July 16, 2008 Bennett family grieves, offers advice to parents Play video

(Anya Huneke, NECN: Randolph, VT) - Jim and Janet Bennett have only just begun the grieving process. For them the past few weeks have been a surreal blur.

Janet: "It still feels like I'm dreaming, It feels like i haven't woken up yet, And when i do, it's going to be the weekend. And she's going to be coming."

They are trying to return to daily family life... But at every turn is a reminder that one key member is missing: Brooke-- Jim's 12 year-old daughter. Janet's step-daughter. One of their three children.

Janet: "she was giggly when she was young. All she did was giggle."

Click here to watch more from Brooke's stepmother.

They make an effort to think positive thoughts... But these days that's hard. Brooke disappeared in nearby Randolph three weeks ago...

She was found - murdered - one week later.
Jim "we were hoping for the best right up until we knew otherwise... That's the only thing we could do."

Click here to watch more from Brooke's father.

Brooke's death has shaken this central Vermont community to its core. Not only because a young life was taken... But because two of Brooke's relatives have been arrested in connection with the case.

Michael

Michael jacques is a convicted sex offender who spent time in prison for a 1992 assault... And was released early from probation in 2006.

Jim/janet "I knew some of his background... And I brought it up with Brooke's mother." as soon as he found out, he called her and told her about it." were you concerned?" it was a concern for us, most definitely."

Janet Bennett on not being ready to 'open next chapter'

But the Bennetts - who didn't see Brooke on a daily basis, since she lived with her mother - say they *thought* Brooke was, nevertheless, safe.

Jim "there was never any indication there was a problem... I wasn't aware she was alone with him at any time."

Jim Bennett says something like this makes you question everybody.

As this surveillance video shows, though, Brooke did have close contact with Jacques... She was last seen leaving a convenience store in Randolph with him June 25th.

Bennett's father on trying to make life as normal as possible.

Brooke Bennett's body was found buried off Crocker road in Randolph- roughly a mile from Michael Jacques' home. Authorities have determined she was the victim of a homicide... But they haven't yet said how she died. Their investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, they say, is still far from over."

But court papers reveal Jacques had plans to abduct and hurt Brooke... And initiate her into an apparent sex program called "breckenridge." he had allegedly brought his 14 year-old relative into the program five years earlier-- a program about which little is known at this point, but which authorities say may not have involved many, if any, other people.
Anger is still one of the foremost emotions for Brooke's relatives... Including her step-aunt and grandfather, Lori Aranda and Butch Stevens.
They also harbor some feelings of regret... For not taking full advantage of the time they had with Brooke.

But as much as they rack their brains about what they could have picked up on, but didn't -- any signs of serious problems in Brooke's life -- they come up empty-handed.

Brooke's step-aunt hopes this 'never happens to anyone else'

The Bennetts will continue to wonder about what they could have done differently... But they say the strongest lesson they've learned is to appreciate what you have while you have it... Because all they have now are memories...of a spunky pre-teen with a busy social life and dreams of becoming a lawyer... Who loved sports, animals, sponge bob, and ketchup...and, as pictures prove, who loved to smile.

And it now stretches - indelibly - well beyond... Across a stunned and grieving community. In Bethel, Vermont, Anya Huneke, NECN.

Brooke Bennett's step-grandfather says he's impressed with the community support.