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 ...
CALLER: Yeah hi, good evening, Larry. I'd like to ask Jessica's father. On earlier reports down here in Florida that the grandmother said that Jessica had a dog. Did the dog do any barking that night? Or any kind of unusual things going on around the house the dog would bark?
M. LUNSFORD: Well, it's a small daschund. And when he sleeps, he has to be under a blanket. He likes to burrow hisself under a blanket. And when he does things like that, he can't hear you come in. He can't even hear me coming in from work.
But if he's out and he's not under his blanket, he'll raise more cain than a big dog.
KING: Mark, the dog was there, right? The dog wasn't taken?
M. LUNSFORD: No.
Interesting stuff thanks for sharing.
Here in Oregon when Christian Longo came to our State and stuffed his family into sleeping bags then dumping them into the bay 2miles up from me the divers here in our small community had never had that type of exp. pulling up Mom and the kids.
I lost my taste for oceanperch and other Bay food. Prefer my catch to be miles off the coast.
In other words, their appearance is a distraction from the fact that the daughter is missing and throws more suspicion on them whether or not it is warranted.
You've been through a lot is an understatement. Looks like God had plans for you. You should be blessed in the world to come.
Remember the movie about the boy with the syndrome that made his face so terribly misshaped? It starred Cher - I think it was called "Mask." The mother had great problems, but somehow managed to provide a loving environment for her son. She had some unusual type friends, but they were good people just the same and loved the boy. Just because there are people in one's life that may be "different" does not make them bad people. I have some very good friends who are professional types, highly well-educated, etc. and others who are the "average joe" type who have some rough edges but hearts that go down to their toes. Look at the motorcycle gangs that raise all the money for toys for children at christmas.And there are plenty of these types who are very pro-military, strongly patriotic, and voted for Bush because they have conservative principles.
I think the Dad leads a basically normal life, keeps some of his activities separate that might be considered, perhaps, offensive/disrespectful to his parents with whom he lived, and to also be sensitive to the fact that he has a young daughter who should not be subjected to hearing Dad and girlfriend in his bedroom.
He may be a common man, but I think he is decent and has a level of morality that many don't today.
Well perhaps their was "social freinds" and then "private friends".
Speculation.
Shep is talking about it now!
I don't remember names, but the rape case was featured on 20/20 when they did a story on the practice of some police departments of polygraphing anyone who reports a rape. The point of the story was that many rape victims are so traumatized by the rape that just recalling the event brings on the very reactions that would make a person flunk the test. That particular case led to all three rape victims suing the police department in question - the second and third victims sued bcse they believed that had the cops bothered to look for the rapist of the first woman, they might have been spared their ordeals. The case also spawned legislation in many states to do away with polygraphing rape victims.
The second case was the subject of a true crime book (Bitter Blood) that I read. It involved multiple murders by a woman and her nutjob cousin. They killed her ex-mother-in-law and sister-in-law, her parents and her grandmother. Eventually, they killed themselves and her two sons to avoid being captured by the cops. In the case of the man (her ex-husband) who took the polygraph, he was the sole heir after the death of his mother and sister, and so was a logical suspect. He flunked the first polygraph, but claimed he was so upset that the results couldn't be accurate. The cops gave him a week to calm down and then administered another one, which he also flunked. Fortunately, his alibi checked out, but since the murders were hit-style, the cops weren't able to eliminate him as a suspect until after the other murders took place.
Great book, btw.
Yeah, he's following the advice given to him by other fathers that have had their children abducted.
The more media attention, the better.
Hi Maggiefluffs!
Sad circumstances but it is nice to see those from RB's ping list again.
Just think it has been two years since we were shocked with ya know that other killer and look at how bizarre the world has gotten.
From female teachers sleeping with kids to the dog catcher bieng a seriel killer and everyting in between. Damn.
It was the father that prevented the mother from seeing Jessica, but according to another article they spoke on the phone weekly. The father couldn't even send the mother an updated picture so when LE showed her a picture she didn't even recognize her daughter. Not her fault, but still SAD!
The father's party routine is questionable at best.
