Search Suspended For Fla. Girl (Jessica Lunsford)

Fox News ^ | March 1, 2005 | AP

[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.

[surfer]

As I said...

People were suspecting them because of their looks, their clothes, their teeth, accusing them of horrible things...questioning every aspect they could dream up.

I am sure there are a lot of people out there are blaming Mark for going over to his girlfriend's house...this guy did nothing wrong...he left his child with his parents...we have all done that.

Think of the guilt that family is going to feel for years...they lost the best thing that was happening to that family...

Courey is the problem here...he should not have been on the street...none of them should...why should we live in fear of these sexual terrorists...

[blu]

The problem isn't suspecting them...the problem is categorizing people because of the way they dress, their teeth, their look...that is just wrong...

Amen!! Some of the stereotyping that went on here was disgusting.

[surfer]

Thank you...you said it better than I could...

[maggief]

No one was ever eliminated from suspicion, per LE.

Sheriff Dawsy announced Grandma's LDT red flags the same day he named Couey a POI.

He refused to call the disappearance an abduction.

The webhost of the family website was an "interesting" character, and donated funds were accepted via paypal with a hotmail email address.

There were 20-40 registered sex offenders in the immediate area.

Family, extended family, and neighbors had criminal backgrounds.

That's just a start ...

[surfer]

Yes everyone should be suspect...

but you shouldn't be a suspect because your teeth are quite right...also you should be accused of taking drugs because of your teeth...

[blu]

Oh, and don't forget the new sunglasses, the perm, the questionable work hours, and the 50 year old "record".

If any of the posters on this thread ARE REALLY LE, then of course you are entitled to your prejudices. You see things thru an entirely different filter than us JQ Publics. But as for the rest of us....hmm...how many of us would be fit to be on a jury...any jury?

And now, for the wackiest theory I've heard...(can't remember where):This person theorized that Gram had Jessie taken away for 2 reasons: that she supposedly really disliked Jessie's mom, and "maybe" she caught one of the men looking at Jessie "funny".and so she had Jessie sent somewhere,never to return, but to be safe.

[Netizen]

I missed that one. Please post the link to the post where a person became a suspect because of their teeth. And not Couey either because there have been comments about him and his teeth.

Thanks in advance.

[Netizen]

Wasn't that CitizenM? I think they stated up front that it was just a theory like everyone else.

[blu]

As I said, I don't remember where I saw it....so many boards, so few brain cells! And, yes, I did say it was a theory, and used "supposed" to make sure everyone understood it was just a theory.

[CitizenM]

Nope, that was not me. I never said that, but I did read that very early. I thought perhaps that Jessica had left the house on her own to go find Daddy because she might have been upset he had not come home.

Never did I suspect the grandmother did anything. Please do not contribute wrong theories to me. I am not saying this angrily. I am toooo sad. But, I do ask if you use my name, be sure I am quoted correctly. Thanks a bunch.

This is terrible. I started the first thread on the finding of this man, when the house was declared a "crime scene." I have been in anguish ever since it happened. What a terrible day...first Terri, then this!

[Salvation]

Prayers for the Lunsford family.

[maggief]

Yes, I questioned Mark's sunglasses, asking if they were new. The family had donation funds available to them for personal use. The website suggested posting flyers on Ebay for "worldwide distribution." It raises a red flag.

[blu]

Did you know you can buy Oakley knock-offs at the gas station?

[surfer]

Someone thought Mark was a meth user because of his teeth

[surfer]

Yep not a good day...

Terri a major blow too...

Now maybe the Lunsford can at least know where their angel is...hope this doesn't drag on too long.

I keep seeing Courey in that bar...how can he be laughing, alive and Jessica gone...just isn't right...

[mel]

I know it was embarassing, gives conservatives a bad name. It was so bad at one time, i thought they may have been disrupters, you know people intent on giving Freepers a bad name

[spectre]

I see you're still not over that other thing...too bad. I was.

sw

[Netizen]

I pinged you out of courtesy so that you could comment, on if it was you or not. sheesh! Get a grip.

[Netizen]

Some of them have their knickers in a knot and are riding it for all its worth! ;)

[spectre]

Don't bother, maggie. There's always a few who like to come and rub it in. They don't matter.

sw