Roswell GA police seek new clues in 1988 killing of 8-year-old boy

As u/ELnyc pointed out, Josh's mom actually left a comment on a previous post, which I have pasted below.

Here is a page she linked that contains more info about Josh, and he really sounds like an awesome kid. I am almost the same age and live very near Roswell (although I grew up in Chicago). I remember exploring the neighborhood just like Josh, times were different then. My best friend and I even had a "fort", just like he did. I saw this highlighted on the local news recently, and I really hope this renewed interest provides the information that can solve this case.

My name is Cherie Harmon, and I am Joshua's mom. My best friend found this site last week and encouraged me to look into it, so I did. I have to say that I was stunned at the continued interest in my son's murder, but naturally thrilled that there were still those out there who have not forgotten him. I can add some insight to what you've written above, and I am truly shocked that you have as much information as you do. Some of what I read I was not aware of, so I learned a few things also. The reason you can't find anything later than early 1990's is the fact that the GBI destroyed ALL of the evidence in Joshua's case in July 1991. I was given several different reasons for this happening, none of which made any sense, and we later came to the conclusion that the evidence was destroyed because the GBI were so adamant in the beginning that Josh's step father killed Joshua, and because of that, they never really investigated any other possible suspects. The agent the GBI sent to "help" us had never investigated a murder, she was a rookie with an attitude, and made it known that in 80% of the cases, it turns out to be a step parent who committed the crime, so that was her conclusion. Joshua's step father was put through hell for a couple years, until another case fell into their laps in 1990, and all of a sudden, they were convinced that this was the person who killed Joshua. During the trial it was made known that the suspicion was this person not only attempted to molest a boy, but he also murdered Joshua. It was taken to the extreme by them manufacturing evidence to convince the GBI Director that they were right about this, and somehow, this person ended up serving 20 years in prison on an assumption. He was never tried for Joshua's murder, because there was no evidence, because he was innocent. For years the GBI would not talk to me. Finally, in 1997, I demanded a meeting with them, which is when I found out about this. According to Agent Robert Ingram, they were positive that this person had murdered Joshua. My question to them, which went unanswered, was why did they not contact me, Joshua's mom, in 1991, when they arrested this person and decided to declare him Joshua's murderer? Why did they not think it important to let the parents of Joshua know about this evidence and "supposed" murderer of Joshua. I found it ironic that they destroyed the evidence in Joshua's case at the time they arrested this other person, and when I confronted Mr. Ingram, he had a very indifferent attitude about it, never apologizing, and telling me that it didn't matter that the evidence was destroyed because they "had their man". Their goal of not letting anything tarnish the GBI's reputation was still in tact, which is all they were really concerned about. I later found out that they did this with quite a few murder cases that they were incapable of solving, and, I believe it was in 2006 or 2007 when the media got a hold of this information and did a story with a mother who's daughter was murdered and she later found out they had destroyed the evidence in her case also. The next day they came out to our home and did a story on the destruction of the evidence in Joshua's case. Of course, when they attempted to contact the GBI and give them an opportunity for rebuttal or comment, they would not speak to the media or even issue a statement.

To answer your question, yes, I was home all day cleaning the house. Joshua was in and out during the day playing with his best friend, Timmy, who lived in the building next to us. He was definitely not killed in the apartment, and it was noted by the Medical Examiner that he was dragged into the "gully" after he was murdered, due to drag marks on the backs of his legs. They feel he was probably murdered at or near his "fort", which is where he was waiting for his best friend, and because the "fort" was so close to the path through the woods, his body was later dragged a few feet down into the gully. He was found with only both socks and one shoe, and no other clothing. I was told the clothing was never found, and recently found out that the socks and shoe he was wearing mysteriously disappeared after the GBI took his body, and have never been found. The Medical Examiner was very thorough and very involved, and we have stayed in contact over the years also. He was quite upset from what he saw, and said that this case should have been easily solved if the "authorities" had done their jobs. To this day, he remembers having to deal with the GBI agent who was in charge of the investigation and how she refused to give him pertinent information he needed for the autopsy, or return lab tests that were taken. It's unbelievable to me how the GBI can get away with anything, and not have to answer for it. I wrote to every governor we had over the years, and none of them did a thing. The GBI is untouchable, and they know it, and they use it to their advantage, when needed, to make certain their reputation is never tarnished. That, in my opinion, is their most important goal; to protect their image, no matter the cost to those who have lost a loved one.