Got to agree with that. HAd it been a Saturday/Sunday morning ok, but on a Tuesday night, partying and staying out all night, when he needs to be home in the morning for his daughter.
And to top it off, holding a lit cigarette while giving an interview like the mother did
Probably nerves and she was outside wasn't she?
and never combing one's hair (like the dad) are no-no's that someone from the local station or even neighbor friend should have pointed out.
I saw him in other interviews where his hair looked clean and combed. Remember, that first interview was after he had partying the night before and if... if he had taken a shower just before reporting his daughter as missing, his hair might still have been damp and looked uncombed when that really wasn't the case. Just a possibiity.
That meth/booze mode/look?
That stuff is ripping souls apart.
Good for Mom though that she had the decency to do what was best for her baby girl.
It is early in the tradgedy so speculation is all we have.
About a year ago there was two young teens I would say about 13/14 walking to town on the old hwy/bay road.
Hitchhiking! I pulled over in my van with tinted windows and said where ya going I'll give ya a lift.
They figured I was female looked safe smiling......boy did I give both of them a major lecture all the way to town which was a two mile walk that they didn't want to hassle.
Those poor girls wished they had never hitched a ride with a MOM! LOL
I had to pack a suitcase and catch a flight as quickly as possible because he was out of state It took 3 separate flight transfers to get there. I was exhausted and terrified. I looked terrible at the airport I am sure. For days I was unkempt. It was hard to construct sensible sentences. It was hard to think of anything except worry that he would live. I had huge dark circles under my eyes from not sleeping and they were swollen from crying. I wore the same clothes for two days at one point. Every chance I had, I smoked and drank coffee. I didn’t wear make-up, didn’t give a thought about myself. If I had been on TV at that time would you have judged me so severely?
Jessica’s father is obviously a country boy, who probably never was concerned about his appearance. Now, it is even less important to him. Give the guy a break.
Maybe it was one of the dad's buddies. Hadn't they been out drinking earlier and then the dad left to go to his girlfriends house? A friend would most likely know where the spare key was and the layout of the house.
Hey if Dad caved to his human needs or such and did it remote/away from the family better than being disrepectful to all and bringing his bad home.
He could of had an apt. with his daughter and living a wild man life with no thought of the consequenses but for whatever reason he stayed with his folks and daughter under a 'Christian lifestyle" roof in accordance to his folks wishes maybe.
So he does get brownie points for that IMO.
Still Speculation.
Judging a “book by it’s cover” – great idea: Let’s take a look at Ted Bundy, pretty handsome guy, well-spoken, charmer, ladies flocked to him. Or, Scott Peterson – he’s a real cutie, runs with the golf set, well-liked successful salesman, a real “man’s man” type. Or, hey, the BTK suspect , Dennis Rader – now there’s a real suspicious looking guy, in his robes on the church steps, or in the Scout Master uniform. Oh, Peeelllleaze!
Can you give a link to the article, please?
Fritzy I am with you.
I cannot bear to read the Terri S threads for those who post their unknowing opinion about brain damaged folks that are stuck in bodies but have active minds.
It depresses me, but I try to read the new news to see if her life will be spared and stay away from the posts.
Reading negative posts on threads for her is like a kick in the gut.
I suppose those who have lost a child to a predator have the same sick feelings when those of us ignorant to the truth start chiming in with are posts.
Not a bad thing to be stuck on the Prayer ping threads and never get out much.
Between Trussell and Salvation pinging for Prayer one has plenty to lift up to the Lord. Oh and then there is the Life of Logan and the smile his pics bring to our family.
Blessings my friend... more later...
True. I just came off of two weeks of heavy round the clock care and did not sleep last night decided to hang untill his Dr. appt. today.
I look like a worn woman for sure and I can't make it all better with my expertise make up (just hair and clothes for town) because I am having the worst allergy attack in 20yrs. We have had little to no rain here in Oregon and I feel like I am in the dry hills of Cali. Eyes beet red face swollen looks like I have been crying all night. Cold towel, perhaps I should toss it in the freezer.
No make up for me is when going to town is scary for the community.
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