Coralrose's family strained Grandparents care for Fullwood siblings By HEATHER ALLEN heather.allen@heraldtribune.com From the outside looking in, they are a family that has broken at the seams. The events that upended Saul and Doreen VanderWoude's family started when their granddaughter, Coralrose Fullwood, was found dead near her North Port home more than a month ago. The 6-year-old's death put the family in the spotlight, but revelations about poor living conditions in the Fullwood home and the arrest of Dale Fullwood, Coralrose's father, on charges of possession of child pornography have kept it there. The twists have engrossed the public, leading the evening news and fueling speculation about the Fullwoods on Internet message boards. But behind the closed doors of the VanderWoudes' Fort Myers home, the family has tried to focus on what is left, not what is missing. "Our life was good prior to this," said Saul VanderWoude. "We need to ... just move on." The VanderWoudes are now raising their four surviving grandchildren, who were placed in their custody by the state. Only two months ago, the VanderWoudes had "too much time" on their hands. Now, their days are packed. Saul VanderWoude cooks for four more mouths and is constantly trying to keep up with the ever-accumulating pile of dirty laundry, which means doing at least two loads a day. Before, the VanderWoudes needed to use the washing machine only twice a week. Their electric bills and water bills are higher and they consume more gas, shuttling the children to and from school, Jewish school and doctor's appointments. They must also keep track of ongoing meetings with the Department of Children & Families, which placed the children in their home. "They have literally turned their lives upside down and inside out to have the kids live with them," said Marci Bartoe, the VanderWoudes' youngest daughter. "They put their lives on hold." For the retired couple in their 60s, keeping up with their grandchildren, who range in age from 4 to 12, is a challenge. Feeding and clothing them is the easy part, Saul VanderWoude said. Providing the emotional support the children need is more difficult. Not only have their lives been upended, but they are still trying to comprehend that their sister was killed. The court order that placed the Fullwood children with their grandparents also prohibits them from talking about details pertaining to the death of their sister. That, the VanderWoudes said, has hampered the grieving process for the entire family. "I think they understand it, but they are confused about it," Saul VanderWoude said. "I'm confused about it." Next week, the children will begin to see psychologists; their grandparents hope they will help them in coping with the death of their sister. There are still light moments in their home. One night, waffles -- topped with whipped cream -- were served for dinner as a reward for good behavior. On Thursday, while the older children were at school, Saul VanderWoude attempted to rationalize with the youngest Fullwood, who calls his grandfather "Dad." "I'm having that," the 4-year-old said, pointing to an item on the top shelf of the refrigerator. "What, this?" Saul VanderWoude asked. "Yeah." "That's half and half!" Saul VanderWoude said, laughing. "Get out of here." Indeed, the transition from grandparent to parent has been exhausting. But the hardest thing the VanderWoudes, who have been married 43 years, have encountered is listening to the harsh criticism of their family, especially of their daughter and Coralrose's mother, Ellen-Beth Fullwood. Some message board critics have labeled her a bad mother. And yet the VanderWoudes agree that the majority of people who have come into their lives have been good, counting each kind act as a blessing. Since the Coralrose Fund was established, there have been both a number of contributors and critics. The fund was set up a week after her death to help the family with expenses related to the children, such as food and clothes. Saul VanderWoude is still overwhelmed by one anonymous donation made to the memorial fund. It was for $2. "That $2 to some person could have been like $2,000," he said, choking up. "It really affects me. It just shows that people do care." Despite the nice things people do for the family, Saul VanderWoude said he braces every day for something bad to happen. Whenever he thinks it can't get any worse, it does. Dale Fullwood's arrest more than two weeks ago has put an additional strain on the family. Ellen-Beth Fullwood has since separated from her husband, said Bartoe, her sister. Meanwhile, Dale Fullwood remains in jail on $50,000 bail, and no one from the family has visited him. Saul VanderWoude, a former police officer, steadfastly defends his son-in-law, saying everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but the arrest has brought more scrutiny and criticism of the Fullwoods. Mothers at the bus stop in the family's North Port neighborhood said they were not surprised to hear of Dale Fullwood's arrest. The speculation, the VanderWoudes say, hurts the entire family. "People don't understand, it's a living nightmare is what it is," said Doreen VanderWoude. "Have compassion for these kids; they are the ones who need it." Meanwhile, the VanderWoudes say it's too painful to grieve and there are too many other things to focus on. Saul said he has learned a lot of lessons, but one sticks out. "I learned I wouldn't wish this on anyone." Last modified: October 30. 2006 3:38PM http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/NEWS/610300578/1006/SPORTS

