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[Angel Who Cares]

Reporter's Notebook: Desperation, Fatigue, Kindness
Observations Of Channel 4 Reporter Jennifer Bauer
<snipped>
What happened to the 5-year-old? Where is she? Is she safe? Is she frightened? The questions are endless and not having answers is the worst.
You can tell the long days and sleepless nights are taking their toll on everyone. Haleigh's paternal grandmother, Teresa Neves, told me she sleeps when she can.A lot of people around the neighborhood choose to grab a few winks during the day, sitting up in a chair. I know this is true because I've seen them.
Sleeping and eating are not on the minds of people in Satsuma. Haleigh is.
The investigators on this case tell us they are just as desperate for information as the family is. Feb. 10, when we arrived in the neighborhood, FBI investigators were already there, detectives from all over the state, K-9 units on the ground, infrared choppers in the sky and search boats on the water. It was like nothing I had ever seen.
Since that day, things have slowed down and been scaled back tremendously. This week, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office tells us they have five officers assigned to this case who are working it around the clock.
Like Haleigh's family, I'm sure those investigators are just as consumed with questions about the little girl.

VIDEO: Haleigh's Family Raising Money To Increase Reward
http://www.news4jax.com/video/18887232/index.html

Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/18869267/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Family of Haleigh Cummings Gets Visit from Family of Tiffany Sessions
Created: 3/9/2009 12:34:02 PM
Updated: 3/9/2009 12:45:11 PM
<snipped>
SATSUMA, FL -- A family whose daughter disappeared 20 years ago has stopped by Satsuma to visit with Haleigh Cummings' family.
Tiffany Sessions, a college student, vanished from the Universty of Florida in 1989.
Monday, her father, Patrick, and brother, Jason, drove to Satsuma to support Haleigh's family.
Tiffany Sessions was last seen on February 9th, the same day of the month Haleigh was last seen.
Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=133266&catid=3

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Family Of Missing Satsuma Girl Raise Money For Larger Reward
Search For Haleigh Cummings Enters Fourth Week
POSTED: Monday, March 9, 2009
UPDATED: 3:03 pm EDT March 9, 2009
<snipped>
On Monday, the community came together with the girl's family to raise money for a larger reward.
Not a day has gone by that the missing child's family hasn't been in front of the television cameras making the same plea.
The family is hoping that with more money offered in the reward to find Haleigh someone will be compelled to come forward with the tip that investigators have been looking for all along.
From T-shirts to buttons and necklaces, Haleigh's family has been selling anything in can to raise more money and entice someone to come forward.
"We're having a pretty good turnout with people buying T-shirts, of course its getting slow because the story is falling off with the media and people aren't coming out like they were," said Haleigh's grandmother, Marie Griffis.
VIDEO: Haleigh's Family Raising Money To Increase Reward
http://www.news4jax.com/video/18887232/index.html
VIDEO: Dad Of Missing 5-Year-Old Asks Teen Girlfriend For Hand In Marriage
http://www.news4jax.com/video/18892618/index.html
Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/18888819/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Father, brother of missing UF student visit Haleigh's family
Published: Monday, March 9, 2009 at 3:04 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, March 9, 2009 at 3:04 p.m.
<snipped>
Patrick Sessions and Jason Sessions spoke with the paternal grandmother of Haleigh Cummings outside a tent near the home where the child lived with her father and brother.
Patrick Sessions said he wanted to meet Haleigh&#8217;s family, offer his support and help them if he could in getting and keeping news of the child&#8217;s disappearance in the public eye.
Twenty-year-old Tiffany Sessions disappeared in 1989 on the same date Haleigh was last seen at her home. The college student went for a walk, leaving her condominium at Casablanca East off SW 35th Place north of Williston Road. She was never seen again.
The Sessions family is one of a number of people who are part of a small group who have been through the same difficulties as Haleigh&#8217;s family and have contacted or visited her relatives. The list includes the grandfather of Caylee Anthony, who was found dead near her grandparents&#8217; Orange County home, and the father of missing Leesburg toddler Trenton Duckett.
Article:
http://www.gainesville.com/article/...-of-missing-UF-student-visit-Haleigh-s-family

