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BASEBALL BECOMES A SHELTER FOR VENEZUELAN CHILDREN IN SOCCER-MAD PERU


MILEI, THE HARD ROCKER IN ARGENTINA'S HIGHEST OFFICE, TURNS HIS BOOK TALK INTO
WILD SHOW


'HEAT DOME' LEADS TO SWELTERING TEMPERATURES IN MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA AND US
SOUTH


UVALDE SETTLES WITH VICTIMS' FAMILIES OVER SCHOOL SHOOTING


STAGE COLLAPSE AT A CAMPAIGN RALLY IN MEXICO KILLS AT LEAST 9 PEOPLE AND INJURES
121


WHAT SONOMA COUNTY WAS LIKE IN THE 1980S


JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAYS ILLEGAL MONOPOLY BY TICKETMASTER AND LIVE NATION DRIVES
UP PRICES FOR FANS


SUPERVISORS BACK MOVE TO STRIP SONOMA COUNTY PARK RANGERS OF PEACE-OFFICER
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US WILL ANNOUNCE $275 MILLION MORE IN ARTILLERY AND AMMUNITION FOR UKRAINE,
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PETALUMA TEEN’S FILM ON POLLY KLAAS’ LEGACY ATTRACTS NATIONWIDE INTEREST

“I want the public to know that the legacy, her legacy, lives on even 30 years
later and she is still protecting children from going missing,” India Mitchell
said.|

