 p.m. in Ludington
Published: Friday, July 08, 2011, 10:15 AM
Updated: Friday, July 08, 2011, 11:18 AM

LUDINGTON — Authorities are asking for volunteers to help comb a new area in Ludington this afternoon for missing 4-month-old Katherine Shelbie-Elizabeth Phillips, who's been missing since June 29.

Sean Michael Phillips, 21, is accused of abducting the child outside the Ludington apartment where the baby lived with her mother, Ariel Courtland, 19, and the couple's 3 1/2-year-old daughter, Haley.

Phillips has been charged with kidnapping, and remains lodged at the Mason County Jail on $500,000 bond. He has not cooperated with authorities about the whereabouts of the infant, whom Phillips claims is not his biological child. Courtland insists the child is his.

At 1 p.m. Friday, volunteers are asked to help search the area of School Forest Trails and the Levianthan Disk Golf Course.

“Investigators are asking volunteers to come to the parking lot of the disk golf course on the west side of Jebavy Road. The search will progress west from that location and then systematically double back until that entire area has been covered,” authorities said in a press release.

Volunteers are asked to come equipped with a photo ID, water, footwear appropriate for a wooded search, brightly colored shirt or vest and a walking stick to move aside vegetation.

Upon arrival, volunteers will be asked to check in with officials from the Ludington Police Department and volunteers will be assembled and briefed, and the search will begin.

“We are asking that no search begin until the entire group search begins,” the press release said.

Meanwhile, authorities still hope to speak with anyone who saw Phillips from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on June 29. Phillips was seen at the Wendy’s Restaurant, 5189 W. U.S. 10, that afternoon.

Courtland said she and Phillips got into an argument in his vehicle parked outside her Ludington apartment at 922 E. Tinkham before he drove off around 1 p.m. with the baby in the vehicle. That was the last time she saw the infant, police said. The couple was arguing over parenting issues, Courtland said.

Phillips was arrested a few hours later at his parents' home, 280 Millerton, in Victory Township about five miles north of Scottville, without the baby in his care. He refuses to tell anyone what happened with the infant.

Authorities have searched a swampy, wooded area near the Victory Township home and all over the Ludington area, but haven't found anything significant to assist the investigation.


Many believe that by now the baby is deceased, although Phillips has told Courtland she is alive.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mason-Oceana 911 at 231-869-5858.

Those wishing to provide information anonymously can call Silent Observer at 888-STOPCRIME (888-786-7274). Anonymous information can also be provided at HYPERLINK "http://WWW.LSOTIP.COM" WWW.LSOTIP.COM or by texting “LSOTIP and your tip to 274637 (CRIMES).




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Search of forest set in missing Ludington baby case
11:39 AM, Jul. 8, 2011



Authorities searching for a 4½-month-old western Michigan girl who's been missing since last week are planning to look in a forest and disc golf course.


The Ludington Daily News and The Muskegon Chronicle report the searches of the Ludington Area Schools' forest and the Leviathan Disc Golf Course were planned for this afternoon.

Volunteers were sought for the search.

Police earlier searched areas including between the Ludington apartment where Katherine Phillips lives with her mother Ariel Courtland and the Scottville home of Sean Phillips, who is believed to be the child's father. They previoulsy located clothing that she was wearing when she was last seen on June 29.

Phillips was arrested last week on kidnapping and child enticement charges. Ludington is located about 80 miles northwest of Grand Rapids.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110708/NEWS06/110708029/Search-forest-set-missing-Ludington-baby-case

Baby Kate still missing after day long search for 4 month old
July 10, 2011

Ludington, Mich. - Authorities and volunteers spent Saturday desperately trying to find 4-month-old Katherine Shelbie-Elizabeth Phillips, also known as Baby Kate, who went missing about a week and a half ago.

Police believe Kate's alleged father, Sean Michael Phillips, abducted her outside the apartment complex where she lived with her mother, Ariel Courtland, 19, and the couple's 3 ½-year-old daughter.

Phillips, 21, claims Kate is not his biological daughter, although Courtland insists she is. She told police the last time she saw the little girl was when Phillips drove off with her at about 1:00 p.m. on June 29 after the couple had an argument regarding parenting issues.

Phillips was arrested several hours later at his mother's home, but Kate was nowhere to be found. He has been uncooperative with police, but has allegedly told Courtland the baby is alive.

During one search, the outfit Kate was wearing when she went missing was found, however, Kate remains missing.

Authorities want to speak with anyone who saw Phillips on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

He is currently charged with kidnapping and is being held on a $500,000 bond.

On Monday, police will announce the date and time volunteers are needed for searching the Leviathan Disc Golf Course.

