E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSInvestigators announced they are expanding the search for two missing cousins after new evidence convinced them the girls are alive. NBC's Craig Melvin reports.
EVANSDALE, Iowa -- Investigators said Saturday they have evidence that leads them to believe two cousins who vanished last week are still alive.
FBI spokeswoman Sandy Breault said that authorities strongly believe 10-year-old Lyric Cook-Morrissey and 8-year-old Elizabeth Collins have not been killed.
She refused to say what led authorities to that conclusion, but told reporters that investigators are expanding their search beyond Iowa.
The announcement came a day after authorities said they believe the girls were abducted.
The girls disappeared around noon July 13 shortly after they left their grandmother's house near Evansdale in northeast Iowa. Their bikes and a purse were found on a path near Meyers Lake, prompting investigators to drag it last weekend and to begin draining it earlier this week.
www.facebook.com/missingcases
Elizabeth Collins, left, and Lyric Cook went missing in Evansdale, Iowa on Friday.
On Friday, authorities said they were treating the case as an abduction after an FBI dive team used sophisticated sonar to determine the girls' remains were not in the lake.
Stay informed with the latest headlines; sign up for our newsletter
Breault says investigators are interviewing "persons of interest" in the case, whom she declined to identify.
On Friday, Rick Abben, chief deputy with the Black Hawk County Sheriff's office, had said investigators still had no single person of interest in the case. Abben said investigators had recovered some evidence and sent it to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation for analysis. He declined to say what the evidence was or where it was found.
Watch US News crime videos on NBCNews.com
Abben also confirmed that investigators had asked a judge to compel Lyric's father, 36-year-old Daniel Morrissey, who faces drug charges but is free on bond, to submit to closer watch by parole officers pending his trial.
He said the request -- which was granted on Thursday -- did not imply that Morrissey, who has stopped cooperating with investigators, was a suspect in the case.
"That was done so that we have a little bit closer ... supervision of people," Abben said. "We are not looking at anyone. Everyone is being checked into."
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Police: Trip wire, bomb disarmed at suspect's apartment
- Shooting survivor: Boyfriend 'took a bullet for me'
- 6-year-old girl confirmed to have been killed in Colorado shootings
- Photos of James Holmes, camp counselor for underprivileged kids
- Will Colorado shootings suspect James Eagan Holmes ever face trial?
Follow US News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
My younger two are nearly identical in age (a few weeks apart from each). I don't think that I could function if something were to happen to them. I do not pray, as that is not my belief, but I will most willingly offer my hopes that these two young girls are found alive, and in as good a health as possible, given the circumstances.
Hope they will be found soon!
Sounds like the FBI have detangled some of the parental bullcrap and just don't want to let the whole cat out of the bag yet. Hopefully there is a good ending and they get those children away from the problem(s).
.
Beyond Iowa, aren’t these the girls that they didn’t put an Amber Alert out on? I could swear I read that somewhere.
I believe that is correct. An Amber alert was not issued because there was no proof the girls had been abducted. The minute they did NOT find those girls' shoes they should have issued an Amber Alert, or even before. Now a week later they are saying abducted.
Miss Gracie,
Just what do you think an Amber Alert is? It is a tool used by LE and the public to FIND an IDENTIFIED vehicle/ perpetrator when there is a description, not just something to let people know that a child is missing. This crime DID NOT meet the Amber Alert criteria, thus the reason an Amber Alert wasn't put out was because there was no vehicle description and no perpetrator description to put an alert out on. There was also no confirmed evidence that an abduction had taken place during the early hours... which is also usually required. It would be so helpful if people didn't whine and complain about things they know nothing about.
I said there was no proof. I remember how po'd Ms. Anthony was when LE would not issue an Amber Alert for her child whom had been missing for 31 days. However, I think the Amber alert criteria should be changed or amended to alert people to missing children and allow LE start searching vehicles sooner.
So...you think when a child goes missing, LE should just start searching random vehicles? All vehicles? On every road? What vehicles would you suggest they search? How would you determine that criteria? Have you ever heard of the US Constitution? Search laws?
No I am not familiar with search laws. I did see video of LE stopping vehicles in the days after the girls went missing. Just my opinion, but with the interstate 380 and US 20 being so close to the area where the girls were abducted (which is what is being reported now a week later) vehicles on those roadways and using an estimate as to how long the girls had been missing determine a point to make motorists aware of the missing girls. Realistic... No! Just simply an opinion. Hope the girls are found alive and safe.
As I said in my comment below, the Amber Alert system is only ONE tool used to locate missing children. The AA was drafted to alert in cases where specific information is known about an abduction, not just issued for any and all missing children. What you are suggesting is a violation of basic citizen's rights and would never be put into place. It helps to be realistic when seeking solutions. It took a great deal to enact the Amber Alert system and it should be respected for the job it was intended to do.
