The discovery of three missing women in Cleveland, Ohio Monday is giving hope to family and friends of missing persons from Iowa. Erin Pospisil of Cedar Rapids was 15 when she disappeared in June 2001. Twelve years later, her grandmother – Joan Minney – is still handing out missing person cards, hoping someone will remember something that will bring Erin home.
“Erin could be right here in Cedar Rapids and anything you notice that seems out of place in the neighborhood…that could be someone needing your help and that could be Erin this time,” Minney said.
Jennifer Puetsch of Dubuque is also feeling a renewed sense of hope. Her sister, Crystal Arensdorf, has been missing for almost 12 years. She was last seen July 3rd, 2001 at Knicker’s Saloon in Dubuque.
Puetsch is feeling many different emotions, especially since the Ohio women were found so close to home. “When I think about that I just want to go start pounding on doors and breaking doors in,” Puetsch said.
“You can’t do that, because not everybody is like that. But it does give you hope that…what if she is just across the street?” Police say the three women found alive Monday in Cleveland were held captive in a home for roughly a decade.
A six-year-old girl, apparently born to one of the women while in captivity, was also rescued. Three suspects, all brothers, are in custody.
By Katie Wiedemann, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids