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 ...
As I said...the more we dig into this...the more we will learn.
One of the problems with Florida in general (and I have lived here full-time since 2001) is that people are not as reliable and they tend to drop the ball on a lot of things. Must the be the nice weather that is the distraction.
A lot of things need to change and they need to change soon.
i'm new here, so please forgive me if i don't come off well. this whole thing with jessica has me going home everyday to make sure my 11-year old daughter gets off the bus and into the house without problems. i'm also taking my lunch hour for this to make sure no one is in the house when she gets home. but what i wanted to ask is: does anyone know mark's address, or where they are taking condolence cards and money for the funeral? i would appreciate any help i could get. thanks.
Now they are looking at other missing children cases and matching up the time Couey was in jail.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-bk-bond032105,1,4037981.story?coll=orl-home-headlines&ctrack=2&cset=true
Florida also passed new legislation regarding sex offenders...IMHO it is not enough but at least they are doing something.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050322/APN/503221161
i called the sheriff's department on your advice, and she said to go to jessicamarielunsford.com, and the info would be on there. i went there, but it doesn't seem to be updated that much from last week. also, i thought i read here that the guy running that site was a scam artist. just want to make sure the family receives my families thoughts and money to go towards the funeral. any other ideas?
SunTrust Bank
Mail Code Fl Homosassa-0111
P.O.Box 156
Attn: Jamie
Brooksville, FL
34605
according to the local TV news story here:
http://www.nbc4i.com/news/4303460/detail.html
http://baynews9.com/content/36/2005/3/23/75573.html
More disturbing news...someone called L.E. last week and claimed Couey was saying he was having sex with a child 2 1/2 to 3 weeks ago...and how is it this person didn't get right on the phone and call the police...
Humanity I love...it's people I can't stand!!!
This is my first post, but I have been lurking here for awhile now, and have found this forum to be very informative. I received an email yesterday saying that someone was taking up a collection to buy Mr. Lunsford a new HARLEY. Of course, this is all supposed to be a surprise so don't tell Mr. Lunsford. The bike will have an airbrushed picture of Jessica on the tank. I was interested in donating to this fund, but my boyfriend insisted he call and check into it. After calling the dealership, he was told Mr. Lunsford was well aware of this "secret bike fund" could not tell him how much the bike cost, or what type it was. Of course he plans on riding this bike to the state capital to take his pettition, but I swear I have never heard of anything like this before. Sadly, many children are killed everyday in this country and their parents don't set up paypal funds for donations let alone ask the public to buy them a new Harley. I wish him well with his petition, but it doesn't take a new Harley to get his message to the statehouse.
This is just my opinion.
Haven't heard that one...thanks for the info.
Only thing I can think of...is people grieve in different ways and I think Mark Lunsford wants as many people helping him as possible - he doesn't want Jessica's death to be for nothing.
I would think since he doesn't have a lot of resources and he would have to continue to work he would need a lot of help making things happen both through connections and money.
I also think putting together a plan like riding to the capital will help create the buzz that he needs to get people excited. What he really ought to do is get Orange County Choppers involved to build him a bike dedicated to the cause. He is a big fan and it would be worthwhile cause for them and on Discovery it certainly will in front of everyone.
excited might have been the wrong choice of word...
I might adjust that and state...get people interested and involved...
birds of a feather flock together...
and he likes the custom bike crowd...for sure and they are a wealthy bunch!
If a new Harley will ease mark's pain ..I say give him all the Harley's he want's.... I wondered how he could have been riding a bike so soon after learning about his daughter ,,and then I thought...what else is he going to do ...Go lye down on his couch and watch more news footage of John Couey! Riding a bike is the best thing he could do ...Stay out of his house ,getting fresh air and sunshine..Mark deserves everything ..We can only pray we never have to deal with what he has ..
What about the Schindler's ? Those people have my deepest sympathy as well .. What I wouldn't give to seem that man stand trial!
Amen!
While I agree that he may deserve a new bike, I am not quite sure that the public should provide it for him. In my opinion, the money spent buying that Harley could be better spent on perhaps saving another missing child. And if its a Harley for this family, what will the next family need. My nephew served his country in Iraq and sadly commited suicide when he returned to the states. Our family never once considered asking the public to help with funds to raise his surviving daughter.
Very sorry to hear about your nephew...it is a very tough transition when they get back...my nephew is back on his second tour in Iraq and we count the days until he is back.
Deepest sympathies to you and your family and his surviving daughter...
Thanks so much surfer..I miss him so much and will never understand while it took the Air Force 3 days to find him..I will be praying for your nephew and all the other brave men and women who are fighting for our freedom!!
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