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Grandma Defends Haleigh's Father
Created: 3/18/2009 5:54:37 PM
Updated: 3/18/2009 8:44:25 PM
<snipped>
Haleigh Cummings' great-grandmother, Annette Sykes, says the allegations that her grandson abused Haleigh and Haleigh's little brother are "garbage and hearsay."
Sykes told First Coast News Wednesday, "Ronald's a good daddy. I'm not saying he's perfect because he's not. He's a young father, but he loves his children. He provides for his children. He spends as much time as he can with them."

Picazio said she provided all of that information to the Florida Department of Children and Families Tuesday so that the agency can investigate.
"We're not worried about that [investigation]," said Sykes. "It's just a matter of if they want to investigate facts or if they don't want to take the time and go by hear-say."

As for the speculation that Haleigh's mother, Crystal Sheffield, is fighting for custody of her children, Picazio told First Coast News she is still not pursuing a custody battle at this time.

Haleigh's great-grandmother, Sykes, said even talking about it right now is wrong.

"The only thing that needs to be talked about is Haleigh Ann Marie Cummings! Nothing else," Sykes said. "If they want to do all that other stuff, they should've waited until Haleigh came home. Any issues they had should not be now. Now is not the time."

03/18/09 5PM Report "Ronald Cummings Is a Good Father": VIDEO 1:28
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video...t_amberalerts&maven_referralObject=1065168833

Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=134115&catid=295
 
Haleigh Cummings: The Latest
Last Update: 3/18 11:54 pm
<snipped>
Here are the latest developments in the Haleigh Cummings case.

First, the missing 5-year-old's father Ronald, his new wife Misty, and their family are now holding their nightly vigils at a relative's house in nearby Welaka. Last week, the family was forced out of their roadside campsite near their home. Putnam County said the camp was against code.

Meanwhile, Ronald's mother, Teresa Neves, is talking about allegations of child abuse and drug abuse surrounding her son. She calls the claims, which are coming from Haleigh's mother's camp, both unfounded and unfair. "I just think it's a mudslinging match that we want no part of. We want all the focus to be on Haleigh," says Neves.

Finally, a van confiscated by police as evidence has been returned to Chelsea Croslin, Misty's sister-in-law. Croslin says a broken headlight and an unexplained scratch on the side leads her to believe someone else was driving the van the night Haleigh disappeared. She says it was possibly an out-of-town relative that had been staying with them. "I'm not accusing anybody. It's just me being a mom and believing what I believe. And having pieced everything together, I almost think I know who it is," says Croslin.

Putnam County police still have not named a suspect in this case, nor have they ruled anyone out. Five detectives are now working thousands of leads.

Search for Haleigh - "New camp site": VIDEO 2:10
http://www.cbs47.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Article:
http://www.cbs47.com/content/topsto...mmings-The-Latest/J0Ft4_z2gUSqu69iLYk_UA.cspx
 
Deputies called to Haleigh family location
Published: Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:00 AM EDT
<snipped>
Sheriff's deputies responded to a disturbance Wednesday after an unidentified man harassed Crystal Sheffield, Haleigh Cumming's mother, at the family's headquarters in Satsuma.
Jeremiah Regan, a friend of the maternal side of the family, said a blanket trespass warning has been ordered to prevent unwanted persons from returning to the building.

"Anyone that comes here to harass us, that we don't want here, will be asked to leave, and if they violate that they will be arrested," Regan said.
Haleigh, a blond, brown-eyed kindergartner, vanished from her Satsuma home Feb. 10. Friends and relatives of her mother and father, who never married, have since gathered at separate sites in the area.

Meanwhile, Regan said anyone involved in sexual crimes against children was not welcome on the headquarters property next to U.S. 17.
Regan said people who would like to support the maternal side of the family or have tips regarding Haleigh, however, are encouraged to stop by 24 hours a day starting Monday. That's when the grand opening will be held of what has been termed the "Haleighbug Headquarters" - using a nickname for the missing girl.