Slide 1 of 68
India Mitchell, 13, an 8th grader at Kenilworth Jr. High School sits outside at
the Polly Klaas Community Theater in Petaluma, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Beth
Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Slide 2 of 68
Polly Klaas (The Press Democrat file)
Slide 3 of 68
Polly Klaas: Press Democrat newspaper clippings on a window in an undated photo.
(The Press Democrat file)
Slide 4 of 68
Polly Klaas, shown here in an undated photo, was kidnapped from her Petaluma
home on Oct. 1, 1993. Her body was found in Cloverdale in December 1993. Richard
Allen Davis was convicted and sentenced to death in the case. He remains on
death row. (The Press Democrat file)
Slide 5 of 68
A poster asking for information in the abduction of Polly Klaas. (the Press
Democrat file)
Slide 6 of 68
Front page coverage from the Press Democrat following the Oct. 1, 1993 abduction
of Polly Hannah Klaas, who was taken from her Petaluma home during a sleepover
with friends, through the arrest of her killer, a career criminal, to the public
memorial held in her honor. (Newspapers.com)
Slide 7 of 68
Left to right, Marc Klaas, his sister, Marianna Klaas Ford, and the produce man
from the Lucky store where she shops in Benicia, Jim Wilke, lock arms while they
listen to Eve Nichol (obscured to left), Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1993. (Annie Wells /
The Press Democrat file)
Advertisement
Slide 8 of 68
Margie McAuley, volunteer and neighbor of Polly Klaas, ties a ribbon to a light
pole that has already been posted with fliers on Western Avenue at Kentucky
Street in Petaluma, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1993. (Annie Wells / The Press Democrat
file)
Slide 9 of 68
Front page coverage from the Press Democrat following the Oct. 1, 1993 abduction
of Polly Hannah Klaas, who was taken from her Petaluma home during a sleepover
with friends, through the arrest of her killer, a career criminal, to the public
memorial held in her honor. (Newspapers.com)
Slide 10 of 68
The technicians and producers of the “Home Show” on ABC surround Eve Nichol and
express how they understand what she’s going through after they finished taping
a live segment, Friday, Oct. 8, 1993. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 11 of 68
During a Saturday, Oct. 9, 1993, news conference at the Petaluma Police
Department, Polly Hannah Klaas’ grandfather Joe Klaas (left), Marc Klaas,
Polly’s father, and his fiancee Violet Cheer listen to Winona Ryder post a
reward for Polly’s kidnapper. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 12 of 68
As the search for Polly Hannah Klaas continues at the Petaluma command center,
Rhonda Cheavacci’s 8-month-old daughter Lia Cheavacci watches life at a
different pace as mom answers phones on Saturday morning, Oct. 9, 1993. (Kent
Porter / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 13 of 68
Polly Klaas: Case worker Ruth VanDerBeets of the Vanished Children's Alliance
(VCA) spends time on the telephone Saturday morning at the Petaluma command
center, Oct. 9, 1993. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat file)
Advertisement
Slide 14 of 68
Marc Klaas and Polly Klaas in an undated photo. (The Press Democrat file)
Slide 15 of 68
Petaluman Leonard Noel Grandi is one of hundreds who turned out to volunteer at
the Polly Klaas command center in Petaluma, in the search for the 12-year-old
youngster, Monday, Oct. 11, 1993. (The Press Democrat file)
Slide 16 of 68
Marc Klaas, father of Polly Klaas, Monday Oct. 11, 1993. (Kent Porter / The
Press Democrat file)
Slide 17 of 68
Polly Klaas: This is an altar that was set up for a vigil organized by Eve
Nichol’s yoga instructor, Barbara Plunkett. It is outside of the Yoga Movement
Center in the town of Sonoma. Plunkett teaches there, but also teaches at
Biobottoms, where she met Eve. She says she will continue the vigils every
Tuesday night until Polly is found. Photo taken Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1993. (Annie
Wells / The Press Democrat)
Slide 18 of 68
Holding the latest police drawing, Daren Blonski, 13, of Petaluma passes out
lavender ribbons to people in front of The Polly Center, Friday, Oct. 15, 1993.
(John Burgess / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 19 of 68
Front page coverage from the Press Democrat following the Oct. 1, 1993 abduction