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh's Father Pops Question to Teen Girlfriend
Created: 3/9/2009 2:55:12 PM
Updated: 3/9/2009 5:35:33 PM
<snipped>
PALATKA, FL -- The father of Haleigh Cummings has asked his teenaged girlfriend to marry him.
Ronald Cummings, 25, popped the question to Misty Croslin Sunday night at Chili's, with several family members around them.
She said yes.
Outside the Putnam County Courthouse where Croslin and Cummings went Monday to get the paperwork for a marriage license, Croslin showed off her ring.
"Everybody's probably going to take this marriage thing the wrong way but it's not," said Croslin. "Everything's still focused on Haleigh. This is what Haleigh wanted. She's always talked about it."
Croslin said Haleigh even called her "mom."
Since Croslin is only 17, the paperwork has to be filled out by her parents.
The two have not set a wedding date.

03/06/09 INTERVIEW "Teen To Marry Haleigh's Father": VIDEO 2:50
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video...t_amberalerts&maven_referralObject=1057261600

03/09/09 5PM Report "Haleigh's Father Engaged": 2:18
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video...t_amberalerts&maven_referralObject=1057299769

Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=133274&catid=295

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Tonight Marks One Month Anniversary Of Haleigh&#8217;s Disappearance
Monday, March 09, 2009 3:49:23 PM
<snipped>
SATSUMA -- It was one month ago Monday night Haleigh Cummings, 5, was abducted from her home.
Despite investigating hundreds of leads, authorities in Putnam County have no suspects and have made no arrests in the case.
Deputies said they continue to follow up on any new tips they get in the case.
A reward of more than $26,000 remains in place for information leading to an arrest.
VIDEO: Inside Haleigh&#8217;s Home
http://www.cfnews13.com/MediaPlayer...1&cat=Local&title=Inside Haleigh&#8217;s Home
Article:
http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/...th_anniversary_of_haleighs_disappearance.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh's Father Asks Girfriend To Marry Him
Family Also Must Leave Tent
POSTED: 8:23 pm EDT March 8, 2009
UPDATED: 4:45 pm EDT March 9, 2009
<snipped>
"Everybody's probably going to take this marriage thing the wrong way but it's not," Croslin said in the article. "Everything's still focused on Haleigh. This is what Haleigh wanted. She's always talked about it."
Because she is 17, Croslin's family had to fill out the marriage license paperwork.
And the tent where Haleigh's father, Ronald Cummings, and other family members have been living will have to move soon because it is not in a campground.
Neves also said the family will continue to hold candlelight vigils for Haleigh until she comes home.

Article:
http://www.wesh.com/news/18884028/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh's father to marry 17-year-old girlfriend
Putnam County girl missing since Feb. 10
Story updated at 8:27 PM on Monday, Mar. 9, 2009
<snipped>
Missing Putnam County kindergartner Haleigh Cummings&#8217; father and his girlfriend are planning to marry and hope one day to include the 5-year-old in a future celebration of the marriage.
&#8220;They&#8217;ll have a big wedding when Haleigh comes home,&#8221; said Chelsea Croslin, whose sister-in-law Misty Croslin and Ronald Cummings applied for a wedding license Monday.
&#8220;Haleigh was asking him for a long time when was he going to marry Misty,&#8221; she said. She said she expects them to have a small ceremony in the near future and a larger celebration later.
The license was issued at the Putnam County courthouse Monday afternoon, said Clerk of Courts Tim Smith, and will be valid on March 12.
The couple&#8217;s belongings and those of the children were being emptied from the home Monday. Even after investigators released the Green Lane property back to the family, Cummings has not been staying there.
Lisa Croslin said the wedding plans always included Haleigh.
&#8220;Little Haleigh was going to have her own little white dress,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Ronald was going to put a ring on her finger.&#8221;
She said the ring Cummings gave to her daughter was handed down in his family.
Today the focus on Haleigh will continue with a reward announcement in Satsuma by the Jacksonville-based Justice Coalition. The afternoon news briefing will include the Putnam County Sheriff&#8217;s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the FBI and songwriter Eli Grimes performance of a song he wrote for the missing girl.

