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 ...
Announcement starting in 10 seconds...
Sheriff up
This guy was waiting for an opportunity to get in there. Maybe he was trying often and that one night the house was unlocked.
Crap.
What's happening?
The front door was NEVER used and was always kept locked because it was never used. Granny is a neat freak, they used the back door only.
Which is why I asked where that spare house key was kept. Why keep it in front where EVERYONE could see you get it, instead of in the back? If it was kept in the front.
He killed her
Oh no.
I had Fox on but surfed in case it was on (I was on a different topic/thread, too) and was in time to see what MSNBC has on the screen...confessing to abducting and killing that little girl.
Abducted her and killed her
Poor Jessica is dead...so sad for the family...
What a scumbag Couey...unbelievable...
Lies on polygraph and then apologizes to investigators for wasting their time and admits to abducting her and killing her...
Oh no...is that what they are saying? Do they know where she is?
What a coward!
Couey admits to abducting and killing Jessica.
Know the general area
He confessed. Couey said no need to tell him the LDT results. LE should have body location within hours.
They know the general area where she is...they are working to recover her body now...it is going to take hours they said.
I am ashamed for ever suspecting any of that family!
He has evidently given them information of where they can find her (if I understood him correctly). They are going to check.
He's speaking with other investigators giving more details.
He wanted to give the reporters the basic news and is apologizing for not having more details but he wanted to let them know where it stood and details will be provided as soon as they're known.
They delay for the conference...is that it took longer to reach Mark and Jessica's Mother...after they told them he came out.
I hope all the people that continually incriminated Mark because of they way he looked - wake up...many of the comments on this thread were just horrible and several people should be ashamed of themselves.
CNN showed live shot from the scene. Kristy was overcome.
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