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One2Snoop

02-21-2009, 02:37 PM

Grandma To Haleigh: 'We Will Find You'
Reward Upped To $20K

POSTED: 7:21 am EST February 20, 2009
UPDATED: 6:38 pm EST February 20, 2009

SATSUMA, Fla. -- The paternal grandmother and aunt of missing Putnam County girl Haleigh Cummings held a news conference Friday afternoon as search efforts continue.

The child's paternal grandmother, Teresa Neves, once again pleaded with whoever has her granddaughter to return her safely. Ronald Cummings, Haleigh's father, was too upset to attend, family members said.

"I feel like my grandbaby is alive. I pray that whoever has her that they are feeding her and taking care of her," Neves said.

On Thursday, detectives in Putnam County said that they received a tip that Haleigh Cummings was spotted in Tennessee.

Haleigh was last seen on Feb. 9 before disappearing from her home in Satsuma, prompting an intense search of the area that's resulted in few clues to her whereabouts.

The tipster told authorities that Haleigh was seen at a restaurant in Knoxville.

WESH 2 News confirmed Thursday that Haleigh's father's girlfriend, Misty Croslin, had a cousin, Joe, visiting from Tennessee the day Haleigh disappeared.

Neves said during Friday's news conference that she has never met the cousin, but she has heard nothing good about him and does not trust him.

Croslin appeared on the 'Today' show Friday, and did not speak highly of her cousin either.

"He's a criminal, pretty much. He's been in trouble his whole life," she said. "I don't trust him. No, I don't."

Also, during another round of questioning of Croslin on Thursday, the teenager said she was home when the girl disappeared.

Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy made it clear Thursday that Timothy Loucakis, a sexual predator, was arrested on suspicion of violating his curfew, which is not related to their investigation at this time.

"We've looked at his GPS monitoring, and it shows he was within his home zone," Hardy said.

So far, none of the 1,200 tips received since Haleigh's disappearance has yielded a break in the case, but searching continued Friday.

The area near Loucakis' home was searched as well as another location south of Satsuma. Authorities said they are acting on every lead they are given in the case. Nothing was found, and they reiterated that they do not think he has anything to do with Haleigh's disappearance.

Detectives wouldn't say much about a car they processed or what prompted a second round of questioning of Croslin.

A $16,000 reward has been offered for Haleigh's return.

Neves had a message for her granddaughter during Friday's news conference: "I love you and we will find you, sweetheart."

She also thanked the media for coming and keeping Haleigh's face in the public eye.

During a news conference held Friday afternoon by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, officials said another $4,000 has been added to the reward for Haleigh's safe return, bringing the total to $20,000.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent Dominick Pape said all relatives have been interviewed in the case, and Joe is a relative. He said it wasn't fair to go into further detail.

Previous Stories:

* February 20, 2009: Official: Sexual Predator Arrest Not Linked To Haleigh
* February 16, 2009: Ground Search For Haleigh Cummings Ends
* February 14, 2009: 'Items Of Interest' Found In Search For Missing Girl
* February 13, 2009: Community Pitches In To Find Putnam Co. Girl
* February 12, 2009: Missing Girl's Mother: 'I Just Want Her Home'

http://www.wesh.com/news/18757466/detail.html

lorettalockhorn

02-21-2009, 05:12 PM

Misty Croslin's Tennessee Relative Not a Suspect in Haleigh's Disappearance

PUTNAM COUNTY, FL -- The relative of Misty Croslin who investigators had been questioning in Tennessee is not a suspect in Haleigh Cummings' disappearance.

Captain Dick Schauland didn't have much new information to release in Saturday afternoon's press conference, but when asked point-blank about whether the man known as 'Joe' in Tennessee was a suspect or person of interest, Schauland said he wasn't.

Misty had previously said that man was someone she didn't trust and that he had visited shortly before Haleigh disappeared.

Investigators are no longer conducting ground searches. They are following up on the more than 1600 tips that have poured in.

It's been 12 days since five-year-old Haleigh Cummings disappeared.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=131872&catid=3

lorettalockhorn

02-21-2009, 05:15 PM

Volunteers Search around Haleigh's Home

SATSUMA, FL -- While investigators are taking the weekend off from searching for Haleigh Cummings, a small group of volunteers searched the area around the little girl's home today.

About 15 people spent the day walking through the wooded area near the little girl's mobile home.

In the meantime, Haleigh's family continues to wait for any information from law enforcement.

"It's a lot of family support. It's a lot of community support," says Haleigh's grandmother, Teresa Neves. "It's all up to God - I know that he's keeping my baby safe out there somewhere."

When asked about Misty Croslin's cousin, "Joe" in Tennessee, Neves tolf First Coast News that she does't know him.

Croslin, the girlfriend of Haleigh's father, said earlier that she doesn't trust her cousin. He is beinf questioned by law enforcement officials and has a criminal record.

"If his cousin doesn't trust him - that doesn't makes me feel good," said Neves.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=131873&catid=295

One2Snoop

02-22-2009, 11:52 PM

Police Follow 1,600 Leads In Haleigh Case
Family Says Fake Web Site Created About Girl To Make Money

POSTED: 8:23 pm EST February 21, 2009
UPDATED: 7:28 pm EST February 22, 2009

SATSUMA, Fla. -- Investigators said on Sunday that they're whittling through more than 1,600 leads received since 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings disappeared two weeks ago.

About 140 officers searched two areas on Friday, acting on tips, but found nothing pertinent to the investigation. There was no ground search on Saturday.

Saturday was Day 12 of the search for the missing 5-year-old.

Recently, tipsters said they saw a man and a young girl who looked like Haleigh at a Carrabba's restaurant in Tennessee. The man was reportedly seen trying to shield the child's face and driving away in a sport utility vehicle with a Florida license plate.

Misty Croslin, the girlfriend of Haleigh's father, has a cousin who lives in Tennessee. At the time of Haleigh's disappearance, her cousin was visiting.

There was some thought that he may have had something to do with it.

Matt Lauer, of the "Today" show, spoke with Croslin about her cousin Friday morning.

"I really don't know," Croslin said. "I don't know if he did or not."

"That's an interesting way to answer the question," Lauer said. "I think a lot of people might said, 'No, I'm positive that person had nothing to do with Haleigh.' You're not sure?"

"I'm not quite sure at all," Croslin answered.

Saturday afternoon, Dick Schauland, of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, said that cousin has been interviewed in Tennessee. Schauland said the cousin is not a suspect or person of interest in the case.

The hours of searching are adding up. Schauland said the department has accumulated more than 4,700 man hours by air, ground and water searches, 4,050 hours from volunteers like Equusearch and the community, and 1,126 hours from investigators alone.

"The cost is not what's important," Schauland said. "Right now, a 5-year-old girl is missing."

Saturday afternoon there was no ground search conducted. There will not be a press conference held on Sunday.

A former FBI profiler said the search for Haleigh is a two-track investigation.

Appearing on the "Today" show Saturday morning, Clint Van Zandt said track one is taking investigators outside of the house and looking into whether a stranger took Haleigh. But Van Zandt said track two is keeping authorities inside the house.

"One family member said a fight had taken place between Ron, the biological father, and Joe, the cousin, where Ron says, 'No, that didn't take place,'" Van Zandt said. "Evidently a gun disappeared from the house and it was found in a ditch later."

Van Zandt said, typically, investigators try to rule out immediate family as suspects first before branching outside of the home. But he said, in this case, it appears that authorities are looking at both at the same time.

Meanwhile, the family said a Web site hoax is putting a wrench in the search for Haleigh.

Her family said someone created a fake Web site in an effort to collect money.

Family members said the Web site is not affiliated with them or the police.

The Web site also has Haleigh's name misspelled.

"We are sickened by anybody that would take something that is heart-sickening for our family and try to profit off of it and then stamp the family's name on it," said Haleigh's step-great grandmother, Barbie Squires.

http://www.wesh.com/news/18768154/detail.html

One2Snoop

02-22-2009, 11:54 PM

Community Support Grows For Haleigh's Family
Posted By: Ryan Duffy Created: 2/22/2009 10:11:17 PM Updated: 2/22/2009 10:16:14 PM

PUTNAM COUNTY, FL -- As new developments in the disappearance of 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings slow down, the community support for the little girls family just continues to grow.

Family members have stayed nearly around the clock at their camps in the neighborhood where Haleigh was last seen.

"You look around and you think people don't care anymore and they don't want to help anymore and you have a tragedy hits you like this and people come out of the woodworks," says Haleigh's grandmother Marie Griffis.

They bring pillows, blankets, tents and chairs, and every day more hot food.

And Sunday night Marie Griffis's coworkers, other Baker County school bus drivers, came to the family vigil to show their support.

Neither Griffis or her daughter, Haleigh's mother Crystal Sheffield, have been able to go home to Baker County now for two weeks.

Griffis says she isn't discouraged that there have been no new developments in the last few days.

And she plans to continue on with the vigils every night, for as long as it takes.

"We all feel like Haleigh's okay, I guess you could say it's mom's intuition and because she's my maternal grandchild, my close connection with her, I know she's okay. In the pit of my stomach I know she's find, i just don't know where she's at."

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=131963&catid=3

One2Snoop

02-23-2009, 12:01 AM

Fox anchor banned from camp of missing girl's father

Geraldo Rivera was issued a trespass warning on Saturday

* By Paul Pinkham, Deirdre Conner
* Story updated at 11:40 AM on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009

Fox News anchor Geraldo Rivera was issued a trespass warning after a contentious interview with the father of a missing Putnam County girl.
As the search for 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings entered its 13th day, the county was abuzz about the contentious interview with her father Saturday night with Rivera.
Cummings got upset when Rivera said he'd been told by members of Haleigh's mother's family that Cummings hit the child and has said he is 75 percent sure he knows who has her.
Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene later, and issued Rivera the trespass warning at the request of the two property owners on whose land the Cummings family is camping while their trailer remains closed off as a crime scene. A trespass warning means Rivera would be arrested if he came back onto the property. Rivera told deputies he understood and stated he would not come back to the address, but declined to sign the trespass warning, according to a sheriff’s office report.

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-02-22/story/fox_anchor_banned_from_camp_of_missing_girls_fathe r

One2Snoop

02-23-2009, 12:07 AM

Transcripts of the Geraldo interview that turned confrontational

* By Deirdre Conner
* Story updated at 7:22 PM on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009

The partial transcript of Geraldo Rivera's interview with the mother and father of missing five-year-old Haleigh Cummings is below. It was provided by Fox News Channel to the Times-Union.

INTERVIEW # 1 WITH RONALD CUMMINGS

FEBRUARY 21, 2009

[00:00:13]

RONALD CUMMINGS : This is uncalled for.

GERALDO RIVERA : Chad and Marcus told me that during the vigil, you told them you were 75 percent sure who took Haleigh.

RONALD CUMMINGS : There is no way -- I do not know who took Haleigh. If I had -- if I had, uh, five percent of where Haleigh was at, I would be there now and not here.

[00:00:43]

GERALDO RIVERA : Did you tell them that, though? Maybe you weren’t -- maybe you were just [OVERLAP] were just -- are they lying?

RONALD CUMMINGS : Yes, they’re absolutely lying. No, for no reason have I ever told anybody that I have any clue where my child is at. If I had any clue where my child -- you know, national TV, they’re a bunch of liars. Chad and whoever told you this are a bunch of liars. I never even spoke with them.

GERALDO RIVERA : They told -- they told me that you hit Haleigh. Is that true?

[00:01:13]

RONALD CUMMINGS : No. Never, ever have I ever hit my child. Me and my child have an agreement. Daddy, daughter. She has been spanked on her behind the way DCF says that you can take care of disciplining your children.

GERALDO RIVERA : You never backhanded her to the face?

RONALD CUMMINGS : [OVERLAP] Never. Never have I ever backhanded my child in the face, ever.

GERALDO RIVERA : Did you hit Crystal when she was pregnant?

[00:01:37]

RONALD CUMMINGS : No. I did not. Never.

GERALDO RIVERA : You didn’t hit her in the back of the head and kick her?

RONALD CUMMINGS : No. No. I never have.

GERALDO RIVERA : You swear to God you never hit your pregnant woman?

RONALD CUMMINGS : [OVERLAP] Never. Never, never have I ever hit any woman, period. Never. And I’d like to know where all these allegations are coming from because I would like to talk -- talk to law enforcement and have these false allegations, um, known that, um, the false allegations against me, somebody needs criminal charges pressed against them.

[00:02:02]

GERALDO RIVERA : What about the allegations of cocaine use, methamphetamine use?

RONALD CUMMINGS : There’s nothing. I do not do drugs.

GERALDO RIVERA : You don’t do drugs? All those arrests were all --

RONALD CUMMINGS : No.

GERALDO RIVERA : Do you work for the police? Are you an informant?

RONALD CUMMINGS : No, I am no an informant. I do not work for the police. I work for PDM, which is a, um, bridge building company. That’s who I work for.

GERALDO RIVERA : And you’ve never been involved in the drug trade?

RONALD CUMMINGS : No.

GERALDO RIVERA : And when they tell me they saw bricks of marijuana that you had in the house, plants all around the house, is that a lie?

[00:02:31]

RONALD CUMMINGS : It is absolutely a lie and I would like to know where the information is coming from so that I can get, um, the proper authorities to take care of this.

GERALDO RIVERA : You’re -- put all this stuff aside. If some associate of yours, some associate that had something to do with drugs and this is not about drugs but if these people are on the dark side of life, don’t you think that you should share that information? Share -- tell us about -- when you told Marcus and Chad that you were 75 percent sure and you had your gun ready and your -- and you had your gun ready and you were gonna go get em, didn’t you say that? Isn’t that a fact, Ron?

[00:03:09]

RONALD CUMMINGS : No, it is not a fact.

GERALDO RIVERA : Why would they make that up? Why would they make that up?

RONALD CUMMINGS : I don’t know why they would make [OVERLAP] for you. But I -- I am fixing [OVERLAP] to have the law called right here, right now because you’re making up things or they’re making up things and you’re getting into --

GERALDO RIVERA : I am -- I am relating to you what they are saying.

RONALD CUMMINGS : [OVERLAP] My face, man.

MALE : You need to back off, man. That’s my son.

[00:03:29]

GERALDO RIVERA : Alright. Well I’m sorry -- I am sorry for what has happened.

FEMALE : No, you’re not sorry. [OVERLAPPED CONVERSATION]

MALE : You need to go.

FEMALE : We are -- [OVERLAPPED CONVERSATION] Listen. You wanna come up here and make [OVERLAP] allegations. Why don’t you go back to --

GERALDO RIVERA : These are not my allegations, mamn. These are not my allegations. You have to understand that.

FEMALE : [OVERLAP] Okay. [OVERLAP] All we care about --

[00:03:46]

GERALDO RIVERA : You have to understand this is not my allegation. Don’t touch him, don’t touch him, please. We’re leaving. Come on, let’s go. Let’s go.

RONALD CUMMINGS : [OVERLAP] I wanted you to see that all this is about is my daughter. I love you, baby. [OVERLAP] If you are out there, I want you to know that I love you and I will find you, baby. I love you. And two, whoever -- whoever has you, please bring my daughter home to me. I love my daughter. I love you, baby. I will find you.

[00:04:15]

GERALDO RIVERA : You believe she’s alive then?

RONALD CUMMINGS : I’m always gonnd believe that my daughter’s alive until they find her. [SILENCE]

[END OF TRANSCRIPT]

continued....

One2Snoop

02-23-2009, 12:07 AM

INTERVIEW #2 WITH HALEIGH’S MOM CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD & HALEIGH’S GRANDMA MARIE GRIFFIS

FEBRUARY 21, 2009

[00:00:08]

GERALDO RIVERA : When Ron Cummings is seen on television, most often, he is crying or in mourning or other conduct appropriate to a father whose daughter has gone missing. But the family on the mother’s side tells a much different story and a much different image emerges of Ron Cummings. Crystal, is not a fact that he was abusive to you?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : Yes he was. He -- when I first got pregnant with Haleigh, he punched me in the back of the head and before then, he was verbal. I mean he was just very abusive.

GERALDO RIVERA : What did he call you?

[00:00:43]

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : Stupid [BLEEPED: *****.] You stupid [BLEEPED: — —.] You [BLEEPED: *****]. I mean you name it, he said it.

GERALDO RIVERA : Describe when he punched you when you were pregnant.

