12 year old Jaliek Rainwalker was last seen in Greenwich, New York on November 1, 2007. He was last seen with his adoptive father, who says he ran away during the night.
Background
In 2002, Jaliek Rainwalker moved in with foster parents Stephen Kerr and Jocelyn McDonald, joining their three biological children and adopted daughter. It was his seventh set of foster parents. In 2004 the couple moved to adopt him.
According to his adoptive grandmother, the couple attempted to reverse the adoption about a month before he disappeared. They cited emotional issues including Reactive Attachment disorder, and said his siblings were afraid of him.
Former foster parents of Jaliek’s confirmed his emotional issues, saying he would have outbursts that could last for up to an hour. They had planned to adopt him after caring for him for four years, but decided he could no longer stay with them after he attacked their daughter when he was seven.
About a week before he disappeared, Kerr called a crisis hotline and said his son was unmanageable. Jaliek did not receive treatment or medication for his issues, and his adoptive parents said he was both suicidal and homicidal at the time of his disappearance.
The court suggested a temporary break rather than a full reversal of the adoption, so he was sent to stay with his former foster parents, Elaine and Tom Person, until Kerr picked him up November 1, 2007.
Disappearance
On November 1, 2007, Jaliek Rainwalker was last seen with his adoptive father, Stephen Kerr, at their house in the 10 block of Hill Street in Greenwich, New York. Kerr and Rainwalker were alone at the house together that night.
When he woke up at 7:30 am, Kerr says Jaliek was gone. He says he found a note written by Jaliek that stated: “Dear everybody, I’m sorry for everything. I won’t be a bother anymore. Goodbye, Jaliek.”
At approximately 9:00 am, Kerr called police and reported Jaliek missing.
Investigation
Extensive searches of the area were conducted with the help of helicopters, but no clues as to Jaliek’s whereabouts have been found.
His adoptive mother, Jocelyn McDonald, took a polygraph case, but Kerr refused. Both parents maintain their innocence and say they believe he ran away.
According to his former foster parents, Elaine and Tom Person, the goodbye note written by Jaliek was an assignment given to him by Kerr, asking him to apologize to the people he’d harmed. Jaliek had been temporarily staying with the Person’s up until the day before he disappeared. Tom says he saw Jaliek writing a note, and assumes it was the note found after he went missing.
Foul play is suspected in Jaliek’s disappearance, but no arrests have been made.
His adoptive father remains the main person of interest in his case. Surveillance video shows Kerr driving his van around Greenwich on the night of Jaliek’s disappearance, at the time he told police he was asleep. His cell phone records also shows he took a different route than what he told authorities.
According to authorities, they do not have enough evidence to charge anyone in connection to the case.
Appearance
Biracial male with light brown hair and green eyes. At the time of his disappearance, Jaliek stood 5’6 tall and weighed 105 pounds. He has several moles on his back.
He has a slight speech impediment and pronounces the letter “r” like a “w”.
Clothing & Accessories:
Jaliek was last seen wearing a yellow fleece pullover, a grey t-shirt with a dragon on the front, blue jeans, and black canvas high top sneakers.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jaliek Rainwalker, please contact the New York State Police – Troop G Headquarters at (518) 783-3211, or the Greenwich Village Police Department at (518) 677-3044.