Article:
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/me...leighs_father_to_marry_17-year-old_girlfriend

 

[Angel Who Cares]

THE WEDDING: this week?
March 9th, 2009 8:27 PM Eastern
by Greta Van Susteren
<snipped>
Neves said Misty and Ronald spent Monday together getting their paperwork in order to make their marriage official. We&#8217;re told they&#8217;re expected to officially tie the knot sometime later this week.
Article:
http://gretawire.foxnews.com/2009/03/09/the-wedding-this-week/

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Ronald Cummings Camp Moves
Last Update: 3/09 8:21 pm
<snipped>
Neves said no one has decided where the family will move their camp. They have calls into a local funeral home and church to set up on their property, but they&#8217;re waiting to hear if city ordinances will allow them to set their tents up.
Neves said right now, the family is looking for a home for Ronald to move into. If they can&#8217;t find one soon, Ronald has family in the area who have said he can move in whenever he wants.

"Moving Camp": VIDEO 1:58
http://www.fox30online.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Article:
http://www.fox30online.com/content/...mmings-Camp-Moves/AuJSAZ-I-Ei2F7GFpShflg.cspx

 

[Angel Who Cares]

B]UPDATED: Reward Grows To $35K For Haleigh's Safe Return[/B]
Justice Coalition Adds To Reward Amount
POSTED: 8:12 am EDT March 10, 2009
UPDATED: 8:37 pm EDT March 10, 2009
<snipped>
The Jacksonville-based Justice Coalition announced at a news conference Tuesday that it was adding $8,490 to increase the reward to help find the 5-year-old who has been missing for a month.
Haileigh's father, Ronald Cummings, and her mother, Crystal Sheffield, tearfully pleaded for the return of the little girl at the Satsuma news conference.

VIDEO: Reward In Haleigh Cummings Case Now At $35,000
http://www.wesh.com/video/18901816/index.html

VIDEO: Reward For Haleigh
http://www.wesh.com/video/18895945/index.html

SLIDESHOW:
http://www.wesh.com/slideshow/news/18711660/detail.html

Article:
http://www.wesh.com/news/18895830/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh's Father Gets Engaged To 17-Year-Old Girlfriend
Posted: 7:36 am EDT March 10, 2009
Updated: 11:10 am EDT March 10, 2009
<snipped>
Cummings asked his 17-year-old girlfriend, Misty Croslin, to marry him just four weeks since his daughter disappeared from the bedroom of her Putnam County home in Satsuma. "Everybody is going to take this marriage thing the wrong way, but its not. Everything is still focused on Haleigh. This is what Haleigh wanted," said Croslin.

VIDEO REPORT: Haleigh's Father Engaged
http://www.wftv.com/video/18897141/index.html

IMAGES: Ring, Fiancé, Inside Home
http://www.wftv.com/slideshow/news/18897226/detail.html

Article:
http://www.wftv.com/news/18895696/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Parents Make Emotional Plea for Haleigh's Return
Created: 3/10/2009 2:38:10 PM
Updated: 3/10/2009 6:01:46 PM
<snipped>
SATSUMA, FL -- Haleigh Cummings' parents had to fight through tears Tuesday afternoon as they made yet another plea for the return of their missing 5-year-old.
At a news conference hosted by the Justice Coalition, Ronald Cummings told his daughter, "You'll always be daddy's little girl; I love you." He then said, "Please, if you have my daughter, bring her home."
Haleigh's mother, Crystal Sheffield, echoed that. "Bring her home, please," she said, crying.
Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy, who is heading up the search for Haleigh, thanked the family and the community for their patience and cooperation.
Following the news conference, a local musician sang a song and people released balloons into the air.