of Polly Hannah Klaas, who was taken from her Petaluma home during a sleepover
with friends, through the arrest of her killer, a career criminal, to the public
memorial held in her honor. (Newspapers.com)
Advertisement
Slide 20 of 68
Polly Klaas volunteers Mallory Taylor, 6, gathers up some of her favorite colors
to draw on a banner outside of the Kentucky Street command center in Petaluma,
Sunday, Oct. 17, 1993. The banner is designed to give children something
positive to do while their parents work inside. (Annie Wells / The Press
Democrat file)
Slide 21 of 68
Marianna Klaas Ford, right, comforts her brother, Marc Klaas, while Marc’s
fiancee, Violet Cheer, wipes a tear from her eye after watching a video about
Polly at the start of a benefit at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa
Rosa, Monday, Oct. 25, 1993. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 22 of 68
Members of the audience at a benefit for Polly Klaas watch a video about the
girl which opened the show at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa
Rosa, Monday, Oct. 25, 1993. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 23 of 68
Members of the Petaluma Junior High School band play at the Santa Rosa benefit
for the Polly Klaas search center, Monday, Oct. 25, 1993. (Chad Surmick / The
Press Democrat file)
Slide 24 of 68
A poster becomes transparent when sunlight shines through the living room at Eve
Nichol’s home in the afternoon; the message reads correctly when viewed from the
street. Photo taken Sunday, Nov. 7, 1993. (Mark Aronoff / The Press Democrat
file)
Slide 25 of 68
The Petaluma home of Polly Klaas in an undated photo. (The Press Democrat file)
Advertisement
Slide 26 of 68
A friend of Polly's who was with her when she was abducted peers from the back
of a car at the Mendocino County Sheriff's Department in Ukiah after looking at
a lineup of potential abductors, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1993. (Kent Porter / The
Press Democrat file)
Slide 27 of 68
News media gathers in front of Petaluma police station preparing for a 4 p.m.
press conference, Wednesday. Dec. 1, 1993. (Mark Aronoff / The Press Democrat
file)
Slide 28 of 68
A poster announcing the kidnapping of Polly Klaas. (The Press Democrat file)
Slide 29 of 68
A poster offering a $20,000 reward in the abduction of Polly Klaas. (The Press
Democrat file)
Slide 30 of 68
Becky Sutherland (facing camera) hugs volunteer Jennifer Abbott early Wednesday
at the Polly Klaas Search Center in Petaluma after a news broadcast reported the
arrest of a suspect in the kidnapping. Sutherland had worked often in the early
campaign but had not returned since Bill Rhodes was replaced as the director.
Photo taken Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1993. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 31 of 68
An aerial of the Coyote Valley Rancheria, showing the house and FBI activity
looking for clues to the Polly Klaas abduction, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1993. (Kent
Porter / The Press Democrat file)
Advertisement
Slide 32 of 68
Polly Klaas' desk at Petaluma Junior High School in Petaluma has a photo of her
and flowers placed there after her abduction, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1993. (Mark
Aronoff / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 33 of 68
Polly Klaas: Rhonda Dyer of San Jose and dog, Tanis, search for Polly Klaas near
Pythian Road, Thursday. Dec. 2, 1993. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 34 of 68
Polly Klaas: Volunteer Kathy O'Connell looks up and says "thank you" while
watching Friday's 5 p.m. news conference at the Polly Klaas Search Center. FBI
and Petaluma police said the suspect's palm print was found in Polly's bedroom.
Photo taken Friday, Dec. 3, 1993. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 35 of 68
Polly Klaas: Shannon Douglas, 17, of Novato, decorates a Christmas tree with
lavender ribbons in the mailroom of the Polly Klaas Search Center in Petaluma,
Friday. Dec. 3, 1993. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 36 of 68
Front page coverage from the Press Democrat following the Oct. 1, 1993 abduction
of Polly Hannah Klaas, who was taken from her Petaluma home during a sleepover
with friends, through the arrest of her killer, a career criminal, to the public
memorial held in her honor. (Newspapers.com)
Slide 37 of 68
Entrance to the Coyote Valley Rancheria, Saturday, Dec. 4, 1993. (Kent Porter /
