MT ARDEN PEPION: Missing from Browning, MT - 22 April 2021 - Age 3

Search underway near Browning for missing 3-year old girl

www.kpax.com

Search underway near Browning for missing 3-year old girl​

Early Friday, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services posted an "attempt to locate" message for three-year old Arden Pepion. The alert says that she was last seen on Thursday at about 7 p.m. in the vicinity of Joe Show East Road off of US Highway 89. Arden was last seen wearing a purple jacket with a a unicorn design on the front, a grey under-sweater, black leggings, and black boots with green trim.

Law enforcement officers, tribal leaders, and volunteers are searching the area, some on horseback.


(UPDATE, 12:17 p.m.) Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services says that it and several other law enforcement agencies are coordinating the search for Arden. They also said that they are thankful for the public’s assistance in the search, but at this time do not need additional search crews. A separate phone number will be posted later for the public to call into for more information. Joe Show East road is temporarily closed for through traffic.

(UPDATE, 4:35 p.m.) The Montana Department has issued a formal Missing-Endangered Person Advisory for Arden, at the request of the Blackfeet Tribal Police Department.





MEDIA - ARDEN PEPION: Missing from Browning, MT since 22 April 2021 - Age 3

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Donations needed in continued search for 3-year-old Arden Pepion

To help in their efforts the rescue team is asking for a number of donations including a boat, a trailer and three way radios.

www.kulr8.com

The Blackfeet Search and Rescue team has poured countless resources into their search for Arden.

The team found footprints leading to the Two Medicine River, along with a boot belonging to the three-year-old, directing them to search along the river.

To help in their efforts, the rescue team is asking for a number of donations including a boat, a trailer and three way radios.

Cinda Burd-Ironmaker, a member with the search and rescue team, says Arden is not the only person missing on the Blackfeet Reservation. She hopes people understand missing Indigenous people is a prevalent issue in the country.

Cinda says they could also use smaller items like perishable foods, water packs, bug spray or even bear spray.

 

[FightingCrime247]

Two Medicine River

river in the United States of America

maps.roadtrippers.com

According to this article, the river is 60 miles long I don't know exactly at what point along the river they believe she went in but that is a lot of ground to cover either way. Also, wondering at what point would she float up if she were in the water, so sad, way too many kids being lost to tragedy these days.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Thursday marks three months since Arden Pepion disappearance

The Blackfeet tribal prosecutor’s office said no human remains have been located in connection with the case.

ravallirepublic.com

Thursday marks three months since Arden Pepion disappearance​

Thursday marks the three-month anniversary of Arden Pepion’s disappearance, and there still is little in the way of answers about what happened to her on the night of April 22.

Arden, who was 3 when she went missing, vanished from the Blackfeet Reservation in the area surrounding Joe Show East off U.S. Highway 89 South.

Although arrests were made in connection with the case last month, Arden’s family is still largely without closure. The Blackfeet tribal prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday no human remains have been located in connection with the case.

Recent search efforts have been driven by a small group of local residents. The group serves as Arden’s search and rescue team, Arden's mother, Arbana Pepion, said Wednesday. It is called “Holding Hope.”

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Arden Pepion missing girl case escalated to federal level

This week, Lydia Lerma, a MMIP advocate, was able to alert Operation Lady Justice, the Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives to Arden's case.

www.fairfieldsuntimes.com

Arden Pepion missing girl case escalated to federal level​

The case of a missing girl on Montana's Blackfeet Reservation has been escalated to the U.S. Department of Justice for further investigation.


Earlier this week, Lydia Lerma, a family advocate, was contacted by Arbana Pepion, Arden’s mother, hoping Lerma’s foundation could connect her with resources to further investigate the case.

The foundation, started and directed by Lerma, works with and advocates for survivors of sexual abuse and families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons cases.

Following her talk with Arbana, Lerma reached out to Operation Lady Justice, the Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. While the task force itself does not review or investigate cases, it serves as an agency to connect families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People with federal agents.

Apart from Arden’s young age, Lerma said this case was striking because there are so many leads that point in such different directions. After gathering a host of information through the foundation’s case investigators, Lerma said her team thought the case would be best handled at a federal level.

On Thursday, Lerma reported to the Missoulian she received confirmation Arden’s case is in the hands of federal agents. The unit chief of the task force, Marcelino Toersbigns, told Lerma the case had reached "the highest levels in Washington, D.C."

