"Jolique's got some pretty severe behavioral issues that have manifested in violence and both suicidal and homicidal tendencies, even at a young age." — Brit
"The state steps out. It's done. Like they don't check in, they don't see how it's going a year later. There's like nothing like that." — Ashley Flowers
"This 10 seconds at first, like the first time they did it and then 20 seconds if they did it again. And like the more and more you did it, the longer and longer you'd have to do that." — Ashley Flowers (referring to disciplinary practices)
This episode of Crime Junkie recounts the deeply concerning case of Jolique Rainwalker, a 12-year-old boy who disappeared in November 2007. Jolique had a challenging early life, born addicted to substances, sexually abused as an infant, and cycling through multiple foster homes before being adopted. His adoptive parents, Jocelyn McDonald and Stephen Kerr, reported behavioral issues and threatened to undo the adoption, which is legally complex. As a temporary measure, Jolique was placed in respite care with Elaine and Tom Person, who reported him as well-behaved during his stay. However, shortly after returning to his adoptive parents' care, Jolique disappeared from their home, leaving behind a cryptic note suggesting he might have run away to Albany.
The investigation into Jolique's disappearance revealed significant inconsistencies and raised numerous questions regarding the actions and statements of his adoptive parents. Law enforcement initially treated it as a runaway case, but the complexity of the situation and the lack of concrete leads quickly led them to consider the possibility of foul play. Concerns were raised about the lack of ongoing therapeutic care for Jolique despite his diagnosed behavioral issues. The living conditions of the adoptive family, described as lacking basic amenities like running water and proper heating, also came under scrutiny, raising questions about the approval process for foster and adoptive placements.
Stephen Kerr, Jolique's adoptive father, became a person of interest due to his inconsistent statements, refusal to fully cooperate with polygraph tests, and discrepancies found in phone records and surveillance footage. The case was officially declared a homicide in 2012, but despite extensive searches and ongoing investigations, no suspects have been charged, and Jolique's whereabouts remain unknown, highlighting the persistent challenges and unresolved nature of the case.