Dayton Daily News from Dayton, Ohio • 22

2B'd JULY 2, 1995 DAYTON DAILY NEWS Missing CONTINUED FROMIB Joyce Is not alone In her grief. The, re are 2,016 parents In Ohio who waiting for their missing children to come through the frorit door. They live a life where hearts leap every time the phone ring. An existance timed to calling. police officers and investigators at least twice a week.

A deli-cate emotional state that shatters at the sight of a crying toddler In the grocery store. Each year, thousands of children, are abducted by family members: In 1988 the latest year the National Center for Missing Exploited Children in Arlington, has figures kids were snatched. And perhaps surprisingly, nearly half of those cases lasted no longer than a week. Seth's case is in its 63rd week. "Generally, chances of recovery decrease as more time passes," said center spokeswoman Julia Cartwright.

"But each one is different." Joyce last saw Seth on Friday, April 22, 1994, two days after the Arathornes' divorce became final. Garth never legally challenged the marriage termination, but Joyce says he called her constantly and sent roses, trying to reconcile. The court awarded Joyce primary custody of Seth, giving Garth visitation rights every weekend and one' night a week. She didn't object to her ex-husband spending time with their son. The baby obviously loved his father, and she wanted Seth to have a male influence.

So at 6 p.m., while Joyce was working at her factory job, her son left with his father. The boy was wearing Levi's, a blue sweatshirt, white Everlast hightop sneakers and a yellow windbreaker. When they didn't return at the court-imposed 6 p.m. Sunday deadline, she began to worry. Maybe they were on their way.

Maybe Garth wasn't picking up the answering machine because he was mad at her. Maybe there had been an accident. Not once did it cross her mind that maybe, just maybe, her ex-husband wasn't bringing the boy back. But that changed when she went to his apartment at 151 Medford St. the next day.

Everything clothing, toys, Garth's music equipment worth $30,000 was gone. Only Seth's cat, Muffin, and a litter box remained. Joyce scooped up the pet and took it to her Madison Twp. getting enough to eat? She worries about her son's health. He has a jaw disorder that requires constant medical, attention.

And the hardest, most painful question of all: Does he call someone else mommy? In the Vandalia home where she's lived since last fall, six pairs' of shoes wait beneath Seth's little waterbed. His teddy bears and stuffed monkeys await his return, while' Muffin and the other cats stand; guard at the doorway and windows. Dino, a green plastic dino-" saur, smiles toward the door. On the bookshelf is a new leather-bound set of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Joyce bought the1 books four months ago.

"I'm not sure why," she said. 7 She knows Seth's return, if it comes, will be difficult. They'll have to get to know each other again, and he'll need professional help. Until that time, she'll try not to cry when her mom asks for the case's latest development, or turn off the television every time a child appears in a commercial. "I'll take it as long as I need to take it," she said.

And if that fails, she'll buy more fish or start new puzzles. "They're the only things that stop me from going insane," she said. supporting himself without assistance. Montgomery County court records show that at the time of their divorce, Garth had no savings and owned a late '70s Monte Carlo. His family denies Joyce's accusations that they know his whereabouts.

"We've had no contact with him," said his sister Carole Clifford of Bellbrook. "She's wrong about that." There is no evidence of any communications between Garth Arathorne and his relatives, Goldwasser said. Joyce has filled three turquoise notebooks with logs detailing the events of each day: What she mailed, whom she talked to, what detectives discovered. She hopes to give the Journals to Seth one day so hell understand that she didn't leave him, and that she constantly tried to get him back. It's been not only emotionally txhausting for Joyce, but financially draining.

She's spent at least $10,000 on phone bills, photocopies and legal fees. There are two warrants out for Garth's arrest, one federal and one from Montgomery County, but she says this is not about putting her ex-husband in jail. "I told them I'd drop all charges if he just brought Seth back," she said. It's the not knowing that bothers her the most: Is the boy I t' Painful loss: Joyce Arathorne which she keeps ready for his abducted him. home, where an obsession for finding her son took over her life.