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : We were living in Leesburg at his mother’s house. And I had just found out I was pregnant. We were both doing cocaine and I stopped and I walked in the bedroom and he was doing it.

[00:01:14]

And I was like, you know, how are you gone do this in front of me after I just found out I was pregnant and I just stopped? And he got very ****** off and I had my -- I was facing -- I had my back turned to him. He punched me in the head and then I turned around and he kicked me off the bed.

GERALDO RIVERA : And he knew you were pregnant when he kicked you?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : Yes he did. He knew.

GERALDO RIVERA : And was he abusive, basically, throughout your relationship?

[00:01:43]

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : The whole time. I mean his mother knew, his granny knew. His granny even told me once, um, I don’t know why you’re with him.

GERALDO RIVERA : Why did you stay with him?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : Because I was scared to leave.

GERALDO RIVERA : Are you frightened of him even today?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : Yes I am.

GERALDO RIVERA : Why?

[00:02:02]

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : Just because of all the things he’s done to me.

GERALDO RIVERA : Are you fr-- frightened that he’ll come after you?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : Sometimes I am. I mean he’s called and wanted me to come back several times and I have went back a couple times just to be with my kid and he was still the same and I left. It hurt to leave em but I’m not gonna put myself through that.

[00:02:30]

GERALDO RIVERA : Do you believe his story about what happened?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : No, I don’t. I mean I know he loves Haleigh and -- [PAUSES] -- his temper, I mean it could get bad enough for him to hurt Haleigh. But I do know he loves Haleigh. Haleigh is his heart and everybody knows that.

[00:03:02]

GERALDO RIVERA : Has he ever hit Haleigh?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : Um, my cousin, Candice, told me when we got down here for this incident, that, um, he come to her house -- it was Ronald, Haleigh, Junior and Misty. And Haleigh bumped into him or smarted off to him and she said he just backhanded her. And she fell flat on her face on the porch.

[00:03:29]

GERALDO RIVERA : Marie, you have a picture of Haleigh.

MARIE GRIFFIS : Yes.

GERALDO RIVERA : Do you want me to see it?

MARIE GRIFFIS : Yes. You get it.

GERALDO RIVERA : Alright this is a picture, a disturbing picture, that shows Haleigh with an obvious black eye, a cut on her nose and the -- a bruise that goes from the top of her left eye all the way down to the left side of her cheek.

[00:03:58]

Now I understand the school records indicate that she had an accident at school. Are these injuries the result of that accident?

MARIE GRIFFIS : Uh, that’s what we were told, that she fell at school and -- or who was pushed at school by -- by another child and that she fell catching the sidewalk and that was the results of it. But if you fall on the sidewalk, why didn’t her hands get skint, her knees get skint?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : [OVERLAP] The nurse said that all she had was a scratch on her nose.

GERALDO RIVERA : So you -- you -- do you believe that Ron Cummings hit this child?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : I don’t know if he hit her or if she fell down or any other incident happened. But that did not happen at school. The nurse said she had a scratch on her nose.

[00:05:22]

GERALDO RIVERA : And you have witnesses that he has hit this child?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : Yes.

MARIE GRIFFIS : Yes.

GERALDO RIVERA : Do you believe that Ron Cummings knows who took Haleigh?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : Yes. I mean he’s told my brother and my fiancé that he knows -- he’s 75 percent sure he knows where his daughter is. He said on TV that he had no enemies.

GERALDO RIVERA : Is that true?

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD : No. He’s got plenty of enemies.

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD: I KNOW WHEN HE’S REALLY CRYING, THAT IS FAKE

[END OF TRANSCRIPT]

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-02-22/story/transcripts_of_the_geraldo_interview_that_turned_c onfrontational

One2Snoop

02-23-2009, 12:29 AM

Father begs to end gossip, renew focus on Haleigh
Overnight arrest of a nearby sexual predator not related to case

Story updated at 11:40 AM on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009

The frustration of 10 days of worrying and wondering, searching and questioning, was evident Thursday all over Putnam County.

In Satsuma, the father of missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings pleaded for an end to scrutiny and gossip about his family and a renewed focus on finding his little girl.

In Palatka, the sheriff fought off questions about any link between a sexual predator arrested overnight for breaking curfew and Haleigh’s disappearance Feb. 10.

But amid the angst and fear about what happened to Haleigh, there were pockets of light, too. Faculty from an Orange Park elementary school showed up at Haleigh’s school with homemade desserts for the staff there, a tradition they started when seven children were killed in a Union County crash in 2007.

And a San Mateo funeral home director set up a fund for people to contribute to Haleigh’s family.
Haleigh hasn’t been seen since her baby sitter and her father’s girlfriend, 17-year-old Misty Croslin, put her to bed Feb. 9 in their Satsuma home. Croslin said she awoke to find the girl gone about 3 a.m. and called 911.

In an interview Wednesday with the Times-Union, Croslin denied reports that she left Haleigh and her 4-year-old brother alone. She was back at the Sheriff’s Office for more questioning Thursday, which investigators called routine.

Thursday afternoon, Ronald Cummings, the missing girl’s father, held an impromptu news briefing and urged people and the media not make this ordeal about the family. It’s about finding his daughter, the 25-year-old said.

He didn’t specify the Times-Union report that detailed the family’s background, including drug arrests and custody issues, and the interview with his girlfriend. Cummings also said he doesn’t have any enemies.
Standing with his mother, Cummings gave thanks to all that the community and law enforcement have done.

“Please bring my daughter home,” he repeated, wearing a black hat with the letters G.A.P. for God Answers Prayers.

He also said he doesn’t know anything about a fight with a visiting cousin over a gun, mentioned by Croslin in the interview. Sheriff Jeff Hardy confirmed that Coslin’s relative had been in town and is now home in Tennessee. He said his office has been in contact with the relative but he couldn’t elaborate.

Hardy called the arrest of a sexual predator who lives a half-mile from Cummings’ Green Lane home unrelated to Haleigh’s disappearance. Timothy R. Loucakis, 50, is charged with violating his curfew as indicated by his GPS monitoring.

The device, however, indicated he was within his “home zone” around the time Haleigh disappeared, Hardy said. A Florida Department of Corrections spokeswoman said the home zone wouldn’t extend more than 75 feet from the offender’s home.

At Browning-Pearce Elementary School, where Haleigh attended kindergarten, Principal Debra Buckles said the faculty was treated to desserts, many homemade, by the staff of W.E. Cherry Elementary School in Orange Park.

“It was just such a bright spot in an otherwise dark series of days,” Buckles said. “It really lifted the spirits a little bit of everyone here. ... Hopefully the next celebration will be a homecoming for Haleigh.”

W.E. Cherry Principal Angela Whiddon said she and her staff began doing similar deeds for other school faculties after the fatal Union County crash two years ago. They’ve been to Jacksonville, Macclenny and Brunswick, Ga., after tragedies in those places, and she said most heartwarming was learning that faculty from a Union County school has started doing the same thing to “pay it forward.”

“Schools are not really regular places to work. We’re like little families and little communities, and when something happens to a child or a staff member, it effects everyone,” she said.

Whiddon got a taste of her own generosity when her 17-year-old son was killed in May on a railroad trestle in Green Cove Springs. She said her staff was “fed like kings” by people from other schools.

Also Thursday, the owner of Watts Funeral Home announced a fund has been set up to help Haleigh’s family at Bank of America. Shirts and buttons also are available for a donation at the funeral home in San Mateo.

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/crime/2009-02-19/story/haleigh_day_10_father_makes_plea_to_keep_family_ou t_of_scrutiny

One2Snoop

02-23-2009, 12:33 AM

Missing Florida Girl's Dad: I 'Never' Hit My Child
Sunday, February 22, 2009

Geraldo interviews Haleigh Cummings father, Ronald Cummings.

In a contentious, exclusive interview outside his Florida home, Ronald Cummings, the father of missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings, blasted new abuse allegations and told FOX News "never, ever have I ever hit my child."

"Me and my child have an agreement. Daddy, daughter. She has been spanked on her behind the way DCF (Florida Department of Children and Families) says that you can take care of disciplining your children," Cummings told FOX News' Geraldo Rivera.

Cummings also condemned new allegations that he hit Haleigh's mom Crystal while she was pregnant, saying friends and family members making the accusations are 'absolutely lying' and threatening criminal charges against them.

Responding to sources that told Rivera Cummings had told them he was 75 percent sure who kidnapped Haleigh, the missing girl's father said, "There is no way — I do not know who took Haleigh. If I had — if I had, uh, five percent of where Haleigh was at, I would be there now and not here."

The family of Haleigh Cummings, who apparently vanished while she was sleeping, says they are afraid she was taken by a pedophile cousin.

The 5-year-old's mother and paternal grandmother said Friday the man in question is a cousin of Misty Croslin, the teenage girlfriend of Ronald Cummings.

Police are questioning the cousin, who is from Tennessee and was visiting when Haleigh disappeared before dawn Feb. 10, according to MyFOXOrlando.com.

Click here for photos.

"What we've been told is that he's a sexual pedophile," said Haleigh's mother Crystal Sheffield. The child's grandmother, Teresa Neves, said Croslin described him as a "jerk" and she was worried.

"I couldn't tell you anything about him," a distraught Neves told reporters Friday, adding that she only knew of the cousin by his first name Joe. "I can't tell you how they could have taken her from a family that absolutely adores her."

The family's plea for the child's return came as news emerged about a tip from Tennessee called in by a woman claiming to have seen a man in a restaurant with a little girl resembling Haleigh, according to MyFOXOrlando.com.

The tipster, who reportedly phoned Knoxville detectives Sunday, said the man she saw was in a red Toyota RAV4 and appeared to be trying to shield the little girl with him.

Knoxville police said they didn't locate the car but turned the information over to Florida authorities on the case, according to MyFOXOrlando.com.

Putnam County investigators said they impounded a car in the case, but they wouldn't give a description of the vehicle, the station reported.

Sheffield told FOX News on Saturday that Ronald Cummings had been abusive to her when she first got pregnant.

"He punched me in the back of the head and before then, he was verbal," she said. "I mean he was just very abusive."

Sheffield also said she was told by her cousin of an incident where Cummings apparently hit Haleigh after the child bumped into him or smarted off to him.

"She said he just backhanded her. And she fell flat on her face on the porch," Sheffield said.

On Thursday a sexual predator was arrested near the trailer home where Haleigh lives with 24-year-old Cummings, 17-year-old Croslin and Haleigh's little brother Junior.

Police said Timothy R. Loucakis was brought in on charges unrelated to the missing child.

"Word is getting out that we have a sexual predator in custody, and we do, but we have no reason to link it to Haleigh," said Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy. He said Loucakis missed his curfew, but GPS tracking showed him "within his home zone" — and not near Haleigh — when she reportedly vanished.

Detectives are still "not excluding anybody" as a suspect in the girl's disappearance, Hardy said.

Loucakis was convicted of "promoting a sexual performance by a child" in May of 2001 and is currently listed as a sexual predator, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Web site.

"What we're concerned about was he wasn't where he was supposed to be," Hardy said.

On Friday, police announced that the reward for information leading to Haleigh had risen to $20,000 but they offered no other details of their progress in solving the mystery.

Authorities have been investigating a tip that casts doubt on a story told by Croslin that she was home when she discovered the child missing. The source said she wasn't in the trailer when Haleigh vanished last Tuesday. Investigators say they're looking into the report.

They're also studying inconsistencies in descriptions of what the girl was last seen wearing. Croslin told them Haleigh had a pink shirt on the night she vanished, but police said this week they have that item of clothing in their possession.

The girlfriend has also reportedly told different stories to cops and the media about the timing of her discovery that Haleigh was gone and where she and the child were that night.

Cummings and Croslin have both taken lie detector tests. They told FOX News they "passed" the polygraphs. Police haven't released the results.

The family has been at the center of investigations done by the state child welfare agency, but details of those cases haven't been disclosed because of confidentiality laws.

Neves said her son would never hurt Haleigh and pleaded Friday for her granddaughter's kidnapper to bring her home.

"I want to say to my baby, we love you sweetheart, and we will find you," she said through tears.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,498127,00.html

One2Snoop

02-23-2009, 03:45 PM

2 Weeks Into Hunt For Haleigh, Police Have Nothing To Report
Putnam Deputies Ban Fox News' Geraldo Rivera From Satsuma Scene

POSTED: Monday, February 23, 2009
UPDATED: 1:33 pm EST February 23, 2009

PALATKA, Fla. --

One of the rituals that has defined life in Putnam County since 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings disappeared Feb. 10 continues, but another has ended.

For 13 nights, Haleigh's family and friends hold candlelight vigils praying for her return. Some evenings, the whole family has come together. Sunday, like many other nights, Haleigh's mother and father held separate observances.

But another ritual -- a daily new briefing by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office -- didn't happen Sunday, and officials said no briefing is planned for Monday.

Dozens of county detectives, along with agents of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI, continue working their way through 1,600 tips that have come in about Haleigh's disappearance. Deputies are seen coming and going from the Satsuma neighborhood where Haleigh disappeared.

While the official ground searches were suspended, volunteers on horseback spent the weekend looking for the missing kindergartner around the Satsuma home where Haleigh lived with her father, Ronald Cummings, and his girlfriend, Misty Croslin.

The family is trying to keep the focus on the search and the investigation and not on the rumors and accusations involving both sides of the family.

On Saturday evening, that tension boiled over during an interview between Cummings and Fox News anchor Geraldo Rivera.

When the controversial journalist brought up allegations of abuse, Cummings said he "never, ever have I ever hit my child."

"Me and my child have an agreement. Daddy, daughter. She has been spanked on her behind the way DCF (Florida Department of Children and Families) says that you can take care of disciplining your children," Cummings said in the Fox interview.

When Rivera continued pressing Cummings with allegations he hit Sheffield when she was pregnant with Haleigh, used illegal drugs and told someone he was "75 percent sure" he knew know took Haleigh, the property owners told Rivera to leave and Putnam County deputies were called.

Rivera was issued a warning that if he would be charged with trespassing if he returned, according to the Putnam County incident report.

While neither of Haleigh's parents would speak to the media after the incident, Haleigh's maternal grandmother wasn't surprised at the confrontation between the family and Rivera.

"I knew it was going to fester and explode," Marie Griffis told Channel 4 on Sunday.

Griffis then turned the focus to where both sides of the family want it to be: "Whoever has Haleigh, just bring her home."

Anyone with information about Haleigh's disappearance should call 888-277-TIPS or the FDLE's Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse at 888-FL-MISSING.

The reward for information regarding Haleigh's whereabouts and/or the conviction of the perpetrator of any crimes involving stands at $20,000.

Previous Stories:

* February 22, 2009: 1,600 Leads, Family Distractions In Haleigh Case
* February 20, 2009: Family Holds Vigil, Prays For Haleigh For 11th Night
* February 20, 2009: New Searches, Larger Reward In Hunt For Haleigh
* February 19, 2009: Haleigh's Mother Pleads For 5-Year-Old's Return
* February 19, 2009: Dad To Haleigh: 'We Will Find You'
* February 18, 2009: Reward Increased $16,000 In Haleigh Case
* February 17, 2009: Tip: Dad's Girlfriend Wasn't Home When Haleigh Disappeared
* February 17, 2009: Investigators In 2nd Week Of Hunt For Haleigh
* February 16, 2009: Week After Haleigh Goes Missing, Police Keep Working
* February 15, 2009: Authorities Scale Back Search For Haleigh, Not Investigation
* February 15, 2009: Putnam Chief: 'We're As Optimistic Now As We Were On Day 1'
* February 14, 2009: Search For Missing 5-Year-Old To Continue Into Weekend
* February 14, 2009: Ramped-Up Search For Haleigh Turns Up 'Items Of Interest'
* February 13, 2009: Several Groups Offer Help In Search For Haleigh
* February 12, 2009: Girlfriend Describes Waking Up, Finding Haleigh Gone
* February 12, 2009: Search For Haleigh 'Will Expand As Far As It Needs To Go'
* February 12, 2009: 48 Hours Pass With No Sign Of Missing Girl
* February 11, 2009: School Prays For Haleigh's Safe Return
* February 11, 2009: Detective: Haleigh's Disappearance Considered Abduction
* February 10, 2009: Family, Friends Pray As Search For Missing 5-Year-Old Continues
* February 10, 2009: 5-Year-Old Vanishes From Bedroom; Father Says She Was 'Stolen'

http://www.news4jax.com/news/18776448/detail.html

lorettalockhorn

02-23-2009, 07:00 PM

Sheriff's Office: No New Leads In Search For Haleigh
Investigators Speak With Haleigh's Father Again

SATSUMA, Fla. -- The Putnam County Sheriff's Office canceled its daily news conference on Monday in the search for Haleigh Cummings.

