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 ...
Is there a national sex offender registry search engine ...You know ,not state by state ,but one place to type a name for searching....????
Did you catch Jessica's father today?
Looks like he has a new death metal t-shirt and hat. I don't understand the wisdom with wearing a skull t-shirt when talking about your missing child.
By his low weight and teeth it appears that he may have some meth in his past.
He constantly mentions that he is either coming or going to "work". Read my mind with that one.
I don't think he is being forthright about the relationship between Jessica and her estranged Mother. Angie needs to set the record straight.
sw
sw
Oops..their = there
Yes ,there must be ..it's very hard to search state by state and I know one site I tried doesn't seem to be working well .
I thought the same thing when I heard him speak today. Something didn't seem right but can't place my finger on it.
Yes, that is a price tag on the hat. The hat and skull shirt both appear to be clean and new. Grandma has a new dye job and perm. I find it all very interesting.
Did you catch the (Oakley?) shades propped on the brim of the hat?
New?
Yes, I caught them and yes, those are new too.
Would one perhaps wonder what's going on with the fundraising money?
Just how often did he spend the night away from Jessica? Every night?
sw
Right now there are reporters in jessica's neighborhood ...Josh talkington a reporter out there in the neighborhood says they have a confession fronm someone ..couey's residence is all roped off ....This will be live at 6:30 P.M ...My son got this info striaght from talkington... (Tripple Sighs )
Right now there are reporters in jessica's neighborhood ...Josh talkington a reporter out there in the neighborhood says they have a confession fronm someone ..couey's residence is all roped off ....This will be live at 6:30 P.M ...My son got this info striaght from talkington... (Tripple Sighs )
Watching for reports...
Live stream:
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/live.asp
http://update.sptimes.com/#AN_xffpt
Citrus to announce "major development" in case of missing girl
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office has scheduled a 6 p.m. news conference to announce a "major development" in the case of a missing 9-year-old girl. No other details have been announced. A "person of interest" in the case, John Evander Couey, has waived extradition and will return to Citrus County soon, officials said earlier in the day. Georgia Magistrate John Baxter met with Couey some time after 10 a.m., and Couey signed paperwork clearing the way for his return to Florida. There was no formal hearing and Couey did not have an attorney. Citrus authorities are not sure what role, if any, Couey had in the disappearance of Jessica Lunsford. Couey is being held without bail on two Florida charges, including violation of probation on a misdemeanor drug case. –
PING!
Ack! They have the home taped off across the street from where Jessie lived and the "person of interest" was staying with relatives.
Let's hope Maggiefluffs it is not the worst of news. : (
Not looking good.
I'm shaking.
My stomach is churning. Oh gawd...sw
Sad ping, guys. Doesn't look good...
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