‘Thank you Schapelle’: Corby’s new obsession with missing Australian children
Schapelle Corby confirms a newfound fascination with Australian missing persons. Photo: Instagram
Schapelle Corby appears to have a newfound fascination with missing Australian children, using her public profile to call for much-needed “awareness”.
After carrying a bag with the face of missing New South Wales boy William Tyrrell while leaving Bali, the convicted drug smuggler has continued to display a desire to channel her widespread media attention to a meaningful cause.
On Tuesday Ms Corby shared a photo of missing woman Hayley Dodd to her Instagram account.
“This is Hayley Dodd who has been missing since 1999,” Ms Corby wrote for her 177,000 followers.
“Hayley was just 17 years old. Please check out her Mothers IG @forevertaken1999. There are so many missing children in Australia, more awareness needs to be raised. #missingchildrenawareness #hayleydobb #DanielsLaw.”
Ms Dodd went missing in 1999 from Badgingarra, Western Australia, on July 29 at age 17.
She was never seen again.
While the William Tyrrell campaigners were not impressed by the convicted criminal’s endorsement, Hayley’s sister Toni Dodd told The New Daily that she and her mother, Margaret, were very grateful.
“If I was to speak to Schapelle, I would say thank you for getting my sister’s photo out to the 175,000 people that are following her,” Toni said.
“Who knows, if people keep sharing Hayley’s story maybe someone might know where she is buried and then our family can give her the send off she truly deserves.
“We have never given up hope.
“I am not bothered by the fact it’s shared by Schapelle, she has done her time for the crime she was convicted of, regardless whether she was guilty or innocent.
“As a family we wish Schapelle the best for her future.”
Toni said her mother was aware of the post before it was published and was “happy about it”.
She confirmed the Dodd family had no connection to the Corby family.
A man has been charged with Hayley Dodd’s murder and is awaiting trial. Her body has never been found.
“Words cannot describe the pain our family has suffered and continue to do so,” Toni said.
“I think it is beautiful people are still thinking of my precious baby sister.
“Schapelle sharing her photo is a great thing to do and I wish many others would do the same, who knows if we had social media back then maybe we would already have a grave to visit.”
Daniel’s Law
Ms Corby’s post also referenced a Bill, known as “Daniel’s Law” in memory of child sex offender victim Daniel Morcombe.
Daniel, 13, was abducted from the Sunshine Coast while waiting for a bus on 7 December, 2003.
The Northern Territory became the first jurisdiction in the country to introduce a publicly accessible website featuring details and locations of sex offenders convicted of the most serious crimes.
Under Daniel’s Law, the Sex Offender and Child Homicide Offender Public Website Bill 2015, a website would list “the worst of the worst” child sex offenders, including those convicted of killing a child.
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