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Investigators Calling Putnam Girl's Disappearance An Abduction

The Associated Press

Haleigh's mother, Crystal Sheffield, weeps as the investigation moves into the third day. Her father, Johnny Sheffield, tries to comfort her.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune
and RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 11, 2009

Updated: 02/12/2009 09:59 am

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Haleigh Cummings

Investigators say they are treating the disappearance of a 5-year-old Putnam County girl as an abduction because house-to-house searches of the neighborhood Wednesday offered no evidence she wandered off.

Haleigh Cummings' father also said he didn't believe she had left their home in the middle of the night.

"I know somebody took her. I know for a fact she didn't wander off. She's afraid of the dark," Ronald Cummings told NBC's "Today" this morning.

Putnam Sheriff Jeff Hardy told "Today" that searches for Haleigh by air, ground and water would continue today.

Investigators also were interviewing the 44 sex offenders living within five miles of Ronald Cummings' home in Satsuma, about 70 miles north of Orlando.

Robert Cummings' dread and uncertainty is what Mark Lunsford felt four years ago when his daughter, 9-year-old Jessica Marie "Jessie" Lunsford, was abducted from her Citrus County mobile home. After authorities spent several days searching, her body was found buried near the trailer of John Evander Couey.

Lunsford couldn't sleep Tuesday night after watching news reports about Haleigh. When he woke up Wednesday, her disappearance was still on his mind.

"The only thing screwing me up on this is watching the dad. I know how he feels," Lunsford said by phone from his Homosassa home.

Lunsford said he has advice for Haleigh's father.

"Don't think you can hold this in and deal with it," Lunsford said. "Call me. I know what you're going through. I know how it is when you come home and find your daughter gone. I'm here for you, brother."

In 2007, Couey was found guilty of Jessica's abduction and rape. He was sentenced in August 2007 to the death penalty. After Jessica's death, her father lobbied state legislators to tighten laws regarding sexual predators.

His efforts culminated in the Jessica Lunsford Act, passed in 2005. The act increased the penalty to life in prison for lewd and lascivious molestation of a child younger than 12. There's a mandatory minimum of 25 years, and lifetime electronic monitoring for those who are released.

Lunsford said Cummings should be patient with authorities because they will do what they are trained to do to find Haleigh.

"Listen to law enforcement," Lunsford said. "Trust in these people, man."

Haleigh was last seen Monday. Her father told investigators the blond girl was missing when he returned home from work about 3 a.m. Tuesday. Ronald Cummings said his girlfriend was awake and frantic that Haleigh was missing from her bed.

"I just got home from work and my 5-year-old daughter is gone," Cummings told a dispatcher on a 911 call. "If I find whoever has my daughter before you all do, I'm killing them. I don't care if I spend the rest of my life in prison."

The girlfriend, 17-year-old Misty Croslin, told a 911 dispatcher that a back door that was usually locked had been propped open by a brick.

Officers from local, state and federal agencies and canine teams scoured the neighborhood. Check points were set up at the entrance to the neighborhood to search departing vehicles. Two dive teams explored the St. Johns River. Neighbors and family members also were being interviewed by detectives.

Lunsford said it is routine for investigators to focus on family members and that Cummings should not get angry or feel threatened. During the search for Jessica, the relationship between Lunsford and his father, Archie Lunsford, became strained. Citrus County sheriff's detectives had initially focused on Archie Lunsford as a suspect.

"The family will take the brunt at first," Lunsford said. As if speaking to Cummings, he added, "Take what they dish out. If the answer's different, they're man enough to apologize."

Lunsford said Cummings should find someone who will listen to him and allow him to vent his emotions.

"I held everything in," Lunsford said. "I fought with my parents. I didn't like law enforcement. I bottled everything up."

There are two more things that Cummings must remember, Lunsford said.

"Don't lose faith. Don't give up."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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