Sometime around the end of August, beginning of September 2006 I began having vivid dreams and visions about Reachelle. After alot of thought and consideration, I shared them with the other posters, friends and family of Reachelle Smith at the CourtTV.com message board for Reachelle. I felt strongly that it was the right thing to do. I still do and will continue to do so. Someone, somewhere, knows something...
The most recent dream I had took place inside a house. When everything came into focus, I heard Reachelle giggling. Someone was tickling her. They were playing and she was intermittently squealing in between giggles and trying to get away as most children do when they've had enough of being tickled. Reachelle was wearing the yellow sundress, the same one as in the picture of her standing against the tree at Roosevelt Park. She was barefoot and her ponytail was messy from playing. When she got away from whoever was tickling her, she ran down this long dark hallway. Then she stopped. She looked at me, smiled and pointed to the left. I couldn't see what she was pointing at. Then she runs up close to me and kisses my cheek, smiling. Then she turns and points toward a window and says "Look outside!" I went to the window and looked outside and saw lots of green grass or what seemed like grassy fields. I asked Reachelle, "Where are we?" She whispered, "Closer than you think." Next I heard an echoing voice in the background saying something about an "old soul" and a "warrior." Then a woman's voice said, "Meet us half way." Then, "The house is cloaked." Meaning hidden. Next I was told "33rd Street, old oak barn, come into it, a netherlands stop" I thought it odd that she would tell me the house is cloaked when I could see it very clearly. It was a huge farmhouse. Then the woman's voice said, "Even if you bring....(here she hesitated), you will not find." Next she said, "It's there you just have to look. Please tell them she's fine." It was quiet after that for a few minutes, then I heard "Lordsly, 2509" I asked her, "Is that an address?" She replied, "Yes and no." Then, "Yes, it's an address, and no, it is not significant....yet." I asked, "Yet?" She said, "Yes." Reachelle gave me more hugs of trust. I hugged her back and held her tight, reassuring her. Then again, I heard the echoing voice in the background saying something about "clean and smooth moves, precise and concise, even there." As I sat there holding Reachelle, listening, I could hear music, country music playing in the background. The woman's voice spoke again, "Believe it, because that's it." Echoes again "Come clean. She has to." The woman's last words to me were, "There's a light, it's there. You will see it."
Please feel free to comment below, the puzzle pieces are coming together and you may hold the missing piece! If anything in this dream means anything to anyone please email me at The.Seeress@yahoo.com asap! I have had four dreams/visions prior to this one. I will post them as well, soon. They all fit together like pieces to a puzzle. Keep believing for Reachelle!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Amber Alert Day In ND - 1/13/2007
Amber Alert Day In ND
Jan 13 2007 11:54PM
KXMBTV Bismarck
If a child disappears, law enforcement officials are prepared to use every tool at their disposal to return that child to their family. In many cases, authorities will use the Amber Alert Program.
And today is Amber Alert Awareness Day in North Dakota.
The program was established in the state in 2003 and exists as a voluntary partnership among law enforcement, broadcasters, and transportation agencies.
The system helps spread the word quickly that a child has gone missing.
(Capt. Al Hanson, Minot Police Department) "With all those extra set of eyes out there on the roads commercial truck drivers, the recreational people that are driving or going to work or whatever they're doing...coming from the grocery store who knows who's going to run across that vehicle. We can't be everywhere all the time. We just need all those extra eyes."
According to statistics, Amber Alerts have helped save the lives of over 300 children nationwide.
Jan 13 2007 11:54PM
KXMBTV Bismarck
If a child disappears, law enforcement officials are prepared to use every tool at their disposal to return that child to their family. In many cases, authorities will use the Amber Alert Program.
And today is Amber Alert Awareness Day in North Dakota.
The program was established in the state in 2003 and exists as a voluntary partnership among law enforcement, broadcasters, and transportation agencies.
The system helps spread the word quickly that a child has gone missing.
Most recently, authorities activated the system when Reachelle Smith vanished in
Minot, May of last year.
Police say the alert helped them recover clues in the case.
And though it didn't lead to the recovery of the little girl, Captain Al Hanson says
the Amber Alert generally proves a very useful tool in missing cases.
