Robert Manwill
July 26, 2002 -
July 15, 2002
On July 24, 2009 at
about 9:30pm, a little boy was reported missing.
Robert Manwill was
supposedly gone and his mother had no idea where he could be. This story
is very close to home, only about 40 miles from where I live. Once again,
the story had an ending that would shock everyone when police arrested
his mother and her boyfriend for his murder.
On August 19, 2009,
Daniel Ehrlick Jr. and Melissa Scott Jenkins were in court in Ada County,
in Boise Idaho, for an arraignment hearing. Both of these people had been
arrested the day before on first degree murder charges in the death of
Robert Manwill.
Melissa Scott Jenkins
was no stranger to legal trouble when it came to her children. In October
of 2008, after hitting her baby sons head on a hard surface, deliberately,
she was charged with a misdemeanor of injury to a child. The baby's skull
was fractured and for her crime, Melissa was fined $75.50 and given a 29
day sentence of work release as well as being put on probation for two
years. At that time, someone had the good sense to take the baby away from
her, she lost custody of her son.
The father of that
baby, Daniel Edward Ehrlick, had also had his troubles with the law. Charges
of burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia landed him in prison.
Daniel was also not allowed to be alone with Robert's half sister.
Charles Manwill,
Robert's biological father, has had custody of him since January of 2008.
Melissa had not been able to care for him, though she did have visitation
rights and Robert was with her the night he went missing.
Police had taken
possession of vehicles and other evidence from the home stating that all
appearances were pointing to Robert having been the victim of a "tragic
event". The yard of another South Boise home, which was a rental and occupied
by a friend of Daniel Ehrlick, was searched.
On August 3, 2009,
the body of a child was found floating in the New York Canal in Boise,
Idaho, on August 5, 2009, the child's body waspositively identified as
Robert Manwill.
Robert was described
as a "hugger" who had no problem hugging his teachers and friends:
"He was a sweet,
sweet boy, always wanting hugs, and hugging other kids"
Christy Morales
-Robert's second grade teacher
Robert spent most
of his time in New Plymouth, Idaho, with his father, Charles Manwill, though
he also spent time with his mother in Boise. A child who loved to wear
super hero T-shirts and loafers that were too big for him, he was funny
and was full of funny stories and comments. Christy said that he had a
"quirky" way of answering questions:
"He'd throw
out his hands and say, 'Wellllll ...He was very verbal that way. For his
age,
he was very
verbal. He'd go into these explanations"
At his school in
New Plymouth, a teaching assistant who helped Robert and some of his classmates
with math said Robert gave her a hug when he left the lunch room, every
day:
"He'd lean
his head on you, and say, 'I love you"
At the Meridian Speedway
in Meridian, Idaho, there was a moment of silence for Robert and his family,
before the cars started racing for the day. Drivers had put green ribbons
on their cars and Robert's Uncle, Kyle Burrill had a picture of him on
his car. Robert used to watch his Uncle race there.
"He loves it,
he loves racing"
Trish Burrill
- Robert's Aunt
Just a few hours
earlier, people had walked from the apartment complex where Robert had
last been seen alive, to the Vista Avenue bridge, in memory of Robert.
They walked over the New York Canal, a few miles from where Robert had
been found. The walk was done 11 times, one for each day that Robert had
been missing. The walkers said they wanted to show their support for Robert's
family:
"We talked
to the aunt and uncle yesterday, and the mom. It was really hard but we
wanted to show them that we're doing this for you"
Heather Fieseler
"It's sadness
for me, but it's also closure for the community"
Michelle Walker
On September 3, 2009,
Daniel Ehrlick and Melissa Jenkins both plead not guilty to first degree
murder in the death of Robert Manwill. Each of the defendants didn't say
a word during their hearing, not guilty pleas were entered for them, by
their lawyers. Judge Darla Williamson heard the pleas as both of them came
before her, separately.
The Grand Jury wrote
that Daniel was accused of severely beating Robert while Melissa watched,
doing nothing to stop him and then lied to cover up what had taken place.
The Grand Jury also found that Robert had been subjected to "escalating
physical violence" which eventually caused his death. Also in the findings
was information stating that Daniel had become violent towards Robert as
early as June of 2009, and that Melissa his Robert from Government authorities
and would not let him be seen by anyone so that they could not see he was
hurt.
The Grand Jury stated
that Daniel killed Robert by the "intentional application of torture"
and by "inflicting extreme or prolonged pain with the intent to cause suffering,
to execute vengeance, or to satisfy some sadistic inclination, by inflicting
repeated acts of blunt force trauma to the abdomen and/or head of Robert
Manwill." In their findings, they listed that Melissa had left Robert with
Daniel even though she knew what he was doing to him.
The state had until
October of 2009 to decide if they will seek the death penalty against Daniel
and Melissa. A hearing was set for November 5, 2009 which was when a trial
date would most likely be set. Daniel and Melissa waived their rights to
a speedy trial.
Robert's
Story
Go
back to Robert's memorial page
News
Stories And Updates
For information about
preventing child abuse in the state of Idaho, click the links below. If
they can't help you, ask for someone who can. NEVER give up looking
for help for an abused child!
Call this number
to report child abuse ANY WHERE in the United States!
1-800-4-A-Child
1-800-422-4453
   
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My sincerest appreciation goes out to
Diane Trembly for allowing me to use one
of her beautiful Angels to make the graphics
for this set. Please visit her site,
by clicking the link below, to see all
of her amazing work.
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