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[Angel Who Cares]

Rutherford: Missing persons now top priority
Story updated at 8:41 PM on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010
<snipped>
Three high-profile Northeast Florida cases were the catalysts Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford needed to overhaul protocol for handling missing-persons reports.

Rutherford said Tuesday the disappearance of Haleigh Cummings in Putnam County, the abduction and slaying of Somer Thompson in Clay County and last week&#8217;s shooting death of Makia Coney in Duval County inspired his decision to speed up the officer response time in missing-persons cases.

Rutherford issued an internal memorandum Friday that detailed the changes. Missing-persons reports were previously assigned a low-response priority unless there were signs of foul play. But the revision makes all but habitual runaway missing-persons cases Priority 1 for officers.

The calls can&#8217;t be delayed or handed off to another officer unless a supervisor approves the change. Rutherford said habitual runaways will be handled with a lower priority but can be upgraded immediately in case of foul play. &#8220;Given all that&#8217;s happened recently, I&#8217;m not comfortable waiting around until we know there is some evidence of foul play,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I want to make sure these reports are given the priority they deserve.&#8221;

St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar said his missing-persons protocol is similar to Jacksonville&#8217;s previous system. But with the recent influx of disappearances across Northeast Florida, he said he plans on adjusting to a more proactive model as soon as possible.

&#8220;We&#8217;re not as busy as JSO, but Sheriff Rutherford&#8217;s move has definitely inspired me to revisit our strategy for dealing with disappearances,&#8221; Shoar said. &#8220;The window is small in these cases, and there&#8217;s no room for error.&#8221;
*Much more at link!

Article:
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/...y/rutherford_missing_persons_now_top_priority

 

[kellync]

http://www.actionnewsjax.com/conten...of-Misty-Cummings/IafT9k7hEk2e4pGhLnr6Gw.cspx

No video, so I didnt want to start a thread, feel free to move if necessary. Thanks!

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Cummings enters plea in drug case
Published: Thursday, February 18, 2010 1:39 AM EST
<snipped>
Ronald Cummings, the father of missing child Haleigh Cummings, has issued a plea of not guilty plea for drug trafficking charges, a court official said Wednesday.

Cummings, 26, faces five counts of trafficking in prescription pills after investigators reported that he and four others were dealing in oxycodone and hydrocodone pills following a month-long undercover narcotics investigation.

Meanwhile, Croslin and Sykes are scheduled to appear before Judge Terry LaRue this morning for arraignment hearings in Palatka.

Cummings will not be present since he has already issued his plea through his attorney, Terry Shoemaker of St. Augus-tine.

Article:
http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2010/02/18/news/news03.txt

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Misty: 'I Want To Get Out Of This Place'
Recording Of Jailhouse Conversations Released
POSTED: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
UPDATED: 6:58 am EST February 18, 2010
<snipped>
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office has released another round of jailhouse conversations involving Misty Cummings. In them, she pleads with her parents to find a way to get her out of jail.

In the tapes, Cummings said she will change her ways if she gets out of jail. Then while talking with her father, Hank Croslin, the conversation turns to Haleigh.

In a separate conversation, Misty's father and brother, Hank Croslin Jr., expressed skepticism about whether she has been telling investigators everything she knows about Haleigh's disappearance.

In a separate recorded conversation, Misty Cummings talked with her mother about a bounty hunter offering to get her out of jail if she can shed any light on Haleigh's disappearance.

Video: More Misty Cummings Phone Calls Released
http://www.news4jax.com/video/22596605/index.html

Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/22596470/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

UPDATED: New tapes from inside the jail of Misty Cummings
2/18/10 Last Update: 1:01 am
<snipped>
Misty Cummings is here in the St John's County jail right now, but will go to Putnam County court in the morning. Now, we have the newest recordings of how Misty is handling jail, including what she did on the anniversary of Haleigh's disappearance.

Action News has the taped jail visit by Misty's parents on February 9th, one day before the anniversary of Haleigh's disappearance. Over and over again Misty pleaded for her parents to get her out of jail. Even talking about trying to use a bounty hunter in California to pay her bond. "The only way I'll talk to him is if he bonds me out of here," said Misty.

