RSSAmber Alert, Missing 5 year Old Haleigh Cummings, Satsuma Florida … UPDATE
Haleigh Cummings, 5, was abducted from her home in the evening hours of February 10. She was in the care of her Father’s 17 year old girlfriend, Misty Croslin while he was at work at his job as a crane operator in Patalak, FL. Mr. Cummings has taken a polygraph and has stated he has been cleared of involvement in his daughter’s disappearance. Cummings girlfriend has allegedly taken 2 polygraph tests by her own admission; although the reason she was administered 2 is unknown. According to Cummings:
“We have all offered to take lie detectors,” Cummings said of his family. He said “there was no reason to believe that he or his girlfriend failed them.”
Misty Croslin’s account of the evening of February 10 has come under intense scrutiny as it has changed several times to include other house guests and where both children were sleeping at the time.
Sheriff Jeff Hardy said Croslin took the test, but he would not discuss outcomes of any polygraphs. “Misty has been interviewed extensively,” Hardy said.
A review of available court records shows there is prior drug usage by both of Haleigh’s parents and seemed to be a significant factor in Mr. Cummings receiving primary custody of his two children.
There are 44 Registered Sex Offenders within a 5 mile radius of the Cummings mobile home on Green Lane in Satsuma, Putnam County.
H/T Pic: Klaas
PARENTS CALL TO ACTION
Recently, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced it may have to cut it’s Amber Alert and Registered Sex Offender Notification Programs due to requested budget cuts.
“We’ve lost 56 positions in the last year, and we know any additional cuts are going to be in our key service area,” FDLE spokeswoman Heather Smith told WOKV. “Anything beyond this point is certainly going to have an effect on public safety.”
It seems in case after case we read how shocked people are when they review the registered sex offender listings in their area. WHY? As parents why don’t you know if your child is at risk?
It is required by law to have an online and searchable registered sex offender for each state.
The state by state listing is featured on the FBI website here.
The Dru Sodjin National Sex Offender Registry site is here.
For our children’s sake, as unpleasant as it is, take the time to search your area, review the pictures of the offenders and register for alert updates for anyone coming out of corrections or moving to your area. It is the best way to protect your children and minimize the risk to them.
Posted by Blink34
Posted February 13, 2009 by Scared Monkeys Child Welfare, Haleigh Cummings, Missing Persons, Sex Offender | 51 comments |
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Comments
51 Responses to “Amber Alert, Missing 5 year Old Haleigh Cummings, Satsuma Florida … UPDATE”
The head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement needs to be fired! He does not care about the children of Florida.
Florida needs to pass a law saying they cannot relocate (pedophiles)in locations of children. Which would make Orlando a pedophile free zone.
Every sex Offender in the country will relocate to Florida if the Amber Alert and Registered Sex Offender Notification Programs are canceled in Florida.
Does anyone know if there’s been any mention of Haleigh having any type of physical and/or mental condition the public/searchers should be made aware of?
As I have said earlier on these blogs, I question several things about this case: for instance, why is a 25 year old man living with a 17 year old girl and making her responsible for his two young children at nite, while he is working? also, what 17 year old girl wants to spend her nites at home, babysitting two children who are not hers, waiting for her boyfriend to come home from work? what parent allows their 17 year old daughter to live with a 25 year old man? is this 17 year old girl in school? why is DFS involved with this family and especially why is the father one day away from being in jail because they have not consistently sent Haleigh to school? Tonite, on Nancy Grace, the police report said that a child’s footprint was found in the woods and that bloodhounds scented Haleigh leading from the back door to the water and back to the backdoor. I believe that the 17 year old girlfriend went out that back door and left it unlocked while she was out with family or friends and when she returned, the door was propped open and the child was missing. Misty may not want to confess that she was out and is giving false information on purpose. Does this sound familiar??
I heard there was a “contempt motion” filed in the custody matter on the very day that Haleigh went missing. Something you may want to follow up on if that record is open.
Blink34 raises a very good point regarding awareness of Registered Sex Offenders living amongst you.
About 7 years ago, my Father had sent me the link which Blink posts above that I had never even known had existed.
Living in a nice, quiet suburb with a very low crime rate and only 15-20 minutes from Downtown Boston, I was completely in awe at just exactly how many Offenders (39) were currently living in the Town. I think 3 of those were level 2 or 3 Offenders. The databse then had also listed if they even worked or had employment in the Town.