 

[Whatsnext]

Why, in this case, there 's no such a 'circus' like in Summer's case ? Maybe because in Summer 's case there is more known about the criminal background of some of the involved persons? Not trying to be smart, I really want to know
ETA and I am really not smart, lol

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Why, in this case, there 's no such a 'circus' like in Summer's case ? Maybe because in Summer 's case there is more known about the criminal background of some of the involved persons? Not trying to be smart, I really want to know
ETA and I am really not smart, lol

It should be, IMO. Not a circus, but more attention.
The man that took Arden shooting, or whatever he was doing, in the snow, at night...has plenty of holes in his story. Including LEAVING THE AREA without her and WAITING 5-6 HOURS to notify LE.
Plus, there have been assaults and intimidation with guns on those searching the area. Seems pretty "circus-y", yet still very little attention.
But she's a little Native American girl on a reservation. Not a blonde haired blue eyed darling.

 

[Whatsnext]

It should be, IMO. Not a circus, but more attention.
The man that took Arden shooting, or whatever he was doing, in the snow, at night...has plenty of holes in his story. Including LEAVING THE AREA without her and WAITING 5-6 HOURS to notify LE.
Plus, there have been assaults and intimidation with guns on those searching the area. Seems pretty "circus-y", yet still very little attention.
But she's a little Native American girl on a reservation. Not a blonde haired blue eyed darling.

I was hoping for a different answer, but to be honest I expected this .
It's not fair, but it's the reality right now .

 

[kdg411]

Why, in this case, there 's no such a 'circus' like in Summer's case ? Maybe because in Summer 's case there is more known about the criminal background of some of the involved persons? Not trying to be smart, I really want to know
ETA and I am really not smart, lol

There 'could' be an MSM frenzy around this case if they chose to. However @SheWhoMustNotBeNamed is absolutely spot on. Here, the stereotype leads, unfortunately. All missing children deserve equal coverage.

 

[Kimster]

There 'could' be an MSM frenzy around this case if they chose to. However @SheWhoMustNotBeNamed is absolutely spot on. Here, the stereotype leads, unfortunately. All missing children deserve equal coverage.

I don’t understand it because she’s absolutely adorable!

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Rewards offered in the cases of Arden Pepion and Leo Wagner

Both have been missing since late April

www.krtv.com

On Monday, July 26, the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council approved a resolution offering a reward of $10,000 in each case.

The resolution for Arden says: "The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council hereby establishes a reward in the amount of $10,000 for information leading to the location of Arden Pepion." The resolution in the Wagner case says the same thing.

Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services said during a news conference in late May that Pepion was last seen with her non-custodial uncle. Blackfeet Reservation Police Chief Jess Edwards said at the time that “based on the totality of circumstances,” officials do not believe Arden was abducted. A formal search lasted 10 days, but was only able to find footprints leading to the Two Medicine River and a boot believed to be hers in the river. The search since has since been scaled back, but people continue to volunteer to search for her.

 

[FightingCrime247]

Two charged in connection with disappearance of 3-year-old Arden Pepion

BROWNING, Mont. - Missing 3-year-old Arden Pepion’s uncle, HaHaax Vielle, and his girlfriend, Kimberly Higgins have been charged in connection with her disappearance.

www.montanarightnow.com

Why would they wait 5 hours to report her missing? It is so sad all of these children that are going missing because of irresponsible adults that are supposed to be watching and protecting them.

 

[Kimster]

Two charged in connection with disappearance of 3-year-old Arden Pepion

BROWNING, Mont. - Missing 3-year-old Arden Pepion’s uncle, HaHaax Vielle, and his girlfriend, Kimberly Higgins have been charged in connection with her disappearance.

www.montanarightnow.com

Why would they wait 5 hours to report her missing? It is so sad all of these children that are going missing because of irresponsible adults that are supposed to be watching and protecting them.

It’s the “responsible “ part of your question that is missing in this case in my opinion.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Just re-reading through this thread and caught this... In a small area such as this, they're likely related. (I've read elsewhere that they are, but have no link to provide so cannot call it a fact.) The police sergeant / lead investigator and your main suspect / last person seen with Ardie.

The search continues for Arden Pepion as of Saturday morning. Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services (BLES) is requesting that volunteer searchers sign in with Sgt. Vielle at the command post on Joe Show Road East just above TJ Show’s residence before searching. BLES explained that this is a coordinated effort and they need to maintain locations of all searchers.