The Press Democrat file)
Advertisement
Slide 38 of 68
Polly Klaas Foundation volunteer Red Halem wipes away a tear as she and other
volunteers at the foundation in Petaluma listen to a televised briefing on the
search for the missing 12-year-old Polly Klaas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 1993. The girl
in the foreground is volunteer Kaatina Treanor. (AP Photo / Sam Morris, The
Press Democrat file)
Slide 39 of 68
Officer Kat Albrecht of the Univ. of Santa Cruz police searches in the "E"
sector with her dog Rachel. The "E" area is just northeast of the Law
Enforcement Regional Training Facility. 317 volunteer search and rescue experts
joined in the hunt for clues, Saturday, Dec. 4, 1993. (John Burgess / The Press
Democrat file)
Slide 40 of 68
The bustling operations center at the Law Enforcement Regional Training Facility
carefully logs each search teams time, evidence discovered and area covered. The
large aerial photo in upper right is of the site. Each white card denotes a
team. Photo taken Saturday, Dec. 4, 1993. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat
file)
Slide 41 of 68
Site where Polly Klaas' body was found on Highway 101 just south of the new
freeway addition in Cloverdale, Saturday, Dec. 4, 1993. (Kent Porter / The Press
Democrat file)
Slide 42 of 68
A volunteer covers the windows of the Polly Klaas Foundation search center in
Petaluma with white paper for privacy as volunteers congregated to hear the news
of the discovery of Polly's body. Fliers show the worldwide search, they are
written in many different languages, Saturday, Dec. 4, 1993. (John Burgess / The
Press Democrat File)
Slide 43 of 68
(Left to right) Terry Blansett comforts Lori Rodriguez during a press conference
in front of the Polly Klaas Foundation search center in Petaluma after the
announcement that the body of Polly Klaas was found in Cloverdale, Saturday,
Dec. 4, 1993. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat file)
Advertisement
Slide 44 of 68
Shannon Douglas, a volunteer at the Polly Klaas Foundation search center in
Petaluma, wipes away a tear as friends offer their support, Saturday, Dec. 4,
1993. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 45 of 68
Marc Klaas appeals to the public in a press conference at the foundation center
to continue looking for Polly. He believes she is still alive, Saturday, Dec. 4,
1993. (The Press Democrat file)
Slide 46 of 68
Santa Cruz Sheriff Search and Rescue teams wade through high brush looking for
clues along Pythian Road, Sunday, Dec. 5, 1993. (John Burgess / The Press
Democrat file)
Slide 47 of 68
A letter from an 8-year-old girl sits amid a memorial at the Polly Klaas search
center in Petaluma, Sunday, Dec. 5, 1993. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat
file)
Slide 48 of 68
Hundreds of people grieved at the news of the death of Polly Klaas by lighting
candles, placing flowers, teddy bears, notes, and drawings, religious icons and
even a tree covered with lavender ribbons at a shrine to the memory of Polly in
front of the search center in Petaluma, Sunday, Dec. 5, 1993. (John Burgess /
The Press Democrat file)
Slide 49 of 68
Bill Strukter of Santa Rosa doffs his hat as he pays respect to the site where
Polly Klaas' body was recovered, Monday, Dec. 6, 1993. (Kent Porter / The Press
Democrat file)
Advertisement
Slide 50 of 68
Elizabeth Christy of Cloverdale lays her offering to the memorial where Polly's
body was found while her brother, Hugh Hall, keeps her dry, Wednesday, Dec. 8,
1993. Christy lost two daughters in an auto accident. She said she didn't know
the parents but she felt for them. (Annie Wells / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 51 of 68
Grandfather of Polly Klaas, Joe Klaas, after the memorial for Polly is greeted
by a volunteer, Wednesday Dec. 8, 1993. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 52 of 68
As Michael Groves says the eulogy for Polly Klaas, Marc Klaas takes a moment to
dab a tear from his eye, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1993. (Kent Porter / The Press
Democrat file)
Slide 53 of 68
Mourners outside St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church break down as a poem is
read during a memorial service for Polly Klaas in Petaluma, Thursday, Dec. 9,
1993. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 54 of 68
