Is Adam Herrman Still Alive?

(AP)  A Kansas couple who failed to report their son's disappearance nearly a decade ago are considered "people of interest" in the case as authorities expand their search nationwide, a sheriff said Monday.

Butler County Sheriff Craig Murphy told reporters no charges would be filed while investigators focus on finding Adam Herrman, who was 11 when he disappeared in 1999 from a mobile home park in Towanda where he lived with Doug and Valerie Herrman.

Adam had been in foster care and was adopted by the Herrmans when he was 2 1/2 years old. He was born June 8, 1987, and would now be 21 years old.

"We are not sure what happened to Adam Herrman," Murphy said. "We are working it as if it is a death - but we are not leaning one way or the other."

Asked why the parents have not been arrested, Murphy replied: "'We are not ready' is an honest and upfront answer."

The family's attorney, Warner Eisenbise, said his clients had nothing to do with harming the child.

"He was a problem child. He ran away frequently to the point of exasperation," Eisenbise said. "My clients feel very guilty that the last time he left they didn't make an attempt to locate him. Every other time, the police were called or he wandered back. They assumed he found one of his siblings or went back to his biological parents."

Murphy said investigators have not confirmed whether Adam had a history of running away. The family has cooperated with investigators, he said.

The Herrmans now live in the Wichita suburb of Derby, in neighboring Sedgwick County.

Eisenbise said they want to speak out but that he is advising them not to talk to the media.

"They want to say they are innocent of any wrongdoing other than not reporting the child missing, which is an offense in Kansas as you know," he said. "The issue of a possible homicide is what I am troubled with, because they did not do it."

(KWCH)

(Although his adoptive parents said Adam ran away from home in 1999, CBS affiliate KWCH reports that they listed Adam as one of their dependents in 2002.)

Murphy's office did not receive a missing persons report until contacted recently by the Sedgwick County Exploited and Missing Children's Unit. He declined to say who tipped them off.

But Eisenbise said his clients believe the boy's biological sister or some other relative went to police years later and started the investigation.

Murphy said a search of the now-empty lot where the family's mobile home once stood gave investigators one answer they sought, but he did not elaborate other than to say no human remains were found.

The boy was being home-schooled at the time he disappeared, Eisenbise said.

Investigators have not found any confirmed data on Adam's whereabouts since 1999.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to call the Butler County Sheriff's Office, at [phone].

"If Adam Herrman is alive out there - and he would see this - I would ask him to contact us immediately," Murphy said.

[Accountability]

It's Time For Accountabilty in Govt.
Many will be working to pass a new bill in Kansas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4M3PWKVnAg

[happybooker9]

I apologize. I didn''t understand the order of the comments. It was the last posting, the one before mine that was asinine.

[happybooker9]

I''ve heard of some asinine arguments for abortion before, but the first posting is the most stupid I''ve ever heard. We shouldn''t throw away children before they''re born or after they''re born. This child obviously is dead. I don''t care how many times he ran away, a parent is obligated to try to find him. They could have allowed him to join his biological family if they didn''t want him. They could have turned him over to the state. About the people who are now reporting the mother''s abuse -- If I saw a child handcuffed to anything, I would report it. If my brother was abused, I would report it. A conspiracy of silence has probably allowed his killers to go free for all these years.

[liz104]

This is why abortion should never be made illegal!! Giving up a child does not assure their safety. I would rather know that i ended my child''s life before it had a chance to breathe or love or experience abuse, rather than worry my whole life whether his/her life was cut short by someone that was supposed to cherish this gift. Not everyone needs to agree with abortion, but I believe it should be a mother''s choice as to what action is taken. Life does not guarantee happiness. I am aware that many families with adopted children are doing very well, but there are also several tragic cases such as this that make me believe that a woman should always have the choice to make her own decisions.

[gingersmart]

I blame all of society for BEING IGNORANT! First question: First of all CPS kidnapps children and has been doing this for years did you know that?!!! There are many people who have been trying to bring this to the attention of society for a very long time!!! Nobody cares to listen!!!! I do hope that Adam will receive justice!!! His adoptive "parents" and the Department of Social Services should be thoroughly investigated!!!! The sister received a very typical response when biological relatives go seeking to see if there child or relative did indeed grow up safe!

[tamtal3]

I have a thirty year old daughter who at this time is living with me. If she were to come up missing, I would be in jail before nightfall. Why are these people still free.

[wilkokke]

It appears to me that the child is dead and, most likely, killed by his adoptive parents. Murder is the most likely explanation that they did not report the child missing!
Isn''t a social worker expected to check regularly on the condition of adopted children? Did the social worker get paid off for not doing his/her job?
Then there is the issue of income tax fraud.
The adoptive parents and the social worker shouild be arrested and kept in prison w/o bail.
Did the boy have contact with his biological relatives? If so, how come they did not report him missing?

[Sonnett Brown]

I think it''s pretty close..."GSSGBUTTER"! The blonde one right? Although it says he''s 24 but anyone can add or take a few years away on the internet anything is possible!!! I''d call someone and have them check in to it! but he hasn''t logged on since 2006 so may not be accurate location.

[keetersy]

Regardless of the child''s behavior the parents took on a great responsibility when they adopted him. His parents were aware of his consistent attempts to run away, and his so called disorders. Because they didn''t they neglected him. Because they themselves did not report the missing child, I have no discomfort in believing that they told the child''s family members lies about the child''s well being. It amazes me how many good people have such a hard time adopting kids due to how expensive it is, and then two irresponsible people such as the Herrman''s could gain custody of a child.

[klindatha]

I think people should really think of what they would do in his situation. NOT EVERYONE become psychopaths. Speaking from experience that this boy has gone through, I have tried escaping my problems too. Sad that it happened to him at an early age. Think about one thing, if this happened to you, would you do the SAME thing to others? Personally, no because I wouldn''t have liked this done to me. Not everyone become derranged after shocks like this.

My heart and prayers go to you, Adam. Please let them find you safe.