The 2012 disappearance and murder of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway in Westminster, Colorado, shattered a community and forced parents everywhere to re-evaluate their children's safety. This episode revisits the tragic case and the unsettling capture of her killer, Austin Sigg. We engage in a difficult but necessary debate about sympathy for the killer—examining his troubled history and whether it holds any weight in the face of his horrific crime. Most importantly, we then pivot to a broader, more personal conversation: how do we balance our innate need to keep our kids safe with their need for freedom, a topic brought into painful focus by Jessica’s walk to school and the everyday activities like sleepovers that we once took for granted? 

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Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sourced information. Any case information and opinions are based on records in the public domain and are purely speculative in nature. Their comments are not meant to diagnose or treat any condition for listeners, and they are not functioning as licensed therapists providing services on the show. Any information shared based on general client experiences is coincidental and not meant to identify current or past clients. If you or someone you love is having a mental health crisis, please contact 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.