Nineteen-year-old Linnea Lomax disappeared from the Sutter Health psychiatric clinic in Sacramento before her parents could retrieve her after a 10-day stint. She was pressured into checking herself into the clinic by her family, but the facility gave her a clean bill of health. Even the two police agencies that have looked at this case acknowledge that the UC Davis coed is not mentally disabled, but the family and their recruited volunteers are continually spreading contradictory statements. Either these contradictions are done so in a way to call two different sheriff's departments liars or they are being purposely misleading. Now they are offering $5,000 for the "return" of the voluntarily missing adult.
This is starting to get ridiculous. Again, it needs to be made perfectly clear that this young woman is voluntarily missing. She is a legal adult. She does not want to be located by her family. How many times does this need to be repeated? It has been confirmed by two different police agencies that these are the facts. It has been confirmed at least a dozen times now that she is not mentally disabled or in a state of mental frenzy as her parents are trying to push into the media.
While it is understandable that the parents of any missing adult will worry, what the Lomaxes are doing here should not be taking place. They are soliciting for donations, recruiting volunteers, and offering a reward for an essential capture and return to their clutches. Indeed, these people are more than entitled to be worried for their adult daughter, but it just seems that they are laying this obsession on so thick that it comes across as making them seem overbearing and controlling--to say the least.
A $5,000 reward will probably sound good to anyone who knows where this young woman is, but what are they going to do to convince her to return home to her family--where she obviously does not want to go? Do they intend on taking this missing woman against her will? Linnea Lomax doesn't want to be found by her family, period. Police have confirmed this, so why continue? This is turning into a huge mess, and the young woman is probably more than aware of what's been going on in the searches for her. To be frank, this whole uproar is probably pushing her farther into hiding, and can you blame her?
Crime analyst and profiler Chelsea Hoffman can be found on The Huffington Post, Chelsea Hoffman: Case to Case and many other outlets. Follow @TheRealChelseaH on Twitter or click here to contact Chelsea directly.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 72 ( 3 removed by Chelsea Hoffman )
Linnea Lomax Search is Getting Ridiculous
It's long past the ridiculous stage.
The so called search, is now approaching a criminal act. Inasmuch as the posted "Reward" is more in line with being a "Bounty" and the "Search" is more akin to that of a "Posse" hunting down an escapee.
Where all this hoopla over a person who does not want to be found will end, is anyones guess. The scenario of having a daughter to make the decision to leave her family is a sad event. However, Ms. Lomax has her personal reasons for doing so and is well within her Constitutional rights to remain anonymus and detached from her family. Unfortunately, Ms. Lomax's father is not likely to ever acknowledge those rights nor cease his goal of having her returned to his domineering control.
again with the misinformation *sigh*...
You obviously are not a parent
For you to assume such without factual supportive evidence, sufficiently demonstrates you to be the fool, which you most certainly are.
{i.e.} Had you taken the time to read my posted profile, you would have noted that I am the proud father of one child and the stepfather of four children with all five now being adults living their own lives. Further, my wife and I are the proud grandparents of eight loving grandchildren. All of which are loved by both of us and who give us their love in return.
Also for your benefit;
The children of our family were always given and encouraged to seek, both my and their mother's advice and guidance in all matters. As our children approached adulthood, they were encouraged to begin thinking and reasoning for themselves, with our advice always available should they need it. Once they became adults, they were free to choose their own way in life with our love and understanding of their individual choices.
As a direct result of the close bond of our family and the way we, as parents interacted with our children and showed trust in the their ability to make sound decisions throughout their lives, our children still seek our advice and guidance to this day. Both our children as well as our grandchildren know that they can come to either their mother or me for advice and still be free to make their own decision with our support and respect.
Although you are not one of my children, here's some free advice; You would do better to review your own parenting ability before questioning that of others.
No my comment is not ment to "provoke" only to educate the uneducated.
Whether she was seen the same day or 4 days later -- she was seen with a large bag. She was packed and prepared to be out and about, obviously.
and I didn't say specifically cult -- I just said there is a "cult mentality" driving the searches for this voluntarily missing woman. Let's not get too out of hand, here, please.
It will only make them keep coming back to make trouble -- trouble we don't need that detracts from the point that this woman is being practically harassed.
Scott-Mental illness is not a result of poor parenting.
Actually, it is a documented fact by FBI Behavioral Science experts as well as child psychologist and psychiatrist that some children when raised in an environment of total parental domination and/or absolute control by one or both of their parents, have been known to develope minor to serious mental disorders.
Now from what information I have been able to garner concerning Ms. Linnea Lomax, I don't believe that Linnea is in anyway mentally ill nor do I believe that she unable to make appropriate and reasonable decisions for herself. I do however, believe that she is currently being subjected to excessive and unreasonable mental pressure from both her family and community.