Friday, Jan. 5, 2007 Police: Coralrose Fullwood was sexually assaulted Charlotte Sun-Herald Friday, January 5, 2007 North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis said in a press conference today that 6-year-old Coralrose Fullwood’s death did involve sexual assault and police are now looking for two suspects in her murder case, neither of whom are family members. He said there is evidence that more than one person was involved in her Sept. 17 murder and it is likely that she knew the suspects. Lewis said arrests will be coming, but he would not put a timeline on it. He added that still no one has been ruled out as a additional suspects and that still may include family members. Police have also set up a hotline number for people to call on the murder case. That number is (941) 429-7336. http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/jan/05/police_coralrose_fullwood_was_sexually_assaulted/?latest

January 05. 2007 11:55AM Police looking for non-family member in Coralrose killing By GINNY LAROE ginny.laroe@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- Police on Friday said they have a DNA profile of a non-family member who they say was involved in the killing of 6-year-old Coralrose Fullwood. The news comes nearly four months after the North Port first-grader was found dead in the woods two blocks from the family's home. Police said they have DNA evidence indicating at least one white male who may have been acquainted with Coralrose may be responsible for the slaying. Police also confirmed that she had been sexually assaulted. Dale Fullwood, Coralrose's father, is charged with two felony counts of possession of child pornography and had been the subject of rampant speculation within the community. But police never named him a suspect. Police refused to release any more details about how she died or where she was killed. North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis refused to answer any questions from the media. http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/BREAKING04/70105005

January 05. 2007 3:28PM Coralrose Fullwood homicide and case timeline STAFF REPORT Sept. 17 2 a.m. -- Dale Fullwood returns to his Calabash Lane home in North Port from his job as a bartender and checks in on his five children, including Coralrose, 6. He sees her sleeping. 7:15 a.m.-- Dale Fullwood goes to wake Coralrose and finds her missing. 7:55 a.m. -- The family calls police and reports Coralrose missing, along with a flower-print black comforter. Noon -- A resident walking a dog finds Coralrose in a wooded area behind a home under construction two blocks from the Fullwoods' house. Sept. 18 11 a.m. -- North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis announces that "no arrest is imminent" in the case and says it is being investigated as a homicide. 5:30 p.m. -- Armed with a court order, officials from the state Department of Children and Families take custody of four of the Fullwood children, who had been staying with their parents at their grandparents' Lee County home. Sept. 19 1:30 p.m. -- A hearing begins to determine who should have custody of the Fullwood children. In a court document, DCF says that Coralrose's death is "suspicious for abuse or neglect." After five hours of testimony, a judge gives Coralrose's grandparents custody of the four children, ages 4 to 12, saying the North Port home was "disgusting." Sept. 20 11 a.m. -- Police say they have impounded the Fullwoods' minivan. Lewis says a criminal profiler is assisting in the case. Also, an FDLE agent interviews Coralrose's four siblings. Later, Lewis says in an interview that information provided to DCF about the homicide was "nondescript" and "general." Sept. 21 11 a.m. -- Lewis says Coralrose died of "homicidal violence" and her body showed signs of "severe trauma." Preliminary results show no signs of sexual abuse. 6 p.m. -- Police release the Fullwoods' home back to the family after collecting evidence, but family members say they are staying with Dale Fullwood's brother in Cape Coral. Sept. 22 2 p.m. -- Detectives recheck a canal access off Cranberry Boulevard. Lewis won't say what they were looking for. Sept. 23 6 p.m. -- Dale Fullwood and stepson Seaton VanderWoude, 21, return to Calabash Lane home to videotape the conditions and assess damage they say police caused during their investigation. Fullwood denies any involvement in his 6-year-old’s death. He says he and his wife Ellen-Beth will move back into the home that week. Sept. 27 Dale Fullwood returned to work as a bartender in North Fort Myers. Sept. 28 A judge ruled against allowing Coralrose’s parents to have unsupervised visits with their children. In denying the Fullwoods’ request, Judge Rick De Furia said they haven't been cleared in the death of Coralrose. The judge also cited the ongoing investigation into the deplorable conditions in the North Port home. Oct. 1 Message attributed to Ellen-Beth Fullwood defending the family appears on a heraldtribune.com message board. Oct. 2 Ellen-Beth returns to the Fullwood home in North Port. The next day she returns to work as a speech therapist in Port Charlotte. Oct. 11 12:21 p.m. -- North Port police arrest Dale Fullwood on two counts of possession of child pornography and he is held at the Sarasota County Jail on $50,000 bond. Chief Lewis warns the community not to connect the arrest to the investigation into the girl’s death saying the charges are “incidental.” Oct. 13 A handwritten sign hangs on the family’s Calabash Lane home that says “DO NOT DISTURB.” Oct. 16 Seaton VanderWoude emails the Herald Tribune, stating that the North Port Police have bungled his sister’s death investigation and also said his stepfather Dale Fullwood was not involved with her death. Oct. 25 A public defender is appointed to represent Dale Fullwood in DCF proceedings. Oct. 27 North Port resident holds a candlelight vigil for Coralrose at the Fullwood’s Calabash Lane home. Few members of the community attend. Nov. 1 Ellen-Beth Fullwood reports to the North Port Police that tires on the family’s two vehicles were slashed. This was the third report she filed, detailing suspicious activity in the home. Nov. 6 Dale Fullwood pleads not guilty to the pornography charges. Nov. 29 A public defender is appointed to represent Ellen-Beth Fullwood in DCF proceedings. Nov. 30 Dale Fullwood’s bail is reduced from $50,000 to $10,000 Dec. 6 Dale Fullwood’s bail is reduced from $10,000 to $2,000 Dec. 7 Dale Fullwood is released from jail, but claims he does not know who paid his bond. By now, Ellen-Beth has moved to Lee County. Jan. 4 A trial date of July 16 is set for Dale Fullwood’s pornography case. Jan. 5 North Port Police say they have a DNA profile of a “non-family member” but did not clear anyone in the murder of Coralrose Fullwood. http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/BREAKING04/70105010