Anyone with information regarding the Baby Kate case is urged to call Mason-Oceana 911 at 231-869-5858. Anonymous tips can be left with Silent Observer at 888-STOPCRIME or 888-786-7274. Tips can also be left anonymously on the Web at www.LSOTIP.com or by texting LSOTIP with a tip to 274637.


Continue reading on Examiner.com Baby Kate still missing after day long search for 4 month old - National Crime | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/crime-in-national/baby-kate-still-missing-after-day-long-of-searching-for-4-month-old#ixzz1RpW0vTkt

I heard that he was supposed to take a DNA test the next day to see if he was Kate's father because she wanted child support started before he took off for the service. That's what they were fighting about when he took off with her. I kind of wondered in the beginning if he didn't think the child was his. That is pure animal instinct, gorillas and monkeys kill the young that are not their offspring. I'm sorry to hear that Courtland is belieiving what he tells her, that is just disgusting. He certainly needs to be feeling a little worried about spending the rest of his life in prison.

This is a case I cannot stand....the bitch is covering up worse than Cindy did for tot killer. I wanna puke!

Piper, if he killed the baby, I don't think it was because of the possibility of the baby not being his. I think it was because he feared the baby was his and he would have to pay child support.

I don't have a good feeling about this case either. I can't believe LE can't find this baby. He was only gone for three hours. How can they NOT figure out where he was in those three hours?

http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news/59488-tips-slowing-in-baby-kate-case
No good news here. Prayers for Baby Kate

I hate it when a case is only 3 weeks old, and already tips are slowing down. Breeze, is this case in your area?

Keep us posted. thanks, mama

Yes case is near us. No word as of late. Father still in jail and not talking.

Sean Michael Phillips to be arraigned Tuesday on new felony charges in disappearance of Baby Kate

Updated: Wednesday, September 14, 2011, 7:00 PM
By Heather Lynn Peters | The Muskegon Chronicle

LUDINGTON — It was a bitter-sweet day in Mason County 51st Circuit Court Wednesday for the family of Sean Michael Phillips, the alleged abductor of the baby girl from Ludington whose been missing since June.

Phillips, 21, no longer is facing life behind bars in connection with the missing infant Katherine Shelbie-Elizabeth Phillips, but could spend up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the more serious of two new charges filed against him at the Wednesday court hearing: Unlawful imprisonment.

Phillips was also charged with parental kidnapping, which carries a penalty of one year and one day in jail.

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/09/sean_michael_phillips_to_be_ar.html

Baby Kate suspect waives arraignment

Jennifer Linn Hartley - Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Sean Phillips, the man charged in connection with missing infant Katherine “Kate” Phillips, waived his arraignment today in 51st Circuit Court and will not be in court this morning.

Read more: http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news/60696-baby-kate-suspect-waives-arraignment

Phillips expected in court today

Jennifer Linn Hartley - Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Sean Phillips, the man charged in connection with missing infant Katherine “Kate” Phillips, is expected to be in court this afternoon for a final conference.

Phillips, 21, of Scottville, is facing charges of parental kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment in 51st Circuit Court.

A final conference is where a plea offer is announced in open court and the defendant either accepts or rejects it.

Read more: http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news/61188-phillips-expected-in-court-today

Sean Phillips rejects plea deal, will stand trial

5:14 PM, Oct 11, 2011

LUDINGTON, Mich. (WZZM) -- A Mason County man charged in the kidnapping of his missing infant daughter is rejecting a plea deal offered by prosecutors, sending his case to trial.

Sean Phillips, 21, appeared in Mason County Circuit Court Tuesday for a pre-trial conference.

Read more: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/182255/14/Sean-Phillips-rejects-plea-deal-will-stand-trial

Protestors rally for Ludington's baby Kate

10:43 PM, Oct 29, 2011



LUDINGTON, Mich. (WZZM) - Chants echoed through the streets of Ludington Saturday, as a dozen protestors marched across downtown.

"I just want baby Kate found. I still believe she's alive, and I don't think the Ludington Police Department is doing its job to find her. I'm out here to let them know that I don't think that they're doing they're job," said protestor Alycia Louria.

Read more: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/184161/2/Protestors-rally-for-Ludingtons-baby-Kate

Trial date set for man accused in Baby Kate case

Jennifer Linn Hartley - Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 2, 2011

A trial date for Sean Phillips, the man facing charges in connection with missing infant Katherine “Kate” Phillips, is set for January.

According to 51st Circuit Court, Sean Phillips trial is set for Jan. 17-20.

Read more: http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news/61629-trial-date-set-for-man-accused-in-baby-kate-case

This seems like a very short time for a trial, only 4 days!!!

My son-in-law's trial lasted 2 weeks, and he was caught at the scene of the crime.