The sheriff's office said it canceled the news conference because it had no new information or leads to share.

Haleigh, 5, was reported missing from her Satsuma home early in the morning of Feb. 10 by her father's girlfriend, Misty Croslin, 17.

Despite the canceled news conference, investigators were still hard at work in Satsuma on Monday.

Investigators spoke with two people related to the case on Monday -- Haleigh's mother's fiancé, Chad Griffis, and Haleigh's father, Ronald Cummings.

Haleigh's maternal grandmother, Marie Griffis, said Chad Griffis has nothing to hide. Marie Griffis is also Chad Griffis' stepmother....

http://www.wesh.com/news/18775072/detail.html

One2Snoop

02-24-2009, 06:52 PM

Updated: 4:00 p.m.

'Man in black' took Haleigh, family told mom

Helen Eckinger | Sentinel Staff Writer
4:00 PM EST, February 24, 2009

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that members of its child-protection team interviewed Haleigh Cummings' 4-year-old brother in the days after his sister's disappearance.

Haleigh's mother, Crystal Sheffield, 23, appeared on the Nancy Grace show last night and told Grace that Ronald Cummings Jr., 4, said a "man in black" had taken his sister from the double-wide trailer where they lived with their father, Ronald Cummings, 25, and his girlfriend, Misty Croslin, 17.

Capt. Dick Schauland of the Sheriff's Office would not say what Ronald Jr. told investigators, but said a detective would have been assigned to follow up on any information gleaned from the interview.

Croslin told investigators that she, Haleigh and Ronald Jr., went to sleep in the same bedroom Feb. 9, and when she woke up at 3 a.m. Feb. 10, Haleigh was gone.

A $25,500 reward is being offered for information that helps investigators find Haleigh and/or leads to the conviction of whoever took her. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-TIPS.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-haleigh-update-022409,0,1231593.story?track=rss

lorettalockhorn

02-24-2009, 06:56 PM

Haleigh's Brother Says He Saw the Suspect

SATSUMA, FL -- It's those last moments before Haleigh Cummings disappeared that police want to know about.

They are relying on a four-year-old, Haleigh's little brother, Ronald Junior, for help.

"He was asleep. I got there 10 minutes after we noticed she was gone. I had Junior, he said he didn't know anything...said he was asleep," Haleigh's great grandmother, Annette Sykes, told First Coast News on Monday.

Detectives have talked to the child. Relatives on both sides say he told police he saw a man in a ski mask come in their trailer and leave with his big sister.

"They questioned Junior. I asked them (police) about it. They couldn't tell me anything other than he's a little child. He was questioned and the story went from one thing to another and another," says Sykes.

Child psychologist Dr. Lynn Wadelton says the average four-year-old can give an accurate account of what they witness. But there are factors that can sometimes cloud the story.

"The research on four-year-olds in general, says that the amount of time that elapses between when they first see something and the things they see in the interim can affect their memory and can be confused."

Wadelton says interviewing a child has to be done carefully, without suggesting details. "They will try to ask questions that don't lead in a particular way, like was it a car or truck. They might say 'how did they leave.'"

She says police look for key factors in a story, like consistency and is the child telling the same story to several different people.

"It's not just the words a child says, the non-verbals, the emotions that goes with the words they're telling."

Police won't comment about the interview. They say they are following up all information that comes in to investigators...

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=132095&catid=3

lorettalockhorn

02-24-2009, 06:58 PM

Signs for Haleigh Cover the First Coast

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- It's a picture you've seen all across the news. Now you'll see it a little more. From the backs of businesses, to the sides of trucks, Haleigh Cummings' picture will be there.

John Arwood may not be able to search the First Coast himself, but he owns and operates 4000 dumpsters and a fleet of utility trucks through Arwood Waste & Demolition. They travel all over, and now so will Haleigh's picture.

"There's thousands of people looking, but I can do one thing, is to get a picture out, all over the city, all over the county, northeast Florida, to southeast Georgia. I can do that to help find her," says Arwood.

To get the sign out there, Arwood called a friend. Steve Hunt owns Signs of All Kinds. When Arwood asked about ordering the signs, Hunt said he'd do it for free and went right to work.

"We need eyes everywhere to find this little girl. By making these stickers and putting her picture out everywhere, that's eyes looking at her. Hopefully somebody will recognize her and lead to her being found safe," says Hunt.

It's something both of these fathers and grandfathers say is a no-brainer. They want to help search for Haleigh, and they can do that by using tools of their trade.

"I've got grandkids and great-grandchildren, so I do not want this to happen to any of them if they come up missing," says Arwood.

Steve Hunt says he will print out signs and give them to anyone who wants one for free. For more information, call Signs of All Kinds at 904-707-6416.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=132090&catid=3

lorettalockhorn

02-24-2009, 07:00 PM

Another Reward Increase in Search for Haleigh

SATSUMA, FL -- After more than two weeks of searching, and still no sign of Haleigh Cummings, the reward for finding her got larger today.

According to Capt. Dick Schauland with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, an anonymous donor has added $5,000 to the reward, bringing the total amount available for finding the 5-year-old girl to $25,500.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=132087&catid=3

lorettalockhorn

02-24-2009, 07:03 PM

Mother Of Missing Girl Hints At New Lead
Haleigh Cummings' Mother Says Younger Brother May Have Information

PALATKA, Fla. -- The younger brother of a missing Putnam County girl may have provided investigators with a new lead.

Haleigh Cummings, 5, was reported missing from her Palatka home during the early-morning hours of Feb. 10.

During an interview with CNN's Nancy Grace Monday evening, Haleigh's mother, Crystal Sheffield, hinted that her 4-year-old son gave authorities a new lead.

"When I’d see him on my visitation, all he said was, 'I wanna find my sissy.' He said something about somebody in black took her," Sheffield said.

Haleigh's paternal grandmother, Teresa Neves, said she questions Sheffield's decision to disclose this information.

"I don't feel like anybody should have said that," Neves said. "We don’t know who has my grandchild. And if that is somebody who would hurt my grandchild, or if you are that person and you feel like he could identify you, what would be your next move then? You know?"...

http://www.wesh.com/news/18784308/detail.html

One2Snoop

02-25-2009, 12:57 PM

Tip Leads Detectives To St. Augustine In Haleigh Search

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Detectives following a tip, searched in St. Augustine near some railroad tracks around SR-16 and US-1, but nothing turned up. Putnam County investigators told Eyewitness News Tuesday that an anonymous donor gave $5,000, bringing the reward to $25,500.

Volunteers continue to search surrounding areas for the little girl.

Investigators are no longer conducting ground searches, but said they're following up on over 1,600 tips.

http://www.wftv.com/news/18793086/detail.html

One2Snoop

02-25-2009, 01:09 PM

NANCY GRACE

February 24, 2009
• Investigation Continues into Disappearance of 5-Year-Old Haleigh

February 23, 2009
• Haleigh`s Brother Says Man in Black Took his Sister

February 20, 2009
• Girlfriend`s Cousin Eyed by Police in Missing Haleigh Case

February 19, 2009
• Sex Offender Arrested Near Missing Haleigh`s Home

February 18, 2009
• More Investigative Documents, Photos Released in Caylee Murder Case

February 17, 2009
• Police Pursue New Leads in Missing Florida Girl

February 16, 2009
• Angry Anthony Family Jailhouse Confrontation on Tape

February 13, 2009
• Mystery Evidence Recovered in Search for 5-Year-Old

February 12, 2009
• NANCY GRACE for February 12, 2009

February 11, 2009
• Search for Florida 5-Year-Old Missing From Own Bed

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/ng.html

One2Snoop

02-25-2009, 08:54 PM

Video of missing girl
released

Last Edited: Wednesday, 25 Feb 2009, 7:27 PM EST
Created On: Wednesday, 25 Feb 2009, 7:18 PM EST

Video at the link below...

- The family of missing five year old Haleigh Cummings released a video of the child Wednesday.

The little girl has been missing for nearly three weeks. Up until Wednesday only pictures were released. But as the family continues their exhaustive efforts to find the little girl, they released a video showing her from last Christmas.

It was the first time people could see something other than a photo of the girl and the family is hoping that being able to hear her voice, see her face and her mannerisms might help bring her home.

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/022509Haeligh_Video

lorettalockhorn

02-26-2009, 04:27 PM

Detectives Want DNA from Haleigh's Mother

SATSUMA, FL -- Investigators want a DNA sample from Crystal Sheffield, the mother of Haleigh Cummings, while cadaver dogs scour the woods and fields around the girl's home for any signs of the missing girl.

The five-year-old has been missing since she went to bed on the night of February 9th.

Late Thursday afternoon, detectives came looking for Sheffield, who had apparently gone to the doctor.

The detectives are trying to track her down after going to the wrong office. Investigators would not comment on what type of DNA sample they need, or why.

All morning, the cadaver dogs have been looking through and under a number of people's homes in Heleigh's neighborhood.

"They've been in my home," said neighbor James Batchelor. "They've torn it apart. All the buildings out there they've been in them twice."

The dogs are trained to specifically seek out human remains and are part of Canine South, a non-law-enforcement group specializing in canine searches.

"Today's search is not in response to leads received from the family or the public, but as a routine procedure that has proven itself in other missing child cases," said Captain Dick Schauland with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. "This search is being conducted to insure that no possibility is overlooked in the search for Haleigh."

Ron Wirth, a former FBI agent who's been doing general analysis on the investigation as a representative of First Coast Crime Stoppers, says the move to get the DNA from Haleigh's mother may be about evidence.

"They may be seeking the biological mother's DNA to establish a basis for test comparisons on items that they have found, or will find, to positively identify or eliminate those items as evidence in this matter," said Wirth.

Wirth says the new search with cadaver dogs is also not unusual at this stage in the investigation.

"If a body began to deteriorate you might get some gasses that the dogs could hit on," said Wirth.

Thursday's ground search is the first major organized effort in some time.

Investigators have been chasing false leads across the First Coast and in Tennessee since shifting the search for Haleigh to more of an investigative approach in the case last week.

The family spoke briefly to the media Thursday afternoon. Teresa Neves, Haleigh's grandmother, expressed concern over the dwindling crowds of media. She also said Ronald Cummings and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Misty Croslin, are still together as a couple.

The reward for information leading to Haleigh is up to $26,500. Call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS if you have any information. You will remain anonymous and could recieve a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=132277&catid=3

Lodi

02-26-2009, 06:06 PM

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/breaking/news-article.aspx?storyid=132315&catid=17

lorettalockhorn

02-26-2009, 06:15 PM

Haleigh Search Moves to Nearby Dumpster

SATSUMA, FL -- Late Thursday afternoon, investigators, who have had their busiest day in about a week, went to the neighborhood behind Haleigh Cummings' house and began searching through a construction dumpster.

After 5 p.m., the search moved into the Villas neighborhood, which is just on the other side of a fence from where Ronald and Haleigh Cummings' house is.

First Coast News Erich Spivey says investigators were following a tip from area neighbors.

It is not clear if this is the first time this area has been searched, or specifically what searchers are after as they looked through the large dumpster.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/breaking/news-article.aspx?storyid=132315&catid=17

One2Snoop

02-26-2009, 07:14 PM

Canines search area near
Haleigh’s home

Last Edited: Thursday, 26 Feb 2009, 11:44 AM EST
Created On: Thursday, 26 Feb 2009, 9:55 AM EST

SATSUMA, Fla. - The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said several canine search teams are searching the area near the home of missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings.

The sheriff’s office said the want to insure that no possibility is overlooked in their search.

“Today’s search is not in response to leads received from the family or the public, but as a routine procedure that has proven itself in other missing child cases,” Sheriff Jeff Hardy said.

The canine search teams are a part of Canine South and the dogs are specifically trained to seek out human remains.

However, the sheriff's office said they continue to hope that Haleigh is found alive and in good health.

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/local/022609Canines_will_search_near_Haleighs_home

lorettalockhorn

02-26-2009, 07:43 PM

Haleigh's Mom Talks to First Coast News

SATSUMA, FL -- Angry over rumors she was in hiding today, Haleigh Cummings' mother spoke to First Coast News to clear the air.

Crystal Sheffield spoke with First Coast News Jackelyn Barnard at 6 Thursday evening, and expressed her feelings over the rumors about her.

"I'd like it to stop," she said, adding that while her daughter is missing, she isn't going anywhere.

The rumor that she wasn't available started Thursday when investigators went looking for Sheffield to get a DNA sample, which Sheffield confirmed. First Coast News confirmed Sheffield did give a DNA sample to investigators today.

She said she wasn't hiding from anyone.

"It's very frustrating...I'm very mad right now," she concluded.

To see the entire interview, click the video to the right.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=132320&catid=295

One2Snoop

02-27-2009, 01:04 PM

Search continues near Haleigh Cummings' home
Detectives find nothing after searching through dumpster yesterday.

Walter Pacheco | Sentinel Staff Writer
9:26 AM EST, February 27, 2009

Deputies searching for Haleigh Cummings said nothing surfaced from Thursday's dumpster search in Putnam County.

Three cadaver dogs alerted at the dumpster located near the home of the missing 5-year-old girl. Detectives sorted through tons of trash, but nothing of interest to the case was discovered inside the receptacle.

Seven teams of cadaver dogs spent the day searching the area around the Cummings home.

The canine teams will continue checking the area today.

Captain Dick Schauland of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said the search was not the result of any new information received, but a return to areas previously searched to ensure nothing had been overlooked.

Schauland said the cadaver dogs will alert to the scent of humans, as well as "any human matter such as a bandage with blood on it, or personal hygiene items."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477).

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-haleigh-cummings-missing-022709,0,2290405.story

One2Snoop

02-27-2009, 01:27 PM

Haleigh's Home No Longer A Crime Scene

Friday, February 27, 2009 – updated: 12:52 pm EST February 27, 2009
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Haleigh's house in Putnam County had been cordoned off as a crime scene ever since she disappeared earlier this month. But Friday, the crime scene tape finally came down.

Haleigh Cummings' Green Lane home where she was abducted from in the middle of the night is no longer a crime scene. However, Ronald Cummings said he won't live in his home after knowing his little girl was taken out of her bed.

VIDEO REPORT: Crime Tape Comes Down
IMAGES: Tent Cumming's Family Is Living In

Meanwhile the search teams canvassed the thick wooded area for clues.
Cadaver dogs continue to search areas around the home of Haleigh Cummings Friday. Thursday one dog alerted on a nearby dumpster, but a thorough search found nothing.

The wooded areas are new to the cadaver dogs. The sheriff's office wants to make sure nothing was missed in the search.

Bryan Selzer and his dog Eli came from Jacksonville to aid in the search for Haleigh Cummings Friday afternoon.

"We're just doing a different area today. We're hitting mostly the wooded area that we are searching and again we are searching that for the second time to make sure that everything's covered," said Selzer.

Seven cadaver dogs searched the wooded area and investigators said they are trained to sniff out human remains. The specially trained dogs searched the Cummings' neighborhood Thursday and found nothing but rotting trash in a dumpster.

Selzer said going through the woods is more difficult than it looks.

"It just takes a lot longer; we have to take more breaks more often for the dogs to recover. But it's do-able but just takes longer," he said.

The trained volunteers said they'll be searching until the end of the day.

http://www.wftv.com/news/18811135/detail.html#-

lorettalockhorn

03-01-2009, 06:08 PM

Geraldo At Large excerpts, 2/28/09:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sAYN7hq9Xs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAzAkdmh2Hw

lorettalockhorn

03-03-2009, 04:37 PM

Ronald Cummings Gets Tattoo of Haleigh

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL -- The father of a missing girl now has an image of her face tattooed to his leg.

Ronald Cummings traveled from his home in Putnam County to a tattoo parlor in Pinellas County to get a tattoo of both his children.

"Daddy's little girl, always," said Cummings.

Haleigh's father said someone else covered the $400 bill for the tattoos but he wouldn't say who.

"All I want to do is plead for the life of my daughter."

The five-year-old girl has been missing since she went to bed on the night of February 9.