Action News did speak with the bounty hunter in California Misty mentioned. He says he'll bond Misty out with 135-thousand dollars. He does have a stipulation though, she has to tell him where to find Haleigh, dead or alive.

Video: Misty Revealed 2/17/2010 - 02:16
MISTY CUMMINGS WILL GO BACK IN FRONT OF A JUDGE IN PUTNAM COUNTY TOMORROW MORNING
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Article:
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/conten...of-Misty-Cummings/IafT9k7hEk2e4pGhLnr6Gw.cspx

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Ronald And Misty Cummings In Court Thursday
February 18, 2010 6:52 AM
<snipped>
Ronald Cummings and his ex-wife Misty Croslin are due in a Putnam County court Thursday, answering to drug trafficking charges.

In taped jail-house conversations between Misty and her father released Wednesday, Misty again said she wants to get out of prison.

In a separate conversation between Misty's father and her brother Hank Croslin, her father said he's not completely sure his daughter does not have information that could help investigators find Haleigh.

"I mean, I don't know if she knows anything or not" said her father. Hank Croslin then interjected "tell her to go ahead and tell the truth and not be making up stories".

Article:
http://wokv.com/localnews/2010/02/ronald-and-misty-cummings-in-c.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

New Recordings Of Misty Croslin In Jail
Updated: Thursday, 18 Feb 2010, 8:06 AM EST
Published : Thursday, 18 Feb 2010, 7:55 AM EST
<snipped>
FOX 35 has new recordings of Misty Croslin in jail. She's the young woman who investigators say last saw Haleigh Cummings last year before she disappeared from her Putnam County home.

The new video recordings are of Misty talking to her parents on February 9, 2010.

*Video Included In Article!

Click here to go to our Haleigh Cummings coverage section>>>
http://www.myfoxorlando.com//subindex/news/cummings_case

Article:
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/cummings_case/021810-Misty-Croslin

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Haleigh's Ex-Step Mom Moved To Different Jail
Posted: 8:10 am EST February 18, 2010
Updated: 8:20 am EST February 18, 2010
<snipped>
Misty Croslin-Cummings is sitting in a new jail cell. Early Thursday morning, Misty was booked into the Putnam County jail on drug charges. She had been in the St. Johns County jail for the past three weeks.

Haleigh's father, Ronald Cummings, is also being held in the Putnam County jail on drug charges.

Article:
http://www.wftv.com/news/22598915/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Misty Croslin transferred to Putnam County jail
Misty Croslin, ex-stepmother of missing Haleigh Cummings, was transferred this morning and is being held on more than $1.3 million bond.
9:20 a.m. EST, February 18, 2010
<snipped>
Misty Croslin, the ex-stepmother of missing Haleigh Cummings, was transferred to a different jail this morning.

Misty Croslin, 18, was booked into the Putnam County Jail at 6:21 a.m. today, jail records show. She had been at the St. Johns County jail in St. Augustine since her arrest three weeks ago.

It's unclear why she was moved.

She is being held on more than $1.3 million dollars bond on numerous drug trafficking charges.

Ronald Cummings is also being held at the Putnam County jail on a $900,000 bond.

Check back for more information.

Article:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...aleigh-cummings-jail-20100218,0,1530027.story

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Ronald Cummings, Misty Croslin plead not guilty in drug case
Published: Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 1:30 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 1:30 p.m.
<snipped>
Ronald Cummings and Misty Croslin have entered pleas of not guilty to trafficking prescription narcotics in Putnam County.

Cummings, 26, the father of missing Satsuma girl Haleigh Cummings, is charged with five counts. Croslin, 18, who was Cummings girlfriend at the time of the disappearance in February 2009, is charged with eight counts.

Croslin is being held in the St. Johns County Jail but was briefly booked into the Putnam County Jail Thursday morning. The jail's Web site shows her being booked in at 6:21 a.m. and booked out at 10:47 a.m. She is still listed as an inmate in the St. Johns jail.

Cummings entered a written plea Wednesday while Croslin pleaded not guilty on Thursday morning.

