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 don't think that they will find her in one piece.
I thought given what we knew, the answer had to be in the house. Even after Couey was named POI, it did not appear that he was smart enough to do what he did without leaving a trace of evidence.
Fact is fact, almost everyone in the family, immediate and extended has a criminal record. The way anyone in this family "looked" had nothing to do with it. I thought of the three in the house, Mark was the least likely to be responsible.
That was my first thought.
leave town one night and it has gone to hell in a handbasket....
After seeing Mark's news conference this morning he is stronger than most people I know.
Mark Lunsford regardless of his other "issues" is an impressive person and maybe his pain and suffering will create change that will help protect the rest of our children.
They are now reporting they have found her body.
~They are now reporting they have found her body.~
:-(
Any details yet?
Sheriff speaking to the media.
Says Couey is also a "crackhead" and truly a "piece of trash".
Says there was no relation between Couey and this family (other than perhaps some previous interaction he may have had with Jessica Lunsford to gain her trust, perhaps). He does not know if they can count on him to give them a definitive timeline of what happened, but they're working it and will find out what they can.
While the sheriff was speaking MSNBC showed a split screen with that bar video and I cannot watch it. Had to just listen.
This is simply unbelievable. And so incredibly scary that your children can be taken from their own beds, in your own home.
Most of us are so careful when we're out in public with our children, but feel safe in our own homes. :-(
Deep, sincere prayers go out for the Lunsford family, and Jessica's mother.
Between 3:30a and 4:30a body was found about 150 yards from Jessica's home.
Mark has his baby home now...just unbelievable...
It really is mind-numbing.
Forgot to add, the sheriff did say he wants Couey to get the death penalty.
I'm anxious for them to tell us *how* he managed this. He had been arrested for burglary several times, so I guess it wasn't hard for him to get in. And if a kid is sound asleep, it wouldn't be that hard to get out the door with them before they are even fully awake. Children are generally very sound sleepers.
This just tears my heart out.
It is very upsetting.
Very...
I've stuck my foot in my mouth and apologize to the Lunsfords for what I said. They have enough on their minds.I feel sorry for everything that's happened to them and their great loss of Jessie. Theres no words to say that can console them. Somethings got to be done with all child molesters and I mean "now". It's getting worse and worse. They should never be released from jail or prison. They will "never" stop. For them there can be "vigilante justice".Many of these predator's are still on the street's and have "never been caught".
Back to the ballgame I go...I am sure I will have much to post tomorrow night.
Prayers for all of the family
And for the record (not to you, but you know what I mean) I am glad I was not right.
You could never get to Couey, he would be too protected, unlike children
You are absolutely right, some of the remarks about Lunsford family horrible. Someone pointed out though that Peterson, Bundy et al looked wonderful and they are scum of earth.
You are absolutely correct. The past few days, we have seen how many politicians including Bush address the Schiavo case. I would like to see such attention to the continuing rape and murder of innocent children by perverts with sexual convictions.
I think these predators should be called Sexual Terrorists...and send them all to Guantanemo Bay...
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