The months since have been filled with writing letters, making phone calls and questioning Garth's friends and co-workers. Things that once seemed absurd, such as searching through garbage and driving past his house, became commonplace. The last solid lead came in October, when Canadian authorities said Garth entered the country with a small boy matching Ruling CONTINUED FROMIB "The Supreme Court has closed its eyes to the reality of this country: that we live in a segregated society," he said. "If you don't draw districts, you could virtually eliminate minority representation." Johnson of the NAACP and other local civil rights leaders i OHIO PEDIATRICS, INC. JAMES A.

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She says his father Seth's description. Few of the other many tips since then have seemed solid. "It's like hitting a wall," said Madison Twp. police Detective Nat Goldwasser, who said he doesn't tell Joyce about every call. "Why raise her hopes like that?" Joyce says her ex-husband, a light-rock musician who worked for temporary employment agencies and a division of General Motors, has no means of also said the decision is a step backward.

"Clarence Thomas he's really doing a job on civil rights and voting rights," Johnson said. "It could be devastating," Jessie Gooding, president of the Day-. ton chapter of the NAACP, said of the court's ruling. He called the decision the work of a "highly conservative and highly racist" 7381 Brandt Pk. Suite Huber Heights, OH 236-7718 Behavioral Healthcare Supreme Court.

Gooding said he doesn't understand why redistricting on the basis of race is unconstitutional, since "gerrymandering districts (to favor political parties) has been part of drawing up districts since the inception (of the United States)." Dayton City Commissioner Dean Lovelace, who joined Johnson in 1993 in a failed effort erchstSedc America's Dock Builder5" Decks Gazebos Awnines a ST 500 Lincoln Pk. Suite 302 Kettering, OH 299-4553 Assembly CONTINUED FROMIB prevailing wage law that requires paying union wages on most public construction projects. 'The Republicans also are moving tb reduce environmental regulations on businesses; allow corporations to participate more directly in political campaigns; and an Ohio Supreme Court decision in an effort to more difficult for employees to sue employers for job-related injuries. John Mahaney, the longtime executive director, of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, described the new General Assernbly as "business-friendly, but then no one would say Vern Riffle, was anti-business. Vern simply had other interests he had 'to be concerned with that the new leadership does not." Prominent among those "interests" was organized labor, wKo'se members have been observing the proceedings with trepidation.

is great concern that in their quest to please the business community, the working men and women in Ohio are going- to be left behind," said spokesman for the QhifrAFL-CIO. "There is less of an appreciation that what's good farmworkers is also good for business." But Mahaney describes much of the legislation that has been approved so far as "a balancing. Every 20 years or so in Ohio, power shifts from one party to the other. It usually evens out." Curt Steiner, the chief executive officer of the House, recalled the early 1980s when the Democrats took control of all levers of power: in the Statehouse. "You quickly saw enactment of several major pieces of legislation that labor had been seeking for many years," he said.

"And it was done, without consultation with the I think we've made a very strong effort to have an.open process and involve all parties in our deliberations." Steiner said the General Assembly also worked closely with the administration of Gov. George Voinovich, who's considered a moderate Republican with a good working relationship with some traditional Democratic groups, such as labor. However, Steiner and others predicted that after the from its summer recess, probably in November, there will be more legislation emanating from the increasing number of conservatives in the House. "iri the next phase I think you are going to see some initiatives that may or may not have the support of the administration," Steiner said. Enacting a new, two-year state budget consumed a great deal of time in the just-completed Mahaney noted.

