It was on this day 11-years ago the call came.."Get to Martinsville right away, there's an arrest in the Carol Jenkins Murder Case!" Kenneth Clay Richmond was charged after 33-years of tears and frustration. Carol's family would learn Richmond's own daughter lived with the secret.
That day, Carol Jenkins' family walked into court to face the man accused of the brutal killing of their daughter. It's an image permanently etched in my mind. There aren't words to adequately describe the atmosphere that day as tears streamed down Carol's father's face.
I'm reminded of that emotion with the developments in Cleveland, where three missing girls were found after 10-years in captivity. In both cases the families have endured incredible emotional suffering, waiting to find out what happened to their loved one. The not knowing and quest for answers year after year after year.
It is a miracle that the three women survived. They have a long road ahead of them. But today their families can set aside at least one burden. They now know something. For any parent, that's important. It doesn't explain the whys or take away the grieving over what has happened, but at least they can rest in getting truth.
Today as Carol's family walks through this day, my hope is there is some peace in knowing at least one of the men involved in their daughter's case admitted to police his involvement.
