According to Jalike Rainwalker’s adoptive parents, he ran away from his family home on Hill Street in Greenwich.
Recently, skeletal remains were found near Burden Pond in Troy on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Highlights
- Jaliek Rainwalker lived with his adoptive father, Stephen Kerr, and his mother, Jocelyn McDonald.
- According to Kerr, Jaliek ran away from his family home on November 2, 2007.
- Stephen and Jocelyn had three biological sons and one adoptive daughter.
As the police investigation ramps, some have renewed hope that this may solve Jaliek Rainwalker’s case.
The Troy Police Department started investigating Sunday evening after someone walking near the pond found skeletal remains.
Authorities searched everywhere for clues and sent boat officers to investigate the pond. NEWS10 crews watched their work until they cleared the scene around six o’clock, Monday, October 21, 2024.
This is the near area searched once before 12-year-old Jaliek Rainwalker, who went missing in 2007.
Following the latest discovery, NEWS10’s Reporter, James De La Fuente, drove to Jaliek’s parents’ last known address in Vermont to check in with the new information.
But no one was home. NEWS10 also contacted the family attorney, Jeffrey E. McMorris, who said, “No comment at this time.”
The District Attorney of Washington County, Tony Jordan, also visited the search scene in Troy on Monday. His office has continued investigating any leads since Jaliek first disappeared.
After Spending Six Days In Respite Care, Jaliek Was Picked Up By His Adoptive Parents
Since Jaliek Rainwalker’s birth on August 2, 1995, he lived in the foster care system and struggled with behavioral problems up until the time he went missing in 2007.
According to some sources, he was born to the mother of a prostitute and was addicted to crack and alcohol in utero, due to which he was kept in the foster care system.
Before being picked up by his adoptive father, Stephen Kerr, and his adoptive mother, Jocelyn Ann McDonald, in July 2022, he spent six days in respite care with Tom and Elaine Person.
Tom and Elaine of Altamont are respite foster parents who had cared for Jalike early in his life.
Jaliek was seen with his adoptive father, Stephen Kerr, before going missing. Kerr was named a person of interest by police in 2017, but no arrests in the boy’s disappearance have ever been made.
Stephen had anger issues and was sometimes aggressive towards his children. Once, Kerr dragged Jalike outside and repeatedly dunked him in a nearby creek after he became angry with him.
According to Kerr and McDonald, Jaliek was both suicidal and homicidal at the time of his disappearance.
However, he was not receiving any therapy for his mental health and was not on any medication to help control his condition.
Jaliek Rainwalker’s Adoptive Parents Have English Background
Although Jaliek’s adoptive parents lived in New York, United States, their ancestors had a deep-rooted history with English and Scottish heritage.
Later, they moved from New York to West Rupert, VT, along with the whole family. They celebrate and follow American and English culture and festivals.
Jaliek Rainwalker was a 12-year-old living with his adoptive family at the time of his disappearance.
On November 1, 2007, Jaliek was picked up from respite care by his father to be transferred to another respite home. They visited Jaliek’s adoptive paternal grandparents’ house,… pic.twitter.com/qTBICWXwHA
— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) November 22, 2023
Jaliek’s family also includes four siblings. Among the three are the biological sons, and one is the adoptive daughter of Stephen and Jocelyn McDonald.
He also had his adoptive grandparents, Dennis Smith and Barbara Reeley. Jaliek’s grandmother, Barbara, is waiting for the analysis after she was told that human skeletal remains had been found in south Troy, where they had searched two years ago.
Since Jaliek’s disappearance, Reeley has moved to Florida, but she sees her grandchildren several times a week and holds granny camp for two weeks in the summer at her house.
Additional Information
- At the time of disappearance, Jaliek Rainwalker was wearing black high-top sneakers, blue jeans, and a bright yellow fleece pullover.
- He was reported missing at 8:47 A.M. and left a note behind stating, “Dear everybody, I’m sorry for everything. I won’t be a bother anymore. Goodbye, Jaliek.”
- Elaine and Tom Person stated that Jaliek’s note was not a farewell message but an apology note that his father had made him write for homework.
