Has Your Opinions of Ron's Involvement Changed?***POLL ADDED***

[Crosby87]

What Ron needed was an employer who provided day care services for their employees, but unfortunately PDM Bridge didn’t. In retrospect, Misty should have opened a daycare with her mother and babysat for single working parents.

When Misty wasn’t available to babysit, rather than act responsibly and leave his children with his mother, grandmother or their mother Crystal, according to Kim Picazio, Ron took his children to work and left them in his vehicle while he did his job which is neither safe nor legal. The security guard at PDM Bridge said Ron took his children with him to work on several occasions and he saw Ron go out to his car during his shift to check on their welfare and I assume to take them outside to go to the bathroom and give them some food. Unfortunately the security guard did not call protective services to come and apprehend the children but I bet Ron was afraid someone would, so he parked his vehicle in a secluded area. I assume Ron warned HaLeigh and Junior not to unlock the door for any reason. No wonder Ron told LE his daughter was afraid of the dark and would not venture out on her own. AS states she was mad at Misty, not Ron, for endangering his children’s lives when he didn’t have a babysitter so Misty was blamed for the decisions Ron made and she was forced to take responsibility that belonged to Ron because he was the children custodial parent.

On Monday evening, apparently Ron and Misty had an argument over the phone at 8:30 pm and Ron called Tommy’s to ask if Misty was there. Misty claims she was at home but because she turned off her phone, Ron couldn’t reach her. I suspect Ron at that point in time, decided to make trouble for Misty and needed something bad to happen that he could blame her for, so Ron came up with a plan to make his daughter disappear.

When the 911 call was placed, Ron blames Misty for letting his daughter get stolen and Misty accepts full responsibility for HaLeigh being gone because she told the 911 operator, “I can’t find our daughter.” Misty explains that she was asleep and the back door was held open with a brick to make which makes it appear like an abduction occurred, but because the door wasn’t forced open, this story lacks credibility. As far as I know, Ron was the only person who had a key to the back door. If Ron devised a plan to abduct HaLeigh himself or let someone else into the house to take her, how is it Misty’s fault HaLeigh went missing?

Because Ron told Misty during the 911 call she is responsible for allowing his daughter to be stolen, and Misty doesn’t challenge his accusation but admits she can’t find their daughter, she is being held totally responsible for what happened. Ron didn’t physically vent his anger against Misty that night so I suspect Ron set Misty up, propped the back door to make it appear like his daughter was abducted, took his daughter and either gave her to someone to hide or he went insane and murdered her. It’s also possible Ron decided to get rid of HaLeigh because of school pressures and he set her up to be abducted while Misty was there. Maybe Orlando was the man in black.

On the Dreams thread HaLeigh said her father’s friend put her in a box to keep her safe so I don’t know if that means Ron gave her to someone and she is still alive, or if she was murdered and cremated. Ron has the answers and I believe Ron married Misty to cover up what he did to his daughter.

 

[dodie20]

I just wonder why, if he doesn't already know what happened, is he not blaming himself? Most parents feel guilt if their kid even gets hurt. Not being the sharpest crayon in the box, he just quit talking to LE, wouldn't go down and even talk with them (IMO) because he couldn't pull it off. He didn't look for her while waiting for the cops to come, he didn't even blame Misty - he married her instead.

What turned me completely off about Ron, in the 911, was how he blamed Misty for letting his daughter get stole. You're right. The normal reaction should've been one of dread & self blame. like, 'how could I have left my kids here, with you in charge?" I remember wondering if he really expected this teenager to fight off kinappers, who broke in, in the middle of the night. I thought that was just wrong...& that was before we knew about Tommy & Joe. I have a young daughter, not much older than Misty, & I tried to imagine her being in charge & then blamed for a kidnapping, & it didn't seem fair. Ron should've been blaming himself then, & now, especially after Tommy's stories, he should be blaming himself more. He knew who was in town, visiting his trailer, he knew who he was fighting with, & he knew his kids were in danger. Even if these stories turn out to be completely false, he still put his kids right in harm's way. If Ron wasn't responsible, I get the image of him leaving for work, & giving Misty instructions on what to do if Joe, Tommy, or some pizzed off dealer showed up. No! Misty wasn't much more than a kid herself, & she couldn't protect his kids. & if the reports are true, that Ron had the forsight to move & hide his guns...well, why didn't he treat his kids with that same concern? He couldn't trust Misty to protect his guns, but he expected her to protect his kids? If Ron, at just one time, had blamed himself & showed regret with his parenting, I might not feel so hard towards him.

