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 ...
sw
I don't really think with what is known right now, that Mark was involved, but I got a hinky feeling about grandpa and that they just recently got a computer (that I read somewhere that LE found 'adult pics' of some sort on computer). Seems kinda handy that they had it so they could get a website up and going to ask for $.
Yeah, I'm terribly cynical...
Yes…:) I think we both may have seen too much.
Yeah, but with Susan Smith it was obvious to a lot of people that she was lying from the first moment she appeared on TV. This guy didn't have that effect on me.
He's the only one in that household that hasn't been on camera or spoken to the media.
Maybe that means nothing... but after so many days & he's a no-show, I am beginning to wonder. Hope I am wrong.
My sons (teenaged) would get to my laptop before it went on standby. I have found a lewd picture or two afterwards.
ME: "Husband! Come see the crap they are looking at & putting on my laptop."
HUSBAND: "I'll talk to them. Hey! What are you doing! Don't delete them yet! "
That alone would make 99.9% of the men in this country a suspect.
Needless to say I now have a poweron password, a logon password and a come off standby password. They think I am so mean!
I hadn't heard about the grandfather's brother dying, what he died from or where he lives. Interesting; do ya remember where you heard it?
It was posted on another thread by varina davis who seems to know much about the case...I think she lives down there.
After I read that post I might have seen it in one of the news articles.
I am not suggesting any connection. It may explain why Grandpa has been out of sight. The stress of those two events within days is enough to knock anyone over.
Man, I guess you are cynical! The guy cries too much, he doesn't cry enough. His hairstyle is bad, he drives a dump truck, and his ex-wife looks horrid. All damning facts. I can understand us all kicking around ideas about this case, but please, let's base our assumptions on things other than how people look. I haven't seen the grandfather yet, if he has a wart on his nose and a hunchback, he must surely be guilty...of something...anything!
I don't mean to 'profile' anyone-but-if Mark is working all day, spending his late evenings with a girlfriend, who else in the house would have time to spend on the computer, and not just look at whatever type of pics these may have been, but to learn how to set up a website with paypal? I thought I read the family set up the website themselves, which if they just got the computer a few weeks ago, just seems like someone learned alot real fast.
The loss of his brother sure could account for him not being around.
My cynicism is not based on how Mark looks, or what he does for a living. There is just something wrong with the big picture. I hope I'm wrong.
Can you give me a link to the website ..I was there today and somehow I lost it ...doing a search for essica lunsford website does not bring it up, so please put the link here.
Thanks in advance
Mine too. Pray she is safe somewhere.
"Sounds to me like he is a better man than many give him credit for. Those answers show he has some class."
Maybe so ...
He gave a terrible interview this weekend on Rita Cosby's show that continues to gnaw at me. Add that to the dog not barking, the unlocked door, etc., and it sounds like she either left on her own or with someone she knew, assuming she was still alive.
Does anyone have a link to the website set up for Jessica by Marks brother ,if so can you please paste it here. Very appreciated
Very interesting. Wonder if the older kids could add any new info. Also helps to know that Jessica's mother is the second wife.
www.jessicamarielunsford.com
This is it.
Well, you've made up your mind, haven't you?
Spectre seems to be looking at all the angles. Gotta problem with that?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.