The memorial service for Polly Klaas in Petaluma, Thursday, Dec. 9, 1993. (The
Press Democrat file)
Slide 55 of 68
Front page coverage from the Press Democrat following the Oct. 1, 1993 abduction
of Polly Hannah Klaas, who was taken from her Petaluma home during a sleepover
with friends, through the arrest of her killer, a career criminal, to the public
memorial held in her honor. (Newspapers.com)
Advertisement
Slide 56 of 68
A candle burned in the Nichol home for Polly Klaas at all times in the living
room, Friday, Dec. 10, 1993. (Mark Aronoff / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 57 of 68
Glenn and Kelly Weinke of Cloverdale, tour the updated shrine to Polly Klaas
just south of Cloverdale, Monday, Dec. 13, 1993. (Kent Porter / The Press
Democrat file)
Slide 58 of 68
Lights reflect across the pond at Lucchesi Park as a custom made Polly candle
burns during a memorial for Polly Klaas, Sunday, Dec. 19, 1993. (Chad Surmick /
The Press Democrat file)
Slide 59 of 68
A student at Petaluma Junior High looks over the Polly Klaas memorial garden at
the school before the dedication ceremonies in Petaluma, Saturday, March 26,
1994. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat file)
Slide 60 of 68
Plans for a memorial to Polly Klaas at Helen Putnam Regional Park in Petaluma.
April 1994. (The Press Democrat file)
Slide 61 of 68
Front page coverage from the Press Democrat following the Oct. 1, 1993 abduction
of Polly Hannah Klaas, who was taken from her Petaluma home during a sleepover
with friends, through the arrest of her killer, a career criminal, to the public
memorial held in her honor. (Newspapers.com)
Advertisement
Slide 62 of 68
President Bill Clinton listens to Marc Klaas, father of kidnapping victim Polly
Klaas, at the White House, Monday Aug. 15, 1994. Clinton appeared in the Rose
Garden with relatives of murder victims to demand that the House reverse itself
and pass an anti-crime bill. Klaas derided Republicans for saying the crime bill
was too expensive. Also with Clinton are Janice Payne, mother of 9-year-old
James Darby, who was shot in New Orleans wjhile walking home from a Mother's Day
picnic, and Steven Sposato, second from right, whose wife was killed in a San
Francisco law office last year when a gunman fired randomly at employees. (AP
Photo / Dennis Cook)
Slide 63 of 68
Joe Klaas, grandfather of murder victim Polly Klaas, left, speaks out with
Democratic state Attorney General candidate Tom Umberg Tuesday morning, Oct. 25,
1994, at Umberg's office in Garden Grove, Calif., about state Attorney General
Dan Lungren's decision to defund the Department of Justice's Violent Crime
Information System. Klaas said that had funding not been pulled, Polly's
abductor, Richard Allen Davis, may have been captured the night he kidnapped
her. (AP Photo / John Hayes, The Press Democrat file)
Slide 64 of 68
Press Democrat coverage of the day Richard Allen Davis was convicted and
sentenced to death for the 1993 abduction and murder of 12-year-old Polly Klaas.
(newspapers.com)
Slide 65 of 68
Press Democrat coverage of the day Richard Allen Davis was convicted and
sentenced to death for the 1993 abduction and murder of 12-year-old Polly Klaas.
(newspapers.com)
Slide 66 of 68
Marc Klaas, father of 12-year-old Polly Klaas, is congratulated by unidentified
people inside a San Jose, Calif. courtroom, Monday, Aug. 5, 1996, after a jury
sentenced the murderer of Klaas' daughter, Richard Allen Davis, to death. Far
right is Marc Klaas' father, Joe Klass. (AP Photo / Paul Sakuma / The Press
Democrat file)
Slide 67 of 68
Joe and B.J. Klaas, grandparents of Polly Klaas, hug each other as Richard Allen
Davis testifies in a San Jose, Calif. courtroom Thursday, Sept. 26, 1996, during
the sentencing of Davis. Judge Thomas Hastings formally sentenced Davis to be
executed for the 1993 murder and kidnap of 12-year-old Polly Klaas in Petaluma.
(AP Photo / Paul Sakuma, The Press Democrat file)
Advertisement
Slide 68 of 68
After the body of Polly Klaas was discovered off Highway 101 in Cloverdale in
1993, a shrine of sorts was created by people who left dozens of items near the
area she was found dead. On Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, rocks and a few other things
were all that remained of the shrine. (Kent Porter/ The Press Democrat file)
Gift this article to a friend
COLIN ATAGI
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
May 3, 2024