Misty Croslin, left, and Ronald Cummings

Article:
http://www.gainesville.com/article/...s-Misty-Croslin-plead-not-guilty-in-drug-case

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Two new charges added to Misty Croslin in court
Former stepmother of Haleigh Cummings now faces seven drug-related counts
Story updated at 12:29 PM on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010
<snipped>
Wearing a blue jail uniform and with cornrows in her hair, Misty Croslin was arraigned on seven drug trafficking charges today in a Putnam County Court. Two of the charges were added this morning to five she already faced following an undercover narcotics investigation that ended with five arrests, including her former husband, Ronald Cummings.

Hope Sykes, 18, a co-defendant in the case, was also arraigned on one count of drug trafficking. Cummings and co-defendants Hank Croslin Jr. and Donna Michelle Brock, 44, have filed written pleas of not guilty and asked for jury trials in their cases.

Misty Croslin's attorney, Robert Fields, told LaRue he has filed similar motions in the five initial charges facing client and intends to do so in the remaining two. Croslin&#8217;s $1.3 million bail could change with the new filings.

In another twist in the case that has had its central focus on the still-missing Haleigh, Croslin's mother, Lisa Croslin, was arrested on a warrant as she left the courthouse following an earlier hearing this morning. Her husband, Hank Croslin Sr., who is Misty Croslin's father, was leaving his own 9 a.m. hearing when Palatka police arrested his wife, he said. The charge stems from an incident at the Palatka Walmart around Christmas, he said.

The senior Croslin said several arrests of his family are all stemming from the Haleigh case. Croslin was the only member of the family in the courtroom when his daughter was arraigned. As they took her out after the hearing, he asked if he could give her a hug but wasn't allowed. He said his daughter looked sad and scared. She told him she loved him as she left the courtroom, he said. Her next court appearance is March 31.

Misty Croslin faces eight counts of trafficking in prescription drugs, including one charge in St. Johns County. Her arraignment in that case is March 8.

Article:
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/...o_new_charges_added_to_misty_croslin_in_court

 

[Angel Who Cares]

More Misty Croslin Jailhouse Tapes Released
Created: 2/18/2010 2:05:36 PM
Updated: 2/18/2010 3:08:08 PM
<snipped>
Misty Cummings pleaded not guilty to drug charges brought against her today in court. Robert Fields, her attorney, requested a jury trial. A pretrial hearing is set for March.

Also today, Cummings' mother, Lisa Croslin, was arrested outside of court hours after her daughter's appearance on an outstanding theft warrant from 2009.

Wednesday, more jailhouse tapes of conversations between Croslin and her father, Hank Sr., were released by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Department.

An excerpt:
Hank: "I pray for Haleigh, too."
Misty: "I pray for her too, all day everyday. I'm telling you I do. I miss her so much."
Hank: "Poor little girl. I miss her, too."
Misty: "God is going to bring her home."
Hank: "God is going to bring her home?"
Misty: "God is going to bring her home."
Hank: "Do you think she can come home?"
Misty: "Of course.
Hank: "I hope and pray to God she does."
Misty: "Me too. I can't tell you definitely because you know I cant say 100 percent, but God hasn't given me that sign but I wish I could tell you more.
Hank: "I don't want to know more."

Bounty hunter Leonard Padilla has offered to pay Croslin's bail in exchange for information on Haleigh. Misty said Padilla already bought a car for her parents.

Video: More Misty Croslin Jailhouse Tapes Released 02/18/10 Report
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=67181072001

Video: More Misty Croslin Jailhouse Tapes Released 02/18/ Report
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=67143540001

Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/topstories/news-article.aspx?storyid=152200&catid=3

 

[Angel Who Cares]

UPDATED: Another Arrest In Haleigh's Family
Missing Girl's Father, Step-Mother Plead Not Guilty To Drug Charges
POSTED: Thursday, February 18, 2010
UPDATED: 8:07 pm EST February 18, 2010
<snipped>
Lisa Croslin was arrested outside the Putnam County Courthouse on an outstanding warrant for grand theft. About an hour later, Ronald Cummings' ex-wife, Misty, and a cousin of Ronald were arraigned on charges of trafficking in prescription pain killers.