New information in Coral Rose murder Friday, January 5, 2007 Coral Rose's body was found Sept. 17, 2006.North Port police have introduced new information in the Coral Rose Fullwood investigation. In a press conference Friday morning, North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis announced new information surrounding the crime, including that 6-year-old Fullwood was sexually abused the day she died and possibly by more than one person. "We now have forensic evidence indicating that a sexual battery did in fact occur,'' Lewis said. "Physical evidence at the scene leads us to believe that more than one person was involved in this incident." Lewis would not elaborate on the sexual assault but did indicate DNA evidence may prove valuable in tracking down who is responsible for the assault and murder. In fact, Lewis said the DNA evidence has already yielded one valuable clue. "We now have a DNA profile on a non-family member as being involved in this crime," said Lewis. Although the DNA points to a non-family member, Lewis did add that it is likely Fullwood's killer knew her or knew of her. Anyone with any information is asked to call the North Port Police Department at (941) -429-7336. http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/1/5/212750.html?title=New+information+in+Coral+Rose+murder

Parents of slain girl agree to leave children with grandparents Sarasota, FL - The parents of a slain North Port girl today agreed to leave their four children in the custody the children's grandparents to avoid a public trial. Dale and Ellen-Beth Fullwood will work to complete a case management plan that outlines certain requirements each parent must satisfy before he or she can be reunited with the children. The Fullwoods' six-year-old daughter Coralrose was sexually assaulted and killed in September. The Department of Children and Families took the children out of the home the day after the body was found because of unsanitary conditions. Police have not named any suspects in Coralrose's slaying. But police have said that DNA found during the investigation cleared the Fullwoods of sexual battery charges. http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=48855

Fullwood children will remain with grandparents Thursday, February 8, 2007 Six-year-old Coralrose Fullwood was found dead near her home Sept. 17. The parents of a slain North Port girl have agreed to leave their four children in the custody of the children's grandparents. That means Dale and Ellen-Beth Fullwood avoid a dependency trial next week. Coralrose Fullwood's siblings have been with their grandparents in Lee County since the Department of Children and Families took them from their parents a day after their 6-year-old daughter was found dead in the woods near their home Sept. 17. Both parents are working on a plan to reunite with their children, but the process could take about a year. No one has been arrested in connection with the killing. Charlotte County police have also confirmed Fullwood was raped, but said DNA evidence shows a non-family member was the perpetrator. Meanwhile, Dale Fullwood is awaiting trial on two counts of possession of child pornography. http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/2/8/222170.html?title=Fullwood+children+will+remain+with+grandparents

Police hope increased reward leads to child's killer Last Edited: Thursday, 31 May 2007, 12:02 PM EDT Created: Thursday, 31 May 2007, 12:01 PM EDT NORTH PORT – Since 6-year-old Coralrose Fullwood was found murdered near her North Port home in September, police have had a hard time putting together the pieces of what happened to her. But on Thursday, detectives announced new information in the case. They say they now have over 300 leads in the case—but they still haven't made an arrest. Now, they plan to increase the reward by asking for private donations. Some have speculated that the efforts may indicate the case has gone cold, but Chief Terry Lewis says that's not the case. "I think we were on about 10 different avenues-- we've narrowed it down from that, and there are people of interest. We've narrowed it down from that--and there are people of interest, and I'm still confident we're making progress in the case everyday," said Chief Lewis. The little girl's body was found in a wooded area near her home in September. Investigators say she had been sexually assaulted and murdered. DNA evidence recovered from the scene of the crime doesn't match that of any of Coralrose's relatives, but detectives still refuse to rule anyone in or out in the case. Coralrose's parents also lost custody of her siblings after detectives saw the filthy conditions inside their home during the investigation. The couple is now going through a divorce, and the father is facing a separate case involving child pornography that was found on his computer. On Wednesday, Ellen Fullwood found out that she'll regain custody of her four remaining children. "I am ecstatic," she said. "There's still one missing, so I get four back instead of five." Fullwood says her children will be returning to her home on Friday. They had been in the custody of their grandparents, who live in the Ft. Myers area. Anyone with information about the murder of Coralrose Fullwood should contact the North Port Police Department http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=3362253&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