Thirteen-year-old India Mitchell only learned of Polly Klaas’ story a year or
two ago through a social media course she took at Kenilworth Junior High School
in Petaluma.

With the marking of the 30th anniversary of Klaas’ kidnapping and killing this
past October, India, who is an aspiring filmmaker, dove into the case for her
entry into the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Student Film Festival on April 5.

The teen’s original plan had been to just retell the circumstances of Klaas’
story but when she finished, she realized her entry went a step further and
emphasized the child safety and awareness concerns that arose from the case.

India titled her five-minute short film about Polly Klaas, “Guiding Light.”

“I want the public to know that the legacy, her legacy, lives on even 30 years
later and she is still protecting children from going missing,” Mitchell said
Wednesday.

“Guiding Light” was a Best of the Fest award recipient at the junior college
event, an event coordinator confirmed.



Now available on YouTube, her film is also being shown at film festivals across
the country, including the Rogers Short Film Festival in Rogers, Arkansas and
the ARCLight Student Film Festival in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

This device is unable to display framed content. Click here to view this embed.

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Locally, it will next be shown today during AVFest in Healdsburg.

The film tells the story of Klaas’ kidnapping by Richard Allen Davis, who took
the 12-year-old from her Petaluma home during a slumber party on Oct. 1, 1993.

In the days that followed, hundreds of volunteers searched for her as nationwide
attention focused on Petaluma.

Davis, who had previous criminal convictions, was arrested and convicted of
Klaas’ killing and kidnapping. He is on death row at San Quentin Rehabilitation
Center in San Quentin.

As a result of her case, California enacted its “three strikes” law, which adds
life in prison as a penalty for anyone convicted of a violent felony if their
history included two serious violent crimes.

The Polly Klaas Foundation was established to promote child safety and advocate
for young crime victims. Founded by Petaluma residents, it has helped 10,000
families reunite with children and continues to operate.

Klaas’ father later launched his own organization, the KlaasKids Foundation.
Last year, he announced it would wind down.

Student protesters silently face off with police at Sonoma State graduation

Read More



India Mitchell began working on short films when she started the sixth grade and
she was 12 years old when she began working on her latest piece.

Mostly using an iPhone and the iMovie app, she shot relevant locations such as
Polly Klaas’ home and San Quentin, its outer walls making a brief appearance in
her film.

Three key players in the case and trial were interviewed: Sonoma County
Assistant District Attorney Greg Jacobs, former Petaluma Police Chief Patrick
Parks and defense attorney Barry Collins with the Sonoma County Public
Defender’s Office.

Jacobs agreed that younger generations are less familiar with the Polly Klaas
case, noting he recently offered to share a stroy about the case with students
and they showed no interest.

He was surprised India wanted to discuss the case in 2023 and said Mitchell did
a good job condensing a three-year odyssey into a “very powerful message.”

“India was very, what’s the word, she had a plan,” Jacobs said. “She knew what
she wanted to do and asked very good questions and it was very enjoyable.”

Parks said it’s necessary for today’s youth to understand what happened and he’s
glad Mitchell, at the age of 12, was able to do something for her peers.

“For a 12-year-old girl to put this together was quite an accomplishment,” he
said.

It took about four or five months for Mitchell to complete her short film.

She was only vaguely familiar with the Polly Klaas case until last year and
finally understood the magnitude of the case as production on her film
progressed.

The disappearance and killing especially resonated with India because Polly
Klass was her age at the time she was taken from her bedroom.

“The overall experience, I feel was pretty enlightening and I definitely learned
a lot about her case. And I feel it too. I’m a 13 year old girl living in the
same town 30 years later,” she said.

Mitchell said she hopes her film contributes to raising awareness about keeping
children safe. She stressed the Polly Klaas Foundation, which has helped find
thousands of missing children, was one of the most important things to come out
of her case.

“It proved her legacy is large and saved a lot of lives,” Mitchell said.

Parks agreed.

“It changed how business is done and there’s no doubt countless lives have been
changed and saved because of Polly’s legacy,” he said.



You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com. On
Twitter @colin_atagi




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THEY WERE SCAMMED


BARBIE WILL MAKE DOLLS TO HONOR VENUS WILLIAMS AND OTHER STAR ATHLETES


SUPERVISORS BACK MOVE TO STRIP SONOMA COUNTY PARK RANGERS OF PEACE-OFFICER
STATUS


MORE THAN 40 INMATES STAGE HUNGER STRIKE IN SONOMA COUNTY JAIL


WHAT SONOMA COUNTY WAS LIKE IN THE 1980S


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RECENT STORIES


AN EPIC FITNESS FESTIVAL WAS PLANNED IN SANTA ROSA THIS WEEKEND. VENDORS THINK
THEY WERE SCAMMED


BARBIE WILL MAKE DOLLS TO HONOR VENUS WILLIAMS AND OTHER STAR ATHLETES


SUPERVISORS BACK MOVE TO STRIP SONOMA COUNTY PARK RANGERS OF PEACE-OFFICER
STATUS


MORE THAN 40 INMATES STAGE HUNGER STRIKE IN SONOMA COUNTY JAIL



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