A program to help find missing children and elderly citizens has been credited with finding more than five children. A Child Is Missing, Inc. is a non-profit based out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida that provides a FREE notification system to communities when someone goes missing. This service fills in the gap that the Amber Alert doesn’t cover. For an Amber Alert to be activated in certain areas there has to be indication that an abduction took place, and a vehicle description must be given. There are different requirements in various states to actually activate an Amber Alert. Police departments and sheriff’s offices can join this new service that can reach out to citizens within minutes of when a child or adult goes missing.
Law enforcement can call the service, and the notifications will be sent. A technician will record a message of what the missing child or adult was last seen wearing, their last location and any known physical characteristics. The recording will also give key information on how to contact authorities.
Today marks the 12th annual Florida Missing Children’s Day. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and hundreds of families gathered this morning for the 2010 ceremony. The event honors missing children throughout the state, highlights new efforts underway to help protect the youth and honors adults who make a difference in the lives of children.
Many kids participated in abduction prevention activities across the state including fingerprinting and watching educational videos. Over the weekend, citizens may have noticed electronic billboards lighting up with information about the awareness campaign.
The United States Department of Justice reports about 797,500 children were reported missing within a one-year period of time. That’s roughly 2,185 children that go missing every single day. 115 of those are victims of stereotypical kidnapping.
Investigators in Florida desperately need your leads to find Jennifer Kesse. A couple of months ago, authorities announced to the Kesse family that they have exhausted all credible leads in this four year old case. Drew Kesse, Jennifer’s father, told me yesterday the FBI in Tampa is actively looking over files and they will hopefully uncover new information. The local authorities say although investigators deem the case “active,” they have nothing more to move on at this time. Jennifer’s family will not give up until she is found dead or alive.
BACKGROUND: Police say Jennifer didn’t show up for work at Central Florida Investments on January 24, 2006. Early on in this investigation, her family told me that it was unlike her not to call if she was going to be late, or if something came up. Her boyfriend thought it was odd that he had not heard from Jennifer that morning on her way to work, and when he called her office, they said she had neverarrived. Police responded to her condo to find nothing out of the ordinary. Later that afternoon, Jennifer’s friends and family sprung into action by canvassing the area with fliers looking for their loved one.
This week authorities are searching the St. Johns River for missing Florida child Haleigh Cummings. The mud in this river is described as being like pudding, making these efforts extremely difficult. After more than 15 months, and thousands of cold leads, it appears investigators have solid information leading them to this area. Investigators took Misty Croslin out of her jail cell and brought her to the river scene at one point, thoughno word yet on what she was able to provide while there. Many reports show Misty standing, in handcuffs and plain clothes, pointing to an area in the river. Authorities indicate Misty’s cousin may have more information about Haleigh, and that he was in the area atthe time she went missing, but returned to his home state of Tennessee not too long after.
BACKGROUND: On February 5, 2009, Haleigh Cummings was snatched from her bed in Satsuma, Florida. Since that time investigators say they’ve received thousands and thousands of leads on her case, but there’s been no sign of the child. Haleigh’s father’s girlfriend at the time, Misty Croslin, is the last person to have seen this beautiful child. Early in the investigation,Misty told police Haleigh was not in her bed around 3 a.m. and when Ronald Cummings, Haleigh’s father, came home from work he made a frantic 9-1-1 call.
UPDATE: We are just getting word that Nadia Bloom is found. We will bring you the latest shortly.
The search continues today for a missing Winter Springs child, Nadia Bloom. Investigators say Nadia, who has an autism-related disorder, has been missing since Friday around 3:15 p.m. Her bike was found on its kick stand in a gated Barrington Estates subdivision with her helmet hanging on her handlebars. Sadly there have been no sightings of the child.
According to Police Chief Burnelle, Nadia may have been carrying a book titled Meet Lanie Holland. The child in the story loves exploring wildlife. Orange bows are covering the neighborhood where she went missing. They blow in the wind as a sign of hope to find this missing child. Chief Burnelle told me this afternoon Nadia is, “gifted in verbal communication, but behind in non-verbal communication.” He says the CARD Team is on location as well. There are 10 CARD Teams total serving five regions throughout the United States.
Investigators in Orlando, Florida desperately need your leads to find Jennifer Kesse. A few days ago, authorities announced to the Kesse family that they have exhausted all credible leads in this four year old case. Although investigators deem the case “active,” they have nothing more to move on at this time. Jennifer’s family will not give up until she is found dead or alive.
