For The Love Of Bernadette

A Tree For Bernadette

dar1955 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:35:36 +0000

Hi Everyone,

With only 17 hours left in the Brickfish contest, the Maryland Task Force for the Missing and Unidentified, Adults and Children and I would like to thank everyone for their support and good wishes. Your votes and reviews helped us with both our entries. The entry about Bernadette’s tree went to 6th place and has stayed there. Our second entry has gone to 41st place. The contest Share Your Bright Holiday Moments is sponsored by Underwriters Laboratories and offers a large prize. I submitted a blog entry about my missing sister, Bernadette Stevenson Caruso and the Christmas tree which our family has put up for her for the last 24 years. Our second entry is about my wonderful Christmas present this year, my grandson, Jack! The contest offers a large prize which would be of great help with the Maryland Task Force for the Missing and Unidentified which we started here in Maryland a couple of years ago. If won these will be used used for the Task Force efforts. Please take a last look and vote and review the entries today. Since we have entered the campaign sponsored by Underwriter Laboratories- Share Your Bright Holiday Moments, the entry, A Tree For My Sister has had over 5440 views! With 659 votes we are in 6 place. And that is not all, Bernadette’s story has been viewed in France, Spain, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Hawaii and Alaska! Look how far we have reached with Bernadette’s story! People have also followed up by visiting Bernadette’s web site which has had over 400 hits since we entered the contest! Thanks for everyone’s help in remembering Bernadette Stevenson Caruso this Christmas and helping The Maryland Task Force for The Missing and Unidentified!

Here are the links. The more people that vote the better, so please feel free to pass the info along. Thanks for your help, have a safe and happy holiday!

Entry One

http://safetyathome.com/contest/?pbb_qsi=28605998&=ecc_fashion_PPIMEMAIL

Entry Two

http://safetyathome.com/contest/?pbb_qsi=28606104&=ecc_fashion_PPIMEMAIL

Here is also a link for Bernie’s web site and the web site for the Task Force!

http://www.bernadettestevensoncaruso.org/index.html

http://www.themarylandtaskforceforthemissingandunidentified.org/

A Tree For Bernadette…

dar1955 — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:56:10 +0000

A Christmas Tree for Bernadette
Family Hopes Memories of Missing Woman May Help Others

Every year since Bernadette Stevenson Caruso’s disappearance in Maryland in 1986 her family has put up a Christmas tree up for her. Each year the tree may be a little different but it always has some of Bernadette’s Christmas ornaments on it from the last tree Bernadette put up in 1985. “I guess in our hearts it is a way to share Christmas with Bernadette no matter where she is. At Christmas we always planned our trees and what we were going to do each year. It is a special link we have had with Bernadette for all these years” says her sisters, Darlene Huntsman and Susan Bowerman. ” For some of our family members, I think the tree is hard but for most of us it is a special Christmas tradition and tribute to our little sister. It is the hope and promise in our hearts that maybe this year the answers will come. This is what Christmas is about sharing the love of those near and dear to our hearts.” says Mrs. Huntsman.

The sisters involvement with missing and unidentified persons motivated them to help establish, The Maryland Task Force for the Missing and Unidentified, Adults and Children, along with other families of Maryland’s missing persons. For the past couple of years they have run this non profit with time freely given and funds raised by its volunteers. Some of their events on behalf of the families of the missing and unidentified have brought national attention to efforts being used to help locate them, these events became models for other states to use. The Maryland Task Force holds public awareness events and speaks before groups such as Moose Lodges, church groups and organizations. They do this is to bring awareness to the fact that every 30 seconds someone in the U.S. disappears, an average of 850,000 persons per year. Approximately 105,000 of these cases remain unsolved. Almost half of these cases represent unidentified persons. The group is willing to speak before any group that is willing to open their hearts and minds about the missing and their families. “Awareness, action and prevention are the key to reducing these numbers” says Mrs. Bowerman.