Call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS if you have any information. You could be eligible for a reward which is now up to $26,500.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=132714&catid=3

Video and photos on this page.

lorettalockhorn

03-05-2009, 02:24 PM

Caylee Anthony, Haleigh Cummings: Cases' key similarities, differences
Eight months later, Caylee Anthony and Casey Anthony remain squarely in the spotlight. Yet only a few weeks after Haleigh Cummings disappeared, interest in her case is dwindling.

The day everyone said goodbye to Caylee Marie Anthony, the world learned about another missing little girl.

So TV trucks rolled from the 2-year-old's memorial in Orlando to a double-wide trailer about 80 miles away in Putnam County — the place where 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings was last seen alive.

"It was deja vu all over again," said Bob Longo, news director for WESH-Channel 2.

During the following days, the pack of satellite trucks parked near Haleigh Cummings' home in tiny Satsuma rivaled the media turnout after Caylee's remains were found in December near her home in east Orange County.

But soon, reporters on the latest missing-little-girl story began leaving Satsuma.

It wasn't deja vu after all.

Haleigh's story is fading after three weeks, but the Anthony saga has remained in the headlines for almost eight months.

The contrast between the tents and trailer in Satsuma where Haleigh's family pleaded for her return and the Anthonys' suburban home points to one of the reasons Haleigh's story is fading from the headlines, said Roy Peter Clark, senior scholar at the Poynter Institute.

"I think the greatest difference between the Caylee story and the Haleigh story is social class," said Clark, whose institute is a school for journalists in St. Petersburg. "I don't believe that working-class Americans get a very fair shake in the news media in general."

Only a handful of reporters remain in this isolated community north of the Ocala National Forest — even though investigators said Haleigh was abducted and they think she is alive...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/caylee-anthony/orl-asec-caylee-anthony-haleigh-cummings-030509,0,5058660.story

lorettalockhorn

03-07-2009, 03:09 PM

Family straightens up in Cummings home while others prepare to move vigil site

SATSUMA - Members of Ronald Cummings' family spent Thursday afternoon sorting and picking up the contents of the mobile home where 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings was last seen.

"I'm just picking up the mess that was made, I guess, when everybody was going through everything," said Annette Sykes, Haleigh's paternal great-grandmother.

"They even tore out the wall where the hot water heater was."

She said when the media is allowed to tour the house, it will look as close as possible to when Ronald Cummings, his daughter Haleigh and son Ronald Jr., lived there.

"The toughest part was working in her room," she said. "It's when I come out, when I'm done, when I leave."

Teresa Neves, Haleigh's paternal grandmother, said she tried to help, but couldn't because it was emotionally too difficult.

"I couldn't do it. My sister tried and she couldn't do it," Neves said.

"I can't imagine how they're doing it; she filled that house with a lot of laughter. I just don't know how they're doing it."

She said she told her mother when she went to the mobile home to pack and clean she didn't know how they could emotionally do it.

At 3:27 a.m. Feb. 10, Haleigh was reported missing by Misty Croslin, the girlfriend of Haleigh's father, who was babysitting the girl when she vanished.

Croslin told deputies she put Haleigh and Haleigh's little brother in the same bed at about 8 p.m. the night before, a Sheriff's report said.

The report said that at 10:30 p.m. both children were put to bed and Croslin laid down with them.

When Croslin awoke at 3 a.m. she discovered Haleigh was missing, the report said.

An Amber Alert was issued a short time later that triggered a massive search and investigation involving local authorities and the FBI.

Tips called in to law enforcement for the missing Satsuma girl are up to 2,400, said Capt. Dick Shauland, spokesman for the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

"Some are valid and some aren't, but we have to check them all," he said. "We still have five detectives working on the case, running down leads."

On Thursday afternoon, Neves said Ronald was passing out flyers for his missing daughter.

"He found some places that didn't have flyers and that's what he's doing today, passing out flyers."

Neves said family members missed a certain item while cleaning inside the Cummings home.

"There is something missing from the trailer that should be there," she said. "I don't know if it was taken for evidence or whoever took Haleigh took it."

The missing item belongs to Haleigh, she said.

"It's something that should always be there for her," she said.

Neves said she could not explain what the item was because of the ongoing investigation.

Shauland said he had no idea what Neves was talking about, when authorities removed items as evidence a receipt for each item was issued to the family.

"We turned the house back to them sometime last week," he said. "We've not had anything to do with the house since then."

According to Marie Griffis, Crystal Sheffield's mother and Haleigh's grandmother, their tent at the entrance to Tyler Street off Buffalo Bluff Road may have to be moved.

"Right now I don't know if we will have to move or not," she said. "The owner of River Villas requested we find a place to move."

She said the family would try to move across the canal into a field that Texas-based Equusearch used for staging purposes.

"We may go to an empty lot on Hoot Owl Ridge Road," she said. "Crystal (Haleigh's mother) wants to stay as close as she can and I will be here as long as I can."

http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/03/06/news/news01.txt

lorettalockhorn

03-07-2009, 03:13 PM

Reminders of missing girl throughout home

SATSUMA - Christmas toys that were never assembled still wait on the porch of the mobile home where Haleigh Cummings disappeared last month.

Inside the home Friday, the mess caused during the investigation was cleaned up. Annette Sykes, Haleigh's paternal great-grandmother, showed reporters photos of Haleigh and her father, Ronald, that were on the walls of the family room.

As she walked through Ronald Jr.'s room, she said Haleigh and her brother often played together.

"They played in both rooms depending on what they were going to play," she said. "If they were going to play girlie things they would play in Haleigh's room. If they were going to play with cars and trucks they would play in Junior's room."

In Haleigh's room, her favorite things - makeup and fingernail polish - remain on the 5-year-old girl's dresser.

"She loved Hannah Montana," she said.

Haleigh was reported missing on Feb. 10 at 3:27 a.m. Authorities say the child was last seen the night before.

A massive search and criminal investigation appear to have yielded few results. No arrests have been made, no suspects have been identified and Haleigh remains missing.

Haleigh was being cared for by Ronald Cummings' girlfriend, Misty Croslin.

A report by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office says Croslin last saw Haleigh about 10:30 p.m. Feb. 9 when she went to bed with the children.

"Neither of the children slept in their rooms," Sykes said Friday. "They wouldn't sleep by themselves."

In Cummings' and Croslin's room, where Haleigh slept on a small mattress next to her father's bed, her favorite DVD was still in a player next to a television above her bed.

Sykes said Croslin got up to use the bathroom about 3 a.m. Feb. 10 and Haleigh was missing. Sykes walked to a door that leads from the kitchen through a laundry room and to a side door.

"This is the door, the back door where they took her out," she said. "You have to push on the door really hard because that's the way they put it in there. A block had the screen door propped open and the back door was wide open."

The side door was rarely used by Cummings, Sykes said.

"The only time this door was open was when they washed and vacuumed the car, because this door was so hard to open," she said.

Meanwhile, the tent and camper set up in front of a home on Tyler Street where the Cummings family has maintained a vigil for Haleigh will be removed by order of the county, Teresa Neves, Haleigh's paternal grandmother, said.

"You can have a 14-day permit, but campers and tents are only allowed in campgrounds," she said Friday.

"Basically they said we are breaking the law because we are not in a campground."

She said she was hoping there would be enough parking at her mother's house in Welaka so the family could move the tent there.

"I think we will have the vigil Sunday at 5:30 p.m. then move Sunday night," she said.

http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/03/07/news/news01.txt

dan_uk

03-09-2009, 08:12 AM

Haleigh's Family Being Asked to Leave Temporary Home

SATUMSA, Fla. - Ronald Cummings and his family are being told they can no longer live in the camp site where they have been staying since little Haleigh went missing.

The family received a notice from Putnam County on Friday. There is no word yet on when they will have to move. Ronald Cummings and his family have refused to stay in the home since Haleigh disappeared.

Haleigh was last seen in her mobile home on Green Lane in Satsuma. Investigators said she was sleeping in the same bed as her 3-year-old brother and her father's 17-year-old girlfriend, Mistie Croslin. When Croslin woke up around 3:30 a.m., the same time Haleigh's father Ronald Cummings got home from work, they realized Haleigh was gone and called 911.

Haleigh has not been seen since and no suspects have yet to be identified. The 5-year-old is 3 feet tall with blond hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about the girl is urged to contact the Putnam County Sheriff's Office at (386) 329-0800 or call 911.

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/030809haleighfamilymove

lorettalockhorn

03-09-2009, 04:49 PM

Haleigh's Father Pops Question to Teen Girlfriend

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...

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=133274&catid=3

lorettalockhorn

03-09-2009, 04:57 PM

Family of Haleigh Cummings Gets Visit from Family of Tiffany Sessions

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.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=133266&catid=295

lorettalockhorn

03-10-2009, 04:06 PM

Parents Make Emotional Plea for Haleigh's Return

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.

Justice Coalition Executive Director Ann Dugger announced that the Justice Coalition is adding more money to the reward, bringing the total reward for the return of Haleigh and the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who took her to $35,000.

Dugger then added, "It's not about the money; it's about doing the right thing...

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=133387&catid=3

lorettalockhorn

03-10-2009, 04:31 PM

Reward now $35,000 for missing girl

- The reward for information on the disappearance of missing north Florida girl Haleigh Cummings has been increased to $35,000.

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. Haleigh vanished from the mobile homes where she lived with her father and his girlfriend.

Haileigh's father, Ronald Cummings, and her mother, Crystal Sheffield, tearfully pleaded for the return of the little girl at the Satsuma news conference.

On Monday, Cummings and girlfriend Misty Croslin applied for a marriage license in Palatka.

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/031009missing_girl_reward

lorettalockhorn

03-10-2009, 07:14 PM

Haleigh's Mother Obtains a Spokesperson and Seeks an Attorney

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 her young daughter was molested by her godfather in the early 1990's.

Since then, she has helped many families in the middle of child abuse cases and thought she could help Sheffield, even though it's a child abduction case.

Haleigh Cummings disappeared from her Satsuma home February 9th.

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.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=133403&catid=3

One2Snoop

03-12-2009, 12:48 PM

Missing girl’s father to
wed today

Last Edited: Thursday, 12 Mar 2009, 12:36 PM EDT
Created On: Thursday, 12 Mar 2009, 12:11 PM EDT

SATSUMA, Fla. - The father of missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings is expected to marry his younger girlfriend Thursday afternoon, but the couple is already facing some problems finding someone to marry them.

Jamey Watts, a funeral director, was set to marry the couple but his notary status expired. Then, they were going to get a pastor from Watts church to wed them, but the pastor is doing military reserve training and is unavailable.

Statement from Dunns Creek Baptist Church:

To Whom It May Concern:
There is no wedding scheduled to take place at Dunns Creek Baptist Church on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Pastor Terry Wright is out of town and the other full time pastors (David Dixon & Chad Perry) are not performing a wedding today. Please retract any announcements you have made regarding the Cummings / Croslin wedding taking place at Dunns Creek Baptist Church.
Thank you,
David Dixon
Assoc. Pastor
Dunns Creek Baptist Church

A family member tipped FOX 35's sister station in Jacksonville and confirmed that Ron and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Misty, plan to marry at 4 p.m. The ceremony will be held at Dunn’s Creek Baptist Church in San Mateo, which is approximately two miles from where the girl was last seen.

New ground search Thursday

Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies are conducting another ground search to find the missing girl but say the search is not a result of a tip. Investigators are searching from U.S. 17 to Paradise Shores in Crescent City. They said they are searching the highway about 30 yards on each side.

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/local/031209Missing_girls_father_to_wed_today

lorettalockhorn

03-12-2009, 01:44 PM

New Search on Possible Wedding Day for Haleigh's Father

SATSUMA, FL -- Law enforcement officers are back out searching a new area for any sign of Haleigh Cummings, the five-year-old girl who disappeared from her home last month.

Ronald Cummings' mother said he is planning to marry his 17-year-old girlfriend sometime today. Where it'll happen is unknown.

Cummings proposed to Misty Croslin at Chili's in Palatka last Sunday.

READ: HALEIGH'S FATHER PROPOSES

In Satsuma Thursday morning, about 100 officers from several law enforcement agencies fanned out in the woods located a couple miles from Haleigh's home.

Capt. Dick Schauland with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office says the search is in a new area but it's not the result of new information.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE IN SEARCH FOR HALEIGH

If you have any information to help investigators find Haleigh, call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS. You'll remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward. The reward in the case is now up to $35,000.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=133570&catid=3

lorettalockhorn

03-12-2009, 02:05 PM

Dad Gets Married Today As Haleigh Search Resumes
About 100 Look In Woods For Cummings Girl

SATSUMA, Fla. -- Investigators again are searching woods on Thursday morning looking for missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings - on the day her father plans to marry the teen-ager who was with Haleigh when she disappeared.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office said it has about 100 deputies searching along U.S. Highway 17 north of Crescent City. The area has not been searched in the past, although an earlier news release said it had been.

The family told WESH 2 News that Ronald Cummings, 25, is scheduled to marry 17-year-old Misty Croslin at 4 p.m. The ceremony will be at the Dunn's Creek Baptist Church in the town of San Mateo, which is just north of Satsuma.

Cummings asked Croslin to marry him on Sunday night at Chili's in Palatka. Croslin was sleeping in the home she shared with Cummings on the night Haleigh disappeared one month ago.

The sheriff's office said today's search "is not the result of information received, but is being conducted as one more step in the continuing search for Haleigh."

http://www.wesh.com/news/18915114/detail.html

According to video at this link, cadaver dogs are being used.

lorettalockhorn

03-12-2009, 05:50 PM

Haleigh's Father and Teen Bride to Honeymoon in NYC

SATSUMA, FL -- First Coast News has learned the father of Haleigh Cummings will marry his teen girlfriend and be in New York City Friday for a morning appearance as newlyweds on The Today Show on NBC.

Ronald Cummings proposed to 17-year-old Misty Croslin at Chili's in Palatka last Sunday.

READ: HALEIGH'S FATHER PROPOSES

The family of Ronald Cummings told First Coast News there will be a wedding Thursday afternoon. The location of the ceremony is not yet known.

The buzz of the wedding is not the only activity surrounding the search for Haleigh Cummings, the five-year-old girl who disappeared from her home last month.

Law enforcement officers combed a new area for any sign of the little girl, last seen on the night of February 9,

In Satsuma Thursday morning, about 100 officers from several law enforcement agencies fanned out in the woods located a couple miles from Haleigh's home.

Capt. Dick Schauland with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office says the search is in a new area but it's not the result of new information.

If you have any information to help investigators find Haleigh, call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS. You'll remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward. The reward in the case is now up to $35,000.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=133570&catid=3

lorettalockhorn

03-12-2009, 07:07 PM

6-hour search for Haleigh Cummings turns up empty

SATSUMA - More than 100 law-enforcement officials spent six hours today combing a 12-mile grassy stretch along U.S. Highway 17 just north of Crescent City, searching for any clues regarding the disappearance of Haleigh Cummings.

Putnam County sheriff's Capt. Dick Schauland said nothing was found that would help find the missing 5-year-old girl.

Haleigh was last seen by her father's girlfriend, Misty Croslin, 17, at about 10 p.m. Feb. 9. Misty told investigators she woke up about 3:30 a.m. Feb. 10 and Haleigh was missing.

Also, according to the Putnam County clerk of the courts office, Haleigh's father, Ronald Cummings, and Croslin on Monday applied for a marriage license that went into effect Thursday. The couple has until May 10 to get married. Earlier today, television stations were reporting that the couple planned to marry today. Later this afternoon, WFTV.com reported the wedding did not happen. The Orlando Sentinel could not immediately confirm those reports.

In today's search, investigators are slowly walking along the grassy area about 30 yards off each side of the highway between Buffalo Bluff Road and Paradise Shores Road just north of Crescent City, according to Putnam sheriff's Lt. Johnny Greenwood.

Greenwood said the search is not being conducted because of any new tips or leads in connection to Haleigh's disappearance...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-haleigh-cummings-search-031209,0,3877048.story?track=rss

Video at this link.

lorettalockhorn

03-13-2009, 12:57 AM

Backyard Wedding for Haleigh's Father and Teen Bride

WELAKA, FL -- It's a day they say they've been waiting for. Haleigh's father, Ronald Cummings, and his new bride Misty, tied the knot Thursday afternoon in an outdoor ceremony in Welaka.

"She was a beautiful bride," said Annette Sykes, the great-grandmother of the missing five-year-old girl.

