2009.02.19 Today's Current News - ***No Discussions Here Please ***

[Angel Who Cares]

2009-02-19 Today's Current News - ***No Discussions Here Please ***

Cops checking alibi of Haleigh's father's girlfriend; reward at $16K
Where is Haleigh?
Helen Eckinger | Sentinel Staff Writer
February 19, 2009

<snipped>
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wednesday that it received a tip claiming Misty Croslin didn't tell law enforcement the truth about her whereabouts the night Haleigh disappeared. Croslin, the 17-year-old girlfriend of Haleigh's father, told officials she was sleeping with Haleigh and her 4-year-old brother while their father, Ronald Cummings, was at work.

But the tipster said Croslin left the double-wide trailer late Feb. 9 or early Feb. 10. Haleigh was reported missing Feb. 10. "We have received that tip. They are following up on it," Capt. Dick Schauland of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said during a news conference.

Article:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-missing1909feb19,0,791228.story

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Search For Haleigh : Grandmother Discouraged
Created: 2/18/2009 11:49:20 PM
Updated: 2/19/2009 12:30:49 AM

<snipped>
SATSUMA, FL -- As day nine of the search for Haleigh Cummings comes to a close, candles still burn, tips continue to come in, and family members say they are left with even more questions.
"Nobody can make up their mind on what she was wearing, who was at home with her, where anybody was that night. It's unbelievable!" says Marie Griffis, Haleigh's maternal grandmother. Griffis says it's hard to know what to believe. She just wants the truth. "There are just so many lies going around," says Griffis.

Investigators aren't saying much when answering questions about possible leads, including talk about examining a particular vehicle as evidence. "It was processed for evidence, but we're not going to get into that, but it was processed by FDLE," says Detective Dominick Pape with FDLE.

Grandmother Discouraged: Video
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/default.aspx?aid=149697&storyid=131718

Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=131718&catid=3

 

[KaylynnCouture]

Reward increased to $16,000 and parents summoned to sheriffs office Wed. afternoon

Putnam County investigators separately interviewed 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings' father and mother Wednesday afternoon, but officials downplayed that as routine and said there's no break in the hunt for the girl now missing for nine days.


Haleighs great-grandmother defends Croslin

A day after detectives said they were following up on a tip that Croslin may not have been at home when Haleigh disappeared, the 5-year-old's great-grandmother, Annett Sykes, said she doesn't believe the tip at all.


"That's a crock. I went by the house that night. She fed them. She bathed them. Every morning when Haleigh went out to go to school, she looked like she just stepped out of a beauty shop," Sykes said. "Y'all don't know her. Those children love her, and she loves them. I know everybody makes a big deal that she's only 17, and that's true, but she's a lot more mature than a lot of people that I've seen and that I know who are 25 and 30."

She said she last saw Haleigh outside on the porch eating dinner at 7 p.m. on Monday.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/18742867/detail.html#-

 

[Angel Who Cares]

UPDATED: Reward Increased $16,000 In Haleigh Case
Dad, Mom Summoned To Sheriff's Office Wednesday
UPDATED: 12:03 am EST February 19, 2009

<snipped>
PALATKA, Fla. -- Putnam County investigators separately interviewed 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings' father and mother Wednesday afternoon, but officials downplayed that as routine and said there's no break in the hunt for the girl now missing for nine days.
Ronald Cummings and Crystal Sheffield, Haleigh's parents, were each brought to the sheriff's office.

Haleigh's Great-Grandmother Speaks Out, Defends Croslin
Sykes said there is no way Croslin wasn&#8217;t home the night Haleigh went missing.
"That's a crock. I went by the house that night. She fed them. She bathed them. Every morning when Haleigh went out to go to school, she looked like she just stepped out of a beauty shop," Sykes said. "Y'all don't know her. Those children love her, and she loves them. I know everybody makes a big deal that she's only 17, and that's true, but she's a lot more mature than a lot of people that I've seen and that I know who are 25 and 30."

Haleigh's Family Not Giving Up Hope: Video
http://www.news4jax.com/video/18747066/index.html

Police: Focus On Haleigh's Face, Not Hair Or Clothes: Video
http://www.news4jax.com/video/18747323/index.html

Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/18742867/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

UPDATED: Car Taken Into Custody In Haleigh Case
Thursday, February 19, 2009 &#8211; updated: 9:06 am EST February 19, 2009

<snipped>
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office will follow up on more tips Thursday. Each day more tips and leads come into the sheriff's office.
"There was a tip earlier on which we had processed for evidence. But we do not want to get into any of the details on that, but it was processed by FDLE," said Dominick Pape of the FDLE. "At this point in time, we don't want to give out any more information reference that vehicle."
Detectives were tight-lipped when it came to giving detailed information on clues and tips that they're getting. They said releasing specifics could jeopardize the investigation.
The sheriff's office continues to talk with Haleigh's father and mother. Eyewitness News was there when Ronald Cummings got into the front seat of a detectives car Wednesday.
"Are we frustrated? Absolutely. We wish we had this resolved on day one within three hours," said Cummings.