This year Mrs. Huntsman entered a campaign on the internet at Brickfish.com. Brickfish is a social media community where you can create, view, and review content in many different campaigns for the chance to win rewards and prizes. The holiday campaign, sponsored by Underwriters Laboratories is; Share Your Bright Holiday Moments where you had to share online your most memorable holiday photos, videos and stories. Mrs. Huntsman wrote about her sister and the tree they put up each year and what it means to them. Mrs. Huntsman wanted to share Bernadette’s story and raise funds that will support the Maryland Task Force for the Missing and Unidentified’s efforts . “You have to be creative in these difficult economic times. Small non profits like ourselves are having a tough time” says Mrs. Huntsman. If her entry wins the prizes will be used to attention a national conferences which will provides attendees with investigative and forensic tools as well as new updates on cutting-edge technology. One of the objectives of the conference is to foster collaboration across geographic jurisdictions and the importance of communication among local, state and federal law enforcement and criminal justice practitioners. The group hopes to attend the conference and bring new hope to families of the missing. The group also hopes to raise money for computers and supplies to demonstrate The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) information system at their presentations. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) is a clearinghouse for missing persons and unidentified decedent records. NamUs is a free online system that can be searched by medical examiners, coroners, law enforcement officials and the general public to solve these cases.

People can go on to the Brickfish.com website and click on the link with Bernadette’s picture to vote for the entry and leave a review. Voting each day improves the entry ranking and scores. This campaign ends December 22, 2009. The entry about Bernadette’s tree has climbed to 6th place out of 595 entries. For more information contact: Susan or Sam Bowerman at 304-261-3132.

Vote at:
Brickfish Website
http://safetyathome.com/contest/?pbb_qsi=27551785&=ecc_all_PPIMEMAIL

Task Force Website:
http://www.themarylandtaskforceforthemissingandunidentified.org/

Bernadette Stevenson Caruso
http://bernadettestevensoncaruso.wordpress.com/

For the love of Bernadette, 2009

dar1955 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:30:46 +0000

For the love of Bernadette…
Bernadette Stevenson Caruso was a warm, friendly twenty three year old young woman. Her friends and family describe her as a loving and devoted mother to her three year old daughter Nicole. Bernadette was the youngest of seven children in a close family. Our lives were all entwined in the usual family ways, hanging out with siblings, getting our children together and celebrating family events. Bernadette was also a survivor from a rocky, volatile marriage, awaiting her divorce. She had asked the Baltimore County States Attorney to open a stet for domestic violence charges against her husband, Paul Michael Caruso, a former police officer dismissed form the Baltimore County Police Department for brutality. It was not an easy time for the young mother but she was happy and positive about getting back on her feet again and making a life for herself and her daughter.
On September 27, 1986 Bernadette Stevenson Caruso, vanished into thin air after getting off at her job at a mall jewelry store. She was to testify in court the following week about the charges of domestic violence. She has never been seen again. The car she was driving ( our mothers) has never been recovered .Bernadette had talked to family members shortly before she left work that day. Co-workers recall her estranged husband calling her that day and Bernadette saying “ that she may meet him and see what he wanted.” Nicole was with her father and his parents that day for his weekend visitation. Bernadette was to meet back up with her work friends that evening but never showed up. Her friends were unable to contact her after she left the Eastpoint Mall at 5:00PM. Bernadette and her car just vanished.

The lives of those she touched has never been the same. For her family and friends, the time since her disappearance has been a mix of pain and hardship, not knowing what happened to her. We have continued looking for Bernadette for twenty three years, looking for the reason why someone would separate a mother from her child in such a terrible way. For her daughter, Nicole it has been years of confusion and frustration, never knowing her mother or what really happened to her. Wondering how different her life would have been if her mother had raised her. For twenty three years we have never given up searching for Bernadette. With the increase in prosecution of no body murder cases / crimes, we are hopeful that one day they will get for justice for her. With progress comes more hope.

As of December 31, 2008, there were 102,764 active missing person records in The National Crime Information Center’s (NCIC’s) Missing Person File Juveniles under the age of 18 account for 51,054 (49.7 percent) of the records and 12,648 (12.3 percent) were for juveniles between the ages of 18 and 20. There are an estimated, as of December 31, 2008, there were 7,134 unidentified person records in NCIC. Of the 7,134 active entries, 1,133 (15.9 percent) were entered in 2008. Think of the families of these 102,764 missing persons and think about what their lives are like. Imagine knowing that your loved one is out there and you don’t know if they are dead or alive. That every time you drive past a park or wooded area you think maybe there…
Or every time you hear of a body being found your heart stops and you pray. You pray for closure.
You pray for answers. You pray for someone to have a conscience and come forward, you hope that you will not go to your grave before you have answers to your prayers.