"obviously in crisis" how? because her parents said so? As stated before, two diff police agencies say otherwise. Maybe they've made some kind of contact with her? ;)
I agree with Julie Michael -- the parents seem like the crazy ones.
I have no desire to converse with you, Penny. So, I wont.
That is all I need to say to you. Now, please, go back to demanding what's ever-so-easy to locate on your own. I have other articles to write. This one is kind of yesterday's news (no offense) and it's far from the only case I write about. So I won't likely be back on this one.
Have a good one!
She checked herself in and checked herself out after a 10 day voluntary stay. This has been reported and confirmed. I even spoke with a nice lady on the phone about the stipulations of such.
You can argue about it all you want, but it will fall on deaf ears.
I'm not doubting you're a mental health professional -- but I am doubting your knowledge of the facts of this case. Since you're denying something that is already common knowledge.
Again, not going to argue about a fact that's already commonly known and confirmed -- if you feel like continuing do so, but I suggest at least knowing the facts as they are confirmed, and not as they are "believed" 0_o
This is all really simple and found in a google search.
And if you don't know the details of this case, you shouldn't be going on as though your job gives you expert knowledge on said case. She was in for observation after the diagnosis of normal old run of the mill OCD and then ditched as soon as she had the chance -- carrying a big ol' bag. (that's not been reported on very much either.. her parents only want to release tht she left her wallet and phone, but not that she was packed to the 9s)
10 day observation is VERY basic when you have the insurance
First it is always harder to walk in others footsteps for you do not know where they are coming from……You need to be a mother or father to know that unconditional love that would make you search day and night for your love one when they just disappear. The horror that she may be in harm out numbers all the thoughts that she may have just wanted to be away from her family. If the desire to be alone is upfront this loving family would have listened to her but that is not what they had been told .They were told that she had flipped out that stress had taken over and that she needed help. They drove over to help her, and after seeing her they decided that she needed a help that they couldn’t give. After 10 days the hospital did release her but with the understanding that she needed to go to this day mental rehab to work through her anxiety.
Linnea is very into nature and after being in a group setting for 3 hours probably needed fresh air, it appears she decided to take a walk on her lunch break. She was not from that area so she probably didn’t know that it was a bad area for her to walk alone, that others had been abducted and are still missing.
I had the pleasure of meeting Linnea 2 months ago she was with her mother and they had come down to southern ca to help her grandmother get back to Placerville for the summer , she was on spring break and was enjoying her time with her mother and grandmother . She did not have the look in her eyes that she could not stand to be around this loving family .
Perhaps you need to back off and let this family search for their loving daughter without the ugly words of a stranger blurring the efforts to find her.
If Linnea wanted to be alone she would get the message out there that she is okay. But instead the unknown is playing havoc on everyone.
0_o that is all I will say to you.
Anyone who knows anything about PMI (Prvate Medical Information) knows that you don't find out details regarding a psychiatric hospitalization on a google search,
As I've said before, I am speaking based on my general knowledge of the mental healthcare system... a "10 day observation" is not the usual length of stay in a mental hospital these days. They get them out much faster than that. I'm not pretending to know the details of this case.
the sources are cited in all of my articles. I'm not required to entertain temper tantrums in the discussion section of any of them.
keep that in mind for the future.
but I guess throwing tantrums are easier than researching, reading and paying attention.. have at it; and make sure to tune into tonight's show at 9:30 p.m. PST -- I will be fully addressing this case:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/casetocase/2012/07/09/linnea-lomax-voluntarily-missing-adult
I assume based on your picture that you are a twenty something adult woman yourself.
What do you think YOUR parents would do if you had just been released from a 10 day psychiatric admission and disappeared without a word? Would they worry and look high and low for you, or would they just let whatever happens happen because you are an adult? Would they know you disappeared? Would they care?
This story gets me thinking about what I'd do if it was my 19year old daughter. I can only assume it gets you 20 somethings wondering what your parents would do, and it may be a troubling question for some.
Obviously it's none of my business, but I assume that there is something in your personal story that drives all this interest and hostility.
This conversation isn't logical. It's getting a bit desperate, I think. On your end, not mine.
It would be my personal belief, that the only thing that is going to stop these religiously fanatical zealots from hounding Ms. Lomax, is a court issued restraining order. Therefore, for Ms. Lomax's welfare, she should be encouraged by the investigating police agency and any others who know her whereabouts, to contact the nearest Public Defenders Office for assistance.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/casetocase/2012/07/09/linnea-lomax-voluntarily-missing-adult
It is obvious that you are not very familiar with mental illness or the laws we have related to mental illness. I speak from experience. Almost two decades of directly caring for a family member with mental illness. You have no idea how ignorant, cruel and without compassion your posts are to the mentally ill and their families.
