SD SERENITY DENNARD: Missing from Pennington County, SD - 3 February 2019 - Age 9

Serenity was 9 on Feb. 3, 2019, when she ran away on a cold Sunday morning from the Black Hills Children’s Home, a residential youth treatment facility located near Rockerville in Pennington County, amid some of the most rugged and remote terrain in all of South Dakota.

Though witnesses saw her run off, and a search began almost immediately, Serenity has never been seen again and no evidence of her death has been discovered.

edited by staff to add media link

SERENITY DENNARD has been missing from Pennington County, SD since 3 February 2019 - Age 9

Serenity was 9 on Feb. 3, 2019, when she ran away on a cold Sunday morning from the Black Hills Children’s Home, a residential youth treatment facility located near Rockerville in Pennington County, amid some of the most rugged and remote terrain...

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[GrandmaBear]

Depends. The linked article said they were actual HRD (human remains detection) cadaver dogs, so they are trained to only alert on the scent of human remains, not animal remains.
So no, it wouldn't absolutely mean it was her, but with her being a missing person in the immediate area, it would be pretty likely.

Yes she would make the most sense, I agree. It seems to me there is someone else missing in that area they haven't found too but I could be wrong. It was the only hit though, again if memory serves and that was it. I believe they went back or stuck in that area because of it but nothing further was ever hit on. Again, if memory serves. I certainly don't know enough about such dogs to know what that means, that's for sure

 

[Mel70]

Next month it will be 2 yrs since she went missing. I think of her often. She deserved a much better life.

 

[Mel70]

Yes she would make the most sense, I agree. It seems to me there is someone else missing in that area they haven't found too but I could be wrong. It was the only hit though, again if memory serves and that was it. I believe they went back or stuck in that area because of it but nothing further was ever hit on. Again, if memory serves. I certainly don't know enough about such dogs to know what that means, that's for sure

Wasn't there a hunter missing too?.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Wasn't there a hunter missing too?.

Yep. That is exactly who I was thinking of. It seems to me that there may be a few others too but that is the one that was most known, more recent, etc. that I recall.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Next month it will be 2 yrs since she went missing. I think of her often. She deserved a much better life.

Yes, me too. She captured my heart as much as a child can one has never met.

 

[kdg411]

Wasn't there a hunter missing too?.

Yep. That is exactly who I was thinking of. It seems to me that there may be a few others too but that is the one that was most known, more recent, etc. that I recall.

Larry Genzlinger - Amazing Madison

Larry Genzlinger, age 66, of Howard, passed away October 1, 2019, due to natural causes while hunting...

www.amazingmadison.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

The hunter did go missing in the same county, but something like 40 miles away. And this article about the cadaver dogs positive hit was in April 2019. He disappeared in October 2019, found May 2020.
There are a few older cases out of Rapid City. But this is a pretty specific area to have the dogs hit...
I do hope it wasn't her, but it's the most likely answer I think.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

2 years later: Serenity still missing, search suspended, South Dakotans wonder

Feb. 3, 2021, marks two years since Serenity Dennard went missing from the children’s home in Rockerville. Her whereabouts remain a heartbreaking mystery for many.

www.kotatv.com

2 years later: Serenity still missing, search suspended, South Dakotans wonder​

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the disappearance of Serenity Dennard.

The search for Serenity is South Dakota’s largest ever. Despite aggressive searches spearheaded by community members and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Serenity’s disappearance from the Black Hills Children’s Home is a mystery for western South Dakotans.

“We’ve just kind of reached a point where we’ve searched every point that we can, in terms of where it makes sense where she could of went,” Thom told KOTA Territory News.

“Our goal has always been to bring Serenity home and so far, we haven’t been able to do that,” Thom said.


Prior to the investigation being suspended, there had been 465 interviews and 224 leads in 36 states, plus four countries. On Aug. 28, her family announced they hired an Indiana-based investigative firm to investigate her disappearance.

“For the family’s benefit, we’d like to be able to do that, it’s frustrating that we haven’t been able to achieve that yet,” Thom said.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

This was done for the 1 year mark. Not sure if I saw it then or if it was on our old thread.

