Motorists driving down Mount Pilgrim Road in Camden on Thursday were stopped, and residents of the neighborhood received knocks on the door from law enforcement officers from a number of different agencies.
Authorities are asking residents and passers-by about missing toddler Myra Lewis, hoping someone knows something that might help locate the girl. A command center has been set up in a church parking lot down the road from the Lewis home, where officers can check in throughout the day.
http://liarcatchers.com/missing_persons_investigations.html
A specialized search team from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks did not return to the grounds surrounding her home on Thursday, but officials said a limited search team from other agencies did continue to scour the area.
So far, there is no clear reason as to why the search strategy has shifted from what seemed to be a ground search, but officials say the probe may have taken a new turn.
Authorities say the family has been cooperative in the investigation. Ericka and Gregory Lewis have publicly begged for Myra to come home. Gregory Lewis has publicly recounted searching for the child until his ATV stalled, and tracking her with the family dogs.
Neighbors wondered whether Myra might be with her biological father.
But officials would not address whether Lewis is Myra’s biological father or, if not, where her biological father is.
“I would have to tell you it’s an ongoing investigation, and we can’t comment on that,” Sheriff’s Department spokesman Heath Hall said.
There’s a lot of chatter going around, officials said. People all over the state seem eager to help find Myra. On Thursday alone, there were rumors she had been found in Flowood, in Pearl, on the Coast, in Yazoo City and nearby her house.
Sheriff Randy Tucker said officials are comfortable with the family’s story that Myra went missing between 10:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday, but he won’t discuss why police weren’t called until 4 p.m. or what happened between the time Myra’s mother saw her outside the Lewis’ home and when the family realized she was gone.
The family told reporters they had searched for her themselves before calling authorities.
Authorities are also vague on the nature of the investigation. Media reports have called it a kidnapping investigation, but so far it has remained a missing person’s case.
Myra’s family told reporters they believed she was abducted and said their family dogs had picked up her scent at one point.
Tucker has implied the toddler could be alive somewhere.
“We fully expect a positive outcome,” he said. “We need to get Myra home, and again we want to stress to everyone we need your help, the family needs your help and we appreciate your calls.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel McMullen said the feds have brought in several resources, including scientific and investigative personnel.
Officials are asking anyone who may have information to contact the sheriff’s department, the FBI or their local law enforcement agency with any details, no matter how small.
