'She was a really cool person'

EUGENE, Ore - Friends say Jeanette  Maples often faded into a crowd. She was quiet, kept her head down in the hallways, wrote poetry, and always seemed lost in thought.

Jamie Inman and Debbie Chester were among those who attended a vigil for Jeanette late Thursday night.

They all attended Cascade Middle School. Jeanette was a student there from February of 2006 to Spring of 2008.

Friends say she seemed to be the happiest when she was at school.

"She was a really cool person," says Inman.

Inman says there were signs of abuse. Jeanette allegedly came to school with a split lip, once arrived with an arm sling, and even came to school with a black eye.

"Yeah she came to school with a black eye," says Chester. "And told us all she fell off her bed. I think she was scared of what people might think if she ever told anyone."

These two say they were too young to realize exactly what was going on. They say Jeanette was not allowed to wear makeup or attend birthday parties but just thought her parents were strict.

Before attending Cascade Middle School, Jeanette lived in California.

After graduating from junior high school, she started being home schooled. Chester and Inman say that's the last they ever saw of her.

"She just disappeared," says Chester.

"I think she's in a way better place," she adds. "She's up there in heaven. God's got her now. He's protecting her."