Hey Sherry, now that you have told us that you are the only smart person in the world, I agree with Gracie. There are too many missing children and we need stronger methods to find them before they are dead or sold into prostitution or become sex slaves for some evil pervert!! To !@#$ with your rules... We need to protect these children. You might feel a little differently if your own child were missing. I would be happy if they would flash those faces across my TV screen all day long if it would help find them. There is NOT enough being done for this growing horror in our country!
Sherry - I totally agree with you. If an AA was issued for every child that is "missing" than it will loose its effectiveness. LE felt the girls were in the lake. The fact that the parents felt targeted and demanded that they move beyond the lake could have made LE focus on the lake even more. Those parents should have taken or demanded that they be polyographed so they could be cleared and LE could put their resources in other places.
Floridagirl 47- I don't think the world is a bad as you seem to think. I think that child missing or killed cases are reported over and over again on the TV. You have to remember with millions of children in the US that a few children will go missing or be killed. It's always been going on. It will continue (sucks doesn't it), but with the reporting going on it makes every single case come to the for front. After all, crime is down not up.
Sherry are you an idiot? Do YOU know what an Amber Alert is? It's not put out to look for cars or license plates, it's to look for ABDUCTED or MISSING children. And this would have been a perfect case for it. If you don't have a suspects or suspects car description than you put out an Amber Alert of just the childrens description. The point of an A.A. is to get the publics attn. to missing kids, any way you can. The reason they didn't put one out is because one of the girls dad is a convicted felon (for drugs mind you) so they believed right off the bat that he was involved with their disapearance, and rather than put their effort into finding the real perp. they used all their time and effort to link the father to the girls disappearance. How disgusting is that??? Typical Iowa police work...
Deb, your unbeleivable!!! You blame the parents for LE being complete morons? That it's the parents fault cause they didn't come forward and 'offer' to take a polygraph before law enforcement wasted 3 days looking in a lake that they were obviously not in. I bet you agree too with LE's decision to put tighter restrictions on the father's probation only because he refuses to listen to the complete idiots accusations that he, the father, has killed them and dumped them somewhere. Deb, you really need to open your eyes and realize that not everything the police do and say is correct. They should have realized that since the girlds were last seen leaving their G-mas house and their bikes were found along with their purses hidden in the brush along a walking trail, that this wasn't just a simple case of a dad loosing control and hurting the kids, but rather that this was obviously a abduction case. Come on LE, get your sh!t together and give these girls a chance!!!! The dad had nothing to do with it, NOW MOVE ON!!!
This is a very BOLD statement via FBI I'm waiting
I would sy that if they catch the lowlifes who took them two little girls, the tax payers should not have to apy for their trial, but pay for a bullit to put in their head. In the old west they would have been hung. Maybe that is what we need now days, old west justice, especially when you catch them red handed.
If it is the dad who has hidden the girls just to buy some time before a trial I don't think he should be shot, but definitely if it is someone like Philip and Nancy Garrido or John Cooey, then yeah I'm definitely all for saving the tax payers some money defending a POS.
Just posted this to my facebook page as a amber alert. Everyone should do the same. Maybe these girls can be found. By posting several kids have been saved.
Great idea!
lets all pray for their safe return..
Prayers never hurt.
I think if the dad is being charged with drug charges, maybe look at the people that can get hurt if he talks?????? Do you think someone kidnapped them to stop him from talking and are holding them as hostage? Maybe the dad knows and maybe not but think about this as a motive and the Feds might be right, they are alive and we need them back, even if the dad gets off. Hunter
An Amber Alert is a tool used by LE and the public to FIND an IDENTIFIED vehicle/ perpetrator when there is a description, not just something to let people know that a child is missing. This crime DID NOT meet the Amber Alert criteria, thus the reason an Amber Alert wasn't put out was because there was no vehicle description and no perpetrator description to put an alert out. There was also no confirmed evidence that an abduction had taken place during the early hours... which is also usually required. It would be so helpful if people didn't whine and complain about things they know nothing about.
Squeaky wheel gets the oil!
You obviously have not put much thought into your "solution".
(NOTE) To allow activations in the absence of significant information that an abduction has occurred could lead to abuse of the system and ultimately weaken its effectiveness. At the same time, each case must be appraised on its own merits and a judgment call made quickly. Law enforcement must understand that a “best judgment” approach, based on the evidence, is appropriate and
Thanks Vet...and thanks for your service as well, :-)
Thank you Vet! Great information! So, LE must not have believed the girls were in imminent danger. I thought the family from the beginning did not believe the girls drowned, they said abducted/taken.