 

[Bathbuddys]

Not any more shocked than I am that you have never heard this before...
Many here believe Ronald C is responsible and his momma and grandmother have known he is responsible.. And this had been stated time and time again since the beginning..And IIRC you have been posting for quite sometime...
Too Too many strange things coming from all of the Cummings/Sykes Clan in the last 18 plus months for them not to know Ronald C is responsible for whatever happened to Haleigh..And IMHO, his mother and his grandmother know exactly where she is too....Personally, I cannot imagine LE hasn't figured it out yet..Right now I'm just waiting on justice for Haleigh....JMHO..

Well I have heard people blame Ron and his mother and gramma for harming Haleigh and covering up but I don't believe one word of it, especially when the Sheriff came out the day that Ron was in court that Ron and Crystal were not responsible for Haleighs disappearance. I read here and at one more site where rumors aren't allowed so UNTIL I hear from LE that Ron, his mom and gramma did this to Haleigh, I will continue to try to figure out who really did this.
I got thinking today that since Joe, Misty and Tommy are the only ones either denying it or blaming someone else they are placing themselves there and so I do believe they are the ones responsible and I also think Timmy is involved.
Joe said "I didn't do it" on TV and I would like to know why he would say that as that wasn't the question he was asked and he offered that?

I saw people treat Mark Lunsford this way too when Jessica was missing and it was sad to watch. This case is one of the worst I have ever seen. ALL of them need to be in jail. Jr should be in a good home being treated like the child that he is. I feel so sorry for him.

 

[Bathbuddys]

IMO, these people may not fit your stereotype of gangsters or thugs, or whatevers, but they're definantly more than a bunch of wannabes. Ron's a drug user, with a long arrest record, he's a drug dealer, a drug trafficker, a gun collector, just a dangerous all around person. Now, I'll admit that he talks big & doesn't follow through with threats, (that I know of), but there's more to being a criminal than that. Tommy is a thief, a drug addict, a drug abuser, a drug trafficker, & he has the arrest record to prove it. Joe also has a drug history & an arrest record. Misty's a drug user, a drug dealer, & a drug trafficker. & her arrest proves that. & oh yeah...they are all right smack dab in the middle of a murdered child's case. Not being facetious here, but what more do these people have to do to prove their badness? join the Crips? participate in a drive-by? move to a big city? I don't know about anybody else, but I wouldn't feel safe with any one of them, in my neighborhood. & I dang sure wouldn't let one of them babysit.

respectfully, you would probably be pretty disgusted at the politicians, musicians, actors and others that are public figures with this description. I am so apt to go for what LE says instead of reacting to rumors.
There are just no facts to go by yet. I think Misty and Tommy and possibly TImmy and Joe are directly involved. but not positive and wouldn't swear to it.
I am SO INTERESTED in what LE has though as maybe we will hear the truth someday.

 

[newstome]

respectfully, you would probably be pretty disgusted at the politicians, musicians, actors and others that are public figures with this description. I am so apt to go for what LE says instead of reacting to rumors.
There are just no facts to go by yet. I think Misty and Tommy and possibly TImmy and Joe are directly involved. but not positive and wouldn't swear to it.
I am SO INTERESTED in what LE has though as maybe we will hear the truth someday.

I so agree with what you are saying here. The only difference with public figures with the same description as the people involved in this case, is that they wear suits.

 

[1Chump]