These families will now have access to the nations first online missing and unidentified persons system. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, NamUs, was created by the Department of Justice’s Office. NamUs is a nationwide database, which will allow law enforcement agencies, investigators, and the public to search nationwide for missing persons by registering in the system. NamUs brings together two online, searchable databases: unidentified decedents database and missing persons database. The missing person’s database will improve the quality and quantity of missing person’s data and simplify the reporting and management of missing persons cases for the justice community and the public. Law enforcement, medical examiners, coroners, and other members of the justice community, as well as the family members will be able to log on to the database to enter data regarding missing persons.

With progress comes more hope for the families like us, the family of Bernadette Stevenson Caruso, it gives us increased hope that one day Bernadette will be brought home and laid to rest. That maybe one day there will be the answers that we have searched for. This year as we have for the last twenty three years we will put up a Christmas tree for Bernadette and stand before it and say the promises that we have made in our hearts” Bernadette, We will never give up. We will bring you home.”

Bernadette Stevenson Caruso Disappeared September 27, 1986

dar1955 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:39:55 +0000

Bernadette Stevenson Caruso

Missing Since: September 27, 1986 from Baltimore County, Maryland

Classification:Endangered Missing

Date Of Birth: 1963 Age: 23 years

Height 5’4 Weight:190lbs

Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown hair; green eyes

My sister Bernadette, age 23 disappeared on September 27, 1986 from Baltimore, Maryland 21222. Bernadette was separated from her husband, Michael Caruso, also known as Paul Michael Caruso, a former Baltimore County Police Officer . Michael Caruso had been dismissed from the Baltimore County Police Department. There had been a history of domestic violence and Bernadette had custody of their 3 year old daughter Nicole pending a custody hearing. Bernadette was to appear in court two weeks after she disappeared to testify on the charges against her husband for domestic abuse. Nicole was visiting with her father and his parents, Paul and Inez Caruso the weekend Bernadette disappeared. Bernadette was a wonderful sister, friend and mother. I can not begin to tell you what her disappearance has done to our family. Someone out here knows what has happened to my sister. We will never give up trying to find out the truth about what happened to Bernadette. Not a day goes by that we don’t miss her.

Details of Disappearance
Bernadette was last seen leaving Shaws Jewelry Store in the Eastpoint Mall in Baltimore County, Maryland on September 27, 1986. Bernadette had gotten off work at the jewelry store and was seen entering her car in the mall’s parking lot at approximately 5:05 PM that day. Bernadette had deposited her pay into her bank account that day. She was suppose to go out with friends that night. She never showed up and has never been heard from again. This is totally out of character for Bernadette. Her vehicle, a 1982 jade green Chevrolet Cavalier with Maryland license tags FYW-097, has never been recovered. Foul play is suspected in Bernadette’s disappearance. Someone out there knows the truth about what happened to Bernadette.

If you have any information concerning my sister, please contact: Baltimore County Police Department at 410-887-3943
NCIC Number: M-216199238

Perder De Maryland:

Bernadette Stevenson Caruso

Mi hermana Bernadette, la edad 23 desaparecido en el 27 de septiembre de 1986 de Baltimore, Maryland 21222. Bernadette se separó de su marido, Michael Caruso, también conocido como Paul Michael Caruso, un policía anterior de Condado de Baltimore. Michael Caruso se había despedido de la Policía de Condado de Baltimore. Había habido una historia de la violencia doméstica y Bernadette tuvo la custodia de su de 3 años de edad hija Nicole hasta una vista de la custodia. Nicole visitaba con su padre y sus padres el fin de semana Bernadette desapareció. Bernadette era una hermana maravillosa, el amigo y la madre. Yo no puedo comenzar a decirle lo que su desaparición ha hecho a nuestra familia. Alguien fuera aquí sabe lo que ha sucedido a mi hermana. Nosotros nunca renunciaremos tratar de averiguar que la verdad acerca de lo que sucedió a Bernadette. No un día va por que nosotros no la perdemos.