Ronald Cumming was excused from the arraignment when his lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf on Wednesday. Misty Cummings, 17, and 18-year-old Hope Sikes, Ronald's cousin, were brought into the courtroom in handcuffs and shackles. They also entered not guilty pleas.

While Misty Cummings and Sykes were in a second-floor courtroom, Haleigh's birth mother, Crystal Sheffield, was downstairs meeting with the Department of Children and Families.

Sheffield and Haleigh's grandmothers, Marie Griffis and Teresa Neves, met with DCF officials to discuss the custody of Haleigh's younger brother, Ronald Jr. Sheffield is still working to obtain full custody. Griffis said it was a total coincidence that the meeting with DCF and the arraignment were scheduled on the same day.

"I know they are facing a lot of years," Marie Griffis said. "I just hope whoever has the information on Haleigh gives it up. More than likely if they do that, a lot of that stuff will be taken away from them."

In a separate phone conversation, Misty's father and brother express skepticism about whether she's telling investigators everything she knows about Haleigh's disappearance.

"It makes the family life look worse, but it keeps Haleigh's face out there," Griffis said. "Even though this is negative on the family, it still keeps her face in the media."

Misty Cummings pleaded not guilty to eight counts of trafficking in prescription painkillers at her arraignment at Putnam County courthouse Friday morning.

Video: Another Arrest In Haleigh's Family 2:34
http://www.news4jax.com/video/22605742/

Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/22602735/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Missing girl's dad pleads not guilty in drug case
Febuary 18, 2010
<snipped>
The father and former stepmother of a missing north Florida girl have pleaded not guilty to various trafficking charges.

Ronald Cummings and Misty Croslin were arrested in a January drug sting. Cummings entered a written not guilty plea on Wednesday and Croslin entered her plea in a brief appearance Thursday morning.

Article:
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/cummings_case/021810-Cummings-Drug-Arrest-plea

 

[Angel Who Cares]

UPDATED: Misty Croslin's Attorney Tells Bounty Hunter to Back Off
Created: 2/18/2010 2:05:36 PM
Updated: 2/18/2010 9:01:14 PM
<snipped>
Croslin's lawyer also has sent a strong warning to Leonard Padilla, a well-known bounty hunter, which First Coast News obtained today. The cease-and-desist letter dated Feb. 17 says, "We have been informed that you have purchased a vehicle, cellular phones and other items for Hank and Lisa Croslin. Misty considers this action an unwanted, third-party contact intended to influence her parents to convince her to work with you."

"Of course I'm trying to get to her. I want to get the truth from her. How else does he expect me to create goodwill between me and her?" said Padilla today.

Padilla, who has not received the letter yet, confirmed that he had spent about $3,000 on a car for Hank Croslin Sr. and at least $200 on food and phone time for Misty or her family.

Padilla also said his office bailed Misty's mother, Lisa Croslin, out of jail Thursday for the grand theft charge.

"Misty Croslin has made it clear to me that she does not desire your assistance in this matter. Therefore, she respectfully requests that you cease and desist any further attempts to contact her, either directly or by way of any third party," the letter said.

Video: More Misty Croslin Jailhouse Tapes Released 02/18/10 Report 9:24
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=67181072001

Video: More Misty Croslin Jailhouse Tapes Released 02/18/10 Report 9:51
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=67143540001

Video: Misty Croslin's Attorney Tells Bounty Hunter to Back Off 02/18/10 5 p.m. Report 1:51
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=67347331001

Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/mostpopular/news-article.aspx?storyid=152200&provider=top

 

[Angel Who Cares]

UPDATED: Jail Videos: Misty Croslin DVD's Released 2/18/10
Posted: Thursday, 18 February 2010 6:52PM
News Talk 97.3 The SKY is in the process of making the entire DVD available online. Please check back often to http://www.thesky973.com for updates.

VIDEO: Undercover Drug Bust/SJCO Sherrif's Office/WJXT-TV
http://www.news4jax.com/video/22607303/

Video 1: Included at link!