Article:
http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/03/19/news/news01.txt
 
Haleigh's father hires attorney in wake of abuse allegations
Helen Eckinger | Sentinel Staff Writer
3:01 PM EDT, March 19, 2009
<snipped.
The Palatka-based law firm Kimball and Snider, P.A. released a statement this afternoon saying it will be representing Ronald Cummings, 25, on a pro bono basis. The firm will coordinate Cummings' public appearances and will also represent Cummings in a possible custody battle over Haleigh's younger brother, Ronald Cummings Jr., 4, between Cummings and the children's mother, Crystal Sheffield, 23.

"The mother was previously denied custody in court and allegations of abuse against Ronald were judicially dismissed," the firm said in the statement, adding that Cummings considered the abuse allegations a "cheap shot and publicity stunt that detracts from the search for Haleigh."

The firm will not be representing Cummings' 17-year-old wife, Misty Croslin. Croslin was the last person to see Haleigh, who disappeared from the home Croslin shared with Cummings and his children late Feb. 9 or early Feb. 10. She and Cummings married on March 12.

"Ronald Cummings stands behind his wife, Misty, and supports her 100%. The law office of Kimball & Snider, P.A. has decided it is best to only represent Ronald and not Misty, because of their different respective legal positions," the statement said.

Article:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...cummings-hires-attorney-031909,0,924318.story
 
Haleigh's Father Under Investigation For Child Abuse
Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:48:49 PM
<snipped>
The search continues in Putnam County for 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings. But now another investigation is starting over whether the child's younger brother has been abused by their father.

The Putnam County Sheriff&#8217;s Office and the Department of Children and Families are investigating claims by the children&#8217;s mother that Ronald Cummings has beaten his son and also neglected the children repeatedly.

It's all part of an escalating custody battle between the parents.

Ronald Cummings' mother says there's no truth to the charges and the case takes away from the search for her missing granddaughter.

Article:
http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/...ther_under_investigation_for_child_abuse.html
 
Van Seized in Haleigh Case Returned
Created: 3/19/2009 2:31:11 PM
Updated: 3/19/2009 4:20:57 PM
<snipped>
According to Misty's mother, Lisa Croslin, her daughter-in-law noticed a scratch along the side of the van the night of day after Haleigh disappeared.

Investigators seized the vehicle.
Captain Dick Schauland with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said the technicians at the FDLE lab did not find any information on the van that is linked to the Haliegh Cummings' case.
Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=134179&catid=295
***************************************************************************
Ronald Cummings Gets Legal Representation, Teen Wife Excluded
Created: 3/19/2009 2:32:27 PM
Updated: 3/19/2009 10:51:03 PM
<snipped>
The Law Office of Kimball & Snider in Palatka says it will represent Ronald Cummings on a pro bono basis.
The personal injury firm says it will help handle the media and Ronald Cummings' interests in matters involving a possible custody fight over his son.

"The attorney and mother have appeared on national television to make unsubstantiated claims that Ronald Cummings sees as a 'cheap shot' and publicity stunt that detracts from the search for Haleigh," wrote Kimball & Snider in a statement released to the media.
"The mother was previously denied custody in court and allegations of abuse against Ronald were judicially dismissed."

The firm says Cummings a victim, who "needs and deserves legal advice and assistance in his quest for the safe return of his daughter."

The firm won't represent Misty Croslin Cummings, Ronald's 17-year-old wife. She is the one who told investigators she put Haleigh to bed on the night of February 9. The 5-year-old girl hasn't been seen since.
Though Ronald Cummings stands by her, the firm "has decided it is best to only represent ronald and not Misty, because of their different respective legal positions."

No one from the firm is available today to explain what "different respective legal positions" means.
In the statement the firm says it is conducting its own investigation into all "relevant matters" and will speak to the media when it's appropriate.