03/10/09 2PM "News Conference": VIDEO 11:19
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video...t_amberalerts&maven_referralObject=1058193952

03/10/09 5PM Report "Parents Plea For Haleigh": VIDEO 3:00
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video...t_amberalerts&maven_referralObject=1058315927

VIDEO: Reward For Haleigh Increased To $35,000
http://www.news4jax.com/video/18902326/index.html

IMAGE: Twenty-nine days after the disappearance of her daughter, Haleigh's mother asks that "Whoever has her, please just bring her back."
http://www.news4jax.com/image/18899837/detail.html

Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=133387&catid=295

 

[Angel Who Cares]

What About Husband-Wife Priveleges In Court?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 2:21:57 PM
<snipped>
Many asked how the eventual marriage would come into play if any charges came in the future regarding the case of the missing child.
Would Cummings and Croslin be excused from testifying against one another? No.
Around 1976, Florida legislature instituted an exception in the evidence code regarding a husband-and-wife privilege.
The law reads: "In a criminal proceeding in which one spouse is charged with a crime committed at any time against the person or property of the other spouse, or the person or property of a child of either."

VIDEO: Can Spouses Testify Against Each Other?
http://www.cfnews13.com/MediaPlayer...title=Can Spouses Testify Against Each Other?

Article:
http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/3/10/haleighs_dad_is_engaged.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Members of the FBI, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Crime Stoppers and the Justice Coalition, as well as the Putnam County Sheriff&#8217;s Office, participated in press conference
Published: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 2:46 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 2:46 p.m.
<snipped>
A reward in the case had been set at $26,500, according to the sheriff&#8217;s office. The Justice Coalition added about $8,500 to that amount.
Of the total reward, $5,000 is for the recovery of Haleigh, and the remainder requires information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for her disappearance.
The Justice Coalition &#8220;works hard to reach out to victims, the community, law enforcement, legislators, the faith-based organizations and local officials,&#8221; according to the agency&#8217;s Web site at http://www.justicecoalition.org/. It provides crisis intervention for victims, educates victims about their rights, accompanies them to court, and assists in publicizing rewards for unsolved murder and missing persons cases.

Article:
http://www.gainesville.com/article/...Title=Reward-climbs-to-35-000-in-Haleigh-case

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Yellow balloons scrawled with messages, prayers and pleas lifted into a clear blue Putnam County sky Tuesday
Story updated at 5:26 PM on Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2009
<snipped>
More than a dozen helium-filled balloons were released after a prayer and an announcement that the Jacksonville-based Justice Coalition would add more than $8,000 to a reward pot in the case, lifting the amount to $35,000.
Though Ann Dugger, the coalition&#8217;s executive director, said the money could make a difference, she told a crowd of law enforcement officers, reporters and Haleigh&#8217;s family it was more important that an abductor release the kindergartner.
A song, &#8220;Haleigh Is Missing,&#8221; was performed by songwriter Eli Grimes of St. Johns County. At the end, the balloons were released, drifting up above the rural community in the south end of the county.
&#8220;Come home Haleigh,&#8221; one said.
And, &#8220;Haleigh my Angel,&#8221; proclaimed another.

