2010.04.16 - Today's Current News - ***NO DISCUSSIONS HERE PLEASE ***

[Angel Who Cares]

Croslin Jr.'s attorney: He didn't make any confessions in Haleigh Cummings case
April 16, 2010 - 3:07pm
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Hank "Tommy" Croslin Jr.'s attorney released a statement this morning saying that he did not confess anything about Haleigh Cummings' disappearance to his grandmother.

Croslin Jr., who is in jail on unrelated drug charges with her sister and Cummings, submitted to a lie detector test this month and later met with representatives of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, State Attorney's Office and FBI. His attorney said Croslin Jr. then took the investigators to the Shell Harbour Road boat ramp, which became the epicenter for three days of revived searching for Cummings this week.

Jim Werter, who represents Croslin Jr., said in a news release that Croslin Jr. "did not tell Flora Hollars anything about the investigation except to have his attorney contact and meet with him." "This is in response to latest claims by various reporting agencies that they have verified that Tommy Croslin confessed to Hollars. He did not," Werter said.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office confirmed this morning that Croslin Jr. spoke with Hollars recently, but declined to discuss the details of the recorded conversations. They also declined to release the conversations, citing an exemption from Florida's public records law for information related to an active criminal investigation.

Article:
http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/...nt-make-any-confessions-haleigh-cummings-case

 

[Angel Who Cares]

UPDATED: Attorney: Misty's Brother Led Investigators To River
Sources: Cinder Blocks Recovered From River Search
POSTED: Friday, April 16, 2010
UPDATED: 6:18 pm EDT April 16, 2010
<snipped>
Four days into a search of the St. Johns River and a day after the Putnam County sheriff said Haleigh Cummings is most likely dead, Channel 4 has learned that investigators' search of the river was the result of information given to them by Hank Croslin Jr., Misty Cummings' brother.

Croslin's attorney, James Werter, said in an e-mail that Croslin took a polygraph test on April 8, and on Monday morning, Croslin met with private investigator Steve Brown to discuss the polygraph and the events of the night Haleigh disappeared from her Satsuma home.

Werter said on Monday afternoon, Croslin met with investigators from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the State Attorney's Office, Putnam County Sheriff's Office and an FBI special agent, and as a result of the two-plus-hour interview, Croslin took the group to the Shell Harbour Road Boat Ramp.

Investigators began searching that location of the St. Johns River the next morning. When Croslin's attorney was asked why Croslin decided to "blow the whistle now," he said Croslin was "very upset about a number of things."

Night Haleigh Went Missing
Haleigh's father's 16-year-old live-in girlfriend, Misty Cummings, was baby-sitting her at the time she disappeared in February 2009. She told investigators she awoke at 3 a.m. Feb. 10 to find the girl gone and a back door propped open with a brick.

Investigators followed thousands of leads and searched the heavily wooded community on foot, with doors and by air via plane and helicopter. They also contacted all the sexual predators living in the area to eliminate them as suspects and searched the nearby St. Johns River by boat.

Video: New Findings In Haleigh Cummings Case; Conditions For Cash For Appliances
http://www.news4jax.com/video/23173700/index.html

Video: Haleigh's Family Reacts To Sheriff's Announcement
http://www.news4jax.com/video/23170995/index.html

Uncut Video: Sheriff Says Haleigh Likely Dead
http://www.news4jax.com/video/23164556/index.html

Uncut Video: Searching The St. Johns River
http://www.news4jax.com/video/23140308/index.html

Images: Search For Haleigh Leads To St. Johns River
http://www.news4jax.com/slideshow/news/23139712/detail.html

Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/23174697/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Did Misty Croslin Kill Haleigh Cummings?
The Fingerpointing May Only Just Be Beginning in the New Homicide Investigation
April 16, 2010
<snipped>
As the Haleigh Cummings case has moved from being a missing person case to being an active homicide investigation, authorities have begun focusing on persons of
interest -- although they have yet to actually name anyone. Three days of intense searching in and along the St. Johns River just south of Satsuma, Fla., has resulted in little physical evidence but the Haleigh Cummings case has seen an increase in recent activity as several people who may have been involved in the disappearance seem to be breaking their silence and are turning on each other. Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy told reporters Thursday that they were "hoping to make an arrest."

