Search at lake continues for missing Orlando mother

The search for an Orlando mother who vanished two weeks ago continued today, with investigators back at a lake in south Orlando.

On Wednesday, authorities looking for 33-year-old Michelle Parker used divers, boats and a K-9 unit at the lake, which is close to the last location she was known to use her cell phone.

The search-and-rescue group Texas EquuSearch planned to become involved in the case, and director Tim Miller was expected in Orlando later today. The Florida branch of the organization reportedly has hundreds of volunteers available to assist.

A trust fund has been set up for Parker's children, and a Facebook page ("Michelle Parker Missing Person") was started to help spread information about the search. Fundraisers, including a silent auction Friday, have been scheduled at The Barn in Sanford, where Parker worked as a bartender.

A judge ruled Wednesday that Parker's young twins must be returned to their father, Dale Smith, who is the only suspect in the woman's disappearance. Child welfare officials had removed the 3-year-olds from Smith's care.

Smith has not been charged in the case, but a Facebook page has been created to support him. The page, titled "Friends and Supporters of Dale Smith," makes no mention of Parker or the search for her.

During Wednesday's custody hearing, officials with the Department of Children & Families cited what they described as a pattern of violence by the 40-year-old Smith.

DCF attorney Joe Iuzzolino told Judge Thomas Turner that Smith had displayed abusive and criminal behavior on multiple occasions since 1992 that included him striking Parker in front of the children in 2009.

But with no evidence that Smith had abused the children, Turner wasn't persuaded that they should be removed from his care. The children have been living with Smith and his parents since Parker disappeared.

"I don't think incidents that happened years ago constitute a pattern," the judge said.

Parker was last seen on Nov. 17, the same day an episode of "The People's Court" aired in which Parker and Smith argued over who was responsible for the cost of a missing $5,000 engagement ring.

Smith's attorney, Mark NeJame, has said his client has done nothing wrong and that the custody ruling was just. Smith hasn't been charged.

Parker's mother, Yvonne Stewart, wiped away tears after the hearing and said that they would work with Smith and his attorneys to figure out a plan in which she could visit the children. She briefly hugged Smith after the hearing.

"I hugged Dale to tell him that my grandbabies - I want to be able to see them," Stewart said. "And I hope we can work something out because they're so important to me and my family. He said he would work it out with us."

Court records show Parker filed for a domestic violence injunction against Smith in 2009 but the order was dismissed after a hearing.

Smith has had traffic infractions and arrests on a misdemeanor drug charge and a misdemeanor charge of possession of an opened container of alcohol in a car, according to court records. The most serious charge he faced was for aggravated battery in 1996. He pleaded guilty and a prison sentence was withheld. Smith has lived in Florida and North Carolina.