On April 22, Arden was supposed to be in the care of Arbana’s mother. Instead, she was believed to be with a family friend who was not her guardian, Arbana said.

His name is HaHaax Vielle.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

St. Mary Lake to close 9 days for search

Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services announced Monday that St. Mary Lake will be closed for nine days while officials conduct a search of the lake. According to a Facebook post, it's a search and recovery effort for a missing person. The closure runs Aug. 19-27. The Chewing Black Bones boat dock...

nbcmontana.com

St. Mary Lake to close 9 days for search
Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services announced Monday that St. Mary Lake will be closed for nine days while officials conduct a search of the lake.

According to a Facebook post, it's a search and recovery effort for a missing person.

The closure runs Aug. 19-27.

Just over a week ago the Blackfeet Tribe offered two separate $10,000 rewards for information leading to the location of Arden Pepion or Leo Wagner. Both have been missing on the reservation since April. It is unknown if the closure is related to either of these missing persons cases.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Babysitter of missing girl, 3, says he was practicing shooting gun when she disappeared

The 3-year-old's family and community are still looking for answers and justice after she went missing on April 22.

www.today.com

3-year-old Indigenous girl still missing 4 months later as community continues search​

A 3-year-old girl's unsolved disappearance is highlighting the lack of resources available to Indigenous communities, where women and girls often go missing or are killed and never get any justice.

Arden Pepion went missing from a remote area on Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana in late April and still hasn't been found. The man babysitting Arden at the time claimed she disappeared while he was practicing shooting his gun near a river. He has been charged with negligent endangerment and child neglect. He has pleaded not guilty and is out on bond.

Police believe the little girl went into the water, Arden's father, Aaron Pepion told NBC News' Morgan Radford. Since the disappearance, only her coat and boot have surfaced, he said. After a formal search lasting 10 days finished without finding Arden, the community took matters into its own hands and formed its own search party, still ongoing.

Tawna Bradford, another search volunteer, added: “We have no other resources. We have no other help. Just each other. And that's what we use.”

The searchers told Radford that it is “very common” to know someone personally who's gone missing.

“As Native Americans, we're forgotten,” Bradford said. “They don't follow up with our issues. They don't follow up with our missing. If you're murdered here, missing, they do their search of whatever they need to do, and that's it. That's the end of it.”

In 2020, Native Americans made up 10% of active missing cases, though they only make up 1.3% of the population, NBC News reported. On some reservations across the United States, Native American women are murdered at a rate more than 10 times the national average, according to the United States Department of Justice.

Pepion said he believes his daughter’s disappearance would have received more support from authorities had she not been Native American.

 

[kdg411]

The Blackfeet Nation community is planning a large search for missing 3-year-old Arden Pepion this weekend.

Arden, who was 3 when she went missing April 22, vanished in the area surrounding Joe Show East off U.S. Highway 89 South.

Arden would have turned 4 on the day of the search. The event is slated to last all day, running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 5.

Blackfeet community plans Sunday search for missing 3-year-old

Arden Pepion would have turned 4 on the day of the search. The event is slated to last all day, running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 5.

helenair.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Blackfeet community concludes last formal search for Arden Pepion

BROWNING, Mont. - On Sept. 5, we celebrated Arden Pepion's fourth Birthday. Before hitting the trails for the last formal search, volunteers and Arden's parents took some time to honor

www.montanarightnow.com

Blackfeet community concludes last formal search for Arden Pepion​

Today we celebrate Arden Pepion's fourth birthday, the young girl who went missing back in April. Before hitting the trails for the last formal search, volunteers and Arden's parents took some time to honor this special day.

After a few words by Aaron and Arbana Pepion, the people took some time to pray for Arden and the Pepion family.

More than 20 volunteers hopped on their horses to check near the highways and down by the river awaiting to find a clue leading to Arden's finding.

This was the biggest turnout for Arden's search and some people say seeing the community stand together on this special day was a good feeling.

"It's really overwhelming you know, because the crazy dogs they sang songs for her, and they prayed. We had balloons and we let them go, and you know it was overwhelming to me and I really appreciate what they did for today," said Irene Pepion, Arden's grandmother.


Unfortunately, nothing was found in today's last formal search, but some people say they will continue to search on their own until Arden comes home.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Man pleads guilty, sentenced for Arden Pepion disappearance

HaHaax Vielle was given a nine-month suspended sentence.

missoulian.com

Man pleads guilty, sentenced for Arden Pepion disappearance​

A man pleaded guilty Tuesday in Blackfeet Tribal Court to negligent endangerment and was sentenced in relation to Arden Pepion’s disappearance.