And if Misty Croslin, Tommy Croslin, and Joe Overstreet keep talking, one, two, or all three of them will undoubtedly soon be arrested in connection to what Sheriff Hardy says he can feel "comfortable" calling a homicide. It has become apparent that investigators have received enough information to believe that 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings is dead. But are there any indications as to who may have killed her?

Article:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2900730/did_misty_croslin_kill_haleigh_cummings.html?cat=17

 

[Angel Who Cares]

UPDATED: What Happened To Haleigh?
Friday, April 16, 2010 9:30:37 PM
<snipped>
Flora Hollars said Misty confessed to her, but said Misty insists she was not involved. Hollars said she told Misty it was time to come clean. "Baby don't cry,&#8221; Hollars said. &#8220;This is something you should have said a long time ago. She says &#8216;But Nanny I was scared.&#8217;&#8221; Hollars said Misty broke down and told her everything. She said Misty is not involved but knows what happened to Haleigh. &#8220;Tied a brick block to the rope and dropped her into the St. Johns River,&#8221; Hollars said.

These are details Haleigh's great-grandmother Annette Sykes can't come to terms with. "I know that statistics say that chances are that she's dead and that may be so, but statistics have also been proven wrong many times," Sykes said.

Hollars said Misty told her Haleigh was dropped into the St. Johns River, but she wouldn't tell her why Haleigh was killed. "It's hard to hear something like that, that your child or grandchild is dead. That's something that's hard to hear," Sykes said. &#8220;We've heard so many lies. You don't know what to believe anymore. I tend to not believe anything. Show me, just show me. Don't tell me, show me."

Video: Haleigh News Conference
http://www.cfnews13.com/MediaPlayer...r041510w_041520100453&cat=Local&title=Haleigh News Conference

Article:
http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2010/4/16/new_details_emerge_in_haleigh39s_disappearance.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh Cummings: Misty Croslin&#8217;s brother directed authorities to St. Johns River, his attorney says
posted by halboedeker on April, 16 2010 4:34 PM
<snipped>
Tommy Croslin on Monday night took investigators to the river, his attorney said.

Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy said yesterday that Haleigh is most likely dead after divers searched the river for three days. She disappeared in February 2009.

But the story has many unanswered questions. WESH&#8217;s Michelle Meredith addressed two: What did divers find? &#8220;They&#8217;re not saying. They&#8217;re also saying they&#8217;re not sure it relates to Haleigh,&#8221; Meredith said.

How does the new search development implicate Tommy? &#8220;His attorney won&#8217;t say,&#8221; Meredith said.

Article:
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/en...r-directed-authorities-to-st-johns-river.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Attorney: Tommy Croslin Gave Investigators Tip
Haleigh Cummings Investigation Deemed Homicide
POSTED: 4:11 pm EDT April 16, 2010
<snipped>
Attorney James Werter said Croslin met with investigators for over an hour before leading Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials and Putnam County deputies to the river.

Hardy held a news conference at 4 p.m. Thursday, as a search of the St. Johns River neared completion. "Over the past couple of weeks, information has been obtained by investigators that leads them to believe that Haleigh Cummings is most likely deceased," Hardy said.

He would not disclose specific details about what led to the change in the status of the case. However, Hardy said items were pulled from the river and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Haleigh's family is still holding out hope that she's alive. "(We feel) Hurt, discouraged. It's not something we wanted to hear," said Haleigh's paternal great-grandmother Annette Sykes.

Sykes said Hardy delivered the devastating news to the family earlier in the week. "We thought they'd have something more concrete. Until they do, we're not going to believe she's dead," Sykes said.