"Several open leads" in Coralrose Fullwood murder case North Port, Florida – Despite solid DNA evidence, there are still no suspects in the year-long investigation into 6-year-old Coralrose Fullwood’s murder, North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis said Monday. On September 17, 2006, a neighbor found the kindergartner’s body two blocks from her home. Investigators say she was sexually assaulted before she was killed. “We’ve got a lot of pieces in the mosaic. We just need a few more to put the whole picture together,” Lewis explained at a news conference Monday. Profilers say DNA evidence found at the crime scene and on Coralrose’s body point to a killer who knew the area and, at the very least, was an acquaintance of Coralrose. Profilers say there was probably more than one person involved in the murder and at least one of them, DNA shows, was a white male. In the last year, Lewis says, investigators have conducted more than 1,000 interviews and looked into about 500 leads. “Several of those leads are still open,” he added. And, he stressed, this case is far from cold, citing 15 new interviews last week alone. “Every day, there is a group of investigators that comes to work with one mission. That is to solve this crime and put the people responsible for the murder of this beautiful six-year-old girl in jail for the rest of their lives.” Investigators have solid DNA evidence, but have yet to match it to anyone, including Coralrose’s father. Dale Fullwood was charged with two counts of child pornography possession after police found two videos on his computer that showed a child being sexually assaulted. In July, he was sentenced to a year in jail. “We have never cleared Fullwood, nor have we identified Mr. Fullwood as a suspect. I’d like to leave it at that,” Lewis said. He added that Fullwood’s DNA does not match the DNA found at the murder scene. Still, investigators are hoping new leads come out of North Fort Myers, where Fullwood used to work. One of two billboards is being erected there, asking people with information in the case to call a tip line. Lewis says Fullwood used to work at Master Sports Café, a sports bar on Cleveland Avenue in North Fort Myers, which has since closed. Investigators want to speak with anyone who may have frequented that bar – or bars in the area – last summer. The other billboard is in North Port near I-75. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the North Port Police Department at: 941-426-3111. You can also call 1-800-780-TIPS. Chief Lewis also invites all parents to visit the website for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It contains information on how to keep your children safe, including the identification tools you should have for your child. Janie Porter, Tampa Bay's 10 News Originally Posted on 9/17/2007 4:51:05 PM Last Updated on 9/17/2007 5:12:12 PM http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?s=rss&storyid=63479

Suspect arrested in Coralrose Fullwood murder case Last Edited: Created: NORTH PORT – Police say they finally know who killed Coralrose Fullwood, but it’s still unclear why the convicted felon did it. At a 10 a.m. news conference, North Port police announced Patrick D. Murphy, 27, is the man who kidnapped, raped, and killed the 6-year-old girl in September 2006. North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis said, "We were more concerned about getting it right than doing it fast. I think we can all look you in the eye today and say we got it right." Lewis said Murphy’s DNA, tested at the FDLE lab in Tampa, matched DNA found on the girl's body. Lewis credited the state laws that allow DNA testing on all convicted felons. “Without that enhancement, without every felon being DNA tested and put into the database, we wouldn’t have been able to get the break in this case,” Lewis added. Murphy was already in prison at Hardee County Correctional Institution since January on burglary and theft charges. Police transferred him to the Sarasota County jail, where he’s now charged with first degree murder, rape and kidnapping. Investigators say he is not talking. Lewis says more arrests are possible, "At this point, we believe other people may be involved in this case. The case is certainly not closed." Lewis asked anyone with information to call North Port police’s Coralrose hotline at 941-429-7336, or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS to remain anonymous. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information. The girl’s father, Dale Fullwood, is currently being held at the Jackson Correctional Institution in Malone, Fla. for violating his probation on child pornography charges. He was never named as a suspect in this case. “At this point, we’ve found no connection to the Fullwood family,” Lewis said. Coralrose’s mother spoke briefly after the news conference. "I'm grateful that we've gotten to this point, finally," said Ellen Beth Fullwood. "My daughter is not coming back." Fullwood added, "I don't understand how anybody could hurt a child in any way, especially this way." She also said she didn’t recognize the suspect. Ray Collins was at the news conference. He will have more on this story on FOX 13 at 5 and 6. http://www.myfoxorlando.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=9331EF2300230F34F3D05F30402028D0?contentId=7186740&version=11&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1