Officials Take Car Into Custody In Haleigh Case: Video
http://www.wftv.com/video/18749023/index.html

Article:
http://www.wftv.com/news/18748531/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

UPDATED: Amber Alert: Deputies Questioning Father's Girlfriend Again
Thursday, February 19, 2009 4:16:57 PM

<snipped>
SATSUMA -- At an afternoon press conference Thursday, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said Misty Croslin, the girlfriend of Haleigh Cummings' father, is also being questioned again.
They also said Timothy Randall Loucakis, a sexual predator who lives about a mile away from the girl, has been arrested for a curfew violation. However, they said there is nothing linking him to Haleigh's disappearance.
The sheriff's office said he was one of the first people who were interviewed when Haleigh disappeared. His home has also been search.

Investigators say they've received over 1,200 tips in this case, including one saying Croslin was not home at the time of Haleigh's disappearance.
At a Wednesday afternoon press conference, investigators said, based on tips, they put a boat on the St. Johns River and have processed a vehicle, but they would not give details.
Investigators would not release information about what the polygraph tests showed, or comment on whether they still believe Croslin is telling the truth.

Cummings Makes Public Plea: Video
http://www.cfnews13.com/MediaPlayer...REW0219_021920090329&cat=Local&title=Cummings Makes Public Plea

Article:
http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/2/19/amber_alert_was_haleigh_home_alone.html

 

[KaylynnCouture]

Lawmen seeking answers; Investigators again question Haleigh's father and his girlfriend

Putnam County sheriff's detectives on Wednesday again questioned the girl's father, Ronald Cummings, and his girlfriend, Misty Croslin. The questioning was conducted at the sheriff's office headquarters in Palatka.

Though the number of tips continues to swell, Schauland said information from the public likely would play a critical role in solving the case.

"Of course we're following up every one of them," he said during the press conference. "Sooner or later the one we need is going to come up and it's going to make the difference."

Schauland added, "There's no persons of interest or suspects."

http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/02/19/news/news01.txt

 

[Angel Who Cares]

$16,000 reward offered for info on missing girl
Last Edited: Thursday, 19 Feb 2009, 8:47 AM EST
Created On: Thursday, 19 Feb 2009, 8:47 AM EST

<snipped>
In a news conference Wednesday, Putnam County Sheriff's Office Capt. Dick Schauland said investigators are now working through about 1,200 tips, including again questioning the child's father, Ronald Cummings, and his girlfriend Misty Croslin.

Putnam County Sheriff's investigators said they have received a tip that the 17-year-old girlfriend in the case of a missing Satsuma girl was not actually home at the time of the girl's disappearance, which is contrary to what she told detectives. Croslin has responded to the allegations by the tipsters and said they are lying. Croslin is adamant that she was there at the home with Haleigh and says no one can say she wasn't there.


Article:
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/local/021809reward_for_info

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Search for Haleigh Includes Tennessee
Created: 2/19/2009 1:36:33 PM
Updated: 2/19/2009 5:48:45 PM

<snipped>
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- With the Haleigh Cummings Amber Alert status creating a nationwide lookout, there are reports of a search this past weekend in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Tennessee Highway Patrol confirms that a man with a little girl who looked like Haleigh Cummings was spotted outside a Carrabba's restaurant in East Knoxville on Sunday afternoon. The Highway Patrol quickly canvassed the area in a search that resulted in no findings.
More witnesses came forward saying the man, who was white, walked while shielding the face of a girl who looked like Haleigh. The two got into a red Toyota RAV4 with Florida license plates and drove off. The Tennessee Highway Patrol has no further comment and can't confirm that the girl was actually Haleigh Cummings.

Search for Haleigh Includes Tennessee: Video
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/default.aspx?aid=149740&storyid=131741

Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=131741&catid=295

 

[KaylynnCouture]

Haleighs family life unstable from the start:
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/crime/2009-02-16/story/search_for_haleigh_scales_back?page=1

Has a lot more information on Haleighs living situation.