Video: Attorney: Tommy Croslin Gave Investigators Tip 1:58
http://www.wesh.com/video/23175858/index.html

Video: Haleigh Cummings Investigation Deemed Homicide
http://www.wesh.com/video/23164379/index.html

Article:
http://www.wesh.com/news/23175818/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh Update 4-16-10
Friday, 16 April 2010 1:14PM
<snipped>
Whatever was found in the search for evidence of missing 6-year-old Haleigh Cummings of Satsuma in the St Johns River this week prompted Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy to switch the investigation from an abduction to a homicide Thursday. The Tennessee grandmother of Misty and Tommy Crolsin claims she was told what happened to the 6-year-old Satsuma girl who has been missing for over 14 months in recent telephone conversations with her grandchildren from jail.

Hollars claims she is the one who informed police where to look for the body of the missing child along the St. Johns River. Putnam County Officials have not confirmed that she is the informant, but they did announce Friday morning that telephone calls between Tommy Croslin and Flora Hollars did take place:

Media Release
April 16, 2010
The Putnam County Sheriff&#8217;s Office has received numerous requests for confirmation that Hank Thomas &#8220;Tommy&#8221; Croslin Jr. has recently spoken with his grandmother (Flora Hollars) in Tennessee. I can confirm that Tommy Croslin has recently spoken with Hollars by telephone. The details of the conversations or copies of the actual telephone calls cannot be released at this time. These conversations contain information related to an active criminal investigation and are considered exempt from disclosure under Florida Public Records Law.

Lieutenant Johnny Greenwood
Putnam County Sheriff&#8217;s Office
130 Orie Griffin Blvd.
Palatka, Florida 32177
(386) 326.2782

Article:
http://www.thesky973.com/pages/6822697.php

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh Update: Sheffield's Attorney Issues Press Release
Friday, 16 April 2010 3:39PM
<snipped>
The attorney for the mother of missing 6-year-old Haleigh Cummings of Satsuma, who has been missing since February 2009 when she was taken from her home and has been the subject of a massive search, issued a press release today.

Carol A. Caldwell issued the statement to the media via email Friday afternoon stating that Crystal Sheffield and her family are cooperating with the law enforcement investigation regarding Haleigh disappearance saying that Crystal is in regular contact with the Putnam County Sheriff's Department.

Ms. Caldwell also stated in the release that Crystal and her family members do not wish to speak with the media or give any media interviews and asks that the media respect their wished for privacy at this time.

PDF: Full Press Release
http://imgsrv.thesky973.com/image/wsky/UserFiles/File/im47201004161334.pdf

Article:
http://www.thesky973.com/pages/6823497.php

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh Update: Press Release from Tommy Croslin's Attorney
Friday, 16 April 2010 4:40PM
News Talk 97.3 The SKY just received this press release from the attorney for Tommy Croslin regarding the Haleigh Cummings case:

JAMES S. WERTER, LLC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
HALEIGH CUMMINGS MISSING CHILD CASE
APRIL 16, 2010
On March 26, 2010, I informed Nancy Grace that Hank T. Croslin, Jr. (Tommy), wanted and will take a polygraph exam to clear the air as to the events of the evening of February 9-10, 2009, when Haleigh disappeared.

On Thursday, April 8, 2010, Tommy did take a polygraph given by technician, Ron Grenier. On Saturday, April10, 2010, this attorney met with his client to discuss the results of the polygraph.

On Sunday night, April 11, 2010, this attorney received a telephone call from Lindsey Croslin (Wife) that Tommy requested that we meet with Steven K. Brown, the private investigator involved for the past 10-11 months.

On Monday morning, 9:30 AM, April 12, 2010, Steven K. Brown, this attorney and Tommy met at the St. Johns County Jail to discuss the polygraph and February 9, 2009.

Based on discussions that morning, this attorney made contact with FDLE, the State Attorney&#8217;s Office and Scott Bolin, Special Agent, FBI, and arranged an interview with Tommy at the State Attorney&#8217;s Office, Homicide Investigations Unit, St. Augustine, Florida, at approximately 5:00 PM.

