Fathers search for missing girls
Nearly 800,000 children are reported missing in the United States every year. Some are abducted by family members; others by strangers.
Robert Cooke and Greg Allen are united by such tragic circumstances.
"We both have a daughter that's missing that we love very much," Cooke said.
Rachel Cooke was kidnapped while jogging and Sabrina Allen was abducted by her non-custodial mother. Even though the circumstances are different these fathers share a common pain.
"I called him up one day just to say, 'You don't know me but unfortunately we have some things in common,'" Allen said.
That's why Cooke helped with the Walk for Sabrina, a community event to raise money for Sarbina Allen's search.
"Greg supported us in many of the events … I just wanted to come and show our support," Cooke said.
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Both Cooke and Allen have reached out to other families in their shoes.
"The Hornbecks, their kid is missing out of Missouri and actually Lacy Peterson's family Web site has added a link to Sabrina and Rachel," Allen said.
Web sites are a vital source of communication for families looking for missing loved ones. They serve a dual purpose, not only do they get the word out about search efforts but they also provide a source of moral support.
"There is, Robert calls it, a club no parents want to belong to ," said Elaine Cooke-Hettenhausen.
That's why websites like
FindSabrina.org and
Rachelcookesearch.org have links and resources to other search efforts.
"Because it helps us to know we're helping someone else through this tragedy," Cooke-Hettenhausen said.
Both on and offline, these two fathers are finding comfort while they attempt to find their daughters.