Pepion, who would now be 4, disappeared April 22 in the area surrounding Joe Show East off U.S. Highway 89 South.

HaHaax Vielle was given a nine-month suspended sentence — he will serve the nine months on house arrest, Blackfeet Tribal Prosecutor Josh Lamson said. Vielle accepted responsibility for the loss of Arden and admitted that he did not exercise the appropriate care for someone of Arden’s age.

"It's a tragic event all the way around," Lamson said.

He will also have to pay a $1,000 fine, with half of that amount suspended. Vielle is permitted to travel to work, Lamson said, and will be supervised by probation. He was represented by the Blackfeet Tribal Defender’s Office.


Vielle and his girlfriend, Kimberly Higgins, searched for several hours, and then his girlfriend called law enforcement to report her disappearance, he said.

Initially, Higgins was charged with one count of accountability for failing to notify authorities in a reasonable amount of time after becoming aware that a young child was missing in dangerous conditions. Her charges have been dropped as part of the plea agreement, Lamson said.


Family members of Arden’s read victim impact statements at Tuesday’s hearing.

Diana Burd has been helping Arden’s parents and family with search efforts and was with the family after Tuesday’s hearing adjourned.

“It’s a hard pill to swallow,” Burd said, adding she thought the sentence would be harsher. “This was her life, Arden’s life. It’s not OK to just lose a kid.”

Arbana Pepion, Arden’s mom, said this does not feel like a step toward justice.

Search efforts in the Two Medicine River area to recover Arden are continuing as long as the weather permits, Burd said.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Man pleads guilty, sentenced for Arden Pepion disappearance

HaHaax Vielle was given a nine-month suspended sentence.

missoulian.com

Man pleads guilty, sentenced for Arden Pepion disappearance​

A man pleaded guilty Tuesday in Blackfeet Tribal Court to negligent endangerment and was sentenced in relation to Arden Pepion’s disappearance.

Pepion, who would now be 4, disappeared April 22 in the area surrounding Joe Show East off U.S. Highway 89 South.

HaHaax Vielle was given a nine-month suspended sentence — he will serve the nine months on house arrest, Blackfeet Tribal Prosecutor Josh Lamson said. Vielle accepted responsibility for the loss of Arden and admitted that he did not exercise the appropriate care for someone of Arden’s age.

"It's a tragic event all the way around," Lamson said.

He will also have to pay a $1,000 fine, with half of that amount suspended. Vielle is permitted to travel to work, Lamson said, and will be supervised by probation. He was represented by the Blackfeet Tribal Defender’s Office.


Vielle and his girlfriend, Kimberly Higgins, searched for several hours, and then his girlfriend called law enforcement to report her disappearance, he said.

Initially, Higgins was charged with one count of accountability for failing to notify authorities in a reasonable amount of time after becoming aware that a young child was missing in dangerous conditions. Her charges have been dropped as part of the plea agreement, Lamson said.


Family members of Arden’s read victim impact statements at Tuesday’s hearing.

Diana Burd has been helping Arden’s parents and family with search efforts and was with the family after Tuesday’s hearing adjourned.

“It’s a hard pill to swallow,” Burd said, adding she thought the sentence would be harsher. “This was her life, Arden’s life. It’s not OK to just lose a kid.”

Arbana Pepion, Arden’s mom, said this does not feel like a step toward justice.

Search efforts in the Two Medicine River area to recover Arden are continuing as long as the weather permits, Burd said.

Hmmm. So a few months and a slap on the hand... You lose a child or don't watch the child at minimum. Okay... Then you don't CALL for help when you realize... I don't know... One bad decision is one thing but then another CONSCIOUS decision.... And that's IF this is all it was.

I pray they do find her and perhaps more answers will also come then.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

'Have you seen me?': Arden Pepion

Montana Right Now is committed to helping find information on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People throughout the state. This month we’re launching our commitment to help find men, women and

www.montanarightnow.com

'Have you seen me?': Arden Pepion​

Montana Right Now is committed to helping find information on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People throughout the state. This month we’re launching our commitment to help find men, women and children who are listed under MMIP through the DOJ.

BROWNING, Mont. - Law enforcement are searching for a 4-year-old girl who has been missing sine April 21, 2021.

Arden Pepion is described as 3-feet tall, 31-pounds, has brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services at 406-338-4000.