Article:
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/me...y/missing_haleigh_case_gets_more_reward_money

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh's Mother Obtains a Spokesperson and Seeks an Attorney
Created: 3/10/2009 6:43:05 PM
Updated: 3/10/2009 6:56:36 PM
<snipped>
SATSUMA, FL -- Haleigh's mother's side of the family has asked a spokesperson to help them.
Wayanne Kruger from Arizona has come to Satsuma, Florida to help Crystal Sheffield, Haleigh's mother, while the search for the missing five year old continues.
Kruger told First Coast News Sheffield's mother, Marie Griffis, sought her out.
Kruger said she will help the family find a home in Putnam County. All of them live in Baker County. Kruger will also speak on their behalf and help them find an attorney.
Griffis said she wanted a spokesperson because she did not know how to handle the media.
Kruger said when she saw Sheffield on television, she remembered when she was on television for the first time. "I was shaking, and I was upset. I didn't know what to say and I didn't know what to do."
Kruger said she is helping Sheffield for free.

03/10/09 6PM Report "Haleigh's Mother Obtains A Spokesperson": VIDEO 1:00
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video...t_amberalerts&maven_referralObject=1058575922

Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=133403&catid=295

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Missing Girl's Father To Marry Thursday
5-Year-Old Went Missing Feb. 9
POSTED: Wednesday, March 11, 2009
UPDATED: 7:20 pm EDT March 11, 2009
<snipped>
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- A sheriff's deputy arrived at the home of missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings and removed the back door -- the same door that was found propped open the night the girl disappeared.
Haleigh hasn't been seen since the night of Feb. 9. Thirty days after she went missing, detectives in Putnam County continued to search for clues or any tips that may lead to answers in the case.
On Wednesday, investigators removed the back door of the Cummings' home. They would not comment on why the door was taken when it was.

The new developments in the case came on the eve of the missing girl's father's wedding. Earlier this week, Ronald Cummings asked his teenage girlfriend, Misty Croslin, for her hand in marriage.
She said the wedding ceremony would be bittersweet without her smiling granddaughter.
"It's going to be hard. It's an event that Haleigh really should be at, but when she comes home, we'll have a great big wedding so she can be the flower girl and see it all again," Neves said.
The family is almost finished packing up the tent in which they've been camping out for longer than a month. Haleigh's family members said it's just getting by and waiting for the day when it can really celebrate and the whole family again.
"I think Haleigh is going to be very happy when she comes home," Neves said.

Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/18909733/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh's dad, girlfriend to wed today
Story updated at 5:11 AM on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2009
<snipped>
The three-day waiting period required before Ronald Cummings, 25, and Misty Croslin, 17, can be married has passed and the couple is tying the knot today at Dunns Creek Baptist Church in San Mateo, said Cummings grandmother Annette Sykes.
&#8220;It&#8217;s just going to be a simple ceremony with just the family,&#8221; Sykes said. She said the couple is planning a bigger celebration for Haleigh&#8217;s return.
Article:
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/me...eighs_dad_girlfriend_set_for_thursday_wedding

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Cummings Getting Married
Last Update: 3/11 11:42 pm
<snipped>
It's been 30 days since Haleigh Cummings disappeared from her Putnam County home. And while the nationwide search for her continues, her father is getting ready to celebrate.

Ronald Cummings plans to marry his 17-year-old girlfriend, Misty Croslin. The family tells us the wedding will be small and private, and that there will be no reception and no honeymoon.
Haleigh's grandmother, Teresa Neves, says this is what Haleigh and her little brother always wanted. "Haleigh and Junior have often talked about how they would love to have Misty as mommy. And they've asked Daddy several times why he don't marry Misty," says Neves.

But not everyone is celebrating Ronald and Misty's nuptials. Friends of Crystal Sheffield, Haleigh's mother, call the timing of the ceremony completely inappropriate. Family friend, Christine Watkins says, "It's disgusting. While they could be out looking for Haleigh, they're making wedding plans? How happy they are...imagine that."
The wedding is set to happen sometime Thursday afternoon, at the Dunns Creek Baptist Church in San Mateo. You can count on us to be there.

"Cummings Wedding Plans": VIDEO 2:02
http://www.fox30online.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Article:
http://www.fox30online.com/content/...s-Getting-Married/jVE76f-4NE2es3bFqTuuKw.cspx