09-29-2011, 01:41 PM
The Intermountain.com
The Federal Bureau of Investigations has brought in child abduction experts to assist in the search for 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford, and the family's home on Dennison Avenue in Weston is now being treated as a crime scene, authorities said Wednesday.
The child reportedly was last seen sleeping in her bed early last Saturday morning. The FBI has now taken the lead in the collaborative investigation with the Lewis County Sheriff's Department and other agencies.
"We are gathering information on specific areas to recover," FBI Special Agent John Hambrick said Wednesday. "We are using a methodical approach. We are not discussing specifics of the case publicly. We are focusing on the facts and following the investigation."
Areas are being roped off to allow for the collection of evidence, and officials are asking the public to remain out of those areas.
Searchers and law enforcement officers are working under the assumption that the little girl is still alive. There is currently no evidence to suggest foul play, officials said. Officials said the 3-year-old was reported missing around 11:30 a.m. Saturday after it was noticed she was not in the house around 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Earlier this week, K-9 units led investigators to the West Fork River, about a half mile from the Lunsford home.
Hambrick said divers are being as thorough as possible in the search of the river and utilizing every resource available.
Hambrick said the public has been very forthcoming in making information available to law enforcement regarding the missing girl.
"We are following every lead and making progress in the investigation," Hambrick said. "We have had a good response from the public with information coming into the state police and sheriff's department."
Hambrick said he is confident people in the south Weston neighborhood are safe... THIS SPEAKS VOLUMES TO ME. THERE IS NO PREDATOR ON THE LOOSE... , and officials are making good progress with the investigation.
He added that some interviews were being conducted for a second time as investigators were "closing gaps" in information.
"Everyone is doing excellent," Lewis County Sheriff Mike Gissy said of the mental and physical condition of the officers on the scene. "We still have a lot of hours left in us.
"We went to a 24-hour-a-day search. It is a little unusual, but we felt it is necessary."
Volunteers at Bendale United Methodist Church have been serving food and beverages to the officers and searchers around the clock.
Volunteers are still welcome to help in the search. At this time, all volunteers must be at least age 18 and must sign in before being assigned to a team to keep the effort organized.
The search efforts are being staged at the Bendale church on U.S. 19, near Lewis County High School.
The investigation and search will continue until the missing girl is located, according to authorities.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations has brought in child abduction experts to assist in the search for 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford, and the family's home on Dennison Avenue in Weston is now being treated as a crime scene, authorities said Wednesday.
The child reportedly was last seen sleeping in her bed early last Saturday morning. The FBI has now taken the lead in the collaborative investigation with the Lewis County Sheriff's Department and other agencies.
"We are gathering information on specific areas to recover," FBI Special Agent John Hambrick said Wednesday. "We are using a methodical approach. We are not discussing specifics of the case publicly. We are focusing on the facts and following the investigation."
Areas are being roped off to allow for the collection of evidence, and officials are asking the public to remain out of those areas.
Searchers and law enforcement officers are working under the assumption that the little girl is still alive. There is currently no evidence to suggest foul play, officials said. Officials said the 3-year-old was reported missing around 11:30 a.m. Saturday after it was noticed she was not in the house around 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Earlier this week, K-9 units led investigators to the West Fork River, about a half mile from the Lunsford home.
Hambrick said divers are being as thorough as possible in the search of the river and utilizing every resource available.
Hambrick said the public has been very forthcoming in making information available to law enforcement regarding the missing girl.
"We are following every lead and making progress in the investigation," Hambrick said. "We have had a good response from the public with information coming into the state police and sheriff's department."
Hambrick said he is confident people in the south Weston neighborhood are safe... THIS SPEAKS VOLUMES TO ME. THERE IS NO PREDATOR ON THE LOOSE... , and officials are making good progress with the investigation.
He added that some interviews were being conducted for a second time as investigators were "closing gaps" in information.
"Everyone is doing excellent," Lewis County Sheriff Mike Gissy said of the mental and physical condition of the officers on the scene. "We still have a lot of hours left in us.
"We went to a 24-hour-a-day search. It is a little unusual, but we felt it is necessary."
Volunteers at Bendale United Methodist Church have been serving food and beverages to the officers and searchers around the clock.
Volunteers are still welcome to help in the search. At this time, all volunteers must be at least age 18 and must sign in before being assigned to a team to keep the effort organized.
The search efforts are being staged at the Bendale church on U.S. 19, near Lewis County High School.
The investigation and search will continue until the missing girl is located, according to authorities.