(Capt. Al Hanson, Minot Police Department) "With all those extra set of eyes out there on the roads commercial truck drivers, the recreational people that are driving or going to work or whatever they're doing...coming from the grocery store who knows who's going to run across that vehicle. We can't be everywhere all the time. We just need all those extra eyes."
According to statistics, Amber Alerts have helped save the lives of over 300 children nationwide.
What Is Wrong With This Picture?
This is the van that 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in at the Upper Souris NWR, after an 'apparent suicide' as LE put it. This photo was taken at the site where Leigh was found.
What is wrong with this picture???
Look at this picture carefully, and see if you can find at least three things that jump out at you, that don't seem right based on the information we have been given.
Please, if you would, comment below. I am interested to see if anyone else noticed the things I did. Thank you so much for your help.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Year End Review Part 3 - 12/28/2006
Year End Review Part 3
Dec 28 2006 8:07PM
KXMCTV Minot
It's time to continue our look at the top stories of 2006.
This time, Jim Olson reminds us of what was in the news in May and June...
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This article, in its entirety, can be read here.]
Dec 28 2006 8:07PM
KXMCTV Minot
It's time to continue our look at the top stories of 2006.
This time, Jim Olson reminds us of what was in the news in May and June...
In late May, a tragic story began unfolding with news that a young girl,
3-year old Reachelle Smith of Minot, was
missing and feared abducted by the boyfriend of her custodial mother. But the
story quickly took an ominous turn when the boyfriend was found dead inside a
van at the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge,
north of Minot. It was determined Lee Cowan had killed himself, but there was no
trace of little Reachelle. Her custodial and biological mothers, who are
sisters, pleaded for information to find their girl.
Hundreds of volunteers spent thousands of hours searching the refuge where
Cowan's body was found and many other locations based on tips and other
information in the case. But despite repeated searches, including efforts
involving the FBI, and a feature story on CBS's Early Show, there's been no sign
of the little girl and the story of Reachelle Smith has yet to reach a
conclusion.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This article, in its entirety, can be read here.]
Monday, March 26, 2007
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Authorities Recover Ground In Search For Reachelle Smith - 10/27/2006
Authorities Recover Ground In Search For Reachelle Smith
Oct 27 2006 11:36PM
KXMBTV Bismarck
Five months have passed since Reachelle Smith disappeared. She would have celebrated her fourth birthday in those missing weeks.
Now, authorities have returned to the site where her suspected abductor took his own life....... the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge.
There, the recovered old ground, looking for any sign of the missing Minot child.
Abby Wuellner has more.
Spring has turned to summer, and summer to fall in the months since anyone last saw Reachelle Smith, but still law enforcement officers continue to pursue her case...
(Cpt. Todd Keller, Ward Co. Sheriff Dpt.) "The sheriff wanted us to come back before the winter months, before everything was covered with snow, and do another search."
Today, searchers from the Ward County Sheriff's Department, the Minot Police Department, and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation retraced their steps at the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge...Where on May 23, authorities found the body of Leigh Cowen, the man believed responsible for the girl's disappearance.
Nearby, yellow tape still hangs on branches where they found things he left before he committed suicide.
Sgt. Larry Hubbard was among those who found the items in initial searches.
(Sgt. Larry Hubbard, Ward Co. Sheriff's Dpt.) "We've done numerous searches. i was out here the first day when we did the initial search."
But since then, he says other than the color of the leaves, little has changed.
(Sgt. Hubbard) "You can see the line a lot better with the foliage change, and a lot of the leaves off the trees, but still it's difficult walking with the steepness of the hills."
No new leads prompted this search. Rather, previous search parties weren't able to re-cover the whole area several months ago.
And as the 14 man search wrapped up this afternoon, those involved say they found nothing new pertaining to the case of the little girl...but added they don't intend to stop searches altogether.
(Sgt. Hubbard) "It's frustrating. You know, we want to have some kind of closure to the case one way or the other, whether we find Reachelle or have a different type of closure. Everybody would like to have closure."
So as fall turns to winter, and snow covers the leaves that now crunch underfoot, they'll continue to look for Reachelle and seek some closure in this case.
At the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge, Abby Wuellner, KX News.
In the next few weeks, Reachelle's family will have a dog-search recover the ground yet again.
Authorities are also asking that hunters be on the look-out for any sign of the little girl.