"They had to focus on the budget, and I believe they did not want to appear too partisan in the beginning the session," Mahaney said; they come back, I tbinkTyou could see some pitched battles." While apprehensive about what that might mean to their to create districts for city com-; mission races to improve the odds for minority candidates, called the decision "rollback and retrenchment." "All the work (that the pioneers of the civil rights move-, ment) did to create the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is endangered i by this conservative spirit," he i said. 1 Decks Expansions ArborsTrellises Walkways No Hidden Costs Strong Written Warranty Call Today. Our Design i Consultations Absolute Price Quotes Are Free. Archadeck of West Central Ohio 848-7040 Nationally Known, Locally Owned Yeai 'Round Porches 5 i 4 day. Here are some of the major pro-business items enacted or initiated during the first six months of the 121st Ohio General Assembly: Workers' compensation: The Legislature approved giving control of the agency to the governor's office.

But the primary battle between business and labor will come later In the year with debate on a bill to reduce business costs and possibly cut workers' monetary benefits. Campaign finance reform: After being blocked for two decades by Democrats in the House, the GOP was able to pass a bill allowing Increased participation in campaigns by corporations. The new law also makes It more difficult for labor groups to collect money for candidates and provide other types of campaign help. Prevailing wage: Still under discussion, the Legislature is likely to reduce the number of public Construction projects where employers have to pay the prevailing union wage in the area to workers. Worker lawsuits: A decade ago, the state Supreme Court issued rulings saying workers Injured on the job could still sue employers for benefits beyond workers' compensation payments.

Under a new law, such suits will be limited to cases where the worker can show "clear and convincing evidence" that the employer intended or deliberately caused the accident. job references: Enacted into law was a restriction upon lawsuits that can be brought by employees based upon comments made in Job references by a previous employer. Tort reform: Expected to be the major battle of the year, the proposed Republican changes would limit how much citizens can recover in liability lawsuits; would require that such lawsuits be filed within a certain period of time; and would give expanded protection to companies, hospitals and similar groups from such lawsuits. Hearings are expected throughout the summer. Environment: A still-pending bill would allow companies to "self-audit" for possible environmental problems.

If they report any violations, they would be given protection from revealing information gathered during the audit. favorite programs, some Democrats also see the possibility of political gains from the GOP agenda. "If they overreach, if they are perceived as taking hard-earned gains away from the working people of Ohio, I can't help but believe that it will help revive the Democratic party," said state Sen. Dennis Kucinich, D-Cleveland. separate four-year term.

Babb resigned the seat to retire from politics. Commissioners voted 4-2 to appoint Sims, with Mayor Patricia Felton and Commissioner Robert Stillwell voting against him. Sims lost in a race against Felton for mayor. "I hadn't figured on getting the mayor's vote anyway," Sims said. "I thought this would be a good chance to get back in and help the city." Yoy Wouldfitf Weal? Mil flo fesotf tliie FJleeesBes.

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Newsline is available 24 hours a Here's how you call us. Sims back on Xenia commission 2. Listen for the NewsLine introduction 3. Enter your code at any time 6015 ALCOHOL AND OLDER ADULTS 6296 EMOTIONS AFTER BIRTH 6283 MARRIAGE: INTIMACY 6017 ALCOHOLISM 6297 PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING 6284 MARRIAGE: A BALANCE 6018 SYMPTOMSALCOHOLISM 6298 DEALING WITH GRIEF 6285 PHOBIAS: TREATMENT 6019 MARIJUANA: EFFECTS 6278 ANOREXIA NERVOSA 6286 6020 MARIJUANATEENAGERS 6279 BULIMIA 6287 MARTIAL PROBLEMS 6021 MARIJUANA UNBORN 6280 COPING WITH STRESS 6288 WHY MARRIAGES FAIL 6281 DEPRESSION STATISTIC 6289 WORKAHOLICS 7610 DEPRESSION mj FORGETFULNESS 6291 SEXUALITY AND AGING DAYTON, DAILY NEWS Max Sims will return to the Xenia City Commission for at least five months, after commissioners voted on Saturday to appoint him to fill a portion of the unexpired term of Bob Babb. Sims, 68, a retired Dayton Powej! and Light Co.

worker and commission member from 1991 to 1993, said he likely will run in November to fill the remaining two years of Babb's term or for a Dayton Daily NewsLine locals.