Chris's Crime Forum

BOISE, Idaho — Police searched a southwest Boise residence and closed off a section of a landfill Saturday as they continued looking for an 8-year-old boy who went missing more than a week ago.

Robert Manwill reportedly disappeared July 24 after leaving his mother's apartment in Boise, where he was visiting. Deputy Chief Jim Kerns has said evidence in the case indicated the boy could be hurt "or the victim of a tragic event."

On Friday and Saturday, investigators searched a southwest Boise home. They began digging in the backyard after dogs picked up a scent, said Evan Wallis, who owns the house.

On Thursday night, police searched Manwill's mother's apartment, where the boy was visiting.

Wallis said he knows the boy's family but doesn't understand why police are searching the rental property, which is near Five Mile Road in Boise.

"I'm innocent," Wallis told the Idaho Statesman newspaper. "I'm an innocent bystander."

Chief Kerns said at a press conference Saturday that the residence is one of many areas of interest in the case. Police, so far, say there have been no arrests or suspects in the case.

"It makes me sick to know this is going down at my house right now," said Wallis, who was out of town last weekend and returned Monday. "I'm not going to say for the record nothing's back there because I don't know. Maybe something did happen along the lines when I was out of town."

The renters of the home told KTVB-TV they knew the Manwills.

The night he disappeared, the boy was visiting his mother, Melissa Scott Jenkins. The boy's father, Charles Manwill, has had custody of him since 2008.

Jenkins pleaded guilty in March to a misdemeanor charge of injury to a child following an October 2008 incident that fractured her infant son's skull. The child is the son of Jenkins' boyfriend, Daniel Edward Ehrlick.

Jenkins was sentenced to 29 days of work release, fined $75.50 and put on probation for two years, according to court documents.

Investigators were seen taking an SUV and other items during the search of the apartment Jenkins and Ehrlick share.

The two have appeared at press conferences with police but have not spoken publicly.

Ehrlick's father, Daniel Ehrlick Sr., said he last saw the 8-year-old Manwill the day he went missing. He said he had dropped some money off at his son and Jenkins' apartment to help them pay their bills.

Ehrlick Sr. said he used to pick Manwill up in New Plymouth, where the boy's father lives, and bring him to Boise to visit. After the boy went missing, Ehrlick Sr. said his son accused him of taking the child and police questioned him.

"I haven't talked to him since he accused me," Ehrlick Sr. said.

More than 2,300 people combed a 1-mile to 2-mile radius around the scene where Robert Manwill was reported missing on Friday, the one-week anniversary of his disappearance.

The search was believed to be the biggest attempt to find a missing person in the city's history.

FAMILY SAYS THANKS

On Thursday, the parents and extended family of Robert Manwill singled out for appreciation police officers, the people who found the 8-year-old's body and the thousands who helped in the search. "We want to thank our community family for everything they have done for our family and for Robert," said Trish Burrill, Robert's aunt.

PUBLIC SERVICES SET

- Candlelight vigil, 8 p.m. Friday, near the corner of Shoshone Street and Cherry Lane, Boise.

- Racing dedicated to Robert, Meridian Speedway, Saturday, 335 S. Main St. in Meridian. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing begins at 6:30 p.m.

- Funeral services, 2 p.m. Sunday, Cloverdale Funeral Home, 1200 N. Cloverdale Road, Boise.

NATION'S EYES ON BOISE

The glare of the national media shined on Boise during the week-and-a-half search for Robert, with shows such as CNN's "Nancy Grace" discussing the case nightly. The response? One e-mailer from Indiana wrote the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau after the 2,300-volunteer search to commend the community for its response.

BOISE –- For the first time today we are learning what happened to 8-year old Robert Manwill, and the details coming out of the courtroom this morning are very disturbing!

Robert's mother and his mother's boyfriend were arrested last night and each charged with first-degree murder.

Melissa Jenkins, 30, and Daniel Ehrlick, 36, had their first court appearance in Boise this morning, at which time graphic details surrounding Robert's death were read in court.

