murders in the late 70's maybe early 80's

seriously, if you never met your grandfather, why do you seem so emotional?

because I don't have anymore grandparents. It would have been nice to have a grandfather that lived in the same town as me. All my grandparents lived hours away. I never had good relationships with grandparents like other people and I want that but I will never have that thanks to Jim. People do not realize how much it affects others.

Pekinil,

It sounds like you are getting emotional over this and I really don't think it is healthy. It sounds like you have a lot of issues and even though I can understand why but am a little confused as to why so much.

I knew your grandfather when I was young and even though I have seen things myself it don't take from the fact that you did miss out on someone that would have been very special in your life and would have loved you dearly.

I remember one time when one of his daughters came over how excited he was and happy. With that thought I could only imagine how much he would have loved you.

Even though he would have made a great grandfather and I don't mean any disrespect he just didn't make a good step father. Even though Norma was the caused of most of the abuse he could have stopped it and not participate in some of it. I personally don't think Jimmy did it but if he did do it Norma and Rocky has to hold some responsibility in it also.

Please forgive me if I'm too frank but I see some deep hurt and anger which is expected from someone that knew him but since you weren't born yet it seems like there is anger coming from some where else and your picking up on it.

Take care and I hope everything works out for you and if it is any comfort I feel he would have thought the world of you and for that I am sorry for your loss.

Sick Of It All wrote:

<quoted text>
First of all I want to make one thing clear, I totaly agree with you about who did it. Jason McCain is the one that paged Richie for weed. It was only for an eighth. As far as Richies pager, they found that with him when they found him behind Wilson school. Richie was said to be sleeping with Kraigs ol lady as well as Maranda. If they were going to rob him why did he still have money and all the drugs he left with in his pocket, and why would Kraig set it up when Richie got all of his weed from Kraig? I believe you know a lot of the facts in the case but the rest are just rumors. Again please dont think I am sticking up for a single person you have said was involved because I believe everyone of them was as well as a few more after the fact.

sounds like u guys are on the right path please keep posting info if you have it like where is craig, tracy,maranda and the others obviously involed at now. what could the one piece be to tie the case together? get some ppl on here and talking..sharing ideas and info could open some doorways.

I worked with Jim Childers at the Union Mission and knew him well. He did it and remembers.I saw him that day. He was doing drugs.He was abused.He had a big temper.He cam by my best friends house ,who also worked with him,late that night to see if he was home. The wierd thing i remember is,one time we wre at Douglas school where Schnucks now is,playing baseball and Jim and his brother Warren got into it.Jim had him down and was punching his little bro in the face. No one was doing anything so I told him to "pick on someone his own size" he was bigger that me but it got him off his bro.Then his brother warren got up and told me to "mind my own "f"ing buisness" very ironic.he remembered taking the knife from his mother and breaking it off in her neck so he remembers what he wants.I do feel sorry for him because he was abused and he was young.

he had thier blood under his fingernails. People always want to make stuff up. he did it, he was abused,and he wasnt any specially gifted person either.I coached and played sports with him.he washed himself up and tried to hide it so I think he knows he did it.

Arlan you are so full of it. Learn how to spell you stupid red neck and matter of fact speak like an adult. you have everything so wrong I believe you didn't even know Jim. You read some of this in the newspaper and some you made up. You are so Stupider than anyboody. DuHh

Try the Peoria Journal Star in Peoria, Illinois from the 70's archives.

Menard is in Southern Illinois on the Mississippi River.

January 17th will mark the 38th anniversary of the disappearance of one of Pekins sons.Richard Griener was reported missing after he failed to return home from sledding at the park. Thirteen days later Dermot Kelly from Ogelsby Ill. disappeared after leaving his home. Neither of these boys have ever been heard from again. As the years fade so do our questions and concerns regarding their where abouts. My heart goes out to their families.Bless you one and all.

Didnt Richard Griener go sledding in McNaughton park? I heard stories about it when I was little. I was also told they thought he may have gotten stuck in a cave up there. Are there any truths to those stories?

No- Richard was supposedly sledding at the Pekin park- what we used to and still do call east campus hill.

forget me not wrote:

January 17th will mark the 38th anniversary of the disappearance of one of Pekins sons.Richard Griener was reported missing after he failed to return home from sledding at the park. Thirteen days later Dermot Kelly from Ogelsby Ill. disappeared after leaving his home. Neither of these boys have ever been heard from again. As the years fade so do our questions and concerns regarding their where abouts. My heart goes out to their families.Bless you one and all.

.
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.It happened to me. I was an innocent brighted little 12 year old when I was taken. After a few years of the most horible things posible happen to you daily you become numb. Then even though you want to rip yiur nails and eyes out you accept it and dont even try to escape. I never seeked out my family. I became what they made me and worked the streets and took comfort in drugs and alcahol. That was many years ago.
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http://www.johnnygosch.com/

http://hotdogfactory.blogspot.com/2005/10/ban...

And no. I am not Jhonny Gosch. It was the same affiliates who took me.

forget me not wrote:

No- Richard was supposedly sledding at the Pekin park- what we used to and still do call east campus hill.

Yep thats the same story I heard I just had some of my facts mixed up. I talked to my mother and grandmother and they said it was him. What they told me was that they searched the park I was talking about on foot and supposedly by air. Its unreal to me that there isnt more to go on. Was he with a friend the day he went sledding?

How Stupid wrote:

Arlan you are so full of it. Learn how to spell you stupid red neck and matter of fact speak like an adult. you have everything so wrong I believe you didn't even know Jim. You read some of this in the newspaper and some you made up. You are so Stupider than anyboody. DuHh

wow how immature "stupid".no i didnt know him just made it all up.

Arlan, I'm glad you realize what an idiot you are.

Its over wrote:

<quoted text> Yep thats the same story I heard I just had some of my facts mixed up. I talked to my mother and grandmother and they said it was him. What they told me was that they searched the park I was talking about on foot and supposedly by air. Its unreal to me that there isnt more to go on. Was he with a friend the day he went sledding?

From what I have read his sister couldnt go sledding with him that afternoon and the two friends he asked couldnt go either.

Anonymous wrote:

I live in Pekin. My dad actually brought Jimmy Childers into court for the trial. My dad was a rookie at the time. About Mark Helmig, he was not dismembered, but he was badly decomposed. My parents were actually living in an apartment right next to the train yard where his body was found.

I am Jim's cousin and you are right, if this had all taken place today...his situation would be very different. Our family has suffered a terrible loss even after 30 years the pain is great. We visit Jim and support him as much as the system will allow. If anyone know's anything HELPFULL about that night please contact me at julie.neilson@sbcglobal.net I am not convinced that Jim was alone in this. Also if you want to play a possitive role in his life, contact him through IDOC. He and his brother lived a life of hell the sad thing is that in 1978 you just didn't report child abuse, you handle it from within and my grandparents and parents attemted to do that; infact they believed things were becoming good. Jim is a good man that was dealt a crappy hand. We love him very much.

Remember That wrote:

If Im not mistaken there was an article written in one of the major crime magazines a few years after he killed his parents, I remember reading it. Its been such a long time and hard to remember what the name of magazine was. Hope you find what your looking for.

Contact me I am Jims cousin. julie.neilson@sbcglobal.net