Oct 27 2006 11:36PM
KXMBTV Bismarck
Five months have passed since Reachelle Smith disappeared. She would have celebrated her fourth birthday in those missing weeks.
Now, authorities have returned to the site where her suspected abductor took his own life....... the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge.
There, the recovered old ground, looking for any sign of the missing Minot child.
Abby Wuellner has more.
Spring has turned to summer, and summer to fall in the months since anyone last saw Reachelle Smith, but still law enforcement officers continue to pursue her case...
(Cpt. Todd Keller, Ward Co. Sheriff Dpt.) "The sheriff wanted us to come back before the winter months, before everything was covered with snow, and do another search."
Today, searchers from the Ward County Sheriff's Department, the Minot Police Department, and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation retraced their steps at the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge...Where on May 23, authorities found the body of Leigh Cowen, the man believed responsible for the girl's disappearance.
Nearby, yellow tape still hangs on branches where they found things he left before he committed suicide.
Sgt. Larry Hubbard was among those who found the items in initial searches.
(Sgt. Larry Hubbard, Ward Co. Sheriff's Dpt.) "We've done numerous searches. i was out here the first day when we did the initial search."
But since then, he says other than the color of the leaves, little has changed.
(Sgt. Hubbard) "You can see the line a lot better with the foliage change, and a lot of the leaves off the trees, but still it's difficult walking with the steepness of the hills."
No new leads prompted this search. Rather, previous search parties weren't able to re-cover the whole area several months ago.
And as the 14 man search wrapped up this afternoon, those involved say they found nothing new pertaining to the case of the little girl...but added they don't intend to stop searches altogether.
(Sgt. Hubbard) "It's frustrating. You know, we want to have some kind of closure to the case one way or the other, whether we find Reachelle or have a different type of closure. Everybody would like to have closure."
So as fall turns to winter, and snow covers the leaves that now crunch underfoot, they'll continue to look for Reachelle and seek some closure in this case.
At the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge, Abby Wuellner, KX News.
In the next few weeks, Reachelle's family will have a dog-search recover the ground yet again.
Authorities are also asking that hunters be on the look-out for any sign of the little girl.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Authorities Recover Ground In Search For Reachelle Smith - 10/27/2006
Authorities Recover Ground In Search For Reachelle Smith
Oct 27 2006 8:06PM
KXMCTV Minot
Five months have passed since Reachelle Smith disappeared. She would have celebrated her fourth birthday in those missing weeks.
Now, authorities have returned to the site where her suspected abductor took his own life....... the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge.
There, the recovered old ground, looking for any sign of the missing Minot child.
Abby Wuellner has more.
Spring has turned to summer, and summer to fall in the months since anyone last saw Reachelle Smith, but still law enforcement officers continue to pursue her case...
(Cpt. Todd Keller, Ward Co. Sheriff Dpt.) "The sheriff wanted us to come back before the winter months, before everything was covered with snow, and do another search."
Today, searchers from the Ward County Sheriff's Department, the Minot Police Department, and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation retraced their steps at the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge...Where on May 23, authorities found the body of Leigh Cowen, the man believed responsible for the girl's disappearance.
Sgt. Larry Hubbard was among those who found the items in initial searches.
(Sgt. Larry Hubbard, Ward Co. Sheriff's Dpt.) "We've done numerous searches. i was out here the first day when we did the initial search."
But since then, he says other than the color of the leaves, little has changed.
(Sgt. Hubbard) "You can see the line a lot better with the foliage change, and a lot of the leaves off the trees, but still it's difficult walking with the steepness of the hills."
(Sgt. Hubbard) "It's frustrating. You know, we want to have some kind of closure to the case one way or the other, whether we find Reachelle or have a different type of closure. Everybody would like to have closure."
So as fall turns to winter, and snow covers the leaves that now crunch underfoot, they'll continue to look for Reachelle and seek some closure in this case.
At the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge, Abby Wuellner, KX News.
Authorities are also asking that hunters be on the look-out for any sign of the little girl.
Oct 27 2006 8:06PM
KXMCTV Minot
Five months have passed since Reachelle Smith disappeared. She would have celebrated her fourth birthday in those missing weeks.
