Posted on 03/01/2005 6:28:07 AM PST by MisterRepublican
HOMOSASSA, Fla. — The full-scale search for a missing 9-year-old girl ended its final day as law enforcement officers turned to child abduction experts for help.
Investigators and hundreds of volunteer searchers have uncovered little evidence during five days of scouring the rural area where Jessica Lunsford disappeared, and the full-scale search was suspended Monday afternoon.
"To continue this, we would be spinning our wheels," said Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy.
Instead, law enforcement officers were turning to 20 experts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to help crack the case. They planned to focus on a three-quarter mile radius area around Jessica's home.
Jessica's father described the change as a second phase of the investigation. After making a plea for her safe return while choking back tears, he expressed confidence that his daughter would come home.
"Just drop her off. I'll come get her," Mark Lunsford answered when asked what he would say to whoever had Jessica. "I know whoever has got Jessie, they have to have a heart."
He also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. "It's been overwhelming, the people that have shown up," he said. "It makes me feel real good to know everyone's trying to help me out."
Lunsford said he remains convinced that his daughter did not leave home voluntarily even though authorities have uncovered no evidence she was abducted. He said it's unlikely Jessica was lured away.
"She just didn't go with strangers," Lunsford said. He said authorities also are looking for a stuffed purple dolphin missing from his daughter's room.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
http://www.wtsp.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=12609
Coming soon LIVE video announcement
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office will be holding a news conference at 6pm today in Inverness. There has been a major development In case of missing 9 year old Jessica Lunsford. Watch 10 News for more information.
Live Video
What a news day, huh?
Ping, over here :~(
Is this the place with the basket being carried out?
Damn it.
? I don't know about the basket ,heard it here and never saw the transript that was stating anything about the basket. My son was dropping off a co-worker in that neighborbhood today ...and thats when he heard from the reporter about the confession ...What does the post above mean extradited ect...concerning couey?
Basket?
I don't know. I missed the CNN update and FOX doesn't have it yet. Tampa 10 should have their webcam up soon.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_MISSING_GIRL_FLOL-?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Area near sex offender's home blocked off in `major development'
By MIKE BRANOM
Associated Press Writer
HOMOSASSA, Fla. (AP) -- Deputies cordoned off an area near the home of a registered sex offender Friday after sheriff's officials said a "major development" was to be announced in the disappearance of a 9-year-old Florida girl.
Citrus County sheriff's spokeswoman Ronda Hemminger Evan said that deputies had blocked off an area near the home of John Evander Couey, who had been identified as a "person of interest" in the case of missing Jessica Lunsford. Evan would not provide further details, but a news conference was scheduled for 6 p.m.
(snip)
FOX....It is a CRIME SCENE. Yellow tape all around Couey's house.
Their web site mentions nothing!
Perhaps their web site is the last of the familie's worries at the moment.
To: Protect the Bill of Rights; All
Did anyone else hear a neighbor of the Lunsfords tell Greta tonight that she saw "them" (people in the Cuoey home) carry out a basket??!! Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought that's what she said during the interview.
1,485 posted on 03/17/2005 10:48:40 PM EST by varina davis
1,493 I heard that also. I thought she said "mattress" which makes it even more sinister. protect the bill of rights
No, not a family web site....Fox News website
Update at 6, searching the property couey was staying at in homosassa.
I thought they had already searched homes in that area! OMG ..I hate this ...Imagine Mark and angie feelings right now ...I have no remorse for people who harm children ...the man responsible does not deserve a trial...thye should let the parents have full contriol of what they want to do with him!
Thanks, I heard mattress too.
Tampa 10 live stream up.
See #1521 for link.
Sorry, my mistake.
Very sad as it doesn't look good at all. :(
This is not good news ,the web cam guy is sighing tremendously ..I don't think he has jitters from eing in front of the camera.
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