 

[GrandmaBear]

The hunter did go missing in the same county, but something like 40 miles away. And this article about the cadaver dogs positive hit was in April 2019. He disappeared in October 2019, found May 2020.
There are a few older cases out of Rapid City. But this is a pretty specific area to have the dogs hit...
I do hope it wasn't her, but it's the most likely answer I think.

He was found? Not sure if I knew that. Too many cases and details stuffed in, then some falls out.

 

[GrandmaBear]

2 years later: Serenity still missing, search suspended, South Dakotans wonder

Feb. 3, 2021, marks two years since Serenity Dennard went missing from the children’s home in Rockerville. Her whereabouts remain a heartbreaking mystery for many.

www.kotatv.com

2 years later: Serenity still missing, search suspended, South Dakotans wonder​

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the disappearance of Serenity Dennard.

The search for Serenity is South Dakota’s largest ever. Despite aggressive searches spearheaded by community members and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Serenity’s disappearance from the Black Hills Children’s Home is a mystery for western South Dakotans.

“We’ve just kind of reached a point where we’ve searched every point that we can, in terms of where it makes sense where she could of went,” Thom told KOTA Territory News.

“Our goal has always been to bring Serenity home and so far, we haven’t been able to do that,” Thom said.


Prior to the investigation being suspended, there had been 465 interviews and 224 leads in 36 states, plus four countries. On Aug. 28, her family announced they hired an Indiana-based investigative firm to investigate her disappearance.

“For the family’s benefit, we’d like to be able to do that, it’s frustrating that we haven’t been able to achieve that yet,” Thom said.

At the risk of I am sure I will have some saying otherwise and producing otherwise to show otherwise, because I have seen it before elsewhere, it did turn into the biggest search SD may have ever done but it sure was not that way in the early days and it took the case garnering some attention over time to have that happen. The case had little attention and I think some thought there would not be attention on it while sweeping it under the rug or hoping to. It grew very slowly to getting some interest. Imo. The searches past the first day were about non existent. The time of the call to authorities was lied about by the director himself. Kudos to someone in local LE who leaked that or told someone who could be counted on to get it out there, whether media or otherwise, THAT got some attention.

This case is what started bringing me to realizing different things are going on with regard to adoption for one. It brought my attention to there is a difference in non-profits, private non-profits and all sorts of things and what I guess is referred to as an umbrella.

Whether any of this related or not to her going missing, I do not know and we likely never will, but it put at least some attention on it despite attempts imo to do damage control and try to keep it as contained as some could. In my humble opinion, the West case right now is another one that is going to I think and already has put a real focus on some similar things like adoption and the money behind some of it and why some adopt.

There was a report in this case with things found wrong at the home and conditions to rectify as well. We only got to see what was released and allegedly there is more.

I don't know what happened but imo and it will not change easily in this one, there is more to this story than Serenity running off for no reason other than she was just a known runner. For one thing, she had run not long before and was to be under a heavier watch and was NOT. Many things have not been answered and likely never will be imo.

This is all jmo but it is a case dear to my heart and so is this girl. Most would agree she was failed on many parts, many times, by many people. That I do agree with.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I need to check things out to see what is going on with my notifications. Did not know there were posts on Vallow/Daybell earlier and now this one.

 

[kdg411]

I need to check things out to see what is going on with my notifications. Did not know there were posts on Vallow/Daybell earlier and now this one.

Send me a PM if you need any assistance.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Thinking of this girl is all. I guess one could call it a bump.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Holding out hope for Serenity Dennard

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — At any given time there are 65 to 90 missing kids in South Dakota. One of those children is Serenity Dennard.

www.keloland.com

Holding out hope for Serenity Dennard​

Today, more than two years after Serenity was last seen, the search is suspended, but tips keep coming in.

“We get information I’d say once or twice a month,” says Harrison. “We assign the investigator who is working the case right now, she tracks those tips down and works a lot with the FBI. Sometimes we get tips from other areas, other states.”

The Dennard family is holding out hope that one of those tips will lead to a phone call saying someone has found Serenity.