Now, authorities have returned to the site where her suspected abductor took his own life....... the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge.
There, the recovered old ground, looking for any sign of the missing Minot child.
Abby Wuellner has more.
Spring has turned to summer, and summer to fall in the months since anyone last saw Reachelle Smith, but still law enforcement officers continue to pursue her case...
(Cpt. Todd Keller, Ward Co. Sheriff Dpt.) "The sheriff wanted us to come back before the winter months, before everything was covered with snow, and do another search."
Today, searchers from the Ward County Sheriff's Department, the Minot Police Department, and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation retraced their steps at the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge...Where on May 23, authorities found the body of Leigh Cowen, the man believed responsible for the girl's disappearance.
Nearby, yellow tape still hangs on branches where they found things he left
before he committed suicide.
Sgt. Larry Hubbard was among those who found the items in initial searches.
(Sgt. Larry Hubbard, Ward Co. Sheriff's Dpt.) "We've done numerous searches. i was out here the first day when we did the initial search."
But since then, he says other than the color of the leaves, little has changed.
(Sgt. Hubbard) "You can see the line a lot better with the foliage change, and a lot of the leaves off the trees, but still it's difficult walking with the steepness of the hills."
No new leads prompted this search. Rather, previous search parties weren't
able to re-cover the whole area several months ago.
And as the 14 man search wrapped up this afternoon, those involved say they
found nothing new pertaining to the case of the little girl...but added they
don't intend to stop searches altogether.
(Sgt. Hubbard) "It's frustrating. You know, we want to have some kind of closure to the case one way or the other, whether we find Reachelle or have a different type of closure. Everybody would like to have closure."
So as fall turns to winter, and snow covers the leaves that now crunch underfoot, they'll continue to look for Reachelle and seek some closure in this case.
At the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge, Abby Wuellner, KX News.
In the next few weeks, Reachelle's family will have a dog-search recover
the ground yet again.
Authorities are also asking that hunters be on the look-out for any sign of the little girl.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Authorites End Search For Reachelle Smith - 10/27/2006
Authorites End Search For Reachelle Smith
Oct 27 2006 4:09PM
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. (AP) Ward County authorities have ended their search today for young Reachelle Smith of Minot, who's been missing since in May.
About 15 law enforcement officers started the search about ten a-m. and searched until about 3 p-m. The search was focused on an area around the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot, where the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in late May.
Authorities said Cowen claimed to be Reachelle's father. They believe he killed himself, but they found no sign of Reachelle.
A number of searches earlier involving hundreds of volunteers turned up no trace of her.
Oct 27 2006 4:09PM
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. (AP) Ward County authorities have ended their search today for young Reachelle Smith of Minot, who's been missing since in May.
About 15 law enforcement officers started the search about ten a-m. and searched until about 3 p-m. The search was focused on an area around the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot, where the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in late May.
Authorities said Cowen claimed to be Reachelle's father. They believe he killed himself, but they found no sign of Reachelle.
Sheriff's Captain Todd Keller says nothing but a few animal bones were
found in today's search.
He says another search won't be planned until there are some new leads inReachelle turned four years old in September. She was last seen at her Minot home on May 16th.
the case.
A number of searches earlier involving hundreds of volunteers turned up no trace of her.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Authorites Searching Again Today For Reachelle Smith - 10/27/2006
Authorites Searching Again Today For Reachelle Smith
Oct 27 2006 12:00PM
Associated Press
Authorities searching again today for Reachelle Smith
Minot, N.D. (AP) Ward County authorities are searching again today for young Reachelle Smith of Minot, who's been missing since in May.
About a dozen law enforcement officers started the search about ten a-m. It's focused on an area around the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot, where the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in late May.
Authorities said Cowen claimed to be Reachelle's father. They believe he killed himself, but they found no sign of Reachelle.
Sheriff's Captain Todd Keller said earlier this week that authorities have no new leads, but they want to retrace their steps.
Reachelle turned four years old in September. She was last seen at her Minot home on May 16th.
A number of searches earlier involving hundreds of volunteers turned up no trace of her.
Oct 27 2006 12:00PM
Associated Press
Authorities searching again today for Reachelle Smith
Minot, N.D. (AP) Ward County authorities are searching again today for young Reachelle Smith of Minot, who's been missing since in May.