It’s quick and easy, and it never hurts to know. Let me add the most amazing thing of all–at this time- I passed on this info to a girlfriend of mine who was also astonished to learn that one of these Men was living directly in her Apartment Building where she lived & worked as a Single Mother with 2 children under 10. They had kept commenting to her that every time they went out to the small dumpster to take out the trash, there was a “funny man” who parted the curtains and stared at them from his window. (Come to find out, he had committed his crime of Child Abuction & molestation, & been incarcerated and released over 10 years ago at the time…but who knew??) Needless to say, after confirming the Apt. #, and that it was indeed, the same exact individual listed- she quickly re-located herself and her children to another complex.
Better Safe than Sorry is always the rule.
Stacia: where did you hear that? I went to the criminal court docket for the father, he has had some legal issues in the past. There is more to this family than the media is sharing with the public.
Overall, this child pretty much had a rough road.
I am trying to sift through how that plays into her disappearance.
I am very disturbed about a 17 year old being with a 25 yr old, and responsible for these young children, but from everyone I have spoken to, in this area, this is not that uncommon. The record for Family court, if there is one, would not be available yet if it were not served or not part of the docket.
I have a thought- how about we appoint this child a guardian ad litem by learning from the Caylee case? That was a major error on behalf of the state, and would have changed things drastically, imo.
Can anyone stopping in to read here confirm they checked their area and their results, and then pass the article link on to somone you know did not?
ie: In my area, I have one registered in a 5 mi area, who was convicted for SO with a minor child/family member.
I feel very strongly people are not that aware of the dangers of this and I am so very sick of these preventable cases. Not necessarily true for this case yet I agree, but imo, will play a role for sure.
ANewGirl, I think that some states have a requirement that residents within a certain distance be notified if a sex offender moves to their area. Especially in the cities, I would think, where people tend to know less about their neighbors than in rural areas, this should be done.
Some might think that stronger measures should be required, but we wouldn’t want to trample on the ‘rights’ of these people … the rights of potential child victims? What attention do they get?
Maybe EVERY police department, in its community outreach programs, ought to let parents know that this information is online. Of course, the ACLU would probably be up in arms….
Until now, I hadn’t seen talk about there having been house guests at the child’s home that night.
This adds yet another dimension.
The search now is in its fifth day….
How would a guardian ad litem changed things in the Caylee case? You can’t have a guardian ad litem for a dead child. I think they were pretty sure this was the case from the beginning with the smell in the car. Casey has not even been brought to trial on child neglect. And as much as we don’t want to hear it – innocent until proven guilty.
I am not sure that I feel that would be a good idea in this case either. Big brother can be good and bad. Too much big brother is bad.
Ah yes Greg, but the Smithsonian Institute is getting a face lift, $8 billion has been assigned to light rail, The coast guard is getting an ice breaker, $7 billion will go for giving cable to rural communities, GM is getting a $10 billion tax break and $19 billion is dedicated to health-information technology so the government can spy on your doctors.
Gigi-
I opted not to print alot of that info in this piece as I cannot say if any is relevant to Haleigh’s abduction, but I am aware of it and have seen it on quite a few blogs. Very sad.
Honestly, this may be a case DFS needs to intervene for the little boy’s sake.
Hmmm…attorney ad litem INDEED! I’ve been jumping up & down and flapping my arms up & down on that one since Caylee’s case began!
Blink: isn’t it true that the only info from DFS would appear on a court docket. I think most of the “case” info is confidential and protected under the privacy law. However, it does appear that the father has had a colorful relationship with the law. I wonder if Misty has any prior record or if she did, it would be as a juvenile. I wonder why Misty isn’t in school during the day? There are some scary issues about all of these questions. I wonder what kind of life Haleigh has had, the custody battle, the rumors of past drug use, LE issues, failure to send the child to school……………..
All, haven’t read all your posts, but wanted to post this article I found searching Haleigh’s name:
February 12, 2009
Haleigh Cummings
I’ve been following the story of the missing Putnam County girl. Those on the Court TV boards and First Coast chatter have been incredibly vicious towards the father — as people were towards Mark Lunsford, Ed Smart, etc. So many people with opinions on how someone in the worst moment of his life should act.
UPDATE:
An account of the first night’s search that led to the railroad tracks:
Deputies found a footprint in the dirt, and dogs picked up a scent leading away from the home of Haleigh Cummings, but investigators didn’t suspect foul play on the day she disappeared, according to the police report released late Friday by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Haleigh Cummings has been missing since Monday. Now, authorities believe she’s been abducted.
Deputies R. Nelson and Bridges responded to Haleigh’s home at 202 Green Drive in reference to the report of a missing five year old child.
