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Missing person : Betsy (username: "wstphal")

Tara80 said:
There could be many many dynamics involved that we don't know about. We are just concerned 1) for her (if this is externally influenced) and 2) for the snakes she's got.
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Ah. I've not been understanding why some people haven't been taking action when they could, because it seems from this thread that you are all convinced that she's in trouble.

But I think this comment may clear it up for me. You (plural) are not sure who's been "taken." You're not sure whether you (pl) have been metaphorically "taken" by Betsy or whether Betsy has more literally been "taken" by a nefarious party. If you were sure it was the latter, you would take further action, but you're not totally sure, so you are stuck just worrying. You are still trying to examine all the pieces collectively and decide which one you think it is so you know what to do. Is that right? This is not a criticism. I am just trying to understand what is making people act (or not).
 
Now you're getting significantly warmer, Stephanie.

And in all humility, I must thank some of the greatest minds on the forum,....yours being one.
Numerous heads are better than one.

No 'criticism' taken.
And no swagger/hauteur intended.
 
I see. Well, the people with small-claims leverage might be able to get some more information. And if they can't, its at least a low-cost, low-risk effort. And no matter what's going on, those people probably want their snakes back where they know they'll be in good care, so there's that potential benefit to that angle. Good luck, guys. I wish you the best in figuring it out.
 
while I have never met her...or really ever talked to her...I find all of this deeply disturbing. I do hope she is Ok. And If she is ok...then i hope what ever it is that is preventing her from being the person you all knew & loved would just let her return to her "Normal" self. I've read all the posts....Something here ain't right (I know...stating the obvious). So, the police have had contact with her? (when they told People to leave her alone,don't call, etc.) So we know she is Alive...correct? well, i dont know the situation well enough to comment further.
I Just Hope everyone owed money or have snakes out on loan to her get thier monies & loved ones returned. personally i consider my snakes as my family...they ARE my Kids...i couldn't imagine the hurt or the pain these people are going through. best wishes to all parties involved.
 
I'm just saying, for her own good and the people she owes snakes to why don't we put our money where our mouths are. Say we each put $50.00 to retain a lawyer to find out where the snakes are and help our friends on the forum??????????????
I don't know but I would be willing to help
John
 
John, I couldn't agree more. I'm disappointed I didn't think of that first. LOL.

I will second that $50.
 
Wow, that is very generous. I will admit thats been a big reason why I havent gone a lot further with this. Its one thing to say you will do something, but then the reality comes with a price tag. It would be great to consult with a lawyer to see how to further pursue this.

I might have to wait until I get back to Illinois though? Since I am a resident there and not here in Texas. Not sure how the whole lawyer thing works...
 
Angela, I would think the biggest difficulty back home where you live...in such a large metropolitan area...would be picking one out of the masses.
I'm sure Chicago is worse than Baton Rouge,...and you can't swing a dead cat here in town without taking down a dozen lawyers.
 
I think we would get a lawyer in betsy's town otherwise it would be expensive for long distance stuff.
John
 
I will contribute to a lawyer fund for this.

I didn't know Betsy well, but I always liked her and admired her generosity, and I've been following this situation since December with growing alarm and dismay. Although I have no stake in what's happening, I would like to see a solution to the problem, and to know that Betsy is all right.
 
I've been reading this for a while. How long have you all known her?

This really is starting to sound like a bipolar event. I worked in the chemical dependancy field for a few years, and addicts have a high incidence of bipolar disorder so I got to watch it's mechanics in a lot of people. In some, the periods of manic or depressed cycles were short and in others they lasted months to over a year.

It sounds like during a manic phase whe may have tried to help people she cared about and thought she could handle, even with her medical profession, breeding quite a few snakes. If this is the case, she may have hit a depression phase at the same time reality hit with how much all of this would entail.

Just saying...anyways, as much as I feel for all of you who have snakes involved, I am worried about her...and I don't even know her!

I hope everything comes out okay for all involved!
 
Besides the snakes that belong to others, she has paid someone $1200. That person has every right to try to talk to her to find out if she wants her money back or if she intends to go through with the final purchase. Working that angle may yield better/different results. Also, has anyone tried talking to her coworkers to see if they have noticed a change in her behavior? I know my own work-place, and my co-workers seem to know everything that goes on in each other's lives. Ask to talk to her superior if a receptionist or nurse won't. There is enough cause to ask a superior if they think everything is alright, especially since money and property is involved as well as friendship.
 
