We, the undersigned residents and concerned members of the public, call for leadership accountability and an independent external review of the investigative response and public communications related to the death of La’Niyah “Lala” Clark.

This petition arises from documented community concerns regarding investigative response, communication practices, and public trust in the institutions responsible for protecting vulnerable residents.

Basis for Public Concern
Community members, family representatives, and public reporting have raised serious questions regarding investigative handling and communication practices in this case.

Among the concerns reported publicly:

• The adoptive mother contacted law enforcement on a Saturday seeking assistance regarding the missing child.
• According to statements presented publicly, follow-up contact from a detective did not occur until Thursday of the following week.
• It was communicated that the delay was attributed to the detective not working weekends and being ill during the week.
• Community members have questioned why the matter was not reassigned or delegated to another investigator during that period.

These reported circumstances have contributed to substantial public concern regarding continuity of investigative response and supervisory oversight.

Concerns Regarding Public Disclosure of Case Details
Members of the public have also expressed serious concern regarding the disclosure of specific details about the victim’s condition when found. Reports indicate that information describing the victim’s state and the presence of a rope was publicly shared during official communications.

Community members assert that disclosure of such details may raise risks including:

• potential contamination of witness accounts
• risk of false confessions or misinformation
• potential compromise of evidentiary integrity

This petition does not assert investigative conclusions. Rather, it reflects the community’s concern that public communications must prioritize investigative integrity and victim dignity.

Leadership Responsibility and Loss of Public Confidence
Public safety leadership carries a duty to ensure:

• continuity of investigative response
• appropriate delegation of responsibilities
• protection of evidentiary integrity
• responsible and measured public communication
• transparency without compromising investigations

When public confidence is substantially eroded, accountability at the leadership level becomes necessary to restore trust.

Demand for an Independent External Review
We specifically demand that any review of investigative conduct and communication practices be conducted by outside agencies independent of Wilkes-Barre city government and Luzerne County authorities, in order to ensure impartiality and restore public confidence.

We Therefore Demand:

1️⃣ The resignation of George Brown, Mayor of Wilkes-Barre.
2️⃣ The resignation of Michael Boyle, Chief of Police.
3️⃣ The removal or reassignment of the detective responsible for primary case handling pending independent review.
4️⃣ The resignation of Samuel M. Sanguedolce, District Attorney of Luzerne County, based on community concern regarding disclosure of sensitive case details and its potential impact on investigative integrity.
5️⃣ A fully independent external review conducted by agencies with no supervisory or operational ties to Wilkes-Barre city government or Luzerne County.
6️⃣ Public disclosure of policies governing missing-person investigations involving vulnerable individuals and standards for case delegation when primary investigators are unavailable.

Community Context:
Residents have attempted to engage through public comment, formal Right-to-Know requests, and community advocacy. These actions reflect sustained public concern regarding transparency and institutional accountability.

Local independent reporting and public records efforts — including those undertaken by Cory J. Dunn of Luzerne County Independent News Network — reflect the community’s effort to obtain clarity through lawful channels.

Statement of Purpose:
This petition does not seek to interfere with criminal proceedings. It seeks accountability in governance, transparency in process, and restoration of public trust.

Justice requires truth.
Truth requires transparency.

For the sake of this community and in the interest of public confidence, we call for independent review and leadership accountability now.