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Search Suspended For Fla. Girl (Jessica Lunsford)
Fox News ^ | March 1, 2005 | AP

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 ...


TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS: jessica; jessicalunsford; lunsford; missinggirl
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To: johnb838
SOMEBODY KNOWS SOMETHING, DAMMIT! And something stinks about this investigation.

I agree.

61 posted on 03/01/2005 9:27:52 AM PST by Netizen (jmo)
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To: johnb838
A moose bit my sister once.

Those responsible for the mooses have been sacked.
62 posted on 03/01/2005 9:29:28 AM PST by AaronInCarolina
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To: GraceCoolidge

They searched the computer, which was only bought 3 weeks ago, I believe, and found no contact with anyone via internet.


63 posted on 03/01/2005 9:30:20 AM PST by I'm ALL Right! (Welcome to my addiction.)
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To: johnb838
"It HAD to be someone known to the family,because the dog didn't bark...."

I totally agree.

"Sounding like Grandpa"

I have no comment and reserve my judgment.
64 posted on 03/01/2005 9:34:15 AM PST by Mrs.Nooseman
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To: spectre
So we are led to believe that the perp KNEW he could get in the house UNDETECTED by the grandparents or the dog and gracefully removed the child from the house. No screams, no struggle. Nothing was out of place that we know of. Perp was comfortable just walking her out the front door?

I think there is a missing stuffed animal, possibly a tiger. In which case she may have been called out of the house by a known person and carried her toy with her. Just knowing the dad kept her from her Mom shows he does NOT have the child's interest first off in this situation. An investigation into his affairs might reveal someone he owes a debt to, or there might be a rival to his g/f who wants to get back at the dad. Either way, I think the little girl knew her abductor.

65 posted on 03/01/2005 9:35:10 AM PST by Searching4Justice
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To: MisterRepublican

Feh. The dad knows whats up.


66 posted on 03/01/2005 9:35:36 AM PST by RedBloodedAmerican
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To: RedBloodedAmerican

bump


67 posted on 03/01/2005 9:36:25 AM PST by Neets
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To: johnb838

There's bodies all over Florida. It's a way of life here.


68 posted on 03/01/2005 9:36:43 AM PST by RedBloodedAmerican
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To: Neets

bump


69 posted on 03/01/2005 9:37:00 AM PST by RedBloodedAmerican
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To: RedBloodedAmerican

You sure you don't live in Joisey?


70 posted on 03/01/2005 9:38:34 AM PST by Neets
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To: cyncooper

"I am not saying there can be false positives and negatives, but I'm more aware of their accuracy. Which is why they are used as a tool".

I agree with you about lie detectors, and as far as I know, the guilty who pass have studied and practiced, and know just what they need to focus on while being interrogated.


71 posted on 03/01/2005 9:39:23 AM PST by EnquiringMind
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To: MisterRepublican

There was a video of her bedroom on one of the shows last night, and the bed was made up. Now you know the police took the bedclothes if she had in fact slept in it. But I did wonder why the bed is made up-- why is anyone allowed in there at this time. Also, when a family member is responsible, and the child may have been inadvertantly killed, often times they bury her with something she treasured, and the pink hat and purple dinosaur are missing.


72 posted on 03/01/2005 9:41:16 AM PST by D Edmund Joaquin (Mayor of Jesusland)
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To: johnb838
Was it that girl that disappeared from Florida Childrens Services

This was my first guess, but I haven't heard anything else about it. But my wife and I both thought immediately of the girl that Children's disServices lost.

73 posted on 03/01/2005 9:42:33 AM PST by SittinYonder (Tancredo and I wanna know what you believe)
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To: Searching4Justice
There is a stuffed dolphin missing. I was kind of hoping that maybe she ran away and was trying to get to her mother in Ohio. But, as time goes by, hopes for that are fading.

There's been mention of a sex offender living behind them. Does anyone know if the police have spoken with this person and or if the police are allowed to search his living area because of his past?

74 posted on 03/01/2005 9:43:01 AM PST by Netizen (jmo)
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To: MisterRepublican

It's heart wrenching to see Jessica's father's pleas on TV. It absolutely pulls my heart out. I pray for him that his sweet Jessica if found alive and safe. I pray for Jessica and her mother, oh Lord, I pray. This is so very, very sad. Lord, have mercy.


75 posted on 03/01/2005 9:44:24 AM PST by Miss Behave (Beloved daughter of Miss Creant, super sister of danged Miss Ology, and proud mother of Miss Hap.)
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To: Mrs.Nooseman

My stomach is in knots as well. I have a 10 year old and one day when she was about 4 a woman approached me and warned me to keep an eye on her at all times because "she looks just like the little girl that was murdered". I asked her if she meant JonBenet and she said yes. I was shocked but then I said that JonBenet was a blond and my little girl didn't really look that much like her. She told me something about my daughter reminded her of the pictures she'd seen on TV about the Ramsey girl and then she said "She's got the look. Some kids just attract the sick ones". Needless to say I was pretty shaken up over this encounter.


76 posted on 03/01/2005 9:45:11 AM PST by Andy'smom
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To: Mad Mammoth

Elizabeth Smart was 14....this girl is only 9, and a wee bit of a thing at that....


77 posted on 03/01/2005 9:45:39 AM PST by cherry
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To: All

Has anyoner heard anything about this little girl being a sleep walker? Are there bodies of water surrounding this house?


78 posted on 03/01/2005 9:50:50 AM PST by Cate
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To: Netizen; All
Did I read somewhere that the father was married before to a differant woman and has three older children?

I too believe its someone close to the family or at least knows the family dynamics and layout.....

check all extended family members as well as neighbors and friends.....

remember, David Westerfield was found guilty of murder of the little VanDam girl, he supposedly took her when he knew the mommy was out on the town.....could be similar thing here...the perp knowing daddy was not at home....

79 posted on 03/01/2005 9:52:42 AM PST by cherry
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To: Fritzy
"Who knows what evil is hidden behind "church going" members?????"

I've come to believe that much of the evil today comes from those hiding out as religious people.......

80 posted on 03/01/2005 9:54:56 AM PST by cherry
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