Community Corner

'America's Most Wanted' Host to Speak About Child Safety

Sunday event to raise funds for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

For 18 years, John List was a fugitive, fleeing police capture after murdering his wife, three children and mother in their Westfield home. A 1989 airing of the then fledging television show“America’s Most Wanted” brought in the tips that led to the capture of List, who had been living under an assumed name in Virginia.

The man who helped bring List to justice will be speaking at the on Sunday, in an effort to raise funds for theNational Center for Missing and Exploited ChildrenJohn Walsh, the host of “America’s Most Wanted” and a co-founder of the NCMEC, will be speaking on child safety and crime prevention during the event.

“We’ll have the ability to learn about all the really great things (the NCMEC) is doing on behalf of kids and families,” event co-organizer Paul Hewett said. “It is really a resource for families and the kids and law enforcement.”

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Hewett, who is organizing the fundraiser with Drew Ertman, said the idea came from Ertman’s friendship with Walsh’s publicist and the knowledge of Walsh’s national crusade for child safety, following the 1981 murder of his son, Adam. Hewett said as he and Ertman researched the work of the NCMEC, they found an issue that they were committed to raising funds for.

“John Walsh is a guy that has international brand name recognition,” Hewett said. “You will have the ability to enjoy listening to a remarkable person who has dedicated the last 30 years of his life to helping children and the victims of violent crimes.”

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Walsh was a hotel management executive in South Florida when his life changed on July 27, 1981. His son, Adam, was abducted from a Hollywood, Fla. Sears, with his decapitated head found 16 days following the abduction. The case was not solved until 2008, when deceased serial killer Ottis Toole was determined to have killed Adam Walsh.

Following his son’s death, Walsh and his wife, Reve, created the Adam Walsh Child Resource Center, which later merged with the NCMEC. In addition to hosting “America’s Most Wanted” since 1988, Walsh has helped pass three pieces of legislation through Congress and is a part owner of the Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington, along with speaking around the country on child safety and crime issues. 

Hewett said Sunday’s event has no corporate sponsors and has been a way for the Westfield community to support the NCMEC. With two child luring attempts last September  and, Hewett said the issue has been at the forefront of the community in recent months.

“There are some near misses that are fresh on the minds of parents in the community,” he said. “There are probably a whole host of circumstances where kids may be exploited that we as parents would never even think of. I would imagine that John will touch on a number of those risk exposures to our kids. I would imagine that it would be a pretty eye opening experience for all parents.”

Hewett said that the event has been warmly received by members of the Westfield community. With 800 seats in the Presbyterian Church, he imagines the church being filled to learn about child safety.

He said Walsh’s connection to has served as a way to bring people into the event.

“A lot of people remember John for his on ‘America’s Most Wanted’ and finding John List,” Hewett said. “Up until that time the show was teetering along with mixed success and they ran the John List profile and within a couple weeks found him. That is what put ‘America’s Most Wanted’ on the map and solidified John as a legitimate source for putting bad people away and focusing on kids’ safety.”

Hewett said that in addition that can be purchased at Turning Point, tickets are available at the door to the event. The event starts at 7 p.m. on Sunday at het Presbyterian Church on Mountain Avenue and tickets are $20.

Hewett said he hopes people leave with the information they need on child safety issues.

“This is us creating an awareness in the community,” he said. “Having the tools in the toolbox that will protect our kids.”


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