Help needed to find children

There isn't anyone who isn't wishing for the safe return of Groene children — Shasta, 8, and Dylan, 9 — who are missing after the brutal murders of their mother, Brenda Kay Groene, 40 , brother Slade Groene, 13, and Mark Edward McKenzie, 37, their mother's boyfriend.

Shasta is 3-foot-10 and 40 pounds with long auburn hair and hazel eyes, and Dylan Groene is 4 feet and 60 pounds, with a blond crewcut and blue eyes.

While a tip from a Bonners Ferry businessman had everyone hoping the siblings may have been spotted, it unfortunately didn't pan out. That doesn't mean we should give up.

Instead, we should do the opposite — be even more vigilant, even more watchful and even more determined. If you seen anything that seems out of place, hear something or see someone that resembles the youngsters or whoever committed the slayings, call the police immediately.

And, in the meantime, pray for their safe return.

Anyone with information on the two missing children is asked to call the tip line at (208) 446-2292 or (208) 446-2293.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Bonner County Daily Bee.