According to this grand jury indictment, this was not an isolated event that killed this little boy, but rather the tragic conclusion of prolonged abuse.

This morning, those who were caring for the little boy were ushered into the courtroom wearing their jail uniforms -- Robert's mother, Melissa Jenkins and then her boyfriend Daniel Ehrlick.

Ehrlick indictment document
Jenkins indictment document


Because Melissa is illiterate, the judge gave a formal reading of the charges against her, which also outlines the charges against Ehrlick.

"Melissa Scott Jenkins, on or between June 2009 and the 24th day of July 2009, in the County of Ada, State of Idaho, did aid or abet another, Daniel Ehrlick, who did unlawfully and with malice aforethought kill and murder Robert G. Manwill," read 4th District Judge Deborah Bail. " And/or by inflicting upon Robert Manwill extreme or prolonged acts of brutality with the intent to cause suffering, to execute vengence or to satisfy some sadistic inclination, by inflicting repeated acts of blunt force trauma to the abdomen and/or head of Robert Manwill."

The indictment says Ehrlick did so by, essentially, beating the child -- causing internal bleeding, bruising and swelling of the brain.

In the mother's indictment it says she did not protect her child from such abuse, and goes further to say she hid evidence of his mistreatment from those who could have helped.

If convicted, both Jenkins and Ehrlick could face the death penalty.

"This could be a death penalty case. Does that mean more time will be needed? More time will be taken? How is this treated differently?" asked NewsChannel 7.

"Well, the difference, if the death penalty is sought is that it requires death qualified counsel on the other side, obviously the determination in this case of whether to seek the death penalty is one we'll make as soon as possible," said Ada County Prosecutor Greg Bower.

The prosecution has 60 days in which to make that decision.

The prosecutor said it was not yet clear if the pair would be tried together or separately.

The couple is scheduled to enter their pleas on September 1st.

Robert Manwill’s body was found in a Kuna canal on August 3. Police said the boy was a victim of homicide and vowed to find his killer.

The boy was reported missing to police on July 24. The community quickly responded, with posters featuring the boy’s face popping up all over town, and volunteers spending spare time searching for the child.

Boise Police Deputy Chief Jim Kerns asked for the public’s additional help offering any details of the activities of Jenkins or Ehrlick in the week leading up to July 24.

Kerns did not take questions at the news briefing, which did not give the media a chance to ask follow up questions that may better illustrate particulars of the case – including why they believe Ehrlick and Jenkins are responsible.

“Probably no other case in Boise history has touched so many people,” Kerns said.

The case started to rapidly change on July 30. That night, police began searching the Jenkins' Boise Bench apartment, removing materials from the home, including cabinets, computers and more. Police also towed a vehicle from the complex.

Ehrlick and Jenkins appeared behind Kerns at each news conference until the day after Jenkins’ home was searched. Ehrlick has not been seen in public since. Jenkins was at the boy’s funeral and at a news event the day her son’s body was identified.

Jenkins has a past criminal history that involves hurting children.

On October 19, 2008, police said a baby boy had been injured. Jenkins was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child. The child suffered serious head injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The child was taken into the custody of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Court documents say Jenkins hit her 9-month-old son's head on a surface. The infant suffered a fractured skull that caused not only physical pain, but mental suffering as well.

Since the boy’s disappearance and before his arrest, Ehrlick had been in and out of the hospital for unspecified treatments, according to family.

Kerns said the investigation into Manwill’s death continues – and says if anyone has information that may help them, to call Boise Police Dispatch at 377-6790.

Boise Mayor Dave Bieter issued a statement reacting to the charges Tuesday night.

"While the presumption of innocence must be maintained, I hope and have faith that justice will be served in this case and that our citizens who have shown incredible compassion in the face of tragedy, can begin to mend from the loss of Robert Manwill," Bieter said.

UPDATE: Indictment says boyfriend tortured Manwill

very disturbing news//

For the first time today we are learning what happened to 8-year old Robert Manwill, and the details coming out of the courtroom this morning are very disturbing!

Robert's mother and his mother's boyfriend were arrested last night and each charged with first-degree murder.