 

[FightingCrime247]

Serenity Dennard: Search SUSPENDED for girl nearly 2 years after she vanished from children’s home

Police in South Dakota announced Thursday that they have suspended the search for a 9-year-old girl who vanished from a children’s home nearly two years ago. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that they are discontinuing the search for Serenity Dennard as they have...

www.crimeonline.com

I don't understand why they would have waited so long to call 911 when she ran out of the building or why the facility wasn't more secure to prevent this from happening in the first place. How far could she have gotten on foot unless someone picked her up she should have been found pretty easily I would think but you just never know. So sad that she is still missing after all this time.

 

[Kimster]

Serenity Dennard: Search SUSPENDED for girl nearly 2 years after she vanished from children’s home

Police in South Dakota announced Thursday that they have suspended the search for a 9-year-old girl who vanished from a children’s home nearly two years ago. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that they are discontinuing the search for Serenity Dennard as they have...

www.crimeonline.com

I don't understand why they would have waited so long to call 911 when she ran out of the building or why the facility wasn't more secure to prevent this from happening in the first place. How far could she have gotten on foot unless someone picked her up she should have been found pretty easily I would think but you just never know. So sad that she is still missing after all this time.

The only conclusion I can come up with is that she had run away before and they figured she would eventually be found? It's not a good conclusion, however.

I do wonder if someone saw her as an opportunity.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Preview: Searching for Serenity

BLACK HILLS, S.D. (KELO) — There are 65-to-90 missing children in South Dakota at any given time.

www.keloland.com

Preview: Searching for Serenity​

There are 65-to-90 missing children in South Dakota at any given time.

One of those is Serenity Dennard.

A smart little girl with a big personality and an unforgettable laugh – that’s how KaSandra Dennard remembers Serenity.

“Very bubbly, blonde hair blue eyes, beautiful, she comes in the room and Serenity’s here! And you just know she’s there, she makes her presence known,” KaSandra Dennard said.

But Serenity’s family hasn’t seen her smile or heard her laugh in more than two years.


Today, more than two years after Serenity was last seen, the search is suspended, but tips keep coming in.

“Oh, we get information I’d say once or twice a month. We assign the investigator who is working the case right now, she tracks those tips down and works a lot with the FBI. Sometimes we get tips from other areas, other states,” Capt. Tony Harrison with with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said.

The Dennard family is holding out hope that one of those tips will lead to a phone call saying someone has found Serenity.

Eye on KELOLAND: Searching for Serenity

BLACK HILLS, S.D. (KELO) –On February 3rd, 2019, Serenity Dennard ran away from the Black Hills Children’s Home Society

www.keloland.com

Eye on KELOLAND: Searching for Serenity​

On February 3rd, 2019, Serenity Dennard ran away from the Black Hills Children’s Home Society. That’s when the search began. Rockerville Fire Chief Gail Schmidt has been involved since that first wintry day.

“When it was so cold and it was so dark. We as searchers had been out most of the day and it’s late at night and thinking, ‘wow, I don’t know how this is going to end,'” Schmidt said.

More than two years later, the search hasn’t ended. Serenity is still missing.

“There’s been two tracks to this investigation. There has been a true investigatory side and a search side, we’ve slowed down the search side but investigatory side has not stopped or slowed down,” Capt. Harrison said.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I know if someone sees there is a new post (because I do it too) some may think there is news but I am just "bumping" and thinking of this child. This case and this girl is one that really got in my heart and sadly I am starting to not think of it as much as life throws curve balls, time goes on, things like Covid occur, how many more nasty cases come about, and children missing, etc...

One day I hope and pray the answers come. Going to Amiah next. And Noah... If I get to them tonight. So many aren't there sadly...

 

[KareBear]

I know if someone sees there is a new post (because I do it too) some may think there is news but I am just "bumping" and thinking of this child. This case and this girl is one that really got in my heart and sadly I am starting to not think of it as much as life throws curve balls, time goes on, things like Covid occur, how many more nasty cases come about, and children missing, etc...

One day I hope and pray the answers come. Going to Amiah next. And Noah... If I get to them tonight. So many aren't there sadly...