03/19 5PM Report "Ronald Cummings Gets Legal Representation": VIDEO 2:17
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video...stId=playlist&maven_referralObject=1066355240

Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=134180&catid=295
 
UPDATED: Man questioned in Haleigh Cummings investigation
Ex-Wife of man interviewed tells us details of why
Last Edited: Thursday, 19 Mar 2009, 6:05 PM EDT
Created On: Thursday, 19 Mar 2009, 5:46 PM EDT
<snipped>
There are more than 40 registered sexual offenders living in the area near Haleigh Cummings home. Officers say they&#8217;ve interviewed every single one. We have now learned a man awaiting trial for the Sexual Battery of a 9-year-old has also been questioned by police.
The man&#8217;s ex-wife spoke only to us, saying she had no idea the man she married may be capable of such a crime.

&#8220;It made me a child molester too,&#8221; said Joanne Newberger.
&#8220;I felt like it made me sick&#8230;today I can&#8217;t be around children.&#8221;
Newberger says she married the man in the early 90&#8217;s and claims everything started off fine. &#8220;I thought he was like wow---he&#8217;s looking at me! This good looking guy is looking at me, and I was overwhelmed with him.&#8221;
After awhile Newberger says violent tendencies started showing up in the man she loved. &#8220;He was getting worse, and then he started with people in the area and started with the beatings really bad.&#8221;

Newberger and the man divorced in 1999. The man was arrested in December of 2007 and charged with Sexually Battery of a minor. He also faces Lewd & Lascivious charges. He is currently out of jail on a $75,000 bond and is forced to wear an ankle monitor, has a curfew, and can not have any contact with anyone under 18.

The Putnam County Sheriff&#8217;s Office tells us they have questioned the man and reviewed records telling them where his ankle monitor was the night Haleigh disappeared. They say so far there is no evidence linking him to Haleigh&#8217;s abduction.

*NOTE: Video Report Included In Article!

Article:
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/031909haleigh_cummings_investigation
 
CayleeDoll.com Slams Media Focus in Haleigh Cumming Case
March 17, 2009
<snipped>
We would like to make a plea to you and all Americans. Please do not support the media as they try to destroy the parents and family of Haleigh Cummings. The focus should be on the safe return of Haleigh and not on any other issues.

The media knows that many Americans want to hear that the parents were involved in Haleigh's disappearance in some way. They know how to ensnare us with "Negative or Scandalous News" or "Bombshells". They will try to make it look like the people closest to Haleigh were involved in her disappearance in order to increase viewership and create a better spin on the story.

Again, this is not where our energy should be focused. Lets stand together and not allow outlets like Gerardo Rivera, Nancy Grace, HLN or any other agencies to divert our attention.

Haleigh Cumming deserves to have 100% of our concentration on her, as we try to bring her home safely.
http://www.cayleedoll.com/
 
Crime Stoppers Of NorthEast Florida
CASE FILE DETAIL
<snipped>
Haleigh is described as a 5 year old white female. She is approximately 3'0, 39 lbs, blonde hair & brown eyes. Unknown clothing description.
Haleigh was last seen at her residence in the Hermit's Cove area of Putnam County on February 9, 2009 between the hours of 8-10pm.
A statewide Amber Alert has been issued. An additional $35,000 in rewards have been posted.
If you have any information and wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477) or you can Text your tip by Texting &#8220;TIP231 plus your message&#8221; to CRIMES (274637). We don&#8217;t want your name; just your information and you could be eligible for a reward up to $1000.00
Article:
http://www.westopcrime.com/index.php?loc=details&story=686
 
New Information Uncovered In Haleigh Cummings Investigation
Last Update: 8:23 pm
<snipped>
There are more than 40 registered sexual offenders living in the area near Haleigh Cummings home. Officers say they’ve interviewed every single one. We have now learned a man awaiting trial for the Sexual Battery of a nine-year-old has also been questioned by police.

“I thought he was like wow---he’s looking at me! This good looking guy is looking at me, and I was overwhelmed with him.”
After awhile Newberger said violent tendencies started showing up in the man she loved.
“He was getting worse, and then he started with people in the area and started with the beatings really bad," she said.