BACKGROUND: Police say Jennifer didn’t show up for work at Central Florida Investments on January 24, 2006. Early on in this investigation, her family told me that it was unlike her not to call if she was going to be late, or if something came up. Her boyfriend thought it was odd that he had not heard from Jennifer that morning on her way to work, and when he called her office, they said she had neverarrived. Police responded to her condo to find nothing out of the ordinary. Later that afternoon, Jennifer’s friends and family sprung into action by canvassing the area with fliers looking for their loved one.
Hillsborough County investigators are searching for a man wanted for first degree murder and an armed burglary with a firearm. Authorities believe Juan Carlos Cruz, 37, shot and killed Enrique Trevino, 29, in Plant City, FL. According to a report with Crimestoppers, detectives say, “the suspect drove to the victim’s residence and chased the victim in the residence while shooting at him.” Trevino was later pronounced dead at the South Florida Baptist Hospital.
Investigators recovered the getaway vehicle Cruz fled in, but they haven’t been able to find him. Cruz is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information and who wants to be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), report anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com or text “CSTB” plus your tip to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637).
Police say a woman was attacked at an ATM and raped nearby in the woods. Investigators say the victim was ambushed at an ATM in Port Richey, Florida six days ago. Pasco County authorities are hoping surveillance video from the ATM will lead them to the suspect. The attacker is described as a black male, six feet tall, and 170-190 pounds. You can view video from the FOX Tampa stationof the suspect.
Authorities remind citizens if you are visiting an ATM, please be aware of your surroundings. It is never a good idea to visit a standalone ATM by yourself at night. The best advice is to try to find a few indoor ATM locations to withdraw your cash from. In 2008, Pasco County shows they had 158 forcible sex offenses against victims.
If you have any information, please contact 1-800-854-2862, ext. 7815 or callers can also leave tips anonymously by calling the toll-free crime tips line at 1-800-706-2488.
Jarred Harrell, a person of interest in the Somer Thompson murder, was extradited over night from Mississippi to Florida. He is expected to make his first court appearance this morning to face charges of child pornography. Last Thursday, Florida Governor, Charlie Crist requested the extradition, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour granted the request. According to a press release from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, “Because the safety of all law enforcement officers involved and the successful extradition of this individual are of upmost importance, our agency will not reveal the exact date and time of the planned extradition. In addition, if members of the media are able to obtain Harrell extradition timeline information from sources other than the CCSO, our agency will not respond to those related inquiries and will neither confirm nor deny the information. Our agency will not divulge what law enforcement officers are part of the Harrell extradition process until after the process is complete. Once Jarred Harrell is safely transported to our jail facility here in Green Cove Springs, the media will be notified via an emailed release. You will be provided ample notice post-arrival so that coverage arrangements can be made with the Clay County Clerk of Court for whatever court appearances may follow in the Clay County court system. Our agency does not orchestrate “perp walks” of any kind and we have an enclosed sally port area through which defendants enter the jail.” Although we do not know the specific date Harrell will make an appearance in Florida, thankfully investigators are one step closer to possibly learning what happened to Somer. Harrell has not yet been charged with Somer’s death.“
Jarred Harrell, a person of interest in the Somer Thompson murder, will be extradited to Florida. Last Thursday, Florida Governor, Charlie Crist requested the extradition, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour granted the request. According to a press release from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, “Because the safety of all law enforcement officers involved and the successful extradition of this individual are of upmost importance, our agency will not reveal the exact date and time of the planned extradition. In addition, if members of the media are able to obtain Harrell extradition timeline information from sources other than the CCSO, our agency will not respond to those related inquiries and will neither confirm nor deny the information. Our agency will not divulge what law enforcement officers are part of the Harrell extradition process until after the process is complete. Once Jarred Harrell is safely transported to our jail facility here in Green Cove Springs, the media will be notified via an emailed release. You will be provided ample notice post-arrival so that coverage arrangements can be made with the Clay County Clerk of Court for whatever court appearances may follow in the Clay County court system. Our agency does not orchestrate “perp walks” of any kind and we have an enclosed sally port area through which defendants enter the jail.” Although we do not know the specific date Harrell will make an appearance in Florida, thankfully investigators are one step closer to possibly learning what happened to Somer. Harrell has not yet been charged with Somer’s death.[”]
Michelle Sigona is a crime fighting, victims advocate extraordinaire, but for Michelle -- the good fight doesn't stop there. In her spare time, she is a volunteer firefighter -- and now, she is tackling the issues and cases that mean the most to her....
Police say a woman was attacked at an ATM and raped nearby in the woods. Investigators say the victim was ambushed at an ATM in Port Richey, Florida six days ago. Pasco County authorities are hoping surveillance video from the ATM will lead them to the suspect. The attacker is described as a black male, six feet tall, and 170-190 pounds. You can view video from the 
