Could brothers in life-long sex abuse investigation be tied to missing children?

By Ashli Blow

There was no immediate connection between three Seattle brothers who police believed collected child pornography for decades and local missing person cases.

Police: Brothers spent majority of lives abusing children

But at least one law enforcement officer is investigating the possibility. The Gray’s Harbor Sheriff told KIRO 7 he’s investigating whether the brothers have any connection to the 2009 disappearance of Lindsey Baum in southwest Washington.

Charles Emery, 82, Thomas Emery, 80, and Edwin Emery, 79, are charged with possessing child pornography.

“It’s very clear that these three individuals have an obsession with young female children, they’ve had this obsession for most if not all of their lives, and they acted on it,” said Capt. Mike Edwards, who leads SPD’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force.

Detectives discovered a staggering amount of child pornography along with children’s worn clothing, underwear, small shoes, toys and movies. Investigators believe each of the men spent the majority of their lives sexually abusing children.

But it was an unearthed “manifesto” about Satanic rituals, kidnapping, raping and killing girls that led detectives to dig under sheds, searching for evidence of potential murder. Charles’ writings were found buried and partially burned — along with a child’s hat.

“Their writings express desires to kill children,” Edwards said.

Baum flier found at family home

Lindsey Baum disappeared from McCleary while walking back from a friend’s house in 2009. The 10-year-old’s disappearance sparked a nationwide investigation.

McCleary is a roughly 30-minute drive from Shelton, where the brothers also owned a property. Charles – and his now deceased brother Donald – remained in the Shelton home until 2016.

Grays Harbor County Sheriff Rick Scott confirmed to KIRO 7 News that a flier about Baum was found in the Shelton home, but there is no known connection between the brothers and the disappearance of Baum. Police are investigating.

“When we heard of the link to the Shelton property, and its proximity to McCleary, and the nature of the paper work they found at the [Seattle home] … We immediately began to see if there’s anything that would link to our investigation,” Scott told KIRO 7 News.

“The Lindsey Baum case has been and will be a priority until we find closure or find Lindsey safe. We’ve worked on the case every day in some shape or form.”

According to Scott, detectives intend to do an extensive search of the Shelton property, but it will take a large team as it sits on 14 to 17 acres of land.