; Phantoms and Monsters: Pulse of the Paranormal

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Daily 2 Cents: 10 Black-Eyed Kids Accounts -- Sad, Tough Week in Orlando -- Search For Atlantis


10 Black-Eyed Kids Accounts

Perhaps one of the first claims of encounters with black-eyed children can arguably be traced back to a report of an incident in 1996 involving a man named Brian Bethel.

Bethel claimed he was sitting in his car going through paperwork when a knock came at his car window. He looked out to see two young boys, around 12 years old, who asked the journalist for a ride to a local movie theater. He might have agreed, had he not noticed that where their eyes should have been were soulless, deep black stones staring back at him. He sped off as fast as he could, and since his account, numerous claims of sightings have flooded Internet chat rooms and alternative media sites.

While most, probably rightly, put these reports down to mistaken copycat sightings or out-and-out hoaxes, some have investigated deeper, and several sightings predate Bethel’s by decades. Whether they’re ghosts, demons, aliens, or simply the product of people’s overactive imaginations, the stories are all interesting and equally chilling. Here are 10 of them, and if you hear a knock at your door while reading these, maybe think twice before opening it. Got to 10 Bizarre But Chilling Encounters With Black-Eyed Children

NOTE: #3 Black-Eyed Children Approach Gas Station Louisiana is one of our reported accounts. Lon

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Search For Atlantis

The man who gave us Titanic and Avatar is getting aboard a documentary hunt for the mythical city of Atlantis. James Cameron has joined Search for Atlantis as an executive producer.

Principal photography on the doc, a followup to 2011’s Finding Atlantis, has begun, with filming in Sicily, Malta, Crete, Santorini and Sardinia and off the coast of Spain for underwater portions, Discovery Canada said in a news release.

Discovery is partnering with National Geographic Channel and Toronto’s Associated Producers on the doc, directed by Emmy-winning, Jewish-Canadian filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici, who previously teamed with Cameron on 2006 TV movie The Exodus Decoded.

“Finding the historical and archeological truth behind the Atlantis myth has always been a fascination of mine,” said Cameron in the release. “Our exploration team will investigate several new theories about where the real Atlantis was, who these mysterious people were and what disaster wiped them from the Earth over three millennia ago.”

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Texas Black Panther Sighting Update

I received an email two weeks ago from a gentleman requesting that I call him. I did and it turns out he wanted to question me about “black panthers” and whether or not they have ever been seen near the area where he makes his home. I gave him my opinion on what I believe these animals to be and told him that they have been reported on multiple occasions near his location. He then shared with me that there had been two visuals on his property in the last week. His wife saw what she called a black panther just before turning onto their property and he and a friend saw a large, black, long-tailed cat matching the description she gave only a few days later after entering the property gate. At most, the sighting locations were no more than 1/4 mile apart and separated in time by only a few days. I was greatly intrigued and was especially excited as the area where the sightings took place is only about a 30-minute drive from my home. I asked if he would be open my visiting the property and putting up a couple of game cameras. He was very gracious and said he would, indeed, like it if I came out and put up a couple of cameras. Read more at Cameras Placed at Black Panther Sighting Location

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Sad, Tough Week in Orlando

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said a 2-year-old Nebraska boy is likely dead after being snatched and dragged underwater by an alligator at a hotel near Disney.

The child, who has not been identified, was attacked about 9:00 p.m. Tuesday on the shores of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, where the family of four had been staying since Sunday night.

He was with his parents and 4-year-old sister, relaxing at the Seven Seas Lagoon man-made lake when the animal struck.

More than 15 hours into the search, Demings acknowledged the child's trauma was "not survivable."

"There is no question the family will lose a 2-year-old boy," he said Wednesday.

What initially began as a search-and-rescue mission is now an effort to find the child's body so the parents get some closure, Demings said.

Crews won't stop searching until they find the boy, he said, adding that he hopes it's today.

Teams searching for the toddler found five gators, but no sign of the child. The alligators were killed and are undergoing examinations.

