Police: Break In Missing Girl Case Soon

AP/Yahoo! ^ | Friday February 15 11:56 AM EST

[MizSterious]

Police: Break In Missing Girl Case Soon

A high-ranking San Diego police official said in remarks published Friday that he is confident there will soon be a break in the case of missing 7-year-old Danielle van Dam.

"We will solve this case sooner rather than later," Assistant Chief Steve Creighton told The San Diego Union-Tribune. "We have a ton of evidence that we are meticulously going over. We are making progress."

Creighton's remarks were published only two days after police, for a third time, searched the home of David A. Westerfield, who lives just two doors from the van Dam home.

Police refused to say what they may have found in the home of the 50-year-old, who has been the focus of the investigation into what police say was an apparent kidnapping.

Twice before, detectives took service dogs through Westerfield's house, and he has been under 24-hour police surveillance in the days since Danielle's disappearance.

In addition, Westerfield has submitted a sample of his DNA to authorities for analysis.

During the initial searches, officers carted off boxes and bags full of household items. Police also impounded his sport utility vehicle and the motor home he took to the Imperial County desert over the weekend the girl vanished.

Still, authorities have referred to the neighbor only as a "potential suspect" and have not taken him into custody.

Danielle's father, meanwhile, said he plans to join concerned citizens in scouring arid wilderness areas around Glamis, Borrego Springs and Ocotillo over the Presidents' Day weekend.

The search for the girl has included those vast open areas because Westerfield took a trip there around the time Danielle vanished.

Brenda van Dam said her husband's plan to help comb those wastelands was helping him cope with the ordeal of his child's disappearance.

"You know, it's harder for me to have to stay here in the house. But I know that's what I have to do, just in case I'm needed by the investigators," she said. Rewards offered in connection with Danielle's disappearance now total $185,000. Some are offered for her safe return. Others are payable in the event of an arrest and conviction.

[sneakypete]

Let's hope he's right, that it is sooner rather than later.

This only matters if the little girl is still alive,which is doubtful. At this point I would rather they take their time and establish a case so airtight there is no need to offer a plea bargain. I want the murderer to die.

[sneakypete]

This story reminds me of that little girl who was kidnapped a few years ago in CA...and her father became an activist..do you remember that story??? She was abducted from her bedroom through a window...and later found dead.

Polly Klass.

[rintense]

Like I said, this REAKS of Jon Benett...

[sneakypete]

Boy, from everything I've read on all the threads, you're the only one to have THAT reaction.

I happen to think she is a beautiful woman too,but then again I am not blinded by religious hyprocisy. As for her being "wonderful",I have no idea what type of person she is in her day to day life. Neither does anybody else here.

[sneakypete]

I was hoping this was a Chandra thread

Why would you think that? The thread title clearly says "missing girl". Chandra Levy is/was a woman,not a girl.

[fivecatsandadog]

She said "somebody knows" and it's not me (in other words, "I don't know where she is") She said she has not gone to Westerfield's house and questioned him because she does not want to jeopardize the investigation (San Diego Tribune, today).

[sneakypete]

Then she says she won't say, "Tell me where my baby is" because it will compromise or interfere with the case ?????????? Can someone translate that for me? How so?

The answer to this is ALMOST as simple as some of the posters here who dream about the mother being found guilty. She clearly thinks it is the neighbor the police have been investigating,and the police have obviously told her (as they should) to stay away from him to keep from compromising their case.

[archy]

This story reminds me of that little girl who was kidnapped a few years ago in CA...and her father became an activist..do you remember that story??? She was abducted from her bedroom through a window...and later found dead.

Polly Klass.

From The Polly Klass Foundation, at http://www.pollyklaas.org

MISSING

Danielle Van Dam

If you have information concerning this abduction, please contact:
The San Diego Police Department (619) 531-2000, or
The Polly Klaas® Foundation (800) 587-4357

Abductee information:

Date Missing: 2/1/02 Missing From: San Diego, CA DOB: 9/22/94 Age at Disappearance: 7 years Sex: Female Race: Caucasian Height: 4’ Weight: 58 lbs. Eyes: Blue Hair: Blonde Last seen wearing: Light blue pajamas.