Video 2: Included at link!

Article:
http://www.thesky973.com/pages/6394184.php

 

[Angel Who Cares]

UPDATE: Arraignments In Putnam Drug Busts
Posted: Thursday, 18 February 2010 1:20PM
<snipped>
Misty Croslin and Hope Sykes appeared before Judge Terry LaRue this morning for arraignment hearings in Palatka.

Ronald Cummings was not be present since he has already issued his not guilty plea through his attorney, Terry Shoemaker.

Ronald Cummings and Misty Croslin face minimum prison sentences of 25 years if convicted of these drug charges.

Article:
http://www.thesky973.com/pages/6390459.php

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Misty Croslin's Mom Arrested, Bonded Out
Posted: Thursday, 18 February 2010 11:39AM
<snipped>
The mother of Misty Croslin was arrested today and has already bonded out on larceny theft charges in Putnam County.

Croslin's mother, Lisa Croslin, was arrested on a warrant as she left the courthouse following an earlier hearing this morning.
Her husband, Hank Croslin Sr., who is Misty Croslin's father, was leaving his own 9 a.m. hearing when Palatka police arrested his wife, he said. The charge stems from an incident at the Palatka Walmart around Christmas, he said.

Lisa Croslin is out on probation for a charge of forgery from last summer.

LISA CARMEN CROSLIN

LISA CARMEN CROSLIN---PALATKA, FL
Booking Date & Time: 2/18/2010 11:19:01 AM - Booking#: 10-00741
Release Date & Time: 2/18/2010 12:19:43 PM
DOB: 9/10/1969 - RACE: W - SEX: F

Charges---Misd/Felony---Degree---Bond---Bond---Posted
812.014-2c1---LARC THEFT IS 300 OR MORE BUT LESS THAN 5000 DOLS---F T---$504.00---2/18/2010---12:17:08 PM---$504.00

Article:
http://www.thesky973.com/pages/6391333.php

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Misty Croslin Pleads Not Guilty On Drug Charges
Croslin Charged With Drug Trafficking
POSTED: 7:34 pm EST February 18, 2010
UPDATED: 8:03 pm EST February 18, 2010
<snipped>
Misty Croslin pleaded not guilty to several counts of drug trafficking Thursday in a Putnam County court.

In newly released jailhouse tapes, Croslin told her father she misses Haleigh and that she believes Haleigh will come home.

"God is going to bring her home," Croslin told her father.

Video: Misty Croslin Jail Interview Released
http://www.wesh.com/video/22530942/index.html

Article:
http://www.wesh.com/news/22606262/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Misty Croslin pleads not guilty, transferred
Updated: Thursday, 18 Feb 2010, 9:16 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 18 Feb 2010, 9:16 PM EST
<snipped>
Misty Croslin on Thursday pleaded not guilty to all seven drug charges brought against her in court. Robert Fields, her attorney, requested a jury trial. A pretrial hearing is set for March. Misty, 18, was arrested with ex-husband, Ronald Cummings, and her brother on drug trafficking charges in January.

Also on Thursday, Misty Croslin's mother, Lisa Croslin, was arrested outside of court on an outstanding grand theft warrant from 2009, just hours before her daughter's appearance. She bonded out of jail a few hours later.

Croslin's lawyer also has sent a strong warning to Leonard Padilla, a well-known bounty hunter who was involved in the Casey Anthony case. Padilla is a California-based bounty hunter who had offered to pay Croslin's bail in exchange for information on Haleigh.

The cease-and-desist letter dated Feb. 17 says, "We have been informed that you have purchased a vehicle, cellular phones and other items for Hank and Lisa Croslin. Misty considers this action an unwanted, third-party contact intended to influence her parents to convince her to work with you."

MistyCroslin, 18, was arrested with ex-husband, Ronald Cummings, and her brother on drug trafficking charges in January.

"New recordings of Misty Croslin in jail" >>>
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/cummings_case/021810-Misty-Croslin

Article:
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/cummings_case/021810-Croslin-pleads-not-guilty-transferred