The deputies arrived to find Ronald Cummings, Haleigh’s father, visibly upset in the driveway.
Cummings told the arriving deputies his girlfriend told him his daughter disappeared. Mr. Cummings said he didn’t know what kind of clothing Haleigh had on, and all he knew was “the back door was standing open.”
Ronald Cummings repeatedly said someone took his daughter, and according to the police report. he said, “when I find him, I’ll kill him.” Investigators said Cummings mentioned he had a 9 mm Beretta inside his home, and he said whomever had his child, he would “shoot them through the back window of the patrol car.”
Investigators said due to his emotional state, Ronald Cummings was unable to provide any useful information at that moment.
Investigators then spoke with Misty Croslin, the 17-year-old girlfriend of Ronald Cummings who put Haleigh to bed Monday evening.
Croslin told investigators she put Haleigh and her 3-year-old brother in Croslin’s bed at 8 p.m., and that both were still in bed when the teenager went to bed a few hours later at 10:30 p.m.
Croslin said she woke up to get a drink of water at 3 a.m. and noticed Haleigh had disappeared. Croslin said she ran around the home frantically looking for Haleigh when she noticed the back door open. Croslin told detectives she felt certain she locked the door before going to bed.
Croslin said Ronald Cummings arrived at home five minutes after she noticed Haleigh missing. Croslin said her boyfriend told her to call 911 immediately.
Ronald Cummings’ mother, Teresa Neves, arrived at the house. She told detectives her son called her shortly after he learned his daughter disappeared.
Deputies did their own search of the house for Haleigh but didn’t find her.
The missing person’s unit with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office responded to the house.
A canine officer followed a track that lead directly out the back door of the home and down a wooded path.
Deputies found what appeared to be a small footprint in the dirt, but noted Haleigh’s shoes were still inside her home.
The tracking dog led deputies to a pond and back to Green Drive, Haleigh’s street. Deputies looked inside a small building with a door that had been left open. Nothing was inside.
The track continued north past Haleigh’s home down Monroe Avenue and onto Buchan Circle, which looped back to Monroe Avenue. The canine officer continued to track down Buffalo Bluff Road but lost the track at the railroad crossing.
Investigators are now treating Haleigh’s disappearance as an abduction.
********************
In the comments, Haleigh’s scheduled that day was provided:
Haleigh went to school that day.
He (her dad) picked her up from school that afternoon and left to get to work by 3:00 p.m.
He got off work at 3:00 a.m. arriving home at 3:30 and she was gone.
Also, reports of the girlfriend’s brother and nephews visiting earlier in the evening. In addition, a service technician was purportedly there as well. It’s quite possible that any one of them might have unbolted and unlocked the back door, and the girlfriend didn’t notice. Haleigh’s dad says that he checked the door before he left for work, but these visitors arrived after he had gone.
One poster said they heard police cleared the AC repairman of involvement.
Also, heard today @ 4:00 pm will be an UPDATE! Hope it’s good news…but I’m worried cuz in the article, it appears whoever took her did put her down to walk for herself @ some point and had a vehicle parked up the road…so if he put her in and drove right past the house, would explain how her scent crossed back because it was lost at RR tracks crossing a road. I think someone had a car right up the road and planned to do this.
http://www.florida-cracker.org/archives/004565.html
Forgot to add the link!
Here is the link to the police report
on the first night Haleigh went missing.
It talks about her health too.
http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/02/13/putnam.pdf
Apparently, according to the police eport, Haleigh has Turner Syndrome. I just did a quick read of that medical condition which explains her dropping eyelid. She may have other symptoms of the syndrome but there is no mention of that in the police report. I do agree with some of the sentiment expressed at florida cracker website. It seems like the socio-economic class of the victim and her family have generated more questions and doubts than, perhaps, someone from a higher social/economic strata. However, I do feel that us monkeys are asking legitimate questions about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and other bloggers across the web are asking the same types of questions…………..
I’ve been thinking about it today. Wonder if the girlfriend truly put the children to bed around 8pm, did laundry, and went to bed herself around 10:30pm. What she’s possibly afraid to say is she let her cousins (2 boys I read) stay to hang out for a while after she went to sleep. Could it be one or more of these cousins took the girl? Has to be she walked down that path and back past the house via the street…but if so…I still feel had to be in a vehicle. Where had the cousins parked? Together? Separate?
Now that I reread my own post…maybe not that they hung out, but she knew one or both are capable of such a thing. I mean, she IS their cousin, maybe she knows something about their character….
I imagine she’d feel so badly, but be afraid because no doubt if they were that type of person, she already feared them before this.
