First Bentley Facebook page - wha' happened?

Some followers of the Beth Bentley missing person case are dismayed at a recent major change in the original Facebook page devoted to the Bentley case.

The "page" quickly grew to over 7,500 followers and many categories listed under the Discussion Topics tab. There were many challenging theories and many comments from throughout the country. Many readers and followers were from downstate Illinois, from where Beth has been thought to have disappeared. But there have also been many followers from other states, including the East Coast.

There have been squabbles among the "administrators" of the page, as they gave themselves the title. At times certain followers would be banned or blocked. When that happened, the person's Facebook entry was removed from the "page" and all the comments disappeared from the topics. Sometimes, people removed themselves and their comments but, at other times, they were kicked out. It seemed that one or another of the several "administrators" would have a hissy fit and make an independent decision; then - poof, the offender (in the opinion of the administrator) was gone.

And then, very recently, another purging of that original "page" occurred. Originally titled 'Beth Bentley - Missing Woodstock Woman", the page is now titled "BETH BENTLEY ..helping to bring them ALL HOME! Many comments were removed, and the number of "members" dropped from 7,500+ to less than 3,600.

In response to a comment about the removal of so many comments, the following was received from one of the administrators: "The discussions were in place to assist the police in garnering useful information. This was no longer the case. The discussions are preserved, just not accessible for additional comments."

This would have one believe that thousands of comments posted by hundreds of Facebook members were collected to help the cops find Beth. This was not why people posted. Yes, perhaps some of the comments did help law enforcement, although that's doubtful from the shortage of information from any police department.

Facebook members wanted Beth to be found. If perps are involved, we want them identified, apprehended and prosecuted. But we didn't post comments and opinions for the purpose of assisting the police. Anyone with a tip would have contacted the police directly and would not have sat back with fingers crossed, hoping the cops might be reading Facebook.

The administrators of the original Facebook page should immediately restore all comments and then keep their cotton-pickin' hands off. They are not there as censors. It was nice of them to create the page; now, stay out of the way.

What cops have to say about missing Bentley

(according to this woman >>>>>)

On the original Facebook page for the missing Beth Bentley, a woman posting as "Kool Breeze" (photo right) yesterday put out these "words of wisdom". She was attempting to explain that law enforcement agencies in southern Illinois and the Illinois State Police have discounted possibilities of foul play in the disappearance of Beth Bentley, missing since May 23 (or so).

"Well I know we have had ISPD tell a member here Beth was just a run away, also Centrailia (sic) PD have told a number of people (some on this site) that Beth ran away, one was told with some young guy. Even a couple of off duty WPD told a member Beth was hiding out in Woodstock and NOT MISSING!

"As far as Sheriff Mulch statement all we were asking for was a "blessing" which the other LE Agencies have given us so we could get help from other search groups that were willing to help. We didn't ask for Jefferson County help only a blessing. We can't even bring in dogs without a "Blessing" from Jefferson County. Woodstock PD have already personally given me a "Blessing" to do this. It is Sheriff Mulch who has said NO!"

"Kool Breeze" is thought to be an internet radio DJ for a jazz program in Kansas City. She is a friend of Sheryll Ginger, who lives in Springfield, Mo. Kool Breeze obviously doesn't live in southern Illinois, because she can't spell Centralia correctly here or in other places where she has written the town's name.

Just look at her presumptive style of writing: "Well I know we have had ISPD tell a member here Beth was just a run away..." What she is trying to say is that a trooper of the Illinois State Police supposedly told one of the 7,600 followers of the original Facebook page for Beth Bentley told someone who told Kool Breeze that Beth is a runaway. Oh, really? I seriously doubt that the trooper was voicing the official position of the Illinois State Police about Beth's disappearance! A personal opinion, perhaps; but not an official position!

And then Kool Breeze wrote: "Centrailia (sic) PD have told a number of people (some on this site) that Beth ran away, one was told with some young guy."

How many people would a "number of people" be? At least, three. Again, oh really? Come on, KB. Cough up some names. For CPD to tell 3-4-or more people that Beth ran away and to tell "one" that she ran away with "some young guy" means that Woodstock PD knows about this. Aren't all the LE agencies working together?

And here is where heads will be rolling right here in Woodstock...

KB wrote: "Even a couple of off duty WPD told a member Beth was hiding out in Woodstock and NOT MISSING!"

When Woodstock PD Chief Bob Lowen and Det. Sgt. Kurt Rosenquist read her allegation, I rather suspect they will tell her to get her butt up here to Woodstock and plan to sit down under the bright lights. Oh, yes; bring a lawyer, too. But maybe she won't have to actually bring a lawyer. She could just call Ray Flavin and lawyer up with him.

For KB to write on the original Facebook page that two off-duty Woodstock cops told one person (of the 7,600 "members") that Beth was hiding out right here in Woodstock will result in an inquisition right here within our city limits.

And the "blessings" of law enforcement agencies regarding any searches? Law enforcement will not search because they don't have any leads to follow. Enough said about that. If individuals want to search, all they have to do is find their snake-bite kits and put on their hiking boots.

You might find Kool Breeze's picture elsewhere on the internet. It doesn't look like the photo she had on her Facebook profile initially (above, but removed from Facebook). When you see her around Woodstock for her meeting with WPD, please let her know that an interview with The Woodstock Advocate is expected, while she is in town.