Also should be added that each state determines it's own criteria for an Amber Alert, but the most important thing to be aware of is there HAS to be a vehicle description to know what to look for.
Again I say....I think the parents sold these girls for drugs or drug money to either a Thailand or Asian prostitution ring or a child pornography film maker. With their history of drugs and violence, it is more common than you might think. I only pray I am wrong, but the odds are there.
thats your take on the info provided? wow. i hope something happens that is beyond horrible to you like this. then on top of evertything some ignorant @!$%# can accuse you of something you probally have never come close to doing.
Even if you don't believe in 'God', I ask all to please take a moment and ask the powers to be to return these babies home safe and sound...
It has been suggested that we need changes in the Amber Alert system. I disagree. The AA system is but ONE very important tool for LE and involves information that is necessary for ordinary citizens and LE to BOLO in the case of a specific abduction situation. I do however, think that we would be able to utilize an additional system that would allow for an immediate description of missing children that should include their description, last known whereabouts, clothing worn, any specific details (riding a bike, etc.) that could be broadcast on tv, radio, and social media sites so the public is aware and on the lookout for children fitting the description. An 800 number along with local LE number should be included with this information in the event that the missing are spotted.
Sounds like a great plan! Hope the girls are found safe and sound.
Usually when there is an abduction, not saying that this is one, but there is a great preponderance that someone in the family is responsible at least I am under the impression that statisically wise correct.... Just wondering if psychics have been called into this case or not. Often psychics or mediums are very useful in these situations....My gut feeling is that someone in the family of either girl knows where these two girls are. True the authorities did get sidetracked by the lake and searching primarily for bodies, valuable time is lost when all venues aren't considered.
That mother was smiling and talking like she was totally unconcerned on TV. I was amazed that she was the mother smiling like that with her daughter missing. Very strange people!
does any one know what I care about...amber alerts usually are about young kids fighting over thier children.
Yes the same ones we are paying for child support...the minute I have to pay for something....guess what ...I am concerned.....but really these breeders..with no brains.....hey you have no freedom....you gave that up the minute I have to for some reason...the govt....says yes you have to pay for these dumb asses mistakes.....guess what...the world is a changing......you want to have a good feeling. you gave your freedome up....and guess what you....will take care of you 're mistakes
I have said this before. When a child is abducted, suspected abducted, goes missing, or anything of the sort. A nationwide "Amber" Alert should go out. Internet, TV, Highway systems, Radio. Basically every known communication available to modern society should be employed immediately. Programs should be interrupted, cellphones and smart phones should light up with a picture message and any details. Highways in the area of the abduction and neighboring states should have check points utilized like a serious manhunt during a prison break.
Spare no expense for the children.
Now is as good a time as any to draft new legislation. How much money can we count on from you to contribute to this very worthy cause? Remember...No expense is too much.
Benjoh, great idea posting an amber alert on facebook for these two little girls. FB and the likes is a whole new network of possibilities for helping in a crisis situation, using technology for some social good instead of mindless entertainment (imagine that).
this is getting out of control... our kids arent safe, our pets arent safe, our homes arent safe, movies arent safe.
Well hell yes they are alive. From the sounds of it, someone rescued them from the druggies that are their parents
take another hit of crack and maybe you will someday have some form of common sense to share.
We'll see Luke.
Why wasn't an Amber Alert issued for these two girls?
I pray to god these girls are found safe... We need to make child abuse, abduction, sex trafficking etc. priorities in this country... Why do none of our elected officials seem to notice this is going on?!? If our children aren't our number one priority what is?!?
floridagirl - it's because children don't vote. Elected officials are only concerned about getting re-elected.
I am from this area - Evansdale - live about a mile away from where Lyric and Elizabeth went missing. My daughter knows Kelly (Elizabeth's brother) and has been around Elizabeth quite a few times. She is completely devastated by this. We have visited Meyer's Lake since their disappearance and it is such a somber feeling. Words cannot describe how bad the community feels.
As far as the families - Misty was out at a bar lastnight drinking. Yes, she was drinking while her child is missing. Something is NOT right about Dan and Misty and we all have been saying this since day one. She may not show the emotion of a mother whose child has been kidnapped (and the "emotion" one feels during a situation like this can be debatable); however, how many moms go out to a bar and drink while their child has been missing???
I pray and hope that we are wrong and Dan and/or Misty have nothing to do with it but I also hope and pray that the FBI is right and that Lyric and Elizabeth are alive. Hopefully God is looking down upon them and hugging them tightly.
We love you Elizabeth and Lyric and we all want you both home!!!!
if you have been following this case at all there is no doubt about the law enforcement agencies have been a hinder of help more than help. how many insane injustice and complete ignorance and injustice will be continued acceptenced
i live in colorado...........after the other day we sure can stand some good news. my thoughts are with these two