n this undated photo provided by the Lunford family released Feb. 28, 2005, shown is Jessica Lunsford, who has been missing from her home in Homosassa, Fla., since Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005 (AP Photo/Lunsford Family)
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 ...
I think you meant your post for someone else. I was defending their appearances etc.
n this undated photo provided by the Lunford family released Feb. 28, 2005, shown is Jessica Lunsford, who has been missing from her home in Homosassa, Fla., since Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005 (AP Photo/Lunsford Family)
KING: Is Jessica an only child?
MARK LUNSFORD: No, sir. KING: What other children do you have?
MARK LUNSFORD: I have a son -- two sons and a daughter in Ohio, and I have another daughter in North Carolina. (NOTE: 2 sons and 2 daughters besides Jessica = 5 children)
KING: But Jessica's the only child with you, right?
MARK LUNSFORD: Yes, sir. She's the last one that I have to raise. And it's just -- I really want to finish what I started!
sw
If he had had his own apartment he might not have gotten custody. Chances are that the reason he has custody is because his parents are there. He is living with them. "Christian lifestyle" includes sleeping around?
I guess I phrased it kinda wrong. I said "Right" in agreement with you. Then I went on to offer discourse about the other posts. I know you were supportive. Sorry. I should have made it more clear, or made another, separate post. Mea culpa.
Wonder how old these kids are that he doesn't feel the need to 'raise' them.
Odd. Boys tend to go with the fathers, girls with the mothers. Wonder why the others are with the mother.
sw
Hey, let's get back to the story here. There is a innocent little girl out there, we should not be exercising such scrutiny about the Dad.
I don't care if he was a criminal in jail. If the daughter was in the care of a loving family, well-adjusted, happy, church going, etc. as EVERYONE has proclaimed - the father must have been doing Something right! Failed marriages - bet there are plenty on FR who have had that. Partying on a weeknite - who has not done that at times? Some children in another home - I know a PhD/MD/Hospital Administrator with the same situation. So what? It happens, not the best all the time, but does not always mean the people are scum.
This Dad made some bad decisions and mistakes, probably. As I heard it, the girlfriend is not in the "sleep around" category. He may not have the highest standards, but that does not mean he should be critized so severely.
Jessica is the issue here. He hurts just like the most devout Christian and the worst sinner. Let us stop casting stones and just Pray that she is safe. Amen!
I am with you!
Do you have the info about the mother speaking to Jessica weekly on the phone?
Ditto.
Someone else mentioned the 'Christian lifestyle', I just commented on an observation. I realize that a lot of people profes to be Christians when really aren't.
sw
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0502/25/lkl.01.html
KING: Mark, have you been in touch with your ex-wife?
MARK LUNSFORD: No.
KING: Has she been calling about her daughter?
MARK LUNSFORD: Well, no.
KING: Don't you count that unusual?
MARK LUNSFORD: Well, my ex-wife didn't know that we were here in Florida. You know, we just recently moved over. We've been here a year this month. There hasn't been a lot of contact. We've always lived so far apart and not knowing where each other is. It's a long, dragged-out story, you know, our break-up, and with the child. But I know Angie loves her daughter, and I know Angie is worried to death about her.
KING: Well, so she knows now where her daughter -- she knows where you are now and that her daughter is missing, but she still hasn't called you?
MARK LUNSFORD: No. I don't know that she has any resource to even, you know, get a phone number for me or -- you know, or anything.
No sleeping around does not show much virtue in living a Christian life.
I was speculating that he may have been giving into his loins but not under Mom and Dads roof where it would not fly.
No sleeping around is not a Christian Virtue, nor is a few other sins that we all are guilty of.
Thank God we get to get up everyday and try again, right?
For me it is black and white esp. being removed from the worldly influences. I can easily discern and know when an influence needs to be dealt with. Gossiping, vindictiveness, greed, dishonesty ect. comes my way I have no problem telling someone I don't want to partake because it is sinful and hurtful. I do my best to live a quiet, peacefull life and can't handle all that stuff and it helps living way out here in a very rural area.
I do know if I was not a stay at home careprovider and worked in the big City with worldy folks I may have missed the boat and be the biggest Granny Whore in the country. : )
By the grace of God....and no matter what sin this fellow is indulging in he can always chose today to start a new.
I sure have days I mess up go to God and start over.
I am real big on Preaching Virtue to the young folks around my son and then I turn around and blow it somehow.
Yep, and he seems to start fresh with some sort of regularity.
Doxie was my childhood pet too.
Now as an adult it has always been Labs.
Jessie has the look about her that she will blossom into a very pretty young lady. She reminds me of a childhood freind of my sons who looked like Jessie and grew into a beautiful young lady. Wonder what happened to her. Her Mom didn't drink/drugs but was quite the gypsy on the move.
This little gal would come stay with us and accepted Jesus into her heart after my son did a summer of Bible study with her. Cool. Memories.
See ya later gotta get the son to his well check and get some sleep after.
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