"New Information Uncovered In Haleigh Cummings Investigation": VIDEO 2:08
http://www.cbs47.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Article:
http://www.cbs47.com/content/topsto...-Haleigh-Cummings/aRtpMDSdH0Gw3zdQ5NJSMw.cspx
 
Search For Haleigh Hits "A Brick Wall"
Investigation Into Disappearance Of 5-Year-Old Florida Girl Desperately Needs A Great Tip
<snipped>
John Walsh, host of "America's Most Wanted," who has been involved with the investigation, sat down with Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez to share the latest on the search for the missing 5-year-old.

"That investigation is very troubling to me. I mean, it's in my home state of Florida, and everybody's working on this case. There are the FBI, the sheriff down there is doing a great job. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has a team, Adam, named after our son, working on this case," Walsh said.

According to Walsh, they are still looking at everybody related to the family, including a cousin who was there the day before.

VIDEO: Searching For Haleigh Cummings
America's Most Wanted host John Walsh spoke to Maggie Rodriguez about extreme drug trafficking methods and the search for Haleigh Cummings.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4861821n

Article:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/12/earlyshow/main4861766.shtml
 
Community contributes to Haleigh's family funds
Donations sustain the search, and creation of an information center.
Story updated at 6:29 AM on Friday, Mar. 20, 2009
<snipped>
For more than a month Sheffield and Cummings have turned to separate support networks. Neither parent is working while the search for their daughter continues.

Kim Picazio, a South Florida lawyer who helped secure and spruce up the building for Sheffield, is directing the creation of a trust that will accept donations to help support the 23-year-old mother, whose home is in Baker County.
Money donated to the trust would be used for expenditures such as rent, food and gas as long as Sheffield stays, Picazio said.

For weeks, Putnam County businessman Jamie Watts has overseen a similar account set up for Haleigh's father and Ronald Cummings Jr., her 4-year-old brother.
Watts said less than $5,000 has been given to the Haleigh Cummings Relief Fund at Bank of America. The bank will not provide information on the account, citing privacy reasons.

Less than $1,000 has been spent on the insurance and other bills, Watts said. Set up by the bank under rules outlined by Florida law, money from the account cannot be used in support of Haleigh's mother because she was not living in the house at the time of the disappearance.
Watts said any withdrawals from the account must be approved by him and be used for a specific bill and certain expenses. In the past week and a half, donations have trickled off, he said.

Since the beginning only a handful of small checks came from out of state, with most of the money coming from within Putnam County.
A local church placed donation jars in the area and donated to the account.
"The lady didn't know what to do with it," Watts said. He said he told the church he could only accept money for Cummings. He did not know if some of the cash went to Sheffield.
"No one wants to take sides," he said. "This is a little community we live in. It is very tiny. When something like this happens, it sends shock waves out to the community."

In Baker County the sentiment has been similar.
Co-workers of Sheffield's mother, Marie Griffis, raised $670 to help the family. Although the money was stolen from the school bus depot where Griffis works, it was recovered.

Throughout the past month, money and other contributions have come in at camps where the families were set up, said family members. It might be $20 for gas or a food donation.
Cummings' grandmother, Annette Sykes, said the family kept a journal of donations.
"We wrote the names and addresses down," she said.
After money in the Cummings account is no longer needed, the remainder will be sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Watts said.

Picazio said any that is left in any account set up for Sheffield would be distributed in a similar way.

Article:
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/me...ommunity_contributes_to_haleighs_family_funds
 
Family on the Defense
Last Update: 3/19 11:44 pm
<snipped>
Misty Cummings' sister-in-law is coming forward to clear up the rumors about her family. Lindsy Croslin says Ronald Cummings never abused Haleigh or her 4-year-old brother. She also says Cummings and his new wife, Misty, do not do drugs.

But most of all, Croslin feels Misty has taken the brunt of public criticism. Misty was watching Haleigh the night she disappeared. And because of what police call inconsistencies in her story, Misty has been called the key to this case. Croslin doesn't buy it. She says, "She's 17, come on. I don't think she could fool police, you know."

Both of Haleigh's biological parents now have attorneys representing them. However, Misty does not. Her sister-in-law says Misty doesn't need an attorney, because she has nothing to hide.