do you think this is a legal ploy from LE to get Ron, on record, answering questions? If he gets caught lieing, he could be in deep boo boo. If he's involved, I can see the temptation for LE to do this, because he just wasn't talking without that carrot dangling in front of him. Also, I don't know about Florida , but here in Tex, things seem to operate a little differently. Back in Oct., my daughter was involved in a family violence situation, with her ex. They were both charged & spent 2 days in county jail, but all charges were dropped in May. Last week, the assistant DA, talked to her about the little amount of evidence he had recieved. The police report made it look like mutual combat, that my daughter started, by 'playfully' slapping him. & it said a neighbor called 911. The only picts were the mugshots, taken before the bruising & swelling set in. NO! He started it, beat the **** out of her, & cracked her skull, among other things...& beat another girl too, while her (unusual)husband, just stood by. My daughter called 911, then called me, & then I called 911!!! So...this assistant DA is reopening the ex's case & said he has 2 years to pursue it. This man has asked for those 911s on 5 different occasions, & is still getting the runaround. So, I'm thinking 'what's up?' & here's the clincher...while my daughter was talking to 911, the ex screamed & cussed her for calling, stopped beating the other girl, knocked the phone out of her hand, & then started beating her again. The other girl wasn't questioned, wasn't mentioned , & the report said my daughter was the aggressor & had inflicted all of his damage. My daughter passed out, while being choked, & the other girl busted a wine bottle over his head, to save her! The cops smelled that alcohol, & wrote that the she & the ex were both drunk! But this is where things finally started swinging in her favor. At county, about 30 mins later, the report said that my daughter was NOT under any influence, but HE was, & he was so out of control, they tazed him & strapped him in a restraint chair, for 3 hours! But my daughter wasn't supposed to fight back? & that's exactly what the cops told her, & told my husband & me. that she should've just called them, & let them handle it.He would've killed her, if the other girl hadn't been there. As you can tell, I'm still just furious. But...my point is this...Dropped charges can be reinstated. They were dropped, not found innocent, so no double jeopardy. & this is my other point...cops don't always see something that's right in front of their danged faces, but others do, like DAs & judges. & this is my last point...xanax causes people to rage.

There were no charges in your daughter's case. They were arrested by the cops. But the DA decided not to pursue charges. The case was dropped without any charges being filed so no double jeopardy. They can revisit and decide to press charges at any time until the statute of limitations expires.

 

[1Chump]

We all want justice for Haleigh, but we want the right person/persons punished on facts, not opinions. Opinions possibly formed by rumors, articles stating facts that are not true, close association or blood ties with the other side of Haleigh's family, anger at Father for his lifestyle, I could go on and on.
LE has stated that Haleigh's parents are not suspects. We are not smarter than they are, and facts, not opinions, will convicts the right person(s).

That is a rumor...not a fact.

LE said that Haleigh's parents are NOT PERSONS OF INTEREST. POI is not the same as suspect. Ron could not be a POI but still be a suspect.

The only person LE has publically cleared as both a person of interest and suspect is Joe Overstreet.

 

[dodie20]

There were no charges in your daughter's case. They were arrested by the cops. But the DA decided not to pursue charges. The case was dropped without any charges being filed so no double jeopardy. They can revisit and decide to press charges at any time until the statute of limitations expires.

Thanks for the clarification, but I'm still a little confused. But speaking of this, my daughter talked to the DA yesterday, & because of the poor police report, (they're now saying the other girl called 911-the girl they earlier claimed didn't exist, so they didn't interview her?), she's just gonna let it all go, be done with it, move on, & put that night behind her. There's no way charges can be pursued without bringing in the shoddy police work, & we really don't want to go there.(we have to live in this small town). Because even if she was vindicated, (& she would be), what would be the point? a little satisfaction? because her life will still be the same, that night will still have happened, & the ex bf being on a little bit of probation, won't make it all go away. But, I hear about people having their cases presented to grand juries, turned down, just to, at a later date, be tried. Is this the same situation as my daughter's, just picked up later, or would this not fall under some kind of double jeopardy? because some of these people get hounded for years.

 

[dodie20]

I agree, however when a person lies, has a different story for anyone and everyone concerning his daughter's disappearance...IMHO..thats reason enough to suspect that person...JMHO

For the record, I personally have never referred to Ronald Cummings as being a murderer eventhough I do believe he is the person who is physically responsible for Haleigh's death...JMHO

I hate to say this, because it is so unfair, but cops don't normally try to sift through lies. They take what a person says, writes it in the police report, & the fact that it is written, gives it credence. What we may see as unbelievable, or shocking, or whatever...essentially turns into a he said she said. The liar is protected by the law, the truthteller is put on the defensive, (they're both treated the same), & what should've been stopped in its tracks early on, just gets muddied. I think that's what happened with Ron. His lies were accepted as truth, (even the glaringly ridiculous ones), written in a report, & went unchecked. Now, he may be called to task on some of these, because of the high profile of this case, but I wouldn't count on it. a small example.....in my daughter's fam violence case, the ex told the cops, (over & over), that my daughter broke his nose. She didn't, & what should've been seen as an obvious ploy to invent his own injuries, to justify her injuries, was just accepted as fact. They didn't take him to a Dr., didn't ask him to later prove it. nothing. But it's written in the police report that my daughter broke his nose. so, end of story... certain criminal minded people know how to work the system, & honest people aren't rewarded.

