NEW EVIDENCE COULD HELP IN SEARCH FOR DANIELLE
(02-12-2002) - Police are conceding that "progress is slow" but new clues, including bits of clothing found behind Danielle van Dam's school, could help police in their 11-day search for the Sabre Springs girl.
Investigators also found a blue backpack that contained what appeared to be tax papers and found that the RV belonging to David Westerfield was washed "squeaky clean" just before it was searched. Police reportedly found child pornography on Westerfield's computer.
San Diego Police said that more than 250 tips have been phoned in, and a clip on the "America's Most Wanted" television program generated 20 approximately 20 more tips.
On Monday, San Diego bail bondsman George “King” Stahlman added $50,000 to the van Dams' $25,000 reward for information about Danielle's abductors.
“Somebody out there knows something they're not talking about, and we just thought that money will motivate them,” said Brenda van Dam.
Newsweek magazine reported that Fleischman-Hillard, one of the nation's largest public relations firms, will be representing the van Dam family.