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If you have information regarding this case or the whereabouts of Jessie Gutierrez, please contact, Debra Gutierrez-Garnsey.

WIS-TV video interview with Sheriff James Metts of Lexington County, South Carolina

WIS-TV Coverage:

Mother wonders when "closer" means "closed" in 21-year-old case

Missing girl's mother questions conversation with Sheriff Metts

· 21-year-old case could move to court with solicitor's approval

· Solicitor responds to accusations of holding up 21-year-old case

· Lexington Co. sheriff responds to stories on 21-year-old case

Reported by Kara Gormley

The Political Journey

The conversation with James Metts was just the beginning of many disappointments that I faced. James Metts made a promise to me on June 8, 1986. It was not a threat. James Metts acted on what he stated in the telephone conversation of what he would do. "I will take all my men off the case and we'll all go home and forget about your case.  We will all go home and forget about your little girl".

What kind of a man or human being would say such a thing? What kind of a Sheriff would tell a mother of a kidnapped child, such a thing as this, and in such a hateful manner? Sheriff Metts did not threaten me that day. James Metts made a promise, because for almost 20 years, that is just what the LCSD has done. Forgot about Jessie!

Detective Robert Bartlett diligently worked Jessie's case and retired from the department in 1994. Bartlett along with many others to whom I am so appreciative spent many hours trying to bring my daughter home and her kidnappers brought to justice. I am proud to call them my friends.  I pray that they all know just how thankful I am of all their efforts.

When Detective Bartlett left the force, no one worked my daughter's case the way it should have been worked. Detectives that were assigned to Jessie's case did nothing. Basically, Metts' threat was proven to be a promise. Although LCSD gave up on my daughter, I have never gave up and I never will. I continued searching for help from anyone that I could ask. Prior to Detective Bartlett's retirement, he met with the Sheriff Metts and presented the evidence of Jessie's case. The sheriff agreed that there was enough evidence for an arrest. When Detective Bartlett met with the Lexington County Solicitor Donnie Myers, Donnie disagreed. I certainly understand how important it is that you have all the evidence so the case can be presented, what I don't understand is the manner in which the solicitor was trying to explain the situation or proving to be more of a "power struggle sort of thing".

Donnie Myers never should have presented himself as "the buck stops here and it stops with me" sort of guy. Because for me, the buck doesn't stop there. No one is perfect and I knew Myers wasn't perfect either. Just a very arrogant individual. Several attempts were made by Detective Bartlett to speak with Donnie Myers. After many visits and on one particular visit, Meyers stated "I get paid to be a SOB".  I,  Jessie's mom asked Myers, "who pays you to be a SOB to innocent victims and their families"?  If I am not mistaken, you should behave that way in a courtroom against criminals. Is that not when you are paid to behave that way? Why was the statement made in the first place and why did Donnie state, "I won't try that case in my courtroom."  Is it Lexington County's courtroom or is it Donnie Myer's courtroom?

Detective Bartlett's efforts and my efforts got us nowhere. Neither of us, refused to give up. I sought help everywhere I thought or was suggested to ask for help. In total desperation, I was searching through the telephone book in hopes of finding an organization to help in my search for my Daughter. I found the number for South Carolina Victim Assistance Network (SCVAN).

I will never forget the day that I called this SCVAN.  I will never forget the feeling that came upon me; I have finally found someone that will help. I talked with several workers and then with the Director Sherrie Carney. Finally, I thought, I have got someone here who will actually listen and cares. After all, this is the Victims Network! Sherrie Carney talked with me in great lengths. I agreed to a meeting with her and I took the taped conversation of the Sheriff Metts with me. It was at this time that Sherrie Carney heard the conversation with Sheriff and me. 

Sherrie explained my rights to me and pointed out that I was entitled to a meeting with Solicitor Donnie Myers, to discuss Jessie's case. The meeting with the solicitor, Sherrie and I was held. It was all but like we were rushed out of his office. Also, it was during this time that Sherrie was having contact with Donnie Myers that Donnie stated to Sherrie that "I was a squeaky wheel demanding greasing" and "I would get no oiling in Lexington County".

I did not realize that I was a squeaky wheel. I am a mother of a kidnapped child desperately searching for my daughter. Donnie Myers has proved to be an arrogant individual. Despite all her efforts, Donnie Myers stated to Sherrie Carney, "You get that woman off my ass or I'll take you for everything you own and you will never have a job in the State of South Carolina." 

Well, talk about political authority! The Solicitor sure used his weight and political status with that threat.  Sherrie soon became unable to help me. I have never told her personally that I on one part, (the part of her situation), understood. I knew too well how threats can be turned into promises. I realized that Sherrie had a family also.  Just before Sherrie stopped helping me with Jessie's case, our last visit together was with the United States Attorney General, Travis Medlock.

I explained Jessie's case to the Attorney General and specifically asked, "Can another solicitor from another county or state look at the evidence and tell me what they think of the evidence?" The U.S. Attorney General Travis Medlock said, "No, that would be like questioning Donnie Myer's job."  I said, "understand that I am not questioning anybody's job, I am trying to find my daughter." 

Well, again, another meeting over and nothing accomplished. The higher I felt I would climb, the lower I would be knocked down, each and every time. I was still in the same position as when my search started. A lot of folks in offices higher up than the sheriff and the solicitor, was turning their heads and closing their office doors.

The last real contact I had with Sherry Carney at this time was when she wrote a letter that I had to read at the Sheriff's Department, praising their Glory, when in fact, it was all a lie. I will never forget how I had feared stating things that just weren't true, but because of all the threats made to Sherrie, it was just something that had to be done. Lexington County, Sheriff Metts and Solicitor Myers, did not and do not deserve to be praised. I just couldn't let them destroy someone that had tried so hard to fight for my daughter. With much resentment to Metts and Myers, I read the letter that was based on lies.

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A special THANKS to Kara Gormley of WIS-TV in Columbia, SC!  Without her help, this site would not be possible.

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