 

[lonetraveler]

I agree with you, all kinds of people in all professions. Just trying to say our opinion of a person does not mean he is a murderer. We do not know the evidence they have and I believe more than just local LE involved in this case.[/QUOTE]

I certainly hope so.

 

[lonetraveler]

We all want justice for Haleigh, but we want the right person/persons punished on facts, not opinions. Opinions possibly formed by rumors, articles stating facts that are not true, close association or blood ties with the other side of Haleigh's family, anger at Father for his lifestyle, I could go on and on.
LE has stated that Haleigh's parents are not suspects. We are not smarter than they are, and facts, not opinions, will convicts the right person(s).

BBM: I believe that I am SMART enough to form my very own opinion based upon the information on this case. I don't need help to be led in the wrong direction as you described above. You have mentioned in your posts "who you think is involved". That means you have an opinion. You have a right to your opinion just like everyone else. Not agreeing with your opinion doesn't mean that those opinions are formed based upon your opinion above. As far as LE being smarter than WE are? Please don't lump me into that group. I could send you a thousand crooked cop crimes, but I'm not. But if you need a laugh, look up Sheriff E.J. Melvin in South Carolina. He was arrested May of 2010. The case is hysterical and complete with a "Lizard Man running around in the very same woods where he was orchestrating a drug ring, big time". The Lizard Man story was to scare people away from the area..........it is worth the read..........He would teach the Ron Cummings a few things about dealing drugs.:angel:

ETA: BTW, this thread is asking about our opinion about Ron's involvement.

 

[newstome]

lonetraveler,
Yes, I know what the topic of the thread is, but what I was trying to say was, that we have no facts, no evidence. Didn't Tim M. state that LE had a large room full of evidence for this case many months ago? Phone records, all of the videos, witness statements, physical evidence, and more. They have said Ron and Crystals are not suspects. LE has made that decision based on everything they have.
The information we have in this case comes from rumors, media people I never heard of who are making money off this sad case,many posters quote what media people write as if it was a fact, some videos from media and police, scanner channel was great.
I wrote that we are not smarter than they are, only because they have what we do not, that room full of evidence.

 

[LCoastMom]

Thanks for the clarification, but I'm still a little confused. But speaking of this, my daughter talked to the DA yesterday, & because of the poor police report, (they're now saying the other girl called 911-the girl they earlier claimed didn't exist, so they didn't interview her?), she's just gonna let it all go, be done with it, move on, & put that night behind her. There's no way charges can be pursued without bringing in the shoddy police work, & we really don't want to go there.(we have to live in this small town). Because even if she was vindicated, (& she would be), what would be the point? a little satisfaction? because her life will still be the same, that night will still have happened, & the ex bf being on a little bit of probation, won't make it all go away. But, I hear about people having their cases presented to grand juries, turned down, just to, at a later date, be tried. Is this the same situation as my daughter's, just picked up later, or would this not fall under some kind of double jeopardy? because some of these people get hounded for years.

Hi Dodie, it is so troubling to hear stories like this one - I thought our legal system had come a long way concerning domestic violence, yet we continue to read/hear such a disturbing accounts of of assaults similar to your daughter's where the guilty walk away, without ever being held accountable.

If I understand double jeopardy, it would mean the defendant had been cleared either by a judge or jury - they cannot be tried again on the same charges - even with new evidence, that is double jeopardy.

When someone is charged, tried and acquitted for a crime (for example - assault) then new evidence is presented, showing that it was not simply an assault, but attempted murder - if the grand jury feels these new charges are strong enough to convict, the perp can be tried for attempted murder - even tho they were acquitted on the same incidence - it is new evidence of a different crime.