We spoke with Sykes shortly after the wedding. The ceremony took place in the backyard of her home.

"It was something bright and happy for a change," said Sykes. "The happiest thing would be if Haleigh were to come home. But, they plan on when Haleigh comes home to have a big church wedding, and she can be the flower girl."

The family spent the day preparing for the wedding, from the flowers to the wedding cake. Sykes says this was something the couple had always planned to do, and it's what Haleigh wanted.

"They got married because they love one another. It's time for something happy to happen."

For now that's what this day is to them, something good, as they wait for Haleigh to come home.

"After weeks and weeks of Haleigh being gone, plus all of the trashing that Ronald took, it's just time for something good, just time for something good," said Sykes.

Sykes says the couple was married by a notary public with only close family members present. She says the location of the ceremony was finalized late Wednesday night.

The couple flew to New York City to appear on The Today Show on NBC Friday morning, right after Good Morning Jacksonville. Sykes says they will also use that time for their honeymoon.

Ronald Cummings' son will stay with his mother through the weekend while the couple is away.

Call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS if you have any information about Haleigh Cummings. You will remain anonymous and could receive a reward. The reward in the search for Haleigh is now at $35,000.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=133610&catid=3

lorettalockhorn

03-13-2009, 01:36 PM

Still missing, Haleigh has a new stepmom
Misty Cummings ‘doesn’t know’ why her account of disappearance changed

The last person to see a 5-year-old Florida girl before she went missing — who is also the new teenage bride of the child’s father — acknowledged that there are inconsistencies in the stories she’s told investigators, but was unable to say why her account has changed.

On Friday, TODAY’s Meredith Vieira asked 17-year-old Misty Cummings — nee Misty Croslin — if she knows that she changed the story of the night Haleigh Cummings disappeared.

“Yeah,” the young woman said.

Vieira asked why there are inconsistencies.

“I don’t know,” she replied...

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29674827/

Link to video:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/29674806#29674806

lorettalockhorn

03-14-2009, 12:09 AM

P.I. Searches for Haleigh

SATSUMA, Fla. -- There's a new investigator on the Haleigh Cummings case. He calls himself Cobra. He's a private investigator from Fort Lauderdale, who is in Satsuma at Haleigh's mother's request.

"In 30 years, I've caught over 8000 fugitives, 199 child molesters, 2 murderers, and one terrorist," says Cobra. Now his focus is on Haleigh. Thursday, he joined police in their thorough but fruitless ground search. And now, he's sorting through tips, trying to figure out what is fact and what is fiction.

Cobra says, "You heard the rumors, that drugs dealers got her. Drug dealers sell drugs. But there is a rumor that there are folks around that sell babies, and sell folks. I'm very familiar with that trade."

He couldn't talk about any specific leads he's working. But he says one thing is for sure, we can expect a break in Haleigh's case very soon.

Cobra says he's investigating the case free of charge. And he says he will stay in Putnam County until he's confident the case is closed.

http://www.fox30online.com/content/topstories/story/P-I-Searches-for-Haleigh/rwX4oL0NrE6kKhoe2vdr-g.cspx

lorettalockhorn

03-14-2009, 03:59 PM

Investigation Focusing on Misty Croslin Cummings Timeline

PUTNAM COUNTY, FL -- After Ronald Cummings and his new wife, Misty Croslin Cummings, appeared on The Today Show Friday morning, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office commented on what was said.

For the first time, investigators mentioned their concerns about inconsistencies with Misty Cummings' story about what happened the night 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings disappeared.

Captain Dick Schauland confirmed Friday morning that investigators do have concerns about the timeline Misty has provided.

Schauland told First Coast News, "What happened during that eight-hour time period from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. when she found the child missing and what occurred during that time is what [investigators] are trying to straighten out."

On The Today Show interview, Misty agreed there were inconsistencies but could not explain why.

Misty also said she felt like she was not a suspect. Ronald Cummings supported her and explained one of the lead detectives told him Misty was not a suspect in Haleigh's disappearance.

When asked if Misty Cummings was a suspect, Captain Schauland told First Coast News Friday, "I would not list Misty as a suspect. We just want to get the timeline straightened out. Our most important thing is finding Haleigh. That's more important than anything else. And Misty's the key to that."

Misty also mentioned on The Today Show that she had taken a polygraph and that she was told she passed it.

Just a couple hours later, Capt. Schauland said the agency was not releasing any information involving the polygraphs. He has said this many times. He did say however, that people who take polygraphs are "normally not told weather they pass or didn't pass."

He added, "I'm not talking about this case; I'm talking about polygraphs in general, but usually there's a line of questioning and it either shows deception or to be inconclusive on question one, two or three. But it really isn't a pass or fail thing."

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=133696&catid=295

lorettalockhorn

03-14-2009, 04:10 PM

Not cleared as a suspect

Haleigh Cummings' new stepmother has not been cleared as a suspect in the 5-year-old's disappearance last month, a senior sheriff's official says.

Maj. Gary Bowling also said Misty Croslin's inability on national television Friday to clear up inconsistent answers was what detectives have faced for weeks.

"Our interviews with her have been pretty much like what you saw on the "Today Show," Bowling said. "We've confronted her with her inconsistencies and America got a sample of our interviews with her."

Bowling also disputed Croslin's assertion on TV that she wasn't a suspect.

"We have not ruled her out as a suspect," he said.

Haleigh's father, Ronald, 25, and Croslin 17, appeared Friday morning on NBC's "Today Show" as part of the program's exclusive coverage of the couple's wedding in Welaka on Thursday.

During the television interview, both said they had been cleared as suspects and had passed polygraph tests.

Bowling said authorities have not released results of the tests, which were given by FBI agents shortly after Haleigh vanished on Feb. 10.

Initially, Putnam County authorities said "the world is a suspect" in Haleigh's disappearance but Bowling narrowed the focus on Friday.

"We haven't eliminated anybody connected to it as a suspect," he said.

On Thursday, Bowling told the Daily News that Croslin's account of what happened was crucial to solving the case.

He also said Croslin walked out of the room while being questioned by detectives on Wednesday.

"Misty is the key to the investigation and we are trying to work through inconsistencies in her account of the critical time period," Bowling said.

Investigators also met Wednesday with Cummings, he said.

"We are satisfied with the interviews that we have had so far with Ronald, and his account of the eight hours in question," Bowling added.

Detectives are building a timeline including anyone who had contact with Haleigh during that time. Bowling described the repeated questioning sessions as a normal part of a major investigation.

"From the beginning, we have said that we will interview anyone, at anytime, as many times as need be, to get information that will help us find Haleigh," he said.

Croslin on Thursday rebuffed an attempt by the Daily News to give her an opportunity to respond to the issues raised about her.

"I would really appreciate it if you people would stop calling me," she said.

Haleigh was reported missing Feb. 10 from her home in Satsuma, south of Palatka.

The disappearance prompted a massive search and intensive criminal investigation involving local state and federal officials.

No trace of Haleigh has been found.

http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/03/14/news/news01.txt

lorettalockhorn

03-14-2009, 04:15 PM

Dad: Focus on missing 5-year-old

Haleigh Cummings' disappearance was in the national spotlight Friday after the girl's father and new stepmother appeared on NBC's "Today Show."

"I want to get the focus back on that my daughter is missing and I want to find her," Ronald Cummings said. "I think it has changed to my personal life and being married and everything else, and it should be focused on my 5-year-old daughter."

Cummings, 25, and Misty Croslin, 17, married on Thursday, then traveled to New York for their television appearance.

Cummings said he is comfortable with the job the police have done so far in the search, but that he has still not been told anything about any possible leads.

Both said they had been ruled out as suspects in the disappearance, though authorities in Putnam County disputed that assertion later.

Haleigh was reported missing Feb. 10 from her home in Satsuma, south of Palatka.

The disappearance prompted a massive search and intensive criminal investigation involving local, state and federal officials.

Cummings' proposal to Croslin last weekend put the couple in front of area news cameras. He told "Today Show" co-host Mere-dith Vieira he hoped the attention would return to Haleigh.

Croslin was asked about walking out of an interview with detectives on Wed-nesday. She said a new detective was "being very rude" and accusing her of lying, so she refused to talk to him.

Both said they had passed a polygraph tests, although authorities have not released the results of tests given in connection with the case.

Croslin was given an opportunity to clarify the inconsistencies in her story of what had happened the night Haleigh disappeared.

"I put her to bed at 8 p.m," she said. "She was in her bed, and Junior was in the bed with me. At 10 p.m., I laid down and went to sleep. I woke up at 3 a.m. and got up to use the bathroom and noticed the kitchen light was on, so I walked to the kitchen and saw the back door open. So I ran back to the bedroom to grab my phone to call Ronald, and that's when I noticed Haleigh was gone."

Ronald said that he was getting home from work when she called, and had just pulled in the driveway.

Croslin had previously told investigators different versions of what had happened that evening. Asked by Vieira about the inconsistencies in her story, Croslin paused, then responded, "I don't know."

No trace of Haleigh has been found.

Cummings said that he cared for Misty, and that the timing of their marriage did not have anything to do with his missing daughter.

"I think my little girl would have wanted it," Cummings said. "I would have rather her been there."

He was defensive about those who have criticized the couple for marrying now.

"I don't understand why it's anyone else's business, to be honest with you," Cummings added. "I go to work, I support my family. I don't know what my personal life has to do with national TV. My daughter's missing, we need to get my daughter's face back on TV and get her found."

http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/03/14/news/news02.txt

One2Snoop

03-15-2009, 02:32 PM

Teenager weds Father of missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings
News Type: Event — Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:21 AM EDT

Clint Van Zandt

In a wedding not made in heaven, at least one that their local pastor refused to sanction in his church because of his disagreement with the proposed relationship, Ronald Cummings (25) married his current teen-age girlfriend, Misty Croslin (17), after becoming engaged just four days earlier. Evidently Misty is but one of a number of Ron’s believed recent underage girlfriends. A notary public preformed the back yard marriage that took place while over 100 Florida area law enforcement officers continued their search for missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings. The child has not been seen since the evening of February 9-10, 2009, when the then t7-year-old live-in girlfriend allegedly noticed Haleigh was not on her mattress on the floor a few feet away from the bed then shared by Misty and Ron Cummings’ son, Ron, Jr.

Appearing on NBC's ‘The Today Show’ Friday morning, evidently the genesis of their honeymoon trip to New York City, the couple told Today’s Meredith Vieira that they had both passed (FBI) polygraph tests concerning the disappearance of Haleigh (for those true believers in polygraphs, see my article "Do Lie Detectors Lie? at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7992482/). Misty, however, was unable to explain the changes and inconsistencies in her story of the morning Haleigh disappeared. Her latest version suggests as follows:

"Misty had put Haleigh to bed at 8 o’clock. She then washed their blankets, and after that was done, she put Haleigh's blanket over her. "She was sleeping when I put her blanket on her," said Misty. "She was in her bed, and it was about 10 o’clock. I finally laid down and went to sleep. I woke up at 3. I got up to use the bathroom, and I noticed the kitchen light was on. I walked through the kitchen, and that’s when I noticed the back door was open. So I run back to my bedroom to get my phone to call Ronald. That’s when I noticed Haleigh was gone.”

New husband Ron, the man who had previously referred to Misty as his “dumb ***** girlfriend,” appeared overly smug when he said he didn’t know what happened to his daughter as, “I was at work,” grinning over what he appeared to believe was the perfect alibi. As far as the focus on him and the new Mrs. Cummings, he said "nobody's business what I do with my personal life." I would be very glad to disagree with him on this fact should it be determined that the children in his home, to include Haleigh and Ron Jr., had being abused by the occupants of that trailer.

Investigators continue to question Misty’s version of what happened the night Haleigh disappeared and Misty, for her part, has walked out of law enforcement interviews when she considered their questions to be rude. Haleigh Cummings' new stepmother has not been ruled out as a suspect and investigators point to her inability to explain in her "Today" interview what happened the night Haleigh disappeared as an example of what detectives have faced for weeks."Our interviews with her have been pretty much like what you saw on the "Today Show," said the investigator. "We've confronted her with her inconsistencies and America (now has) a sample of our interviews with her."

As indicated in my initial Newsvine review of this case (http://clintvanzandt.newsvine.com/_news/2009/02/16/2441536-update-teenage-caretaker-of-missing-5-year-old-florida-girl-says-i-didnt-do-it), Ron Cummings and the biological mother of both Haleigh and Ron, Jr., were involved in a custody battle concerning their two children at the time of Haleigh’s disappearance, one that continues today.

Meanwhile investigators must consider at least four explanations for the disappearance of the little girl who was afraid of the dark, to include: being kidnapped by an unknown child predator (all such known individuals in the local area have been identified and accounted for); a mistaken kidnapping related to the residents who had recently moved from the trailer home (a local pastor and his family, therefore unlikely); she was kidnapped to punish Ronald Cummings due to a personal vendetta with another (he has been involved in drugs and a drug related kidnapping would not, unfortunately, be unusual); she was kidnapped by someone known to Ronald and Misty, perhaps a friend or relative who had recently visited the home (while this has been explored, no known strong suspect continues to capture law enforcement interest); or she died of injuries sustained in the home and the report of her suspected kidnapping is a cover-up to hide the actual reason for her absence from the home.

Evidently Misty has not heard Oprah discuss the alleged beating sustained by pop star Rihanna (real name Robyn Fenty) at the hands of her boyfriend Chris Brown, this when Oprah rightfully said love should not hurt you and “if he hits you once, he’ll hit you again.” Ron Cummings has allegedly been angry and physically abusive toward the mother of missing Haleigh and Florida Department of Children and Family Services have investigated the current Cummings home. Meanwhile the reward for information concerning the missing girl has risen to $35,000. Ron Cummings appears to refute the story allegedly told by his son that a mysterious man dressed in black had stolen Haleigh, suggesting that story had been made up by his the boy's mom and Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera, the latter of whom Cummings had previously excluded from his property due to a conflict between the two.

When asked why he had married Misty, I expected Cummings to say something that included a statement of his love for his teenage bride, but he only said that (marriage) was what Haleigh would have wanted. Noting that he has allegedly been through a number of teenage girlfriends, Misty would be wise to listen to the pastor who cautioned against the wedding and Oprah’s wise advice. And why now, you must ask yourself; why engaged and then married a few days later? Most know that a wife and husband cannot be compelled to testify against each other. Could this marriage be one of legal convenience, even legal necessity for one or both of the newlyweds? Or could marriage be "part of the deal" for Misty? We just don't know.

Due to her age, Misty’s parents had to provide their legal consent to the marriage and now the honeymooners are enjoying New York City as investigators look through the swamps of Florida for the missing child. Something just doesn’t make sense here, but there is always some type of logic and reason in chaos. Meanwhile Ron Cummings continues to have that smug look on his face that appears to suggest he knows something we don’t, and at this point, he may just be correct.

http://clintvanzandt.newsvine.com/_news/2009/03/13/2542581-teenager-weds-father-of-missing-5-year-old-haleigh-cummings

One2Snoop

03-16-2009, 04:16 PM

County Forces Haleigh's Family To Move Out

Posted: 10:42 am EDT March 16, 2009Updated: 10:54 am EDT March 16, 2009
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Putnam County has forced the family of missing Haleigh Cummings to leave the tents they've been living in for over a month.

County officials told the family they were in violation of county ordinances and property rights. It is unclear where the family has moved.

THE TENT: See Images Of Tent Family Was Living In

Ronald Cummings said he would not move back into the mobile home where Haleigh was taken from until his daughter is returned.

Detectives said they're still looking into more than 2,000 tips they've received since Haleigh disappeared. The reward is up to $35,000 for information on Haleigh's whereabouts.

http://www.wftv.com/news/18939918/detail.html#-

lorettalockhorn

03-16-2009, 04:18 PM

'Haleigh Bug' Headquarters Opening Soon

SATSUMA, FL -- 'Haleigh Bug' Headquarters will soon be open to help in the search for 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings.

Her mother, Crystal Sheffield and some family friends are working together to open the new facility, where anyone can stop by and offer support and tips for detectives.

The headquarters is located at 1185 U.S. 17 in Satsuma. The interior will soon be painted purple because that is Haleigh's favorite color and pictures of the little girl will decorate the walls.

The Foundation got its name because Sheffield and her family called Haleigh by the nickname, Haleigh Bug.