Melissa Jenkins, 30, and Daniel Ehrlick, 36, had their first court appearance in Boise this morning, at which time graphic details surrounding Robert's death were read in court.

According to this grand jury indictment, this was not an isolated event that killed this little boy, but rather the tragic conclusion of prolonged abuse.

This morning, those who were caring for the little boy were ushered into the courtroom wearing their jail uniforms -- Robert's mother, Melissa Jenkins and then her boyfriend Daniel Ehrlick.

Ehrlick indictment document
Jenkins indictment document

Because Melissa is illiterate, the judge gave a formal reading of the charges against her, which also outlines the charges against Ehrlick.

"Melissa Scott Jenkins, on or between June 2009 and the 24th day of July 2009, in the County of Ada, State of Idaho, did aid or abet another, Daniel Ehrlick, who did unlawfully and with malice aforethought kill and murder Robert G. Manwill," read 4th District Judge Deborah Bail. " And/or by inflicting upon Robert Manwill extreme or prolonged acts of brutality with the intent to cause suffering, to execute vengence or to satisfy some sadistic inclination, by inflicting repeated acts of blunt force trauma to the abdomen and/or head of Robert Manwill."

The indictment says Ehrlick did so by, essentially, beating the child -- causing internal bleeding, bruising and swelling of the brain.

In the mother's indictment it says she did not protect her child from such abuse, and goes further to say she hid evidence of his mistreatment from those who could have helped.

If convicted, both Jenkins and Ehrlick could face the death penalty.

"This could be a death penalty case. Does that mean more time will be needed? More time will be taken? How is this treated differently?" asked NewsChannel 7.

"Well, the difference, if the death penalty is sought is that it requires death qualified counsel on the other side, obviously the determination in this case of whether to seek the death penalty is one we'll make as soon as possible," said Ada County Prosecutor Greg Bower.

The prosecution has 60 days in which to make that decision.

The prosecutor said it was not yet clear if the pair would be tried together or separately.

The couple is scheduled to enter their pleas on September 1st.

Robert Manwill’s body was found in a Kuna canal on August 3. Police said the boy was a victim of homicide and vowed to find his killer.

The boy was reported missing to police on July 24. The community quickly responded, with posters featuring the boy’s face popping up all over town, and volunteers spending spare time searching for the child.

Boise Police Deputy Chief Jim Kerns asked for the public’s additional help offering any details of the activities of Jenkins or Ehrlick in the week leading up to July 24.

Kerns did not take questions at the news briefing, which did not give the media a chance to ask follow up questions that may better illustrate particulars of the case – including why they believe Ehrlick and Jenkins are responsible.

“Probably no other case in Boise history has touched so many people,” Kerns said.

The case started to rapidly change on July 30. That night, police began searching the Jenkins' Boise Bench apartment, removing materials from the home, including cabinets, computers and more. Police also towed a vehicle from the complex.

Ehrlick and Jenkins appeared behind Kerns at each news conference until the day after Jenkins’ home was searched. Ehrlick has not been seen in public since. Jenkins was at the boy’s funeral and at a news event the day her son’s body was identified.

Jenkins has a past criminal history that involves hurting children.

On October 19, 2008, police said a baby boy had been injured. Jenkins was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child. The child suffered serious head injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The child was taken into the custody of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Court documents say Jenkins hit her 9-month-old son's head on a surface. The infant suffered a fractured skull that caused not only physical pain, but mental suffering as well.

Since the boy’s disappearance and before his arrest, Ehrlick had been in and out of the hospital for unspecified treatments, according to family.

Kerns said the investigation into Manwill’s death continues – and says if anyone has information that may help them, to call Boise Police Dispatch at 377-6790.

Boise Mayor Dave Bieter issued a statement reacting to the charges Tuesday night.

"While the presumption of innocence must be maintained, I hope and have faith that justice will be served in this case and that our citizens who have shown incredible compassion in the face of tragedy, can begin to mend from the loss of Robert Manwill," Bieter said.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stor ... b6dd1.html