As a result of the 2 plus hours interview with Jason Jolicoeiur, Special Agent, FDLE, Detective Peggy Cone, Putnam Co. Sheriff&#8217;s Office, under the guidance of this attorney and Steven K. Brown, Tommy took the group to the Shell Harbour Road boat ramp, St Johns River, Putnam County, Florida.

The commencement of the river search for Haleigh was at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, April 13, 2010.

Article:
http://www.thesky973.com/pages/6823795.php

 

[Angel Who Cares]

It's a murder case
Friday, April 16, 2010 2:08 AM EDT
<snipped>
The 14-month search for Haleigh Cummings has turned into a murder investigation.

In a news conference late Thursday afternoon, Sheriff Jeff Hardy declared he was "comfortable" calling the Haleigh Cummings case a homicide after information obtained from investigators in the past few weeks that has led them to believe she is "most likely deceased."

As the sun receded toward the St. Johns River where a search for the missing 5-year-old began three days ago, Hardy said several persons of interest have been developed.

No names were revealed Thursday. "We are hoping to make an arrest in this case," Hardy said. "This case has been going on for the past 14 months - people are starting to talk. Where that's going to lead us, I don't know, but we are going to follow it until the end."

Standing under the shade of an oak tree to address broadcasters and news reporters, Hardy said no body or human remains were found relevant to the Haleigh case. "We will not discuss any items of possible evidence that might have been located at the boat ramp," Hardy said. He did say an anthropologist from the University of Florida analyzed all items recovered on the scene.

Captain Dominic Piscatello, head of the major crimes unit, later added, "We can't go search every bottom of the St. Johns River - you have to have a reason." It could take up to six months for investigators to receive test results on the items pulled from the river.

Hardy said if warranted, they would search again. "Just because we are leaving here doesn't mean this lead isn't going to be followed up any further," Hardy said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh_FT719ZZQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD6g8OTcawI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eYFygyp1vQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0prOHvaPnBQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=181mSoHR1PA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abHFKNn02ZA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t-zopHX4YI

Article:
http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2010/04/16/news/news01.txt

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Croslin's attorney confirms he led investigators to river
Last Update: 7:21 pm
<snipped>
The 14 month mystery into what happened to Haleigh Cummings is finally unravelling because of Tommy Croslin.

His attorney confirmed what Action News reported earlier this week. Tommy is the person who led investigators to the section of the St. Johns River where Haleigh may have spent the last few moments of her life.

According to James Werter, his client, Tommy, decided to clear his name last week by taking a lie detector test. The results of the test are unknown. But after taking the test, he decided to meet with investigators last weekend. Then on Monday night, Tommy led them to a dock on the river, where he said they would find physical evidence into Haleigh's disappearance.

Authorities recovered possible evidence during a three-day search of the area. The sheriff won't reveal what was taken but he says it will all be processed for clues.

It could take several weeks, even months to process the possible evidence. After the processing is complete, we could know more about the mysterious disappearance of Haleigh Cummings.

Video: Justice For Haleigh 4/16/10 3:09
New information about the source of a tip that lead police to search a section of the St. Johns River for missing Haleigh Cummings
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Video: Justice for Haleigh: Family 4/16/10 2:29
FLORA HOLLERS SAYS SHE HAS BEEN GETTING PHONE CALLS FROM HER GRANDKIDS IN JAIL, AND THEY HAVE BEEN GIVING HER INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT THAT HALEIGH DISAPPEARED
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Video: Justice for Haleigh 4/16/10 3:48
WE NOW KNOW THAT POLICE ARE TREATING HALEIGH'S CASE AS A HOMICIDE, AND THEY HAVE NEW INFORMATION TO BACK THAT UP
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Video: Justice for Haleigh 4/15/10 3:22
THERE ARE FAMILIES IN HALEIGH'S COMMUNITY WAITING FOR THE TRUTH
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Article:
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/conten...led-investigators/w27ob-p8DkKdL9cJCKdU8w.cspx