I hope that one is way off base.
Never heard of Turner’s syndrome.. but you can tell in one of the pictures something is wrong. Cops aren’t telling much and that’s a good thing. They did say they found some evidence yesterday..but not saying what it is or where it was found. The 17 year old could’ve put the kids to bed and thought they were sleeping and went to a neighbors..who knows.. I don’t see a good outcome of this story..ty Carpe for all the links.
I thought I read the girlfriend’s brother came to visit with his 2 kids, about the same age as Haleigh, around 5 PM.
There were also problems that day with the father and x-wife over court issues.
I think this might an isolated matter that involves only the families.
interesting question Brenda, I will be watching that information…I rely on you guys for updates being over seas we dont get the best news….
Thank you, Carpe, for the link to the police report, and welcome back
I asked in my first post above if any information had been released in reference to Haleigh’s physical and mental conditions.
Below is a brief description of “Turner’s Syndrome” from Wikipedia:
Turner syndrome or Ullrich-Turner syndrome (also known as “Gonadal dysgenesis”[1]:550 ) encompasses several conditions, of which monosomy X is most common. It is a chromosomal disorder affecting females in which all or part of one of the X chromosomes is absent. Occurring in 1 out of every 2500 girls, the syndrome manifests itself in a number of ways. There are characteristic physical abnormalities, such as short stature, lymphoedema, broad chest, low hairline, low-set ears, and webbed neck. Girls with TS typically experience gonadal dysfunction with subsequent amenorrhea and infertility. Concurrent health concerns are also frequently present, including congenital heart disease, hypothyroidism, ophthalmological problems, and otological concerns. [2] Finally, a specific pattern of cognitive deficits is often observed, with particular difficulties in visuospatial, mathematic, and memory areas.[3]
Authorities stated today that everyone is now a suspect. I hope and pray Haleigh is find safe, but as the hours and days go by, I’m starting to think the worst
I PRAY I’M WRONG!
Blink..once again great research and a wonderful article. I know there will be more to come on this case. I do not think that the immediate family is to blame..just my intuition. Just because people live differently then the rest of us does not mean that they are bad and unloving parents. Thank you for not going that route.
Personaly..I believe this is a case of abduction by a previously incarcerated pedo..just opinion. A pedo on the move fits in easily in the winter months. Just a thought..this could be a pedo on record in the area..or a pedo on record from another area relocated there for the winter months.
Playing Protagonist for a minute:
What if the FBI told Cummings he passed the test when he didn’t? What if they told him that to get him to think he was in the clear and above suspicion, only to get the necessary surveillance warrants, thinking his activity would lead him to Haleigh?
Just an fyi, the state can move for a guardian ad litem unless there is evidence of death; and they should if there is not, most especially in this case, imo.
If Caleigh were walking on her own, at least at some point (which seems to be the case, judging from the footprint), does that make it more likely that she was in the company of someone she knew?
Not being a parent, I can’t really say … but my impression is that a child of her age, out in the night with only a stranger, probably would at least try to run back home.
Or was the footprint put there to give a false lead?
I do understand the need to clear the family and the what if potion. But in my gut I feel this is someone else ..not the father or girl friend. I think that this is a abduction by a pedo..known or unknown to the family. What makes this harder, in my opinion, is that Florida is a haven for transient people at this time of year.
I still think it is not the father or his girl
friend. We don’t know much about the extended family of either of them. However they do..if they thought this was a family member.after the words he spoke to 911 and LE later..then I think they would have outed them to LE.
‘Items of Interest’ Lead to Dead End in Search for Missing Florida Girl
Saturday, February 14, 2009
After revealing Friday that they had found “items of interest” in the search for missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings, Florida police said Saturday the clues turned out to be unrelated to the girl’s disappearance.
Even so, police remain optimistic, Chief Deputy Rick Ryan of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department said in a news conference, and investigators continue to interview family members, their friends and others. Everyone is considered a potential person of interest.
“The family has been extremely cooperative and happy with our efforts,” Chief Deputy Ryan said. He said they will continue to search areas to make sure they have not missed anything.
“We’re frustrated, of course, but the No. 1 mission is to find the little girl and return her to her family. We haven’t lost our motivation or our drive.”
Haleigh was discovered missing from her home Tuesday morning by her father’s girlfriend, Misty Croslin. The father, Ronald Cummings, said Haleigh had gotten up to use the bathroom, and when she didn’t return, Croslin went to look for her and noticed the back door of the mobile home they shared was open.
Police haven’t narrowed down a list of suspects in the case, and they have received more than 350 leads.
