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She lost her first child during pregnancy and she did not want anything to happen to her precious son. At 25, she planned to have more kids, but for now, James was her only child and she kept him close. Her little boy, who would be three, next month, had large blue eyes, a beaming smile, and sandy brown hair.
On Friday, Feb 12, Denise accompanied her brother's girlfriend Nicola to the Bootle Strand Shopping Center and she brought James along. At 2:30 they entered the modern, two-story shopping center. Nicola had to exchange some underwear at TJ Hughes, and Denise waited nearby, watching the children. For a moment James disappeared from sight. He was getting antsy, and made a fuss if he had to ride in the stroller. James wandered, but soon cried out, frightened to suddenly find himself alone.
Denise picked him up and they left TJ Hughes. She bought the children a snack, hoping to quiet James down. But the two-year-old was full of energy. At a children's clothing store he tossed around baby's clothes and at another store grabbed some candy and juice before Denise could stop him. They would be leaving soon, after one last stop at the butcher's shop. Denise went in, leaving James by the door. Since there wasn't a line, so she figured James, who was squirming and fussing in her arms, would be okay for a moment on his own.
The butcher mixed up the order, occupying Denise a little longer than she expected. Nicola had just seen James playing with a cigarette butt by the door, but when Denise left the shop to scoop up her child, he was gone. She ran back inside, crying. "I was only in the shop a few seconds. I turned round and he'd gone."".
Earlier that same morning, Jon Venables left his Merseyside home for school. Down the road, Jon ditched his school bag in his favorite hiding place. He saw Robert Thompson, who was hanging out with his little brother.