Jeremiah Regan is a family friend and has been a big help in spearheading the project. He said someone will always be at the headquarters, 24 hours a day.

If you want to donate to the Haleigh Bug Foundation, call (954) 553-6514. A web site dedicated to the foundation will soon be up and running.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=133906&catid=3

One2Snoop

03-16-2009, 08:43 PM

Haleigh Cummings' new stepmom is giving inconsistent stories, report says

6:28 PM EDT, March 16, 2009

A Web site is reporting that investigators in Putnam County said there are inconsistencies when it comes to the story of Misty Croslin, the 17-year-old who was the last to see Haleigh Cummings alive.

CFN13.com is reporting the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said the agency has already spent more than 30 hours talking to the teen.

Misty said she was in a mobile home more than a month ago when someone took the 5-year-old girl in the middle of the night, though a sheriff's captain told a Jacksonville TV station her story hasn't stayed the same about exactly what happened in the eight hours between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. the day Haleigh was taken, the web site reported.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-haleigh-cummings-inconsistent-031609,0,3699870.story

One2Snoop

03-16-2009, 08:44 PM

Investigators: Misty’s Story Has Inconsistencies
Monday, March 16, 2009 5:30:38 PM

SATSUMA -- Investigators in Putnam County said Monday there are inconsistencies when it comes to the story of Misty Croslin, the 17-year-old who was the last to see Haleigh Cummings alive.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office said the agency has already spent more than 30 hours talking to the teen.

Misty said she was in a mobile home more than a month ago when someone took the 5-year-old girl in the middle of the night.

However, a sheriff's captain told a Jacksonville TV station her story hasn't stayed the same about exactly what happened in the eight hours between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. the day Haleigh was taken.

Investigators have looked into hundreds of leads in the case, but said they still don't have a solid timeline of exactly when the girl vanished.

Misty made headlines herself March 12 when she married Haleigh's father, Ronald Cummings.

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/3/16/investigators_mistys_story_has_inconsistencies.htm l

lorettalockhorn

03-17-2009, 02:28 PM

Haleigh Cummings' Family Advocate Out

SATSUMA, Fla. – Child advocate, Wayanne Kruger arrived from Arizona a week ago to lend her support and expertise to Haleigh Cummings' family in their quest to bring her home.

Along with bringing more media exposure, Kruger promised new ways to raise money for the reward fund and immediately became the family advocate, but it didn't last long.

Kim Picazio, an attorney representing the Sheffield family, released the following statement Saturday.

"Wanted to thank Kruger for her emotional support, but at this time she is not associated, affiliated or working for Picazio or the Sheffield family."

Kruger’s abrupt departure does raise questions, but neither Haleigh's family or attorney Kim Picazio would speak to the matter when we contacted them, only saying they want to keep the focus on finding Haleigh.

CBS47/FOX 30 also spoke with Wayanne Kruger over the telephone about her departure. She says she will be supporting the family from her home in Arizona, but declined to speak with us on camera, because it would be a violation of her confidentiality agreement.

http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story/Haleigh-Cummings-Family-Advocate-Out/8iP23JfsQ0eg5Q4r0Kw_EQ.cspx

lorettalockhorn

03-17-2009, 04:07 PM

Haleigh's family relocates

SATSUMA - In conjunction with friends, Crystal Sheffield, Haleigh Cummings' mother, is creating a new headquarters for people to stop by with any information regarding her missing daughter.

"I know a lot of people that want to help and don't know how," Jeremiah Regan, a friend of the Sheffields, said. "The building will be open 24 hours a day with an open-door policy, even if people just want to stop by and give their blessings for the family."

Located off U.S. 17 in Satsuma, the building is hard to miss, considering it is painted purple.

"Pink and purple are Haleigh's favorite colors," Regan said.

As a former event planner from New York, Regan met the family after Haleigh disappeared Feb. 10 and felt strongly about their situation.

"I had the resources and wanted to help," Regan said, "So we set goals, made a list and are getting it done."

"He did everything," Sheffield said Monday. "I didn't know anything about it until they told me it was going to be done."

Along with a fresh coat of paint, the former hot dog stand will soon contain donated desks, carpet and curtains.

"We want to make it a warm environment, not cold," Regan said.

The maternal side of the family is in need of donations such as couches, office supplies or volunteer time, Regan said.

With his assistance, the Sheffields have recently purchased a Web domain called Haleighbug.com, where pictures and updates will be posted. The Sheffields also started the Haleighbug Foundation, where donations can be sent to the mother's side of the family.

"We are looking to develop it into a charity to help other mothers with missing children," Regan said.

Jim Ellinger, the owner of the building, cut the rent from $1,000 to $500 per month so the family could transform it into the Haleighbug Headquarters.

"Someone wanted to rent it out for a tattoo parlor, but he wanted to do this for Haleigh," Regan said.

The 5-year-old girl was reported missing on Feb. 10 at 3:27 a.m. from her Satsuma home.

According to Capt. Dick Schauland of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, the investigation is continuing.

"We currently have 3,800 leads," Schauland said Monday. "But nothing has jumped out at us and we don't have any new searches planned."

The reward for information remains at $35,767.

To report any information on the child, call Crime Stoppers at (888) 277-8477.

http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/03/17/news/news01.txt

Haleighbug.com:

http://haleighbug.com/

lorettalockhorn

03-17-2009, 06:17 PM

Misty Cummings: “I Was Very, Very Scared”

We’re posting the Misty Cummings Transcript from Art Harris’s March 15 interview with the 17 year old babysitter who was watching baby Haleigh the night she vanished. You can watch the interview below:

On Haleigh: We have a very good relationship. She wants to be with me on my hipbone all the time. She don’t want to leave me. We always do make-up and hair. Every morning , she goes out looking like a queen for school.

Did I drive her to school? I haven’t driven her to school in a while, actually. Her Daddy (Ronald Cummings) has been driving her to school lately.

When he’s had a long night working, or doesn’t want to get up, then I’ll drive her to school. Along with my nephew.

I have the kids 24 / 7. The only time I don’t have Haleigh is when they’re in school.

What happened that night? Ok. She lay…I put her to bed at 8 o’clock. That’s her bedtime when she has school. She didn’t’ go to sleep…She was probably asleep in about 30 minutes.I was washing her blankets.

I laid her blanket on top of her when she was sleeping. Then I made my bed and got into bed. Then I woke up about three o’clock to go to the bathroom.

On the way from the bathroom, I noticed the kitchen light was on. I walked to the back door and noticed the back door was open, so I run back to my bedcroom to get my cell phone to call Ronald and that’s when I noticed Haleigh was gone.

I was scared, I didn’t’ know what to do. I’ve never had to go through anything like that before. I was very, very scared.

“I called my mom to let her know what was going on. I was really terrified, scared.

I ask her about the cursing heard on the 911 tape, that some thought was Ronald cussing out his fiancé who was babysitting the children while he was on the nightshift.

“He was yelling at the officers, the lady on the phone, because they weren’t coming fast enough. He was not yelling at me…Alot of people are trying to blame me for stuff, but I would never hurt any little kid.

“I love Haleigh more than anything in this world. That was like my baby. They used to call me Stepmom. They’d rather be with me than their own mother.

Teresa Neves (Ronald Cummings mother): My babies absolutely loved her, they wanted her to marry Ronald so she could be Mommy. She takes better care of the children than anyone

I ask about a squabble over what movies the children wanted to watch that last night. Misty said Junior wanted to watch Madagascar and Haleigh a Disney dog movie.

Misty: So I put Haleigh in my bedroom and Junior in the living room. They watched their movies, then Junor come in the room with us.

Asked about her lie detector test, she said, “The polygraph guy told me that I passed.”

Teresa: Instead of pointing the finger and making someone out to be the bad guy, they need to be looking for my granddaughter.

Ronald on Cobra (pro bono investigator):

“I feel like he’s doing the best job he can do to find my daughter.”

http://www.artharris.com/2009/03/17/misty-cummings-i-was-very-very-scared/#more-1250

lorettalockhorn

03-18-2009, 04:08 PM

Jane Velez-Mitchell, 3/17/09:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/17/ijvm.01.html

Nancy Grace, 3/17/09:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/17/ng.01.html

lorettalockhorn

03-18-2009, 04:34 PM

Detectives Pointing Fingers At New Step-Mother’s Story

SATSUMA, Fla. -- Deputies have said from the start one of the most important pieces of information they can get comes from reconstructing a timeline of events the night Haleigh Cummings disappeared. Today marks 35 days since she was last seen and detectives said they still don’t have that timeline set.

“Misty is the last person to see Haleigh …Misty is the one who found Haleigh missing…So the timeline she gives us is the important timeline,” said Captain Dick Schauland of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies told us Misty has been interviewed for approximately 30 hours since this investigation began. They said consistently her story has had holes in it.

“We’ve got to establish a timeline, and she’s being inconsistent with the information she is giving the investigators,” said Schauland.

The Captain also said typically at this stage of an investigation detectives do have a working timeline.

“The most important thing we have is finding Haleigh and getting her back to her family…there’s nothing in this case more important than that, and of course it’s frustrating when we can’t get the timeline straightened out to find her."

Also today, Crystal Sheffield’s camp has moved from just around the corner from Haleigh’s home to downtown Satsuma. A local land owner agreed to charge only $500 for Sheffield to set up her camp inside a building on his property.

“We want to make an overall place so that people know this isn’t ending, this isn’t stopping, we’re keeping Haleigh’s face in the media,” said Jeremiah Regan, a family friend of Crystal Sheffield.

“We just want people to know they can come in here and show their support…if they have something to tell us, we’re not the police. We’re just someone concerned that just wants to help.”

Regan and Sheffield have set up a donation line where the money will go directly to the “Haleigh Bug” foundation. It’s a group dedicated to helping find Haleigh, and also any money left over will go to the mothers of any other missing children.

If you’d like to donate---the number is 954-553-6514.

http://www.fox30online.com/mostpopular/story/Detectives-Pointing-Fingers-At-New-Step-Mother-s/MW686_FuKkec5zZxITxJ6w.cspx

lorettalockhorn

03-18-2009, 05:28 PM

Haleigh's Mother's Attorney Says She Met With DCF

PUTNAM COUNTY, FL -- Haleigh Cummings' mother's attorney met with case workers with the Department of Children and Families Tuesday.

Attorney Kim Picazio told First Coast News she supplied information she has gathered from people in Putnam County about the homelife of Haleigh Cummings and her younger brother inside their father's house.

Both children live with their father, Ronald Cummings. Cummings was granted custody of the children in 2005.

5-year-old Haleigh disappeared from her father's home February 9th while being watched by Cummings' then-girlfriend, Misty Croslin. Cummings and Croslin have since married.

Picazio said she spent 90 minutes with DCF's attorney, the agency's supervisors in Putnam County, and with DCF caseworkers Tuesday.

Picazio said she does not intend to help Haleigh's mother, Crystal Sheffield, file for custody of the children at this time.

Picazio said she will wait for DCF to finish an investigation before filing any legal action for custody.

Picazio said she has faith DCF will swiftly investigate the information she has brought to their attention.

Picazio first came to Putnam County last week at the request of individuals helping Sheffield's family.

Picazio said she first took on the case to help Sheffield deal with the media. She said she then learned about some allegations about the stability and safety of Haleigh and her brother's home.

Picazio has taken the case pro bono.

If you have any information that could help find Haleigh, call 1-888-277-TIPS. There is a $35,000 reward.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=134032&catid=295

lorettalockhorn

03-18-2009, 05:30 PM

Haleigh Charity Organizers Refuse Donations From Accused Sexual Criminal

PUTNAM COUNTY, FL -- A man arrested for sexual acts on children stopped by the foundation to help find Haleigh Tuesday afternoon, according to the man who is organizing donations for the family.

Jeremiah Regan has been painting and renovating the small building on US 17 this week.

Tuesday Regan told First Coast News, "This gentleman pulled in here and said, 'I don't want any recognition. I don't want anyone to know my name. I heard you need office supplies for the foundation for Haleigh.'"

Regan said the man told him he had furniture at his house he would donate.

Then Regan said he heard the man mention his name to a reporter from Orlando.

"The reporter asked the man his name and he said, 'Snodgrass. Daniel Snodgrass.' A nd that name went BING in my head," Regan told First Coast News.

Daniel Snodgrass was arrested in 2007 on two charges. One was sexual battery on a child as well as a lewd and lascivious charge involving a child.

Regan said he knew of Snodgrass' name and alleged history because he and others have been researching the area.

One man doing some of that research is private investigator William Staubs.

Staubs told First Coast News, "I'm an agent in bail bonds and I'm pulling all the records on the child molesters and child pedophiles... that are out on bond."

Regan said he waited for a colleague, Art Harris, to arrive at the headquarters before traveling to Snodgrass' home just a couple miles away.

Harris is an independent journalist, most known for his program called The Bald Truth. He said he saw desks and chairs at Snodgrass' home.

However, Harris had also investigated various individuals in the Satsuma area and had heard of Snodgrass.

Harris told First Coast New he asked Snodgrass if he had on an ankle monitor and Snodgrass said that he did.

Harris said, "It's a little strange that an accused child molester with an ankle bracelet... would come here to make a community contribution."

Snodgrass is out of jail on bond. His trial is set for this summer.

Captain Dick Schauland with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said investigators have checked into Snodgrass' location the night Haleigh Cummings disappeared. Schauland said the company which monitors Snodgrass' movements via GPS indicates he was not near Haleigh on February 9th.

Regan says he will not take any donations from a person who has been arrested for sex crimes with children.

Regan said, "I will not accept anything from someone of that character or stature. I refuse to."

First Coast News was unable to reach Snodgrass for comment Tuesday.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=134030&catid=295

lorettalockhorn

03-18-2009, 05:35 PM

Haleigh callers swamp center

The disappearance of Haleigh Cummings has dramatically increased the number of calls to Crime Stoppers, a regional program designed to reward tips that solve cases.

"Normally we get 170 to 200 calls per month," executive director Suzanne DeWees said.

"Last month we had 1,112 calls."

To manage the increase, the center in Canada that fields the calls hired extra people, DeWees added.

In Canada?

Yes, she said, for legal reasons to protect the identity of callers.

"We use a Canadian call center because the tipster information and their phone number can never be subpoenaed," DeWees said. "All of our calls are 800 numbers that are forwarded to the Canadian call center."

Haleigh, a 5-year-old girl, was reported missing from her home in Satsuma on Feb. 10. No sign of the kindergartner has been seen since, despite a massive search of South Putnam County and an intensive criminal investigation involving local, state and federal authorities.

No suspects have been named in the case and no arrests have been made.

Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida began accepting calls in the Haleigh case after the large volume overwhelmed the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

And the large number of calls meant Crime Stoppers' monthly bill went up. A normal month costs the program $1,600, but the phone bill for February topped $5,000, DeWees said.

"It's just part of our job," she said. "It's what we do."

The program covers Flagler, Volusia, St. Johns and Putnam counties.

About half of the program's budget is paid by a grant from a state trust fund that receives some court cost levies in the courts.

"I write a grant requesting how I spend that money," DeWees said. "It is used for rewards, education, operational cost and salary."

Local fundraising efforts generate additional money for operations, she said.

"We have a very prominent community banquet that honors police officers each year - that's our biggest fundraiser," she said. "This year's will be in Daytona Beach."

A reward totaling $35,000 has been compiled for information in Haleigh's case.

"We will keep the money for a year and if the case goes cold, the money will be returned or donated to Crime Stoppers," DeWees said.

Anyone with information about Haleigh Cummings should call Crime Stoppers at (888) 277-8477. Also, tips may be sent via the Internet at www.westopcrime.com.

http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/03/18/news/news01.txt

One2Snoop

03-18-2009, 06:47 PM

Questions about van
connected to Haleigh’s
disappearance

Last Edited: Wednesday, 18 Mar 2009, 6:18 PM EDT
Created On: Wednesday, 18 Mar 2009, 6:08 PM EDT

- Haleigh Cummings vanished 5 weeks ago and cops are fed up with her new teenage stepmother who can't seem to give police a straight answer. And now concerns about a van linked to this mysterious case. Matt Saffer reports.

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/031809_haleigh_van_questions

lorettalockhorn

03-18-2009, 07:50 PM

New Details About Evidence In The Haleigh Cummings Investigation

SATSUMA, Fla. -- Sitting in the driveway of Misty Cummings former home is a van driven by her sister-in-law. The light blue vehicle doesn’t look like anything out of the ordinary, but it was something investigators thought important enough to impound and analyze at their crime lab for weeks.