“All the sex offenders (in the area) have been interviewed and their residences have been searched,” Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy said earlier. “They’re cleared as far as us contacting them and speaking to them.”
Cummings and Croslin told FOX News’ Greta Van Susteren earlier this week that they both had submitted to polygraphs and “passed” the tests. Sheriff’s officials would not release the results.
Croslin has told different stories to police and the media about what happened, according to MyFOXOrlando.com.
Police had never been called to the home in the past, but there have been investigations by a social services agency involving Cummings, Croslin and Haleigh and her 3-year-old brother Junior, according to Putnam County Capt. Steve Rose. He wouldn’t elaborate.
John Harrell, spokesman for the northeast region of the Florida Department of Children and Families, said Thursday that his agency “was involved with the family.” He wouldn’t offer any details, citing state confidentiality laws.
In addition to Croslin and Cummings, the child’s mother, Crystal Sheffield, has been questioned in the case.
Click here for more on this story from
Dee, are you military?!!
Morning Monkey Peeps:):)
Back in the saddle again (ya didn’t know I could ride a horse did ya?NOTlol lol lol:):)
Susan,Brie,Dee,Gigi,Blink34,Katie and all ya’ll–after putting Caylee to rest (so to speak) I WAS NOT going to even think about another precious child gone missing–yeah right–
As MOTHERS (No NOT the party hardy,don’t care about our kids) and even Nanas (yep that’s me) we are OUTRAGED (yes dads are to) that ANYTHING like the Caylee,Jessica,Natalie,Jon Bonet(sp?),Smith boys,Yates children,Arkansa 3 year old boy,Riley (a/k/a/ Baby Grace)and ofcorse now Haliegh–
May I give one opinion?
Monkeys we all understand (WE are NOT ‘spaced out and out of touch with reality) this world is SO FULL of violence–as long as I have been reading and reponding to this great site I haven’t seen anyone address this–(keep the rotten eggs for a later time all those who don’t agree this is after all an open forum:):)
As the world spirals out of control(recession,jobleness,foreclousers–you know the drill)we question the ‘missing children,boys and girls’
We ARE living in the last days as the Bible refers to it–Matthew 24 tells all of us how things will be before HE returns–and it esclates these are just the begining of horrors.
the horriable things happening to the children these precious innocent little tots (and teens and adults) are in HIS care now–none of us really know what these precious children may have been going thru on a daily basis,before they were ‘snatched’ have any of you noticed the increase of activity in missing children much more than when Susan smith killed her children.
The devil is on the prowl and tearing every family he can to ribbons (his main goal to take every one to hell with him and he will do ANYTHING to acomplish this.)Just because one doesn’t ‘believe that the devil exists doesn’t make it not real’.(no no arguing here please just mo)
May we ALL take comfort (if this is possiable) that these tots are with the Master and not in harms way.They are no longer living in fear and hurting.As I said at Caylee’s memorial I submitted–HE TAKES THE BEST FOR HIS GARDEN.
Has anyone given thot to this–the dps say they can’t release any info on Haliegh because of the ‘privacy act’–o.k. WHAT ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT?? Does this not apply here?
Also–consider (yes it’s an awful idea but it could have happened–) after they took Haliegh and did whatever she COULD have been tossed to the gators in the Everglades or even closer (there have been a number of gator and snake attacks in Fl. recently.)
Yes the truth will come out sometime I pray I’m wrong and she is returned safe but as the hours and days drag on it is looking less and less promising.
MOTHERS<DADS AND NANAS AND POP POP”S please continue the prayers for this child Haliegh and the 3 year old boy in Arkansas and the missing 6 year old boy snacthed from front yard in Fla.
Father,
Please keep these precious one in Your Hands,draw them to Your side,return them safe in body and in mind to their families.Strengthen us here on the Monkey Peep forum and grant us clear thinking,compassion and may JUSTICE BE SERVED SWIFTLY on these who have harmed these children. In Jesus Name–A-Men.
Sorry Peeps for the long post but have been off computer for awhile–Keep up the good work Monkey Peeps–you are getting results (we have no idea HOW MANY children are missing world wide which we never her about.)
CAtch ya later–have a good one and glad to be back:):):) D
As for the child being afraid of the dark, I know my sister was and I was NOT. to me, even in grade school, I LOVED to sneak out and night and just watch the stars in the dark…or just BE outside in a different environment in the early morning hours.
Even as an adult I like to go off walking in our woods at night. That said, because of my fearlessness of dark, my sister would cling to me trick or treating, walking down a dimly lighted hall, or otherwise where she’d never have gone alone. If Haliegh was 1/2 as scared of the dark, no way she would be brave enough to do this alone. My sister would have rather faced a bear in the light than the dark with nothing there!