This is what I know for a fact. Joshua's step father had absolutely nothing to do with Joshua's murder. He was a wonderful father to Joshua, and I had known him, his kids and ex wife for many years. He knew Joshua from birth, and our children played together quite often over the years. Joshua's biological father and he were friends, even after we were married, and he trusted Joshua's step father completely. Whoever said that he was "explosive" clearly had never met the man and knew nothing about him. We remain friends, and stay in touch with each other; Joshua's father and I even went to his son's wedding some years back. The other thing I know for a fact is that this person who was "railroaded" and sent to prison had nothing to do with Joshua's murder either, he was just a convenient suspect who landed in their laps, so they could have a nice wrapped package without having to do any work. In my opinion, I feel the GBI needs to be publicly disciplined and it should be made clear to the public that this is not an organization to be trusted or respected. I'm not sure how to do that because the media is afraid to "ruffle any feathers" with them, and I think they are literally afraid to air a piece on some of the more heinous things the GBI has done, particularly destroying evidence in an unsolved murder case, and having no conscience in doing so. The Roswell Police Dept. have truly tried to get answers, and to this day I have a few detectives there who are still working this case and are determined to get answers about Joshua's murder.

I could write many more pages about this travesty of justice, illegal activities and so much more the GBI has done, but I need to reach a stopping point in this post. I thank you all for continuing to care about my son and want answers also. He was a truly beautiful child who would never hurt anyone, and always wanted to please. If he could make you smile, it made his day complete. He was my entire life, and I too died 30 years ago when he was murdered, and will forever suffer over not knowing, 100% who killed him and why. His father and I have been back together for 15 years, and Larry is my only link to our son, as I am for him. We do have pleasure in our lives, and know that Joshua is in a better place, but the sick monster who took our son, took all of our future. We didn't just lose our child, we lost any chance of having a daughter in law, and more importantly grandchildren. You can find out much more about Joshua if you go to www.virtual-memorials.com/main.php?action=view&mem_id=10709&page_no=1. If you can't get it that way, just type in "Virtual Memorials" and put Joshua's name in the search box. I've added to it over the years, but it will show you his beauty, and much more about him and his family. Again, thank you for caring. Cherie Harmon, Josh's mom.

Here's another reddit writeup: https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/8ro61l/i_wondered_then_why_he_didnt_come_in_and_ask_for/

There was another murder in Roswell around 1989 or 1990. I have not been able to find the case online because my memory is fuzzy. I think the victim's name was Bonnie, and her body was found in a creek nearby where Joshua was found. The murderer was caught and convicted in that one. It seems like that guy is an obvious suspect in Josh's murder. If anyone can find the case I am thinking of that would be great.

Edit: The victim's name was Bonny Dodd and she was murdered in 1986, so not related I guess.

Thanks for highlighting this case. I hadn’t heard about it though I spent my childhood in a neighborhood very close to there. I believe we moved there in 89 or 90 and I was a couple of years younger than he was.

I hope this renewed interest leads to something. Interestingly, my “can’t believe I survived” interaction with a stranger happened when I was living in that neighborhood as well. It was a few years later so I doubt it’s related at all. As I remember it, there are a lot of apartment complexes in that area so the population was constantly rotating.

Look at that sweetheart, what a precious little boy. Thank you for sharing, I live in that general area and had no idea about this case. Hoping the renewed attention will yield some leads.

I was also 8 years old in 1988 and lived very near to this area. (I went to Barnwell Elementary, though, not Roswell, Mimosa or Kimball Br which were mentioned in the article.) I am familiar with all the apartment complexes in the area, but not sure what the former name of Rivers Crossing was- it definitely wasn’t Rivers Crossing in the 80s or 90s. I’m surprised that I never heard of this case being the same age and also knowing my mom is usually informed about such happenings.

ETA I googled pics of Rivers Crossing- it was called Kings Bridge in the 90s, been there many times. Not sure if it had a different name in the 80s, though.