Report: Utah Girl May Have Been Kidnapped by an Extended Family MemberSALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake newspaper says investigators believe the kidnapper of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart could have been a member of her extended family. The Salt Lake Tribune said in a copyright story Thursday that detectives have been unable to explain how the abductor could have entered the house through the small window that appeared to be the entry point.
The newspaper, which said the information was from four law enforcement agencies, which it did not identify, said investigators have surmised that someone who was already inside the home may have tried to make the window look as though a break-in occurred there. It said the screen appears to have been cut from the inside.
Police have said the window was not in the bedroom shared by the girl and her 9-year-old sister. They refused to way where it was located and they refused to say whether the screen had been cut.
Police spokesman Fred Louis declined to confirm or deny that the screen had been cut from the inside. He would say only that police were not going to discuss the physical evidence.
Regarding the newspaper's statement that the abductor might have been a member of the extended family, he would only repeat the statement police have made all along — that they have not ruled anyone out.
Police have said they did not believe the missing girl staged the abduction.
The newspaper's revelation followed a day of intense hunting for a man police said might have information about teen's disappearance.
Bret Michael Edmunds, a 26-year-old transient, was identified through his license plate number, which a milkman had spotted and reported to police, authorities said.
"We don't think he's a suspect at this point," Louis said earlier Wednesday. Edmunds was being sought on outstanding warrants on charges of fraud and assault on a police officer.
Edmunds is probably living in a 1997 green Saturn with Utah license plate number 266XJH, Louis said.
The milkman, Charlie Miller, said that he saw the car around 7 a.m. June 3, two days before the abduction. It drove slowly up and down the Smarts' street, which ends in a cul-de-sac. He said the man followed him up another cul-de-sac street in the neighborhood. That's when he took note of the car and the Utah license plate.
A statement signed by Ed Smart, Elizabeth's father, says the family has looked at Edmunds' photograph and doesn't recognize him.
Tom Smart, the missing girl's uncle, said he has total faith in the investigation and remains confident that Elizabeth will be found alive.
Police say they think Edmunds may still be in the area.
"If he was in the area he may have seen something, so we want to talk to him," Louis said. "He's not suspicious."
In early May, Edmunds was stopped by a West Valley City police officer for having an improper car registration, said Assistant Police Chief Craig Gibson. When the officer asked for Edmunds' license and registration, Edmunds allegedly picked up a can of pepper spray, sprayed the officer and sped off. Pursing officers lost the suspect, he said.
"It's a gentleman, even if he had nothing to do with the abduction, we'd like to get him off the street," Gibson said.
Edmunds also has been charged with burglary and forgery in Sanpete County, court records show.
On Tuesday, police Chief Rick Dinse said the investigation was looking at those who had access to the neighborhood or the house, although not necessarily a family member. He said they have received some promising leads in the case.
Elizabeth's 9-year-old sister described the kidnapper as a 5-foot 8-inch man. Edmunds is 6-foot 2-inches tall and 235 pounds.
Police have received thousands of leads and re-interviewed 9-year-old Mary Katherine Smart. The girl had told investigators that a gunman came the bedroom she shared with her older sister and forced her to go with him.
She said he told her that her sister would be hurt if she told anyone. Police said it was at least two hours before she woke her parents and told them.
The volunteer search through the city and mountain foothills was tapering off. On the first day of the search, 1,200 people volunteered to find Elizabeth. By Tuesday morning that number had dropped to 785.
These searches are not part of the police investigation, but the community's way of helping find the girl.
Tuesday afternoon Elizabeth's parents made a televised plea for more volunteers.
"Please keep coming. We know that it makes all the different in the world in bringing Elizabeth back. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Ed Smart told volunteers. "We just know that this is going to end in a happy ending, and we pray that the Lord will bless all of you for all of what you've done."
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