Susan said:
Besides the snakes that belong to others, she has paid someone $1200. That person has every right to try to talk to her to find out if she wants her money back or if she intends to go through with the final purchase. Working that angle may yield better/different results. Also, has anyone tried talking to her coworkers to see if they have noticed a change in her behavior? I know my own work-place, and my co-workers seem to know everything that goes on in each other's lives. Ask to talk to her superior if a receptionist or nurse won't. There is enough cause to ask a superior if they think everything is alright, especially since money and property is involved as well as friendship.
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I remember her saying that her situation at work was quite fraught, Susan, not being allowed to make personal calls, having troubles with the receptionists, not being able to take time to search for a new job or go for interviews. To me her list of reasons for not filing a bullying claim seemed almost, well, evasive, given how bad she said she was being treated there. So maybe people are reluctant to cause further trouble for her at work?
 
How well do any of us really know Betsy? Apparently not that well that she won't even come here and talk to any of us about what is going on. Forget coming here, what about firing off a quick email, text or a call to the people she is holding animals for.

Regardless, unless it was some sort of catastrophic event, I don't like this situation. I don't like what she has done or is doing. She can log in on the 3rd of March but not respond to anyone. She tells the police to tell Eric that she doesn't want any part of what we're doing and she wants to left alone. This isn't the action of a rational parson.

At some point Betsy needs to answer to people. Whether it's a quick response to the those that own the animals she is holding or by just returning the animals. If she would just do this, then I would be content with this situation. No questions asked. Something needs to be done, one way or another.

I will pledge to assist in a legal fund as well. This situation makes me sick. Sick for not knowing what and why, and sick that people have been, seemingly, cheated out of their property. My worst fear is that all of this was intentional.

Wayne
 
diamondlil said:
I remember her saying that her situation at work was quite fraught, Susan, not being allowed to make personal calls, having troubles with the receptionists, not being able to take time to search for a new job or go for interviews. To me her list of reasons for not filing a bullying claim seemed almost, well, evasive, given how bad she said she was being treated there. So maybe people are reluctant to cause further trouble for her at work?
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This could also be a calculated tale.

She may have had a breakdown. Someone may have turned her to the dark side. She may be whothehellcares what at this point, she's got some of you bent over. Perhaps kindness and consideration will be appropriate in the future, but right now, in my opinion, y'all otta be takin the gloves off.

Were it me, and I admit my way is not ..... always pleasant, I'd be on the phone daily to her work and to the cops. I'd also be in touch with anyone I knew who lived nearby to get them to go by and actually talk to her in person.
 
I just skimmed this thread since im trying to do school work. But, sure the police said she is ok and to leave her alone. One other thing you guys could try is to call the local SPCA. Let them know she was watching snakes while you moved etc and now she suddenly has had no contact and you can concerned for the well being of your animals. SPCA might want proof you own said snakes like photos etc. But it is something to consider.

The only other thing I could think of is this reminds me of a relationship I was in once that was not easy to get out of. The guy was so controling he tried to cut me off from my friends and family and lock me in our apartment. Made it so I could not get online and if I was online then he sat right there with me. The only reason I got out is because he tried to turn off my cell phone by going through the phone company but because he didn't have my personal information he couldn't.
 
wilomn said:
This could also be a calculated tale.

She may have had a breakdown. Someone may have turned her to the dark side. She may be whothehellcares what at this point, she's got some of you bent over. Perhaps kindness and consideration will be appropriate in the future, but right now, in my opinion, y'all otta be takin the gloves off.

Were it me, and I admit my way is not ..... always pleasant, I'd be on the phone daily to her work and to the cops. I'd also be in touch with anyone I knew who lived nearby to get them to go by and actually talk to her in person.
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Well yes, to be truthful the tales of woe about how her work situation was so bad and yet she couldn't seek help, take action or get another job did sound far-fetched to me personally. Every suggestion made to try to improve the situation was given yet another reason why it was imposible.
And I agree, if someone had snakes from me then ceased contact without returning them I'd have been contacting her employers and probably have paid a personal visit by now.
 
It was shortly after a period of intense scrutiny of her employment situation, of why exactly she couldn't attempt to find employment elsewhere, of hearing one reason after another (which didn't sound plausible to those of us in the medical profession) that she vanished.

I said it at the time, and I'll say it again- I don't see how an employer can prevent a business professional, an MD no less, from making phone calls on her lunch hour.
 
Knowing she is a doctor, there are public/legal ways to check on her from a professional standpoint. If there is anything wrong on a professional level, there is nothing to stop patients or consumers from looking into it. Being in the medical field myself, her excuses sound paranoid. The bipolar idea also makes sense as well as the external influence = dead snakes, sold snakes = embarrassment/humliation. The whole thing is just plain odd.

Remember, direct contact can be taken as harrassment and stalking. Doing your research about her business practices is open to anyone, including private investigators. Now that's an idea. Maybe a PI before a lawyer would be a good idea.
 
dionythicus said:
Remember, direct contact can be taken as harrassment and stalking. Doing your research about her business practices is open to anyone, including private investigators. Now that's an idea. Maybe a PI before a lawyer would be a good idea.
Click to expand...

I thought about a PI last night but thought that might double up on costs but what ever everyone wants to do is fine with me.
John
 
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