Please forgive typos–was in a slow hurry–but ya’ll get the message:):) D
Brenda,
Hubby is in the military, I work for the GOV in Germany proud to say my hubby is retiring after 23 long years of PROUD Service..God bless the Troops.
D.
thanks for the post and mention of the Bible, sometimes in the public forums we kind of hold back on our religous beliefs, but like you I believe these are the last days and I surely can not imagine things being worse then they are, what could be worse then a murdered child, missing child or abused child.
We have to take care of these little ones they don’t ask to be here. You have to have a license to drive a car but anyone can have a kid…doesn’t make to much sense, people treat their pets better then their kids at times…sad
D. Just read your last post again, it brought me to tears, thanks for the post..touching
Dee #35&36
THANK YOU DEE and your hubby for his service for US (my spouse was also a veteran of three enlistments–not retired but deceased–so I DO UNDERSTAND THE sacrifice:):) I LOVE my military men and women (two of my sons served in the military and my eldest was in first wave on Iraq.)There isn’t a day or night that I don’t thank HIM for the men and women overseas and for their safe return to their families and I ask that the families be strengthened–(are you in Valsack??that’s where my eldest was stationed).
I’m NOT religous but a STRONG believer (34 years this March 23rd) and ya know HE IS THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT and JUSTICE:):):)and if you can tell by my posts–I AM NOT ashamed of the gospel of Christ:):):) It’s who I am and I try to use it to HIS glory in all aspects of my life:):):)
K-here’s something very disturbing–Ocala sex offender missing– 25 years old (it was in the fox news section about 30 mins. ago–not a suspect or so they say BUT he hasn’t been seen since Monday and wasn’t reported missing until Friday–hmmmmmmmm IF PUTNAM COUNTY SEARCHED AND RESEARCHED WHY WASN’T THIS FOUND EARLIER (caps yelling??? You bet–enough) o.k. so they ‘only covered 5 miles around the trailer–’ come on now peeps–IF we were less than diligent in our jobs we’d be fired–something amiss here. Continue to pray that she will be found alive and safe–
D
here’s the article
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Chad Eugene Reynolds
Chad Eugene Reynolds
Police searching for missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings were notified about a missing Florida sex offender, but stopped short of calling the man a suspect in the girl’s disappearance, Ocala.com reports.
Chad Eugene Reynolds, 25, was last seen Feb. 1 leaving his mother’s home in Ochlawaha, Fla. — about two hours from Haleigh’s home — police said. He was reported missing on Friday.
Reynolds reportedly borrowed a car from a friend and then later called to say the vehicle had broken down near the Marion/Lake County Lines, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The car was located in an undisclosed location south of Marion County, but Reynolds was nowhere to be found.
Reynolds was sentenced in Putnum County — the same county where Haleigh was reported missing Feb. 10 — to seven years in prison for armed burglary and lewd and lascivious molestation of a child younger than 12. The incident happened in September of 2002.
Maj. Chris Blair told Ocala.com that the Marion County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Putnum County Sheriff’s Office about Reynolds.
Authorities said their first concern is Reynolds’ safety, but added that he will likely be arrested for failing to report to his probation officer.
Click here for photos.
Reynolds was released in November and is on 10 years of community supervision, Ocala.com reports.
Haleigh was discovered missing from her Satsuma, Fla. home by her father’s girlfriend, Misty Croslin. The father, Ronald Cummings, said Haleigh had gotten up to use the bathroom, and when she didn’t return, Croslin went to look for her and noticed the back door of the mobile home they shared was open.
Police believe the girl was abducted.
Chief Deputy Rick Ryan of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department said in a news conference investigators continue to interview family members, their friends and others. Everyone is considered a potential person of interest.
“We’re frustrated, of course, but the No. 1 mission is to find the little girl and return her to her family,” he said. “We haven’t lost our motivation or our drive.”
Related Stories’Items of Interest’ Lead to Dead End in Search for Missing Florida Girl
Police Grill 44 Sex Offenders in Missing Florida Girl Case, Find ‘Items of Interest’ During Search
5-Year-Old’s Father, His Girlfriend ‘Pass’ Polygraph Test
Detectives: Missing Florida Girl Was Kidnapped, Family Members and ‘All the World’ Are Suspects
Police Question Father of Missing Florida Girl, 5
Photo EssaysMissing Florida Girl Haleigh Cummings
As a registered sexual predator, Reynolds is required to report to his mother’s house everyday, according to Ocala.com.