The woman who drives that van is Misty Cummings sister-in-law, Chelsea Croslin. Misty was the last person to see Haleigh the night she was taken. Chelsea said the family got the van back just before the weekend.

“They put a lot of tape on it, and there was a lot of white powder on the windows, I guess that’s just to check things,” said Chelsea.

“We all started thinking about what could have happened that night…I realized the van was in a different spot.”

Chelsea Croslin said the night Haleigh disappeared, a family member was staying with them. She says around 4 a.m., when Misty called them to tell them Haleigh was missing, they went outside to the van to drive to Haleigh’s home. Chelsea said she immediately noticed the van was not in the same spot she left it.

“I know I don’t park like that, and I was the last to drive the van.”

After a few hours, another sign the van was tampered with appeared.

“The day Haleigh went missing, everyone was looking for her…she (Misty) called me later that night and said 'Chelsea, please tell me you’re the one who put the scratch in my van.' I started crying and told her there’s no way I put the scratch in her van," said Chelsea.

A scratch leading from just behind the driver’s side door handle to the back tire is very visible. Chelsea said that scratch was not there the last time she drove it.

“The scratch---it runs all the way down the van. That’s something someone would know if you’re riding against something and steadily scratching it.”

All police would say about the van being impounded is that it was taken to the FDLE’s crime lab in Jacksonville, analyzed, then released. They would not comment on any specifics of what was searched or if anything was found in the van.

Chelsea Croslin believes the only explanation is that at some point during the night Haleigh was taken, the family member staying with her took the van. Police said they have tracked that man down and questioned him. They also said he has not been ruled out as a suspect.

“I’m not accusing anybody…it’s just me being a mom and believing what I believe and piecing things together. I almost feel like I might know who it is,” said Chelsea.

http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story/New-Details-About-Evidence-In-The-Haleigh/1k5Lp9GD2E2M74ZPyUJb7g.cspx?rss=1

lorettalockhorn

03-19-2009, 12:56 PM

Nancy Grace, 3/18/09:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/18/ng.01.html

Jane Velez-Mitchell, 3/18/09:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/18/ijvm.01.html

One2Snoop

03-19-2009, 03:10 PM

Haleigh's Father Hires Lawyer Amid Abuse Allegations
Lawyers Will Coordinate With Police, Media

POSTED: Thursday, March 19, 2009
UPDATED: 1:31 pm EDT March 19, 2009
SATSUMA, Fla. -- The father of a missing Putnam County girl has obtained legal counsel.

According to a news release issued by the personal injury firm, the law office of Kimball & Snider has agreed to represent Ronald Cummings as a pro bono client.

The release refers to Cummings as a victim in need of legal advice.

Cummings' five-year-old daughter, Haleigh, was reported missing from her Satsuma home in February.

Haleigh's mother, Crystal Sheffield, recently hired a lawyer as well. Her lawyer has accused Cummings of abusing the couple's son, Ronald Cummings Jr.

Cummings' lawyers will take over responsibility for assisting Cummings with police cooperation, coordinating media attention and handling a potential custody battle with Sheffield.

The news release describes Sheffield's lawyer's abuse allegations as "unsubstantiated" and said that Cummings sees the claims as a "cheap shot and publicity stunt that detracts from the search for Haleigh."

Kimball & Snider will not be representing Cummings' new wife, Misty Croslin.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/18967351/detail.html#-

lorettalockhorn

03-19-2009, 04:05 PM

Deputies called to Haleigh family location

SATSUMA - 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.

Kim Picazio, an attorney retained by Sheffield last week, met Tuesday with staff members of the state Department of Children and Families to present information regarding the custody of Haleigh and her younger brother, Ronald Cummings Jr.

Ronald Cummings has had primary custody of the children since 2007.

Cummings recently married Misty Croslin, 17, who had been the family's babysitter and was with the children when Haliegh vanished.

"Crystal is gravely concerned with Ronald and Misty obtaining custody of Junior and Haleigh," Picazio said. "She feels like they are in an unsafe household environment."

Picazio said the information she relayed to the state came from concerned local residents.

"It was obtained through people in the community calling us at my office and giving us tips and information," Picazio said. "When the information rose to such a level, I felt compelled to call the DCF."

Picazio said the state agency promised to investigate the reports.

Picazio said she was helping guide the family in legal matters and some media relations.

"This poor girl was lost in this entire tragic situation and the media comes to town and is asking her all these questions," Picazio said "I was glad to take the case on and help her get the resources, to help coordinate assistance for her in general."

The Cummings family denied the children were in an unsafe environment.

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.

On Tuesday, the family rejected a furniture donation offered by Daniel Snodgrass, a registered sexual predator, who lives in the area.

"I refuse to accept donations from anyone arrested for sex crimes with children," Regan said.

Snodgrass is free on bond, wearing a GPS ankle bracelet, with a trial scheduled this summer.

According to Capt. Dick Schauland of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, Snodgrass' whereabouts were confirmed in the hours Haleigh disappeared.

No trace of Haleigh has been found.

http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/03/19/news/news01.txt

lorettalockhorn

03-21-2009, 02:37 PM

Voice of Haleigh search changes

Dwindling media attention in the disappearance of Haleigh Cummings has triggered a change in the role of spokesman for the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

Dick Schauland, a veteran lawman who came out of retirement to assist Putnam authorities in media matters shortly after Haleigh's disappearance drew national attention, said Friday he was returning to his life as a retiree.

Media inquiries have de-creased markedly compared to the frantic days after Haleigh was re-ported missing Feb. 10, Schauland said.

"I'm here all day at the sheriff's office, and I'm taking only six calls and doing one on-camera interview, and that's it," he said.

Schauland stressed his departure was not because he felt the investigation was going nowhere.

"I'm really not giving up yet," he said. "I'm just down here all day and not doing anything."

Lt. Johnny Greenwood will assume Schauland's duties as the department's public information officer.

Greenwood worked at the Putnam County Sheriff's Office for the 12 years, then spent a year working at the State Attorney's Office as an investigator. He was recruited back to the agency by newly elected Sheriff Jeff Hardy.

"They brought in Schauland to help with the case when it got a bit crazy, but now that it's slowed back down they are letting him go back to enjoying being retired," Greenwood said.

"If something big happens he will come back to help."

Schauland was with the Putnam Sheriff's Office for 24 years and retired in 2000. After retiring, he spent six months as interim police chief in Palatka in 2001.

Schauland said he was glad to help.

"Sheriff Hardy has been letting me do this," Shauland said. "I volunteered and he let me back in."

He said he is staying in the area in case anything happens, even though he and his wife enjoy traveling since he retired.

"I'm not really getting out of things, but I'm going to go home and cut my grass and stuff," Schauland said.

http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/03/21/news/news02.txt

lorettalockhorn

03-22-2009, 10:57 PM

Haleigh's mom's family says 'thanks' with cookout for helpers

Thanks and food are served up in equal portions

SATSUMA — For nearly six weeks, the people of southern Putnam County and elsewhere have turned out to support the search for missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings. On Sunday her mother’s family wanted to give back thanks.

Hamburgers and hot dogs sizzled on a grill and side dishes stood ready for any who heeded the signs offering free food and thanks in equal portions.

The cookout also was a chance to showcase a place where those interested in the case can come to talk. Painted one of the still missing kindergartner’s favorite colors, the low purple building will serve as a center to collect information anyone may wish to share.

“Sometimes people don’t want to talk to the cops if they have skeletons in their closet,” said Connie Sheffield, Haleigh’s stepgrandmother. In the small rural community, people may know things they are reluctant to discuss.

Anyone with information about the case can come forward at the center, she said.

“We have to be cautious,” she acknowledged, “but not afraid.”

Many at the cookout early Sunday afternoon were veterans of the search for Haleigh, who vanished Feb. 10 from a mobile home where she was asleep in a room with her father’s then-girlfriend, Misty Croslin. Ronald Cummings has since married the 17-year-old.

Hundreds of law enforcement searchers and volunteers have combed woods and the nearby St. Johns River.

“We figured it would be a nice way to thank the community,” said Marie Griffis, whose daughter, Crystal Sheffield, is Haleigh’s mother.

Crystal Sheffield, who lives in Baker County, has been estranged from Ronald Cummings for several years.

Griffis said the center gives her daughter a way to focus on the investigation.

“It’s therapeutic,” she said.

Inside, there are a pair of couches, a refrigerator and tables piled high with stuffed animals. There are posters of Haleigh, including those that look out onto U.S. 17, where motorists slowed to honk and wave if they didn’t stop.

“It keeps Haleigh’s face alive,” in the minds of passers-by, Griffis said of the center.

“We’re able to keep our minds focused on finding Haleigh.”

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-03-22/story/haleighs_moms_family_says_thanks_with_cookout_for_ helpers

lorettalockhorn

03-25-2009, 08:22 PM

...REPORTERS NOTES 3/24/09

Q and A with Putnam County Sheriff’s Lt. Greenwood

1) Who was the "relative" with Chelsa the night of the abduction in regards to "the van?" (Cousin Joe?)

GREENWOOD: Answered a bit excitedly with" we cannot divulge that information. This is an ongoing investigation and I do not have the authority to release something like that."

2) Any person of interest today?

GREENWOOD: "No."

3) Are there any new people investigators seeking for questioning?

GREENWOOD: "I cannot give you that information today."

4) Anybody being re-questioned today?

GREENWOOD: "We cannot make a statement or comment on that at this time."

SUMMARY: Lt. Greenwood was very professional and as open and as he could be regarding the questions asked. He appeared to react somewhat excitedly in regards to the question involving the "relative" associated with the "the van."

Greenwood was very professional and very firm in his responses to 3 and 4. Casual on question 1.

Haleigh Bug Headquarters is Open

The headquarters is located at 1185 U.S. 17 in Satsuma.

Someone is at the headquarters, 24 hours a day to take calls and tips regarding the search for Haleigh Cummings.

Haleigh Cummings has not been seen since the night of February 9 when her father's then girlfriend, Misty Croslin, put her to bed.

If you want to donate to the Haleigh Bug Foundation, call (954) 553-6514. A web site dedicated to the foundation will soon be up and running.

http://www.thesky973.com/pages/4014463.php

lorettalockhorn

03-25-2009, 08:24 PM

Haleigh Flyers at the Fair

EAST PALATKA, Fla. - Walking into the Putnam County fair, one can't help but notice the bright lights and the wild rides.
But some are hoping fairgoers will also notice the smiling face on flyers hanging at the entrance gate.
On them is a picture of five-year-old Haleigh Cummings, the Satsuma kindergartner who was last seen at her family home February 9th.

"You need to keep it in everybody's minds and keep everybody diligent and looking and hopefully catch a break somewhere. Maybe somebody has seen something or will see something," said James White, who was at the fair Monday night with his grandchildren.

Haleigh's family friends are putting out the flyers.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office has a booth set up at the fair where they are handing out flyers and making sure people know they are available in case anyone wants to come forward with information about Haleigh's whereabouts.

"We hope that something will trigger their memories or they may have seen Haleigh or seen something that they believe is a tip and we can follow up on it and our whole objective is to bring Haleigh home to her parents," said Captain Dominic Piscitello, who is supervising the investigation.

Many people in the small community are hopeful Haleigh is out there and that with her picture shown, she may one day come home to a fun filled family night like others at the fair are experiencing.

"Hopefully she could still be out there, hopefully she still is out there and who knows if somebody has her when they might decide to bring her back into the open and it is important that people remember what she looks like," said Kathy Breed, who took her kids to the fair Monday night.

Haleigh's family friends say they will hand out flyers at the fair every night.

The 59th Annual Putnam County Fair is held at 117 Yelvington Road in East Palatka. It goes until March 28.

http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story/Haleigh-Flyers-at-the-Fair/tTFaolhcLkmN_1r1jNkhiQ.cspx

lorettalockhorn

03-26-2009, 06:59 PM

Lawyer: Haleigh Cummings Exposed to 'Sex, Drugs, Rock-and-Roll' Lifestyle

A lawyer for the mother of a missing Florida girl slammed the child’s father in an interview, saying the little girl was exposed to a "typical sex, drugs and rock-and-roll lifestyle" before she disappeared, MyFOXOrlando.com reported.

Haleigh Cummings, 5, vanished on Feb. 9 from the Satsuma-area trailer home where she lives with her 24-year-old father, Ronald Cummings, his 17-year-old wife Misty Croslin and Haleigh's little brother Ronald Junior, 4.

“The particular lifestyle that we believe is led by Misty and Ronald Cummings is one that essentially laid out the red carpet to something at some point happening to these children, and something did,” Kim Picazio, an attorney for Crystal Sheffield, said in an interview Wednesday with MyFOXOrlando.com...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510821,00.html

lorettalockhorn

03-26-2009, 07:03 PM

Lawyer For Haleigh Cummings Mother Reveals Investigation Details

SATSUMA, Fla. -- Kim Picazio was already on her way to Satsuma from Miami Wednesday afternoon when she got our phone call. With a few hours left ahead of her on the road, Picazio shared new details about what she says happened the night Haleigh disappeared, and what she’s calling bad living conditions inside Haleigh’s home.

“Just your typical sex drugs and rock and roll life style that is not conducive to raising children,” said Picazio. “Not one of the things I’ve heard about what goes on in the home would I even consider letting my child watch on TV, let alone exposing him to it.”

Picazio said after sifting through documents, seeing pictures and talking with family and friends, she felt compelled to seek state intervention and ask the Department of Children and Families to investigate the Cummings household.

“I would be committing malpractice if I chose to hold off on bringing those allegations to the proper authorities,” said Picazio. “Conditions of neglect to outright child abuse and to the conditions in the home which would not be conducive to raising any child.”

The Florida Department of Children and Families could not comment on the specifics of the investigation. A spokesman did tell us Picazio met with members of the DCF and presented them with documents alleging abuse and neglect. He also said the Department is reviewing the information she provided very carefully...

http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story/Lawyer-For-Haleigh-Cummings-Mother-Reveals/6oh0QVUpw0-7dsqLkmf-LQ.cspx

lorettalockhorn

03-26-2009, 07:07 PM

Painting On The Wall Puts Money In The Bank For Haleigh Bug Foundation

SATSUMA, Fla. -- The Haleigh Bug Foundation headquarters along US-17 in Satsuma is set up much like a two bedroom apartment. The first room is filled with couches, a TV and a large table covered with flyers. The second room has been designated as the spot for all of the donations that have come in. One donation in particular has special meaning.

It’s an oil painting showing a rolling water scene and its colors will hopefully bring some green into the foundation.

“I know that painting can be sold at a raffle to raise more money than I could just give,” said the painter, Diana White. “Being a mother, and grandmother, and a great-grandmother, I don’t know how I would ever be able to handle my child being gone. I really don’t.”

White said she’s never met Haleigh’s mother Crystal Sheffield, but when she heard about Haleigh’s disappearance she said she had to do whatever she could to help out.

“Crystal is really sincerely a broken person…and I couldn’t go there. So what I wanted to do was help them the very best I could,” said White...

http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story/Painting-On-The-Wall-Puts-Money-In-The-Bank-For/kDHkhTX9bU-WhYXuVYP6Iw.cspx

lorettalockhorn

03-27-2009, 02:49 AM

REPORTER'S NOTES 3/26/09

The “Man in Dark Clothes” Lead Re-Appears

Some new revelations in the case of missing 5-year-old Satsuma girl Haleigh Cummings came to light late Thursday.

Kim Picazio, the attorney for missing Haleigh’s biological mother shared with me some new details about what she said happened the night Haleigh was taken concerning a man in dark clothes. She says Ronald Junior, Haleigh’s brother, woke up when a man came into the house to see Misty Croslin, Haleigh’s father Ronald Cummings’ then girlfriend---now teen bride.

“What he said to his mother was that he saw a black man in black clothing take Haleigh…she asked him, if you were asleep Junior how could you have seen that if you were asleep? And he said well I woke up because the man had squeaky shoes…and the couch was bouncing,” said Picazio.

“A lot of the times we hear things from 8 different people who did not know each other including eyewitnesses. And at this point we have a pretty solid timeline. We think we know what happened in that house up until about 10:30. There’s a wide gap in time from 10:30 till three in the morning and somewhere in that time frame, Haleigh went missing,” said Picazio.

