Samantha Runnion
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Samantha Bree Runnion (July 26, 1996–July 15, 2002) was a girl who was kidnapped, sexually abused and killed by a man who allegedly lured her from her front yard by telling her he had lost his dog.
Her body was found the following day by a couple who were jogging near Ortega Highway in Riverside County, California. That same day, police apprehended a suspect. After the discovery, vigils were held which were attended by several thousand people. Samantha, a resident of Stanton, California, was about to turn six when she died.
A southern california man named Alejandro Avila was arrested and subsequently convicted (2005) for the crime. Avila had previously been to the apartment complex in 1998 and 1999 where the Runnions lived as his ex-girlfriend's daughter had also lived there. His relationship with the woman ended in 2000. He had also been charged in 2001 with molesting his nine year old daughter and other girl but was acquitted. Avila was not on the California Sex Offenders Register as he had not been convicted of any offences. On May 16, 2005 the jury recommended that he receive the death penalty.
The Joyful Child Foundation was established in her memory. It aims to facilitate the development of child watch programs in local communities through the US through the Samantha's Pride program. In addition, it also seeks to encourage research and development into the psyche of predators and develop communication programs for parents and children.
See also
External references
- The Joyful Child Foundation (http://www.thejoyfulchild.org/)
- About.com Crime article on the Runnion case (http://crime.about.com/od/current/p/runnion.htm/)
- CNN article on abduction and arrest of Avila (http://archives.cnn.com/2002/US/07/19/girl.abducted/)
- Orange County Register section on Avila trial (http://www.ocregister.com/local/2005/avila/) - Registration required