“We’re handling it like any missing and endangered person. We’re concerned for his safety because his mother said he hasn’t done anything like this before,” Marion County Sheriff’s Capt. Tommy Bibb said.
GiGi-
You are so right!! I was thinking the same thing-
What the hell is a 17 yr. old doing with a 25 yr. old? Plus, the whole crap about the child not going to school? There’s definately something fishy about this whole story!!!
Hey all peeps! Did I just read in the #38 post that HALEIGH GOT UP TO USE THE BATHROOM AND DIDN’T RETURN????????????? This is certainly news. What is with the facts constantly changing in this story??? I am so scared for this small child. If that sex offender is truly missing, then he may be responsible for the abduction of Haleigh. I live in Las Vegas and we certainly have many horror stories about children but it seems that Florida has the worst. What is this world coming to?? I pray for the children.
Estimates are that half of all children are violated by age 18, predominately by someone they know, and mostly by family members. Estimates are that sex offenders will violate 100-200 children before the 1st arrest. Most offenders may be in your homes and NOT on the Internet. Teaching children about good touch and strangers have not lessened violations. Children need to be taught how to protect themselves using many different scenarios.
1. Persons who most often harm or kill children are their families. Typically, police look at the last person who saw the girl alive.
2. What is Ronald Lemyles Cummings thinking? He’s 25 and his paramour is a minor child. In FL, he could be labeled a sex offender (minor child and he’s more than 3 years older). Should anyone trust his decision making?
3. FL DC&F reports they have investigated this family before. Could it be that the child was harmed or bruised, and that Misty Croslin feared punishment? Many adolescents do things without thinking or in anger. Did Misty dump the child down a hole? Did she learn lessons from Casey Anthony?
4. Law enforcement suspects persons whose stories change. Why would a predator take the time to get a cinder-block from 50 ft away from the mobile home, take the chance of making noise bracing the door or turning on the light? Why would Misty just HAPPEN to awake at 3 am for a drink of water, when she knew her paramour (Ronald Cummings) would be home from work? (Maybe, her time ran out and she had to do her Academy Award act? Why did Misty wait to call 9-1-1? (At least, it wasn’t a month later!) BODY LANGUAGE – she looked down and to a certain direction (representative of lying). Reminded me of Susan Smith! Misty may be upset but it may be because she accidentally killed Haleigh and dumped her body (in a hole)? No forced entry; deadbolt lock opened.
It adds up to MISTY – not a sex offender.
Peeps–calling all Monkey Peeps:):)
Here’s a thot/mo–is this Reynolds guy related in ANY WAY to Misty? 1/2 brother,cousin anything? Is he perhaps related to the ‘natural mom’ who lives a ’2 hour drive’ from Haleigh? Even tho it’s Georgia he could be related–anyone want to tell me how/where to research this and never fear D is here:):):)
FWIW, I do think Reynolds staged his own disappearance possibly, but I dont think he “fits” this crime. The perp had immediate residence or pseudo residence (mobile home)and immediate means to conceal this child without detection, imo. He is a highly organized offender.
A key question I would have is what was the normal sleeping arrangements in that home? If they were different this evening, Misty has a problem. I do not think she did anything intentional, but I think she is lying about when she went missing and when it was found out. I dont think it a coincidence that she waits until Cummings is in the driveway to call him. I think her cell and the home phone records are going to show that she was in full panic mode- who did she call? Anyone she thought might have Haleigh?
D.
this is what sets me on fire
“Reynolds was sentenced in Putnum County — the same county where Haleigh was reported missing Feb. 10 — to seven years in prison for armed burglary and lewd and lascivious molestation of a child younger than 12. The incident happened in September of 2002.”
WTF!!!!!!! Incident happened in 2002 what in the HELL is this guy walking the streets for, these perps need to be sent to some remote island in the middle of nowhere and left to fend for themselves….better yet ship them all to the moon, let my tax money pay for….GLADLY
#42: i am confused! who is this reynolds guy? i haven’t heard of him or if i have, i’ve gone braindead. i don’t think misty was in the home when the abduction happened. i speculate she went out with friends or family and left the back door unlocked and the kitchen lite on so she could get back in quickly before the father came home from work. i do not believe that a normal 17 year old girl wants to spend her nites babysitting children that are not hers while the father is working. i bet she goes out with someone and then gets back home before the father does. maybe that is why she seems to be holding back and dissembling when looking into the camera. something is very fishy with her story. also, if you read the initial police report, the father uses very crude language to refer to the girlfriend, saying “my dumb bi**h girlfriend” lost my daughter.(if i remember correctly……)
Gigi
wow nice names for a boy7friend to call his girlfriend……something stinks in Florida and it is not alligator poop…
hahaha boy7friend too many beers on Presidents Day Eve
Hello,
I usually post as Dee but to differentiate from the Dee in Germany I added the DVL.