Another ruling - having charges dropped without prejudice which means the person is free from facing the charges at that time, but since they were never tried, cleared or convicted, the charges can be filed at a later date - usually this means LE believes they know "who done it" but lack evidence or witnesses to have the grand jury indict, but if new evidence turns up, they can be held accountable and tried, until the statute of limitations expires.

I hope one of our legal eagles pops by and confirms this, but I think this is how it works.

As much as it sucks, I agree with your daughters decision - small town cops - they are either great or worthless, and small town justice is carried out in many different ways; and may times there is nothing "just" about it.

 

[lil momma]

IIRC, LE did not state that Ron and Crystal are not suspects.... They stated they didn't consider the bio parents of HaLeigh Cummings as suspects and Misty Croslin is the key to the investigation....

Snip ~ (thisis an old article)

The Putnam County Sheriff's office said in August that "the evidence and investigatory effort has minimized the likelihood that Haleigh's disappearance is the work of a stranger." Ronald Cummings and Crystal Sheffield, Haleigh's mother, are not considered suspects, police said.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/06/haleigh.cummings.father.divorce/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

IMO, to some there may not be a difference when using certain terminology, but to me it is the world of difference when some are being "cleared" as in the A/C guy.... IMO, until LE comes out and says that Ron is cleared, i will continue to believe he is being looked at.

JMO

 

[lonetraveler]

lonetraveler,
Yes, I know what the topic of the thread is, but what I was trying to say was, that we have no facts, no evidence. Didn't Tim M. state that LE had a large room full of evidence for this case many months ago? Phone records, all of the videos, witness statements, physical evidence, and more. They have said Ron and Crystals are not suspects. LE has made that decision based on everything they have.
The information we have in this case comes from rumors, media people I never heard of who are making money off this sad case,many posters quote what media people write as if it was a fact, some videos from media and police, scanner channel was great.
I wrote that we are not smarter than they are, only because they have what we do not, that room full of evidence.

Some of us know not to trust all the media and rumors that abound on this case. Maybe you mean to use "knowledgeable" in stead of smart? I have seen a few cases where LE would state that a certain person was not a suspect, then two days later that person would be arrested and charged with the crime. I don't absorb the "not a suspect" statement until arrests are made and people charged. There are also cases where LE are reluctant to make an arrest based upon other factors, (Drew Peterson comes to mind). This case is definitely a "wait and see" situation. It has been more that eighteen months and still no arrest. As much as some want the Croslins and Overstreet arrested, it still hasn't been done. Couldn't that mean that LE doesn't have the goods on these people? It could possibly mean that LE thinks someone else could have done this crime. I try to keep an open mind and still post what my theory is, based upon what information we do have and based upon the activities and actions or nonactions of all people and not eliminate someone just because they are not "suspects". That can change very quickly.

 

[lonetraveler]

IIRC, LE did not state that Ron and Crystal are not suspects.... They stated they didn't consider the bio parents of HaLeigh Cummings as suspects and Misty Croslin is the key to the investigation....

Snip ~ (thisis an old article)

The Putnam County Sheriff's office said in August that "the evidence and investigatory effort has minimized the likelihood that Haleigh's disappearance is the work of a stranger." Ronald Cummings and Crystal Sheffield, Haleigh's mother, are not considered suspects, police said.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/06/haleigh.cummings.father.divorce/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

IMO, to some there may not be a difference when using certain terminology, but to me it is the world of difference when some are being "cleared" as in the A/C guy.... IMO, until LE comes out and says that Ron is cleared, i will continue to believe he is being looked at.

JMO

I agree. LE also made statements that Joe Overstreet was not considered a suspect. With all the "Joe did it" stories out there, this is a big statement for LE to make. This leads me to believe that LE doesn't believe this story either.

 

[lil momma]

I agree. LE also made statements that Joe Overstreet was not considered a suspect. With all the "Joe did it" stories out there, this is a big statement for LE to make. This leads me to believe that LE doesn't believe this story either.

I agree.... IMO, with LE you have to read between the lines...