Search for Haleigh - "Inside the investigation": VIDEO 2:11
http://www.cbs47.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Article:
http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story/Family-on-the-Defense/4LaLuGVmgUaKQnoG1hsjOg.cspx
 
Police learning lessons from Cummings investigation
Florida Fish & Wildlife wants policy changes
Last Edited: Friday, 20 Mar 2009, 5:06 PM EDT
Created On: Friday, 20 Mar 2009, 5:06 PM EDT
<snipped>
As the law stands right now, homeowners are required to post their street address on the front of their homes for emergency service use. That law does not extend to the back of the house or docks where law enforcement on boats could benefit from seeing exactly where they are.

&#8220;Precious seconds could be lost, because they&#8217;d have to dock the boat, run to the front---now they&#8217;d have an address, but they still wouldn&#8217;t have a street name, so it is frustrating to us,&#8221; said Lt. George Pottorf of Florida Fish & Wildlife.

Pottorf was on the water the day Haleigh disappeared and says one of his biggest problems was pinpointing his exact location on the water.

&#8220;We were receiving a lot of citizen tips where we had to respond to different locations.
Everything from the first day where there were actual sightings up to a point where people were seeing barrels, and plastic bags floating and every other type of item&#8230;and we had to respond to every one of those items,&#8221; said Pottorf.

Right now, Pottorf is going dock to dock passing out fliers to anyone who will read them asking all dock owners to please post their addresses on those docks. He says even though it is not a law right now, he&#8217;d like counties to look into changing local ordinances to make it a requirement.

Article:
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/032009_police_learning_lessons_haleigh_case

Law Enforcement Learning Lessons From Cummings Investigation
Search for Haleigh-"Dock Identification":VIDEO 2:06
http://www.cbs47.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Realted Article:
http://www.cbs47.com/content/topsto...ons-From-Cummings/TXJ7h7yDZUaNsBenkO7Gnw.cspx
 
Mother's Attorney Releases Photo Of Haleigh With Cuts, Bruises
Haleigh Cummings Disappeared 39 Days Ago
POSTED: Friday, March 20, 2009
UPDATED: 6:21 pm EDT March 20, 2009
<snipped>
Haleigh disappeared 39 days ago; however, the focus of the kindergartner's case has drifted away from the search for the child and toward the ongoing war of words between her parents.
Sheffield's attorney, Kim Picazio, said the recently released picture of Haleigh shows cuts and bruises on her face that could not have come from a simple fall.

On CNN's "Nancy Grace" Thursday night, Picazio accused Cummings of abusing Haleigh and her younger brother, Junior.
Picazio referred to the picture of Haleigh with cuts and bruises on her face. The injuries might have been from a fall at school, but Cummings might have caused the injuries, Picazio said.
"The nurse called the parents. They picked her up. Then, on the 12th -- six days later -- the injuries had worsened to the point where she had to go to the ER. She had black eyes, a laceration to the face and a scrape on the cheek. None of that was reported to the nurse," Picazio said.

An expert on "Nancy Grace" responded to the allegations, saying, "He's getting slimmed. It's just so unfair because it's so difficult to defend himself."
Cummings has not commented on the allegations. However, his mother and grandmother have vigorously defended him, saying he loves his children.
"The attorney and mother (Crystal Sheffield) have appeared on national television to make unsubstantiated claims that Ronald Cummings sees as a 'cheap shot' and publicity stunt that detracts from the search for Haleigh," Cummings' attorney stated. "The mother was previously denied custody in court and allegations of abuse against Ronald were judicially dismissed."
On Friday, Cummings said he just wants his daughter found safe.

VIDEO: Picture Of Haleigh With Cuts, Bruises On Face Made Public
http://www.news4jax.com/video/18980757/index.html

IMAGE: The attorney for Haleigh's mother says the cuts and bruises on Haleigh in this picture couldn't have been caused by a simple fall.
http://www.news4jax.com/image/18978805/detail.html

Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/18978514/detail.html
 
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