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Today Show video: Pirro on Haleigh, Anthony case
Feb. 18: TODAY's Natalie Morales talks to Jeanine Pirro, host of "Judge Jeanine Pirro," about the search for missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings and the case against Casey Anthony.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/29256858#29256858
******************************************************************
Today Show video: New leads in Fla. tot&#8217;s disappearance
Feb. 18: Police say they're getting new information in the disappearance of 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings. NBC's Michelle Kosinski reports from the emergency operations center in Palatka, Fla.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/29254728#29254728

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh's Family Living In Tents During Search
Thursday, February 19, 2009 &#8211; updated: 12:53 pm EST February 19, 2009

<snipped>
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Eyewitness News spoke with Haleigh's family Thursday about how they are coping. They are living in a tent, about 15-by15. Coolers are full of water and drinks and inside is where the family is living, because their mobile home down the street is still a crime scene.
New information was released Thursday about the pink shirt Haleigh was last reported wearing. Ronald Cummings' grandmother, Annette Sykes, told Eyewitness News earlier this week deputies allowed Misty Croslin back inside the mobile home where Haleigh was abducted.
Sykes said the 17-year-old girlfriend found the pink shirt in the home, but the sheriff's office won't confirm where it was found. Meanwhile, the family is still camped out in the neighborhood.
"It's not home, but it's good. I mean it's dry, basically, it's out of the sun," Sykes said. But on a rainy Thursday in Putnam County, water poured through the cracks of a tent donated by a funeral home. The fire department donated a propane tank to keep them warm on cool nights and the family is taking shifts sleeping on mattresses.

THE TENT: See Images Of Tent Family Is Living In
http://www.wftv.com/slideshow/news/18751085/detail.html

Missing 5-Year-Old's Family Living In Tent During Search Eyewitness News spoke with Haleigh's family Thursday about how they are coping.(02/19/09)
http://www.wftv.com/video/18750828/index.html

RAW INTERVIEWS: Haleigh's Mother
http://www.wftv.com/video/18748604/index.html

RAW INTERVIEWS: Great Grandmother
http://www.wftv.com/video/18748628/index.html

Article:
http://www.wftv.com/news/18750655/detail.html

 

[Nikki777]

WFTV Haleigh's family to hold new conference @ 1:00

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh's Family Pleads For Her Safe Return
Anonymous Donor Contributes $10K To Reward For Missing Girl
POSTED: 4:36 pm EST February 18, 2009
UPDATED: 2:05 pm EST February 19, 2009

<snipped>
SATSUMA, Fla. -- The father of missing Putnam County girl Haleigh Cummings had little comment to the media during a news conference Thursday regarding the questioning of his girlfriend, Misty Croslin.
Croslin, 17, was put in a deputy's car to be taken in for questioning earlier Thursday.
When probed by reporters about how he felt about his girlfriend's story and if he had suspicions that she hurt his 5-year-old, father Ronald Cummings repeatedly said he was not a detective. He said those type of questions should be directed to detectives.

"I just want the truth. I just want my daughter home. I don't have any suspicions of anybody. Anybody could've done something. I believe Misty is telling the truth," Ronald Cummings said.
Just as the public heard from George and Cindy Anthony, the grandparents of once missing and now deceased toddler Caylee Anthony, Cummings pleaded with reporters and the community to focus solely on his daughter and bringing her home safely. "We need to focus on my daughter going missing, not what's going on in my life besides my daughter going missing," Cummings said

Haleigh's Family Pleads For Her Safe Return: Video
http://www.wesh.com/video/18751699/index.html

Article:
http://www.wesh.com/news/18743397/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh Cummings' father pleads for daughter's return
Where is Haleigh?
Helen Eckinger | Sentinel Staff Writer
1:24 PM EST, February 19, 2009

<snipped>
Today's Updates
1:19 p.m. Haleigh Cummings' father made another public plea during a news briefing today in hopes of finding the missing 5-year-old. When asked by reporters whether he had a message for the person who has his daughter, Ronald Cummings said: "I would ask that you please, please bring my daughter back. She's not yours."

Croslin, the 17-year-old girlfriend of Haleigh's father, told officials she was sleeping with Haleigh and her 4-year-old brother while their father, Ronald Cummings, was at work.
But the tipster said Croslin left the double-wide trailer late Feb. 9 or early Feb. 10. Haleigh was reported missing Feb. 10.
"We have received that tip. They are following up on it," Putnam sheriff's Capt. Dick Schauland said during a news conference.