Ask yourself this question. If you or a loved one was in a mentally delusional state where you became paranoid and fearful of the people who love and care about you and you decide to become homeless, walk the streets (vulnerable to all the dangers associated), and heard voices that told you to commit suicide or hurt others and you have no power to get out of this delusional state, what would you want others to do for you? Anyone in their right mind would want their families and friends to help them. No one wants to be on the streets, cold, hungry and vulnerable especially in a delusional state. The Lomax family obviously loves their daughter very much.
Unfortunately, we have laws that are "supposed" to "protect" civil liberties of the mentally ill, so that they are "free" to be homeless, cold, hungry and vulnerable even if they show signs of mania or delusion. Why and how have we become a society that just walks right past a obviously delusional homeless person on the street without any shock or concern to do anything.
The laws we have currently in my opinion are not compassionate or reasonable. Many mentally ill patients are incapable of knowing or recognizing their illness. That is why their delusions are the truth and reality to them. The current laws basically say that unless they try to physically harm someone, there is no way to get any help for them unless they want to get help. But obviously, as explained earlier, they are unable and unwilling to receive help because of their delusions and paranoia.
The fact that we have to wait until a mentally ill person is so delusional that they have to harm someone or them self, I don't think is fully understood by the public. Imagine having a mentally ill family member who talks to imaginary voices all day, throws out unopened, perfectly good food because they believe it is poisoned, says unkind nasty things, butchers household goods with a knife or hammer because of their delusions, the list can go on and on... but, unless they tried or succeeded in butchering a human being, they cannot be forced to get help no matter how bazaar or crazy their delusions are. It literally feels ridiculous and unreal. A mentally ill person can go for months and years exhibiting and hiding these symptoms before they break down completely.
I hope Linnea returns home safe. No can say for sure what her mental state is right now, but we all know that what her parents are doing the right thing. What parent wouldn't want to confirm that their child is safe and healthy especially under these circumstances.
An article titled "When my crazy father finally lost his mind" on the New york times is a must read for everyone. Mental illness can happen to anyone.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/24/magazine/when-my-crazy-father-actually-lost-his-mind.html?pagewanted=all
I've known Linnea since she was a child and I know her family, you don't so you don't know what you are talking about. Her family has never tried to push their religious beliefs on me and never even spoke about their beliefs. Yes they are openingly Christian, and thats your only true backing for this so called Religious fanatic title.
Now, the case has turned criminal so how do you feel about yourself now. True facts - Children - and adults are sold everyday here in the states, yes not just "other" countries. 2 Children are sold for sex slavery every 60 seconds. Now the fear is that Linnea has become a statistic.
You, Scott, Amanda, and others like you ask yourself, if your daughter was out on the streets, with a mental disorder, wouldn't you do everyting you could to find her. If you wouldn't then you should be ashamed of yourself. Just like you should be ashamed of yourself for the blasphamy that you speak of about her and her family.
Why don't you take yourself out of the picture, in trying to be this top reporter, and perhaps do some good in helping to find her. By the way you see the tourment and anguish that Linneas friends and family are going through, you think this helps them. You should be ashamed of yourself just for being cruel in a time of need.
2. Name the mental disorder
3. Blogging isn't quite journalism or reporting.. but I can understand your confusion. Many people make that mistake.
I'm sorry you have such strong feelings. Have a good morning.
Perhaps you could do the world a favor, and resign. You're disgusting.
Thanks for reading and have a great morning
My hands are trembling as I write this. If you read back through all the old posts, you will see me attempting to treat all of Chelsea's posts with dignity and respect, yes, which I believe is fitting for all people, as Christ teaches. If you don't behave with love toward other people, how can you love God? If you only show kindness toward those you feel deserve it, what reward will you get? By the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.
If you keep reading, though, you will also see another poster mistakenly assuming I must be one of Linnea's friends or family since my sympathies in this case were, and always have been, for the parents. I did remark that it would be a happy ending, much to be desired, if Chelsea could be proven right: if Linnea had turned up OK, and if in retrospect the whole search effort had seemed unneccessary (or even "overbearing" to use her word). I still wish that could have been the case. I think all of Linnea's family and friends would have preferred that ending as well.
From what I have read about Linnea these past months, friends and family consistently describe her as a source of positive warmth and joy for all who knew her. Wouldn't that legacy be better served by kindness towards a blogger whose worst offense was to assume that Linnea was OK? Especially when that's what we all hoped?
Best,
-Robert