My thoughts on this…like most people I believe the girfriend is involved…however on the chance she is not and we take their words at face value. The door was supposedly locked with a deadbolt Hayleigh can’t reach. No forced entry…a key would be needed…
Is this trailor a rental or do they own it…if they own it are they the original owners…all former residents need to be checked out!!! If it’s a rental through a real estate or property management they need to verify the location of the extra keys. Most companies will have at least 3 sets of extra keys for repairs and lockouts etc…Some companies even have their own key cutter. If this is a rental under management the employes especially of the maintence dept need to be checked out.
#45 Gigi, see my post #38 it explains the Reynolds guy to a tee.
#43 Blink 34–that’s what makes this forum really good–the input,facts and opinions–your post gave much to thik about–Misty is hiding ‘something’ but what is the next question:):)
#44 Dee it also ‘set me on fire’ and made us realize that the fl. officals seem less than diligent (I lived in Palatka for a year in the 80′s when Walt Pellicer was alive–he had control of things).Fl.’s laws are so sick ANYONE can get away with almost anything–the doctors who cause damage and death to their paitents in other states just relocate to Fl. and begin their practice again. Sad but all to true.
Here in Colorado the laws seem to really work to our advantage–NO NOT PERFECT far from it but if a sex offender misses one reporting time a warrent is issued and followed up on. Yes we have them here 488 as of last count in my area but only 38 had been released with address,phone number and notification to the community.
How far mankind has fallen to such depravity (perhaps it existed before but was kept quite.)
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Search headquarters moved to Palatka
DOUG FINGER/The Gainesville Sun Law enforcement from all over the state of Florida set up search operations just north of Crescent City Sunday, February 15, 2009. Law enforcement has expanded the search for missing 5-year-old Haleigh Ann-Marie Cummings to about 10 miles south of Satsuma.
By Joe Callahan & Karen Voyles
Staff Writers
Published: Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.
SATSUMA – Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy announced Sunday morning that they are moving the command post to Palatka to the agency’s Emergency Operations Center so that they can more efficiently investigate, and coordinate, the search for 5-year-old Haleigh Ann-Marie Cummings.
Related Links:
Officials press on with Haleigh search
Fla. draws on experience with missing case
Off and searching
Search for Haleigh: A timeline
Updates on the search for Haleigh
Girlfriend in Haleigh case describes role with children
No progress from Saturday’s seach
Father pleads for return of daughter
Day 4 of search for Haleigh begins
Neighbors and volunteers converge to search for Haleigh
Misty Croslin, who was watching Haleigh, tells about herself
Families hold vigils for missing Putnam girl
Family divisions evident as search for Haleigh continues
This story has played out before in Florida
Rewards offered in Haleigh case
Hardy said the residents of River Villas, a subdivision just off Buffalo Bluff Road, have been very accepting of the crush of media and law enforment agencies that have invaded this small town 10 miles south of Palatka. But, he said, that it was time to give them their community back.
Meanwhile, Sheriff’s Office officials insist that they are not scaling back the investigation, but believe they can be more efficient at the EOC, which has state-of-the-art electronics and can provide much faster communications than the slower service they are using in the field.
Chief Rick Ryan, the second in command of the Sheriff’s Office, spoke with the families early Sunday in hopes “they would hear this from us first,” he said. Ryan said the family understood that in no way is the search for Haleigh slowing down.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office sent 32 specially trained employees to Putnam County early Sunday to assist in the search for missing 5-year-old Hayleigh Cummings.
Sheriff Sadie Darnell offered any assistance her department could be to Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy on Tuesday, the day Hayleigh was reported missing and an Amber Alert was issued for the kindergartner. Hardy took Darnell up on the offer on Saturday when he asked for deputies and others trained in woodland searches.
“Our going there does not pertain to any hot tip,” said Alachua County sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Steve Maynard. “They have some people there who needed a break and we have people trained to do this kind of search work.”
Among those who left from the sheriff’s office before dawn Sunday were members of the sheriff’s SWAT team, dive team and CERT team, which is a team from the county jail trained to extract inmates from their cells and assist in other special operations at the sheriff’s office.
Further discussion of this topic will be held at the new web site: http://www.blinkoncrime.com