I think the reason Misty has been labeled as "the key" is b/c they feel she didn't harm HaLeigh, but knows what happened that night that lead up to HaLeigh disappearing. I also think that LE has been awefully quiet about Ron b/c they know he is involved and they know they will NEVER get the information out of Ron or any family. so if they apply the pressure to the Croslins who are "transplants" in Putnam County, they may have a better shot at getting some answers. I have to keep reminding myself that Ron is no stranger to the law and especially in Putnam County, nor is his family. They know how he/family operates. IMO, They are using a little reverse psychology on the Cummings, making them think that the Croslins are going down for whatever happened to HaLeigh. when LE is gathering the evidence they need to bring down the Cummings.

Or maybe this is just my wishful thinking :dance:

all of the above is just my opinion for today, tomorrow it may different!

 

[Scamperoo]

Hello! This is my first posting on WS and I am very happy to be able to post along side such knowledgeable people.

I have always thought drugs were the key and that it was the reason Ron was unable to be more forthcoming. I think the argument about the guns previous to Haleigh's disappearance may have been in response to a deal trading the guns for a significant amount of drugs. I believe Ron reneged on the deal and the people involved came looking for what they considered to be their property. I think that Misty knew they were coming and didn't tell Ron. I don't believe Misty thought for one moment that Ron was one step ahead and had removed the guns from the home. I think they were so enraged by this they removed Haleigh from the home in revenge. So IMHO Ron knew and may have been the catalyst for these events but was not physically responsible for what happened. Morally is another question, I feel in this he is 100% the reason his daughter was put in the path of these monsters.

 

[kant]

lonetraveler,
Yes, I know what the topic of the thread is, but what I was trying to say was, that we have no facts, no evidence. Didn't Tim M. state that LE had a large room full of evidence for this case many months ago? Phone records, all of the videos, witness statements, physical evidence, and more. They have said Ron and Crystals are not suspects. LE has made that decision based on everything they have.
The information we have in this case comes from rumors, media people I never heard of who are making money off this sad case,many posters quote what media people write as if it was a fact, some videos from media and police, scanner channel was great.
I wrote that we are not smarter than they are, only because they have what we do not, that room full of evidence.

I thought Ron was involved from the beginning and I still do.

To expound on that and respond to your post, imo, the posters here are intelligent people; and from what I've read, they do not form opinions merely from rumors - mainly bc that would be an absurd waste of time...in my opinion and imo if I were to suggest so woud be insulting to my fellow posters.

Additionally, I believe police and court documents are generally considered reliable facts, as are arrest reports, child services records, and school files, etc; And even if the odd error, typo, or misprint were found on any of these, I certainly wouldnt subsequently sweepingly categorize them all as "rumor."

I realize witness testimony can be iffy, but for me, if the same story comes up repeatedly about someone from several unrelated sources that lends credence to the information in a very real, where-there's-smoke-there's-fire or if-it-walks-like-a duck... sense.

Also, and even more importantly for me, I think Ron's actions and words... observed coming directly out of Ron's mouth (as opposed to hearsay) per video tape are considered reliable. Yes, video can be altered, but multiple versions of the same tape from different sources, networks, and journalists wouldnt likely be "edited" and altered (merely to make Ron look bad) in an exactly identical fashion such that they yeild the same result.

Additionally, Ron seems inconsistent in his accounts of various aspects of the story (per video on several shows on which he regularly guested, that is, before his criminal defense atty nipped it - Miz Nancy, for one, leaps to mind.) For example, if someone says in an account, "...five minutes later" and in another account the same person says, "...a few minutes later" that does not particularly send me into orbit; but to me, gross inconsistencies do come across as hinky.

Lastly, imo, no one has to make Ron "look" bad -- (or suspicious for that matter.) He does an excellent job of that himself.

moo

 

[Scamperoo]

Hello! Everyone, This is my first posting on WS and I am very happy to be able to post along side such knowledgeable people.

I have always thought drugs were the key and that it was the reason Ron was unable to be more forthcoming. I think the argument about the guns previous to Haleigh's disappearance may have been in response to a deal trading the guns for a significant amount of drugs. I believe Ron reneged on the deal and the people involved came looking for what they considered to be their property. I think that Misty knew they were coming and didn't tell Ron. I don't believe Misty thought for one moment that Ron was one step ahead and had removed the guns from the home. I think they were so enraged by this they removed Haleigh from the home in revenge. So IMHO Ron knew and may have been the catalyst for these events but was not physically responsible for what happened. Morally is another question, I feel in this he is 100% the reason his daughter was put in the path of these monsters.