Circumstances: Danielle was last seen sleeping in her bed on the night of February 1, 2002. She was discovered missing at around 9:00 a.m. the morning of February 2, 2002.

Polly Klaas Search Center | Missing Children | Missing Children by Region | Found Safe | About Us | Child Safety Kit | Automobile Donations | Contact Us

©1996 through 2001 Kevin Turner and The Polly Klaas® Foundation, all rights reserved.

[Grut]

So what happened? How does he know this? Did Miss Cleo plead and agree to do community service?

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

We're all entitled to see it differently. I find the parents' behavior bizarre in a number of ways.

I remember the Polly Klaas case well and I remember how her father behaved. No comparison !!!!!!

I am not saying whether or not they are guilty because I can't know that right now. I can, however, look at their actions and judge them accordingly. If that's unfair......so be it. There's nothing else to go on.

I have heard all of the arguments about how none of us know how we would act, etc. and I can't argue with that. But the more these people are exposed and interviewed the odder it all seems to me. Sorry if I don't see a signs of stress or grief in either one of them. Maybe it's just a coincidence that they both handle this the same way; emotionless.

[Travis McGee]

I don't think I'll be on line then, but if there's a Danielle thread I'll post a synopsis to it later. Mostly it'll just be a J&K traveling circus I think, not really newsbreaking, just fun, like when they walked into Condit's Fresno office with microphones and almost got arrested.

[Pompah]

Your analysis of that "News Conference"on the FOX channel yesterday is IMHO right on the money.
I live just a few miles north of Sabre Springs area,and as you might imagine we are simply inundated with this tragic event in the papers,the TV,as well as the radio.

Like you,I am just stunned at the demeanor of these two parents. I thought it was just me. But you know, they seem to be almost basking in the new found attention.
I continue to prey for this little girl. But I thank God that I don't know anyone like the Van Dams.

[Shermy]

You know I tend to take the position of sympathy with the parents. Anyway, I think the "best" we can really hope for is that an arrest is made, and the parents aren't involved.

Danielle Missing.Com

[Poohbah]

The John and Ken Show today is going to be incredible! "Must Hear Radio!!"

Particularly when John goes on a tirade...agree or disagree with him, you gotta love his rant and rave mode.

[Teacup]

I used to live in Oceanside. I lived there 5 1/2 years. I left 3 years ago.
About the parents. Like I said. If anyone has ever lost a child, it is the most horrible thing that could ever happen to you. I cared for my niece and nephew, (since my sister was "A swinger" and was never home). Just to give you an idea, my father suffered a stroke soon after the funeral, and I was changed forever.
What I saw in the parents yesterday was, an excitment towards the fact they they now will have a new business for the wife to run and perhaps make money? I know, I know, that sounds pretty cold, but that's what I saw. Poor little girl. I will continue to pray for her, to come home safe, but it doesn't look good right now. I hope I'm wrong.

[Plummz]

Great catch. Boy, that should set some alarms off. So someone knows where the child is, but not the mother--the mother seems to know who it is, wouldn't you say? And she says she doesn't want to ask that person where the child is, lest it "compromise" the investigation? What is going on here, I wonder?

Other posters have said in the preceding days that word form the local radio talk shows (evidently a good source of news in the San Diego area) is that the guy Westerfield from down the street with the kiddie porn did it and he's been trying to cut a deal to tell where the body is in exchange for not getting the death penalty. Sounds like they're out there trying to find the girl's body without his help o they can fry him or whatever it is they do in California.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

It may offend the sympathies of some but I viewed the parents as apparent opportunists from the beginning.

While I hope that by some miracle they are not involved, I'll be surprised. They seem to be enjoying the attention too much.

[little-e]

I also think this mother is acting odd...The first time I saw her on tv I was stunned....Her make-up was impecable, and she didn't have a hair out of place....I say this as a mother of 4.....if one of my children were missing, I could care less about my apperance....I just think maybe if mommy was home putting her children to bed, instead of being at a bar, maybe she'd know where her daughter is today....

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I just think maybe if mommy was home putting her children to bed, instead of being at a bar, maybe she'd know where her daughter is today....

Yep.....it's obvious that the kids were not a priority.

If one of my kids or grandkids were missing I don't think I could function enough to even comb my hair.