This account may play into the story given to me by Private Investigator/Bounty Hunter William “Cobra” Staubs last week regarding allegations made that Misty was in the company of an African-American male named “Greg.”

In the account given to me by Staubs, he was about to present Ronald with the news of “Greg” when Cummings stopped him and alleged said that he knew about the man. Staubs says Ronald told him that Misty was with “Greg” a week before Haleigh’s disappearance and that the two might have possibly been together the night of the abduction...

http://www.thesky973.com/pages/4091345.php

lorettalockhorn

03-27-2009, 10:51 PM

Haleigh's Parents Continue to Battle Each Other via Lawyers

SATSUMA, FL -- Ronald Cummings' defense team continues to fight back against Crystal Sheffield as the search for their missing 5-year-old daughter Haleigh continues.

Yesterday, the lawyers from Kimball & Snider, P.A., fought back against Sheffield's allegations of child abuse.

Today, the legal team is refuting statements attributed to Ronald Cummings, Jr., Haleigh's younger brother.

Citing an interview with Crystal and Junior conducted in early March by Craig Rivera, the lawyers say "shabby journalism" is what led to reports of 'Junior' saying a black man came into the house the night Haleigh disappeared.

They say the statements were made by the young boy while he was in his mother's arms, and that she coaxed his answers by putting them in her questions, and that the boy's response was "mystification and/or passive agreement" to what he was being asked.

Specifically, the lawyers say terms used by the 4-year-old such as "squeaking shoes" and "dressed in black" are not normal language for a child of that age.

Kimball & Snider also say that they have heard speculation that Crystal Sheffield received "a substantial amount of money" from Geraldo at Large, the show for which Craig Rivera conducted the interview. They add that they do not know any of that to be fact.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=134771&catid=3

lorettalockhorn

03-27-2009, 10:56 PM

Volunteers Asked Not To Search For Haleigh Cummings

SATSUMA, Fla. -- For days the Haleigh Bug Foundation in downtown Satsuma has been asking for volunteers to search wooded areas outside of the original five square mile search zone. Police have now asked those volunteers to hold off on their searches.

Organizers with the search group have said sheriff’s officers told them not to look in areas because of the dangers. They said outside of the wildlife, other illegal activity going on in the woods could pose a problem for the volunteers. Officers also told the searchers if they did find any evidence, they could contaminate the scene and the evidence would be useless.

The search organizer has told us he is meeting with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office to discuss a way to get more searches started. He said he’s tried to call down several volunteer cadaver dog groups to aid in the search as well.

The initial plan was for groups of 10 volunteers at a time to search areas as far away as 10 miles from the original crime scene. Police said they combed through an area of five square miles in the days and weeks following Haleigh’s disappearance. Members of the Haleigh Bug Foundation said they’ve gotten tips which point to areas outside of the initial search area.

If you’d like to help out or donate to the Haleigh Bug Foundation, call 954-553-6514.

http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story/Volunteers-Asked-Not-To-Search-For-Haleigh/vIZNm345KUKnF43W8hC_OQ.cspx

lorettalockhorn

03-28-2009, 01:06 PM

Haleigh Cummings Pix: Dad Fires Back!

Haleigh Monkey Bar Face Bruises -- Says Dad

From Bald Truth Staff, (c) www.artharris.com, all rights reserved

This is a press release from Ronald Cummings attorneys blasting back at Haleigh Cummings bio-Mom, Crystal Sheffield, for accusing her father of child abuse.

Those charges were based on Sheffield’s undated, non-time stamped photos purporting to show injuries the child suffered AFTER falling off monkey bars at school last fall.

The photos we have here, say Cummings new attorneys, show the original injury and how it progressed normally with swelling and bruising.

KIMBALL & SNIDER, P.A.

Greg Kimball, Attorney P.A. Mail All Correspondence to:

T. Jerry Snider, Attorney P.A. 626 Reid street
Palatka, FL32177
Ph. (386) 328-1977
Fax. (386) 328-1974

PRESS RELEASE
March 26, 2009

RE: FALSE ACUSATIONS REGARDING RONALD CUMMINGS, FATHER OF HALEIGH CUMMINGS, BY THE BIOLOGICAL MOTHER, CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD

RONALD CUMMINGS’ RESPONSE

Allegation I: Injuries to Haleigh Cummings as Depicted in Certain Undated Photos provided by the biological mother, Crystal Sheffield, to the media

All photos provided by Ronald Cummings are date and time stamped. Medical and school records will be available on FindHaleighNow.com, a website now under construction which should be online no later than April 2, 2008.

Timeline:
It is evident to all that Haleigh Cummings was injured at her elementary school, (Browning-Pearce) on November 6, 2008. The school records document a nose cut at 1:50 p.m. A photo taken the previous day (Exhibit A) shows Haleigh without injury.

Haleigh Cummings was taken to the ER at FlaglerHospital in St. Augustine at 4:31 p.m. on November 6, 2008 by Teresa Neves, Ronald’s mother, since Ronald had to report to work.

The hospital records document a laceration to the nose, and facial contusions, and it was noted upon physical examination that Haleigh was suffering from swelling and superficial abrasions, a more serious injury than described by the school report. It is important to note that emergency room physicians and staff are extensively trained in recognizing, treating and reporting child abuse and it is clear there were no such concerns.

In the interim, during the afternoon of November 6, 2008, at 3:38 p.m., approximately 1 ½ hours after the injury, two photos taken by Teresa Neves (Exhibit B) accurately depict Haleigh’s injuries. The injuries were also observed by Ronald Cummings and Misty Croslin (now Cummings) on November 6, 2008, and on November 7, 2008 by Annette Sykes, Ronald’s grandmother.

On November 7, 2008, three (3) photos were taken at 10:17 a.m. (Exhibit C) by Teresa Neves, which depict worsening discoloration and swelling.

On November 9, 2008, three (3) more photos were taken of Haleigh (Exhibit D) which show the natural progression and continuation of her response to the injury.

On November 12, 2008, Haleigh was suffering from stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting.

She was taken by Teresa Neves to Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine where she was treated, and because of the facial trauma that occurred on November 6, 2008, a CT of the head and nose was performed as a precaution. Both tests were negative for any abnormalities. She was provided medication, and released.

On November 14, 2008, two (2) photos of Haleigh were taken by Teresa Neves (Exhibit E) showing that all swelling had subsided, with no visible lacerations or bruises.

The undated photos in the possession of the biological mother are consistent with the photos depicted in the timeline provided herein.

The biological mother’s assertion the injuries depicted exist due to abuse by Ronald Cummings is false and unsubstantiated, made recklessly without any effort to obtain all relevant information.

The result has been the slander and libel of Ronald Cummings.

Allegation II Injuries to Ronald Cummings, Jr. on the Leg

Ronald Cummings is without knowledge of this injury. The photo submitted by the biological mother in no way indicates how the scratch occurred, and it is certainly consistent with a bicycle or playground accident, and seems plainly inconsistent with an intentional injury.

Credibility of Biological Mother

In addition to the false allegations regarding the photos of Haleigh Cummings, referenced in Allegation I in this release, additional serious credibility problems exist relating to the biological mother.

The biological mother, Crystal Sheffield, previously made false accusations about alleged violence by Ronald Cummings in an injunction proceeding in Baker County, Florida. Ronald Cummings had legal counsel who obtained a dismissal by the presiding judge in open court because of the lack of credibility of the mother.

The biological mother, Crystal Sheffield, also knowingly made a false police report about a vehicle which she claimed was stolen. This was widely reported by national media and occurred in Putnam County, Florida.

In conclusion, the timeline and photos leave no doubt as to the cause, nature, and severity of the injuries to Haleigh regarding the events of November 2008.

As mentioned earlier, these accusations were made recklessly without any effort to obtain all relevant information. Instead, Crystal Sheffield and her attorney sensationalized the allegations when they appeared on various TV shows.

Most importantly, the focus has been taken off the search for Haleigh by this tawdry and inexcusable publicity stunt.

http://www.artharris.com/2009/03/28/haleigh-cummings-pix-dad-fires-back/#more-1399

Photos at link.

One2Snoop

03-30-2009, 06:18 PM

Haleigh Cummings mom in
hospital
Crystal Sheffield suffers a seizure
while driving

Last Edited: Monday, 30 Mar 2009, 5:03 PM EDT
Created On: Monday, 30 Mar 2009, 5:01 PM EDT

* By MATT SAFFER | FOX 30 Jacksonville

SATSUMA, Fla. --- - It may have been dumb luck that Crystal Sheffield’s father was driving along State Road 20 in Palatka early Monday afternoon. He says he spotted his daughter’s white SUV on the side of the road with a crowd of people around it. When he got out, he says he ran up to the vehicle and saw his daughter in the middle of a seizure.

Family friends tell us early Monday morning, Crystal called volunteers at the Haleigh Bug Foundation to tell them she was going to a local phone store to buy a landline for the foundation. Friends tell us she stopped at a local Burger King for lunch, then while driving along State Road 20, suffered a seizure and bumped the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of her.

Sheffield was taken by ambulance to the Putnam Community Medical Center along with her 11 month old daughter. Sheffield was admitted, hooked up to oxygen, and monitored. Her daughter was looked after, and was immediately released suffering no injuries.

Friends tell us both Crystal and her daughter were wearing seatbelts. We’re told the 11 month old was strapped into a child seat. The only visible damage on the outside of Sheffield’s SUV was a slight dent in the front bumper. Witnesses say the other car suffered no damage.

Sheffield’s family says this is the second seizure Crystal has ever gone through. They tell us she suffered her first two days before Haleigh was taken. Family says she did go to the doctor then, but hasn’t been able to do any follow-up visits since her daughter’s disappearance.

Sheffield is expected to be okay and should be released from the hospital after minimal supervision. Her father was by her side the entire time she was in the hospital. Her mother was stuck at a different hospital in Jacksonville sitting with another family member, but was in constant contact by phone with her daughter.

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/033009haleighs_mom_seizure

lorettalockhorn

03-31-2009, 09:57 PM

Haleigh Cummings Mother Suffers Second Seizure

SATSUMA, Fla. -- For the first time since its doors have been opened, the Haleigh Bug Foundation is missing one of its prime components. Crystal Sheffield, Haleigh Cummings mother, was forced to stay home and rest after suffering her second seizure in less than 24 hours.

“It’s lonely kind of, without her cause we’re always with her…but we want her to stay home and get her rest because she needs it,” said family friend, Melissa Baumgarener.

Crystal Sheffield suffered the second seizure shortly after being discharged from the Putnam Community Medical Center Monday. Her fiancé picked her up and the two were on their way to her father’s house to pick up their 11-month-old daughter. During that car ride, Crystal suffered her seizure and was taken to Flagler Hospital.

Her first seizure happened Monday afternoon. Sheffield was behind the wheel when it happened, and her SUV collided with a car in front of her. No one was injured.

Family friends tell us the stress of not knowing where her daughter has been for the past 50 days are catching up with her health.

“A lot of people down here that have been here from day one have gotten sick, and have been stressed out, and it’s taken a toll on everybody,” said Baumgarener.

Sheffield is expected to be fine. Family friends tell us she’s going to see specialists soon who can help her with aftercare.

http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story/Haleigh-Cummings-Mother-Suffers-Second-Seizure/Jw2jwjmCVk2LhzQtU_QWuQ.cspx

lorettalockhorn

03-31-2009, 11:07 PM

Putnam Sheriff Calls Haleigh Case 'Personal'

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy was in office for barely one month when his department was hit with a crisis that gained national attention -- the disappearance of Haleigh Cummings.

On Tuesday, Hardy sat down with Channel 4 to talk frankly about the Haleigh case.

"It was intimidating, I'll be honest with you," Hardy said.

About 50 days after the 5-year-old went missing, Hardy admitted that being thrust into the national spotlight in such dramatic fashion was difficult.

"My fears of being on national television … the fact that there's a missing 5-year-old child is more important," Hardy said.

Hardy has been in local law enforcement for 15 years and dealt with every type of crime, but nothing like Haleigh's case.

"The investigation has had so many different angles to it that it's been extremely difficult to try to narrow and focus it down to where it needs to be. Also, as previously reported, there have been so many inconsistencies in statements and stories," Hardy said.

Some of the inconsistencies have come from the last person who saw Haleigh -- Misty Croslin.

The sheriff couldn't talk about her specific statements, but he did talk about the suddenly public and angry battle of words between Ronald Cummings and Haleigh's mother, Crystal Sheffield.

The sheriff said their fight is not helping his investigation.

"Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, it seems to have lost the focus of what our mission is here," Hardy said.

The goal is still to find Haleigh or answers after seven weeks of searching.

"Look at the thousands and thousands of hours we've put in on this case, and no trace," Hardy said.

He said working cases is not supposed to be personal but when it comes to a missing child it is personal.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/19059376/detail.html#-

lorettalockhorn

04-05-2009, 10:00 PM

Residents worry about missing child, hope for the best

SATSUMA - Despite continuing support and concern for missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings, some members of the Satsuma community are not afraid to ask the hard questions.

"Where are the priorities?" Jacob Brey, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church said recently. "It seems like the attentions been diverted off Haleigh. I think some people in our congregation are just not pleased with some of the antics of the individuals."

As a retired police officer of 28 years, Brey, who lives in River Villas, said Haleigh's disappearance has made people "more protective than ever."

"The main thing I've seen is concern for the child, but it makes you think," Brey said. "It takes away the freedom. It takes away the fact that you can't just let your child go a couple blocks down and play ball without feeling like you have to have them in eyesight at all times."

Other locals feel as if the situation has brought the community together.

"I feel like it has humbled Palatka, because nothing like this has ever happened," Stacy Kriser, owner of Noah's Ark Consignment Store, said. "We hear about it in other cities, but when it happens in our own county it makes us think and brings us back down to earth."

Kriser said that many people who come in the store ask her about it.

"It definitely gets people talking," Kriser said.

When asked what people were talking about, Kriser responded, "Nothing I can repeat."

Paul White, 79, is a Putnam County native retired from Georgia-Pacific. He said the small town has received negative popularity since the incident began.

"I don't mind the news people, I mean everybody's got to do their job," White said, "But there has been a big influx of people."

White said the town's positive reputation changed after authorities began releasing the number of sexual offenders who live in the area.

"Before, it seemed you had nothing but wholesome people," White said. "It makes you wonder. Of course there are still many more good people than bad people."

He can relate to what Haleigh's family is experiencing, due to losing his own granddaughter in a fatal car accident years ago.

"I think law enforcement has done everything they can possibly do," White said. "It's just one of those terrible things."

Kathie Kellie, a local foster mom, said the community has been very generous despite the family's polarity, which has twisted Haleigh's case in separate directions.

"Maybe they weren't the parents of the year, but the community has overlooked that, and has extended out their hand in every which way," Kellie said. "There's so many questions about the family, and our community has said, 'Yeah, maybe I don't agree with that, but Haleigh needs us.'"

Haleigh Cummings was reported missing on Feb. 10 at 3:27 a.m. from her Satsuma home and no trace of her has been found.

An Amber Alert remains active, with a reward posted at $35,767.

To report tips regarding Haleigh, call Crime Stoppers at (888) 277-8477.

http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/04/05/news/news02.txt

lorettalockhorn

04-05-2009, 10:02 PM

Haleigh Bug Foundation Walking For Awareness

CRESCENT CITY, Fla. --- For those of you heading into Crescent City this weekend to enjoy some catfish, remember to say hello to the volunteers with the Haleigh Bug Foundation.

Volunteers will be passing out flyers and selling bracelets and t-shirts to raise awareness for the missing five-year-old girl. All of the proceeds will go to the Haleigh Bug Foundation. Its main goal is to help bring Haleigh home, but eventually organizers would like it to serve as an agency for anyone suffering from a loved one getting abducted.

Inside the Haleigh Bug Foundation headquarters, volunteers have painted large purple jugs, where people can place their donations. They have also collected flyers and other decorations they’re going to bring to the fest.

About 15-20 volunteers will walk in the fest’s parade. Volunteer’s children will walk as well to hand out flyers and hold a massive banner showing Haleigh’s picture.

http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story/Haleigh-Bug-Foundation-Walking-For-Awareness/TLJiLs7B70e8wOywVNAdlg.cspx

lorettalockhorn

04-09-2009, 07:51 PM

Jane Velez-Mitchell, 4/9/09:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0904/08/ijvm.01.html

mev

08-06-2009, 08:04 AM