An inside interview with the Chagrin Falls police officer assigned to the missing persons investigation of Archie Klatos.
Illustration by Police Sketch Artist Daniel Winfield
Deputy Howard's first lead on a missing person is simple: they're not missing. Furthermore, they're not in danger.
As he'd put it in his own words, "It's a waste of time exhausting our efforts when nobody is in need of our help." In our sit down interview with him, he displayed no concern over the possibility the case wouldn't be solved; he simply kept reassuring us that it would.
So you receive a file briefing: a 15 year old boy has been reported missing, you are responsible for finding him. What do you do first?
FIELDS I grab a cup of coffee. This kind of work requires a cool head.
And when you've finished with it?
FIELDS I throw it in the trash.
What was your first tactic on completing this investigation?
FIELDS To wait.
For what exactly, Mr. Fields?
FIELDS For him to turn up.
And what made you believe he would?
FIELDS They usually do in the first 72 hours.
And you expected him to?
FIELDS Sure. That's why it's the first step. Confirmation that he was actually missing.
Was that ever in question to begin with?
FIELDS It must always be in question. It's a waste of time exhausting our efforts when nobody is in need our help. We need our energy ready for when a real emergency is present.
Do you believe this is in fact a "real emergency," Mr. Fields?
FIELDS Absolutely not. Klatos was a teen of known criminal behavior, and as such should be treated as a last priority.
“It's a waste of time exhausting our efforts when nobody is in need of our help.”
Fields was equally as reluctant to discuss updates on the investigation as he was to reveal by what methods he was pursuing it. When I implored him about the much locally invested subject, my inquiries were treated with equal unimportance. No details regarding suspects, leads, or evidence ended up being discussed, despite the fascinating turn in our conversation.
As of right now, the investigation is ongoing. Very little is known about where it stands. What possibilities are you currently pursuing, Mr. Fields?
FIELDS We are pursuing nothing and no-one. In terms of what we BELIEVE HAPPENED TO HIM, we're seeking to confirm his disappearance was pre-meditated. So far, all accounts display that.
How is that?
FIELDS His behavior leading up to the incident says it all. Why would someone delete all their social media accounts unless they didn't want to be followed? He cut off all ties, in some arrogant attempt to avoid being seen or heard from.
You're stating facts we already knew at the start of the investigation, Mr. Fields.
FIELDS I'm aware of that, Miss Lanspackle.
Lanshackle.
FIELDS Whatever.
And no new evidence since then has suggested otherwise?
FIELDS That statement implies there's new evidence to unveil. There isn't any new evidence.
Your subordinates are in fact looking for it, are they not? FIELDS They're attempting to confirm a pre-mediated disappearance, which is evidently the most likely possibility, Miss Lanshackle. The sooner we close this case, the sooner we get back to pressing issues.
Do you feel as if this isn't one?
FIELDS I know it isn't one.
Would you be prepared to tell his mother that?
It was at this point in the interview that Howard Fields stood up and began shouting expletives, at myself and the other two reporters present. After heated attempts to reassure him he was in a respectful and safe environment, he took the opportunity to formally walk out of the interview (but not without taking a moment to land a slap on my assistant typist's face).
In the end, Howard Fields did not answer my remaining questions; and our invitations for him to defend himself in the follow-up question remained unsuccessful. In the end, his final statement in our interview (in response to whether or not he considered the disappearance of a Chagrin Falls teenager a pressing issue), was simple:
"I know it isn't one."
What if it's happened to others?
It should come as no shock that persons going missing regularly in Northeast Ohio, with women at disproportionately higher rate, is not a pressing issue. Is this perhaps why Ohio is one of the leading states in the country in rates of human trafficking?
Is it also, perhaps, why a mother's attempts to find her son are met with radio silence?
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