'Baby Kate' reward fund quadrupled by large anonymous donation

Updated: Thursday, December 01, 2011, 6:09 PM
By Rachel Iovan | The Muskegon Chronicle

LUDINGTON—A previously meager reward for information leading to the discovery of Baby Kate of Ludington, missing since June, has received a boost from an anonymous donor, police say.

With the $5,000 donation, the reward has grown to more than $6,600, a release from the Ludingon Police Department. It stated that the donor is from outside of Michigan and wishes to remain unnamed.

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/12/baby_kate_reward_fund_quadrupl.html

'Baby Kate' kidnapping trial rescheduled; no plea talks, defense says

Published: Thursday, January 12, 2012, 1:46 PM Updated: Thursday, January 12, 2012, 3:44 PM

By John S. Hausman | Muskegon Chronicle

The trial of Sean Michael Phillips, accused of kidnapping his still-missing infant daughter "Baby Kate" in Ludington, has been rescheduled for Feb. 22.

The jury trial earlier was adjourned from Jan. 17.

Phillips, 21, of 280 W. Millerton, Victory Township, is charged with one count of unlawful imprisonment, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and one count of parental kidnapping, punishable by up to a year and a day in jail.

Read more:
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/01/baby_kate_kidnapping_trial_res.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+michigan-news+%28Michigan+News%2C+Updates%2C+Photos%2C+Videos+and+Opinions+-+MLive.com%29

Baby Kate document sealed

Kevin Braciszeski - Daily News Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

~Snipped~

While Sean Phillips remains in jail with bond set at $250,000 cash or surety, and while his trial is still postponed, there is a motion currently filed with the Michigan Court of Appeals that involves him and defense attorney Naesha Leys and Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.

“That file is partially or fully sealed,” said Marcia McBrien, public information officer for the Michigan Supreme Court, adding that since it is under seal she “cannot get the substance of the motion.”

Read more: http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news/63942-baby-kate-document-sealed

Sentencing set in West Michigan missing baby case

Snipped:

Sean Phillip faces a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison when sentenced Tuesday afternoon, although his actual time in custody likely will be lower.

Katherine Phillips was 4 1/2 months old when she was last seen in June 2011

Baby Kate sentencing: Sean Phillips gets the max; now it's a homicide case

Updated: Tuesday, June 05, 2012, 7:59 PM
By John S. Hausman

LUDINGTON, MI – Sean Michael Phillips got the longest sentence allowed by law for unlawfully imprisoning his daughter Baby Kate: 10 to 15 years in state prison.

The case now transitions to a homicide case, police and prosecutors said afterward.

‘Worst case scenario’

Mason County 51st Circuit Judge Richard I. Cooper radically exceeded state sentencing guidelines Tuesday by imposing the 10-year minimum. Guidelines calculated by state probation agents called for a minimum of no more than about three years in prison, and Cooper tripled that.

Cooper imposed that sentence because, he said, the case is a “worst case scenario” in which an infant is still missing after nearly a year, with circumstantial evidence indicating the possibility she is dead, and still no word from Phillips about her whereabouts.

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/06/baby_kate_sentencing_sean_phil_1.html

Great multi page article! Summarizes the case.
~~~~~

http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news/66142-baby-kate-still-missing-still-missed
Ludington Daily News - Ludington, MI 6/28/12

Baby Kate still missing, still missed

Snipped:

Anyone who has information in the case can contact Ludington Police Det. J.B. Wells at 843-3425, Mason County Sheriff’s Office Det. Tom Posma at 843-3475, Mason-Oceana Central Dispatch at 869-5858 or Lakeshore Silent Observer at (888) 786-7274.

The truth is in the plants

By Darcie Moran

snipped:

“Our hope is to find where (Phillips) walked (and) where he acquired this plant material,” Wells said. “Our ultimate goal is to find Katherine, which would really cement the case against him … if we can’t find Katherine, we want to find where he walked to put her.”

Read more:
http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2012/07/the_truth_is_in_the_plants

Julie, I thought the originator of this thread was banned! But his avatar is still on here and I was able to pull up his status. He is registered as hidden so unless we are friends with him, which I definitely am not, we can't see when he is logged on. I guess he can read this, but you know me, I don't care. Hurt me, and I don't forget. LOL

Mama, I'm not sure how that works, but yeah, I think you mean he should show up as Guest, right?

And now that you mention it, that one weather related person's avatar is still up too. And his original one too, I think.

I don't know.

If somebody is banned, their avatar and stuff will still show up unless I remove it. If I delete their account, then guest instead of their username will show up by their posts. I don't like to delete accounts unless a user requests it because I like being able to see who posted what instead of seeing guest by a bunch of posts.

Thanks J4a.

Thanks. Can you change his avatar to something besides him?

Can you use the that I can't stand?