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Nijulum Brown
More in News
Concerned neighbor returns girl; mother left with questions
By Ginger Livingston
The Daily Reflector
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The mother of an 11-year-old missing for three days last week wants to know why the people the girl stayed with never called her or the authorities.
Christina Roscoe was reunited with her daughter Friday night after handing out flyers with a photograph of the missing girl all over Greenville.
Her daughter was returned to her after a woman who saw the flyer realized she had seen the child at a Tobacco Road apartment.
Roscoe said her daughter, Nijulum Brown, was unharmed. The people she was living with had fed her and given her clean clothes to wear. They just didn't think about taking her to school or letting anyone know the girl was safe, Roscoe said.
“They looked out after her,” said the 37-year-old mother of three. “But as a parent and an adult, you don't keep someone else's children, especially an 11-year-old. They had no concern.”
The Greenville Police Department is continuing to investigate the situation, a spokesman said. He declined to provide additional information.
Nijulum told her mother she left her Courtney Square home because she was worried about school and bored.
Nijulum said Monday she knew her mom was probably scared. When asked why she didn't return her mother's calls to her cell phone, she shrugged her shoulders and bowed her head.
“It's an eye-opener,” Roscoe said. “I consider myself a good parent, but maybe there are areas I needed to pay attention more.”
Roscoe, a correctional officer in Greene County, said Tuesday, Oct. 20, went along like any normal day. She got off work at 6:30 p.m., drove to Grimesland to pick up her youngest son from his baby sitter and was home by 8:30 p.m.
Her first inkling of trouble was discovering her oldest son was home, but not Nijulum. He said Nijulum told him she was visiting a friend at nearby Arlington Square Apartments. Roscoe said she knew the girl, but couldn't remember her apartment number or her parents' names.
“At first I didn't worry because we have a curfew,” Roscoe said. “But at 9 o'clock I starting calling her (cell phone). It was ringing but she wasn't answering.”
When Nijulum hadn't called by 11 p.m., Roscoe contacted the police.
Roscoe said it was distressing because she couldn't answer the officers' questions, such as what the girl was wearing and the last name of the girl she supposedly was visiting. Her son provided a clothing description.
She went to C.M. Eppes School, where Nijulum is a sixth-grader, on Wednesday morning to see if she could find answers. “She didn't take any clothes with her, she didn't have any money,” Roscoe said. “I knew in my heart someone was helping her stay missing.”
A classmate said she saw Nijulum crying on Tuesday. Nijulum told the classmate she was stressed.
The management at Arlington Square helped Roscoe identify the parents of Nijulum's friend and contacted them on her behalf. They reported they hadn't seen the girl.
Roscoe spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday going to the mall, shopping centers and apartment complexes handing out flyers and asking people to contact the police if they had information. Media outlets also ran stories about the missing girl.
Late Friday afternoon Roscoe and a friend drove to the Tobacco Road area, off Greenville Boulevard west of Memorial Drive. “It was very strange because no one person out there said they had seen the news but everyone was very concerned,” she said.
Yolanda Roundtree took a flyer and talked briefly with them. Roundtree told the women the photograph struck a chord. “I knew I had seen that little girl a couple of doors down from my house,” she said in an interview Monday.
She walked over to the apartment. She saw two girls sitting in a minivan, listening to music. She immediately recognized Nijulum, so she walked up to the vehicle and asked the girl if she knew her mother was looking for her.
“At first she tried to act like she didn't know anyone was looking for her. Then she said her phone was dead,” Roundtree said. Nijulum turned to the other girl and said she had to go home. Roundtree assured Nijulum she was going home because she was going to drive her there.
Roscoe, meanwhile, had returned to Greenville Mall to hand out additional flyers. She was driving home when her oldest son called, reporting that Roundtree was bringing Nijulum home.
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Your comments
to d-deezy 4rm nesha
11/03/2009 01:37:30 PM
4 one u need 2 know how 2 spell 4 u talk about anybody honey allright
Suggest removalDDeezy
10/29/2009 01:12:08 PM
well to think about it she had no business going sum where her mom dosent know and lyk I take the blame 4 both o0f them I been to c.m.eppes skoll and I kno how it is out their but mom should really keep he eyes out on the youngins doe but glad she is safe doe halla at ya gurl Ddeezy...♥
Suggest removalDdeezy
10/29/2009 01:06:50 PM
She was gone for lyk 3 days she shoulda had answered her phone and it's not the mothers fault because she didnt tell her mom where she was headed at so and she is only 11 that's messed up how she had peops tryna find her for no reasons mother was going crazy and the lil gurl just sits their and know her mom looking for her.