Deputies will continue using sonar, helicopters and boats to search. A dive team has also been called out to assist.

Additional Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers are also in boats searching.

Splashing in the water and screams caught the attention of guests, who realized the boy was grabbed.

One employee at the resort who did not want to be identified said in an email, "There is such a problem on property with guests feeding the alligators thinking it's cool."

There are two at the Buena Vista Palace that people regularly feed from balconies, he said.

Demings said the child's dad dove into the water and tried to pry the kid from the gator, but was unsuccessful. He had scratches on his hands after the ordeal.

Parents then alerted a nearby lifeguard that an alligator had attacked the boy. Officials estimated it was between four and seven feet long.

The initial report came into officials at 9:16 p.m. Tuesday, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Rose Silva said.

In response to reports the family was watching a hotel-sponsored movie on the lawn, Disney said it hosts such events but believed the film ended before the attack.

Deputies closed off the area with crime-scene tape. Multiple emergency vehicles filled the front drive of the Victorian-style hotel and a helicopter hovered overhead. About 50 members of the Reedy Creek Fire Rescue, Orange County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife officials joined forces to search for the child and the alligator.

Disney pools and beaches are also closed as search efforts continue.

There are no signs warning of gators in the area, but there are notices posted against swimming in the lake.

The Grand Floridian is a luxury resort owned by Disney. It is one of three hotels on the monorail line, just one stop away from the Magic Kingdom.

The lake offers a panoramic view of the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Resort, the Polynesian Resort and the Wilderness Lodge.

Jacquee Wahler, external communication director at Walt Disney World Resort, said she was "devastated" by the event.

"Everyone here at the Walt Disney World Resort is devastated by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family," he said. "We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement."

Attacks 'very rare'

It's unknown how many gators are in the lake, which spans roughly 172 acres and connects to other waterways.

Such attacks, especially with a toddler, are "very rare," Wiley said.

Still, alligators have fatally struck twice in the past year.

Most recently, in November, a 22-year-old burglary suspect trying to evade authorities was killed by an 11-foot alligator, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies said Matthew Riggins drowned as a result of the gator attack. He was missing his lower extremities and part of an arm, according to deputies.

In October, James Okkerse, a DeBary man swimming in Blue Spring State Park was dragged underwater while snorkeling and killed.

Duncan Dickson, a former Disney executive who now teaches at UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Management, said the property's interconnected network of canals makes it difficult to keep gators out of the lakes.

"The team attempts to relocate the gators to the uninhabited natural areas as best they can, but the gators don't understand the boundaries," he said.

"Normally, Seven Seas Lagoon is so busy with water traffic that the gators don't frequent the area. At twilight when things calm down can be another story. It is truly a tragedy."

'Tough week in Orlando'

Hotel guest A.J. Jain and his wife traveled from Georgia to Disney for a conference.

"I'm just here to say a prayer," he said. "I can't imagine what those parents are going through. It's been one tough week in Orlando."

This is just the latest tragedy in the Orlando area within a week span.

Singer Christina Grimmie was killed after a concert at the Plaza Live Friday night. The gunman killed himself after shooting her.

Early Sunday, a gunman killed 49 people and injured more than 50 others at the Pulse nightclub. The gunman was killed by law enforcement as they raided the club.

Jacquee Wahler, Vice President at Walt Disney World Resort, said she was "devastated" by the event.

"We are all doing our best to deal with all the situations that we have going on here, but our staff is very resilient. And tonight, they're very focused on assisting this family." - Demings: 'No question' 2-year-old boy dead after Disney gator attack

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My goal has been to present current alternative news, interesting paranormal events and descriptions of the anomalous world that surrounds us all. I also strive to provide astral and intuitive insight for those seeking help. I hope I've achieved this...and I would appreciate your kind consideration. Lon




...or go to Paypal and use my email lonstrickler@phantomsandmonsters.com as the payee.
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Lon Strickler
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THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

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