Bernadette Stevenson Caruso

Manquer Puisque : Le 27 septembre, 1986 du Comté de Baltimore, Maryland

Classification :
Manquer en danger
Date de naissance : 1963 Age : 23 Poids de 5’4 de Hauteur d’années : 190lbs

Caractéristiques distinctives : Les cheveux bruns ; les yeux verts

Les détails de Disparition
Bernadette était le dernier partir Magasin de Bijouterie de Shaws vu dans la Galerie Marchande de Eastpoint dans le Comté de Baltimore, Maryland le 27 septembre, 1986. Bernadette avait obtenu du travail au magasin de bijouterie et a été vu entrant sa voiture dans l’aire de stationnement de la galerie marchande à approximativement 5:05 DU SOIR ce jour. Bernadette avait déposé son salaire dans son compte en banque ce jour. Elle était cense sortir avec les amis cette nuit. Elle n’est jamais montré et n’a jamais été entendue d’encore. Ceci est totalement du caractère pour Bernadette. Son véhicule, un 1982 Cavalier de Chevrolet vert fatigué avec le permis de Maryland étiquette FYW-097, n’a jamais été retrouvé. La pièce dégoutante est soupçonnée dans la disparition de Bernadette. Quelqu’un là-bas sait hors que la vérité de ce qu’est arrivée à Bernadette.

If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane,

I would walk a hundred miles to bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye,

you were gone before I knew it and only God knows why.

~Author unknown

Keep My Memory

Keep my memory with you,
For memories never die;
I will be there with you,
When you look across the sky.
I will be there in the clouds,
In the birds that fill the air;
In the beauty of a fragrant rose,
You will find my memory there.
You will feel me in the tenderness,
Of a tiny baby’s touch;
You will hear me if you listen,
In the twilight’s gentle hush.
When your hearts are heavy,
And you feel that you are alone;
Just reach down deep inside of you,
For your heart is now my home.
I will always be with you,
I will never go away;
For I will live on in your hearts,
Forever and a day.

When All Is Said

When all is said, when all is done
I will remember you with love.

When all is said, when all is done
You will be in my heart forever.

You’re the thread that weaves my soul.
When the fire turns to ember

And the grass has turned to gold.
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

When all is said, when all is done,
I will remember you.

Remember you with love.

You have touched my life so deeply
I know it, can’t take away the truth.

And I still love you completely,
There’s not a day that passes I don’t think of you.

I feel you in the morning when I waken
Don’t fight it, it’s just the way it is

And I sigh into the silence, my heart is breaking
I still see your face And all the love you give.

Yet time has found new meaning
Cause no matter where you are
You are held within the rhythm of my heart.

Don’t Think I Do Not Grieve

Don’t think I do not feel;
because you see no tears.
A river rages deep inside
of grief, and loss, and fears.

Just because I do not cry now,
don’t think my heart’s not broken.
I keep inside the misery
of words not to be spoken.

Sometimes I smile, or crack a joke,
so you won’t see the pain;
or notice how my hands will shake,
or how I’ve gone insane.

Each time I chance to think of her,
my heart is ripped asunder.
The loss I feel is mine alone.
you will not see my thunder.

by Brenda Penepent

For The Love Of Bernadette

A Tree For Bernadette

A Tree For Bernadette…

For the love of Bernadette, 2009

Bernadette Stevenson Caruso Disappeared September 27, 1986

Missing Since: September 27, 1986 from Baltimore County, Maryland

Classification:Endangered Missing

Date Of Birth: 1963 Age: 23 years

Height 5’4 Weight:190lbs

Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown hair; green eyes

If you have any information concerning my sister, please contact: Baltimore County Police Department at 410-887-3943 NCIC Number: M-216199238

Perder De Maryland:

Bernadette Stevenson Caruso

Bernadette Stevenson Caruso

Manquer Puisque : Le 27 septembre, 1986 du Comté de Baltimore, Maryland

Classification : Manquer en danger Date de naissance : 1963 Age : 23 Poids de 5’4 de Hauteur d’années : 190lbs

Caractéristiques distinctives : Les cheveux bruns ; les yeux verts

If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane,

I would walk a hundred miles to bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye,

you were gone before I knew it and only God knows why.

~Author unknown

If you have any information concerning my sister, please contact: Baltimore County Police Department at 410-887-3943
NCIC Number: M-216199238

Classification :
Manquer en danger
Date de naissance : 1963 Age : 23 Poids de 5’4 de Hauteur d’années : 190lbs