Suggest removalTo WTH
10/29/2009 08:12:44 AM
If you are a working parent picking up children after 5 usually you don't get home in time to see the local news. Even if you are there by 6 you are busy doing homework, getting din ner, etc. And some people have kids in sports after school who get home much later than 6pm and can't stay up until 11.
Suggest removalMy point is why blame the residents there who didn't identify the girl...one actually did.
WTH
10/28/2009 10:39:51 AM
To "To WTH" did you READ my entire comment? I'm afraid you didn't. No where did I say that NO resident on Tobacco Rd failed to identify the girl. Guess what?? True, and I agree with you, that the a resident of Cigarette Rd (sarcasm) did identify the girl and return her home, but that resident didn't identify the girl through the NEWS!!! Which is what I was making my point on. Dee de deee.
Suggest removalGirl Scout Mom to Mom
10/28/2009 10:04:46 AM
Mom
Suggest removalIf you are still in need of extracurricular activities for your daughter, Girl Scouts is a great character building group to be involved with. Your local church probably has a troop.
What About Yolanda?
10/28/2009 10:02:46 AM
I think Yolanda Roundtree should be commended for taking action when she recognized this girl. Alot of people would have called mom or the police and went about their business however she chose to take on the responsibility of returning this girl home safely. I don't think many of the negative commentors on this board would have done the same.
Suggest removalFor WTH
10/28/2009 10:00:25 AM
Did you READ the article? It clearly states that a RESIDENT of TOBACCO ROAD identified the girl and returned her to her home.
Suggest removalDon't stereotype all of the residents in this area based on the actions of a few!
On the Right Track
10/28/2009 09:58:49 AM
I think this mom is on the right track now. I hope she serves as an example for other families regardless of whether they are one, two, or three parent homes. She was involved in a very difficult situation that was on public display but she remained focus on her child and took actions that were in the best interest of her child to keep her safe for here on out. No one is perfect. How one handles difficult situations reveals one's true character.
Suggest removalBright
10/28/2009 09:35:09 AM
Thank God this child is alive, safe and well. I think judgment need to cease. Use empathy people and stop making these insensitive comments. MOther regardless of the reasons why they kept her just thank GOd she was with someone whom did not harm her. THank GOD she is safe and back with her clearly loving mom.
Suggest removalReflector?
10/28/2009 07:18:25 AM
I'm a little dissappointed in the way the Daily Reflector covered this story. This lady works as a correctional officer in our state prison system. Why would the Daily Reflector expose this lady's personal information to every inmate in the system? Many of the inmates read the paper everyday and you just gave them info about her family and herself. I hope you would use better judgement next time.
Suggest removalWTH
10/28/2009 07:07:02 AM
Yes, the mother is hardworking and I'm sure it is tough on her. No blame on the mother. The daughter needs tough punishment...bootcamp for spoiled brats maybe? She obviously ran away from home, ignored her mothers phone calls, etc.
Suggest removalTEXASGIRL
10/27/2009 10:58:11 PM
WALK IN MOM'S SHOE'S THEN JUDGE HER,,,WORKING DOING THE BEST SHE CAN,,NOT HAD A EASY LIFE, BUT DOING THE BEST SHE CAN ,,,FUNNY I DIDN'T READ WHERE ANYONE OFFER HER ANY HELP!
Suggest removalMOM YOU HANG AND THINGS WILL WORK OUT FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN,,,WISH YA THE BEST!
researcher
10/27/2009 10:01:56 PM
The notion that single parent families are more likely to rear delinquent youth is false. Matsueda and Heimer (1987) for example. I am glad this child is safe, and hope the family does not experience any undue stress from the commenters here.
Suggest removalSingle mom
10/27/2009 09:08:31 PM
To Prime Cuts: yes it can be done alone!! I was the single parent of one AA son and now he is a Senior in college. I did it alone and I was tough!! He is a well-rounded young black man with no criminal record!! Not all baggy-wearing, dreadlock-wearing, fried chicken eating young black men are bad-it took a STRONG black woman to carry him through!! It can be done-hang in there Mom "Roscoe" but always be consistent. Be a parent-let her friends be the friend.
Suggest removalChronicles of Riddick
10/27/2009 06:09:46 PM
I think instead of throwing blame, we should commend mom for the way she handled this situation. 1. She took her daughter to the doctor to be checked out. 2. She admitted that they should spend more time together and 3. She signed her up to participate in an extracurricular activity. Good parenting! I think she did the appropriate thing. Hope her daughter appreciates all the effort mom took looking for her…she is obviously loved very much.