Article:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...-cummings-missing-girl-021909,0,6222371.story

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Dad To Haleigh: 'We Will Find You'
Father's Girlfriend Being Questioned Again; Reward Increased To $16,000
UPDATED: 2:02 pm EST February 19, 2009

<snipped>
Ronald Cummings also said he doesn't suspect his 17-year-old girlfriend did anything wrong the night Haleigh disappeared.
"I don't have any suspicions of anybody," Cummings said. "Obviously, if I knew what was going on, I would have my daughter."
Cummings became defensive when asked questions about his background, reports that he had a fight with a cousin over a gun, and other events in the days before Haleigh disappeared.
"It's about my daughter gone missing, not what's going on in my life," Cummings said. "People say a lot of things and they don't know what they're talking about."

Police Look Into Possibility Misty Wasn't Home When Haleigh Disappeared: Video
http://www.news4jax.com/video/18737503/index.html

Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/18751152/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Officials: Sexual Predator Arrest Not Linked To Haleigh
Haleigh's Family Pleads For Her Safe Return
POSTED: 4:36 pm EST February 18, 2009
UPDATED: 4:20 pm EST February 19, 2009

<snipped>
Sheriff Jeff Hardy said that the sheriff's department arrested a sexual predator, Timothy Loucakis. He said Loucakis has not been tied to the disappearance of Haleigh Cummings, but he does live near her Satsuma home. Loucakis is monitored by GPS.

Meanwhile, Haleigh's father had little comment to the media during a family news conference earlier Thursday regarding the questioning of his girlfriend, Misty Croslin.
A recent tip in the investigation suggested that Croslin was not home when Haleigh disappeared. Croslin told police she put Haleigh to bed the night before she went missing and was home the entire time. Haleigh's paternal great grandmother said the tip is not true. Croslin, 17, was put in a deputy's car to be taken in for questioning earlier Thursday. Hardy said Croslin was not arrested.

Raw Video: Feb. 19 Haleigh News Conference
http://www.wesh.com/video/18752544/index.html

Article:
http://www.wesh.com/news/18743397/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Sheriff: Arrested Sex Offender Not Linked To Haleigh
Thursday, February 19, 2009 &#8211; updated: 3:52 pm EST February 19, 2009

<snipped>
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office held a press conference Thursday afternoon to announce that a sex offender, who lives within a mile of Haleigh Cumming's home, was arrested, but said the arrest is not in connection with the 5-year-old's disappearance.
"I'm not going to excluded anybody from being not involved," Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy said.
Sheriff Jeff Hardy said an arrest was made of 50-year-old Timothy Randolph Loucakis, a sex offender who lives near the home Haleigh disappeared from. When asked, he said the press conference was called because inquiries were being made about the arrest and, while they don't believe Loucakis to be connected to the disappearance, they wanted to get the information out.

Hardy said Loucakis was arrested Wednesday night after violating the restrictions of his "home zone." Loucakis is under GPS monitoring and law enforcement was informed that he was not at his own home during the 10:00pm-6:00am curfew window as required. Hardy said they do know where he was, due to the GPS monitor, and they plan to do a precautionary search of that area.
Hardy also said Loucakis was the first sex offender in the area interviewed immediately after Haleigh's disappearance and said his home was searched.

PRESS CONFERENCE: Sheriff Announces Sex Offender Arrest
http://www.wftv.com/video/18752533/index.html

Article:
http://www.wftv.com/news/18752473/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Putnam County Sex Predator Arrested
Sheriff: No Direct Connection To Haleigh; Not Going To Exclude Anybody
UPDATED: 4:05 pm EST February 19, 2009

<snipped>
Timothy Randolph Loucakis, 50, was charged with violating the terms of his probation after officials said he was not home at 10 p.m. Wednesday night, which violated his curfew.
"We know where he was, by GPS, and we do have a team going down to that area just to do a preliminary search of that area," Hardy said Thursday afternoon.
Hardy said Loucakis was interviewed two hours after Haleigh was reported missing early the morning of Feb. 10. Deputies searched his home and checked his GPS monitoring bracelet, which showed he had not left his "home zone" during the time Haleigh disappeared.

Hardy also confirmed Thursday that detectives received unconfirmed sightings of Haleigh in Tennessee and they have questioned a Tennessee relative of Misty Croslin -- the girlfriend of Haleigh's father who was the last person to see the 5-year-old.
"We're questioning a lot of people," Hardy said. "We have polygraphs going on as we speak."
Croslin herself was brought to the sheriff's office for additional questioning on Thursday, but Hardy said her interveiw was routine and she will be returned to her home later in the day. On Wednesday, Cummings and Crystal Sheffield, Haleigh's mother, were each brought to the sheriff's office for interviews.

FDLE's Sexual Predator Flyer:
http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/flyer.do?personId=27045

Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/18751153/detail.html