Suggest removalwinterville mom
10/27/2009 05:58:39 PM
also how did she get from courtney square to tobacco rd?!!!!
Suggest removalLF
10/27/2009 04:50:21 PM
I'm very glad this girl is safe! As some others have pointed out after school activities for middle schoolers are needed to ALL. Why do some people feel a need to use anything they can to promote their own hatred, or judgment of others. A single mother or father, grandparent or same sex couple can be the model parent, though some get on their soap box and preach.
Suggest removaljack
10/27/2009 04:39:38 PM
what a bunch of idiots
Suggest removalgee- we have some stupid people in the world
Question the mother?
10/27/2009 04:17:05 PM
There comes an age where you do not knwo the first and last name of ALL your child's friends!!! This mother may be divorced or widowed, why the judgement? It sound slike she was trying to WORK and support her children and there was an older brother there to help her watch this younger child! The wrong in this goes towards the people that let her stay at their house no questions asked!!!!!
Suggest removalPrime Cuts
10/27/2009 03:36:49 PM
With almost 70% of AA births occuring out of wedlock the odds are in my favor that I am correct. There is a direct correlation with single parent homes and the increase in crime. 70% of juveniles in detention centers come from fatherless homes. Once again proving you can't do it alone.
Suggest removalConcerned Citizen
10/27/2009 03:35:03 PM
I would question the mother. What good mother wouldn't know the information of their child's friends? This story is way too fishy.
Suggest removalTo ASP
10/27/2009 02:56:48 PM
Truer words have not been spoken! My daughter spent her K-5 after-school hours in the aftercare program at Wahl Coates. Very affordable and a godsend for working parents! Then when she hit 6th grade, there was practically nothing out there for her. Middle schoolers are indeed grossly overlooked when it comes to after-school care. It is a HUGE mistake to ignore this population of students!
Suggest removalAmber Who?
10/27/2009 02:48:04 PM
The police did the right thing by NOT issuing an Amber Alert. If Amber Alerts went out for all runaway situations like this, they would lose their significance and many people would stop paying attention to them. The police make these calls based on the information that they have (and that we don't). They were correct.
Suggest removalVal
10/27/2009 01:54:52 PM
To: Prime Cut (Prime Dummy)
Suggest removalHow do you know that she was not married when she had this child. Greenville has some of the most out of touch people.
So Quick to Judge
10/27/2009 01:32:29 PM
Many two parent homes have turn key kids depending upon their work schedule and maybe she can't afford the fees for afterschool. I pay almost 500/mo for afterschool for my three kids through Community Schools and that is reasonable - I used to pay 900/mo at ViQuest.
Suggest removalDon't be so quick to judge and be cynical.
Sounds like to me the mother felt her daughter was responsible enough to come home alone and now she knows that is incorrect and she has rectified the problem.
Prime cuts
10/27/2009 12:52:58 PM
No this is an example of how you can't do it right all alone. It takes a mother and a father to raise a child right. It won't get better until people start realizing having babies before they are married is a bad idea. Oh and don't forget about the "no snitching" culture. In this case though mom was the cop.
Suggest removalConcerned citizen
10/27/2009 12:47:43 PM
I'm a little concerned that an eleven-year old has a 9 p.m. curfew. Isn't this a little extreme for that age?
Suggest removalASP
10/27/2009 12:09:53 PM
This is a prime example of why we need after school programs for middle schoolers just like we have them in elementary schools. Adolescent/teen at-risk behaviors occur during the 3pm-6pm hours when working parents cannot be home to supervise and can ill afford private child care.
Suggest removalNah
10/27/2009 11:59:07 AM
Yeah something is not right, more info certainly to come!!! maybe a case for Social Services!!!
Suggest removalconcerned parent
10/27/2009 11:45:47 AM
Why wasn't this made as a Amber Alert, did the parents not think about how serious this was! Shouldnt the people that she stayed with be charged with something cause they had to have known that her family was looking for her, who really lets a strange unkown child just stay wuth them, she sounds like she could be the SEED OF ******.
Suggest removalConcerned parent
10/27/2009 10:07:32 AM
how do u consider yourself a good parent when your 11 year old child is allowed to stay at home alone after school, walk freely at night to another neighborhood, and hangs out with people you don't know the last name of or their parents? Sounds like this parent knows nothing about her own child- or worse, doesn't care.
Suggest removalcj
10/27/2009 09:39:41 AM
glad she is safe, but wtf? something is obviously missing from this story. bored? give me a break...
Suggest removalPost a Comment
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