About a dozen law enforcement officers started the search about ten a-m. It's focused on an area around the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot, where the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in late May.
Authorities said Cowen claimed to be Reachelle's father. They believe he killed himself, but they found no sign of Reachelle.
Sheriff's Captain Todd Keller said earlier this week that authorities have no new leads, but they want to retrace their steps.
Reachelle turned four years old in September. She was last seen at her Minot home on May 16th.
A number of searches earlier involving hundreds of volunteers turned up no trace of her.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Authorities To Search Again Today For Reachelle Smith... - 10/27/2006
Authorities To Search Again Today For Reachelle Smith...
Oct 27 2006 7:21AM
Associated Press
Authorities to search again today for Reachelle Smith
Minot, N.D. (AP) Another search is planned today for young Reachelle Smith of Minot, who's been missing since in May.
Sheriff's Captain Todd Keller said earlier this week that authorities have no new leads, but he says they want to retrace their steps.
Reachelle turned four years old in September. She was last seen at her Minot home on May 16th.
Authorities thought she was with 22-year-old Leigh Cowen, who had claimed to be her father. He was found dead on the Upper SourisNational Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot in late May.
Authorities said he killed himself. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
Keller says today's search will be in the area where Cowen's body was found. And he says it will be scaled down, with about a dozen officers.
A number of searches earlier involving hundreds of volunteers turned up no trace of Reachelle.
Oct 27 2006 7:21AM
Associated Press
Authorities to search again today for Reachelle Smith
Minot, N.D. (AP) Another search is planned today for young Reachelle Smith of Minot, who's been missing since in May.
Sheriff's Captain Todd Keller said earlier this week that authorities have no new leads, but he says they want to retrace their steps.
Reachelle turned four years old in September. She was last seen at her Minot home on May 16th.
Authorities thought she was with 22-year-old Leigh Cowen, who had claimed to be her father. He was found dead on the Upper SourisNational Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot in late May.
Authorities said he killed himself. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
Keller says today's search will be in the area where Cowen's body was found. And he says it will be scaled down, with about a dozen officers.
A number of searches earlier involving hundreds of volunteers turned up no trace of Reachelle.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Another Search Planned Friday For Reachelle Smith - 10/25/2006
Another Search Planned Friday For Reachelle Smith
Oct 25 2006 12:00PM
Associated Press
(Don May, KCJB, Minot)
MINOT, N.D. (AP) The Ward County Sheriff's Department plans another search Friday for young Reachelle Smith of Minot, who disappeared in May.
The girl who turned four years old in September was last seen at her Minot home on May 16th.
The body of a family friend, 22-year-old Leigh Cowen, was found on the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot in late May. Authorities said he killed himself. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
A number of searches since then have turned up no trace of her.
Keller says Friday's search will be in the area where Cowen's body was found. He says it will be a scaled-down search, involving about 15 officers.
Keller says authorities are not asking for volunteers, but they're asking hunters to watch for anything suspicious and are asking land owners to check shelterbelts, sloughs and other areas.
Oct 25 2006 12:00PM
Associated Press
(Don May, KCJB, Minot)
MINOT, N.D. (AP) The Ward County Sheriff's Department plans another search Friday for young Reachelle Smith of Minot, who disappeared in May.
Sheriff's Captain Todd Keller says authorities have no new leads, but he says
they want to retrace their steps.
The girl who turned four years old in September was last seen at her Minot home on May 16th.
The body of a family friend, 22-year-old Leigh Cowen, was found on the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot in late May. Authorities said he killed himself. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
A number of searches since then have turned up no trace of her.
Keller says Friday's search will be in the area where Cowen's body was found. He says it will be a scaled-down search, involving about 15 officers.
Keller says authorities are not asking for volunteers, but they're asking hunters to watch for anything suspicious and are asking land owners to check shelterbelts, sloughs and other areas.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Bloodhounds To Resume Search For Missing Girl - 9/11/2006
Bloodhounds To Resume Search For Missing Girl
Sep 11 2006 2:03PM
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. (AP) The mother of a missing Minot girl says a South Dakota bloodhound handler will continue to help in the search.
Reachelle Smith has been missing since mid-May and massive search efforts have turned up no trace of her.
Reachelle's mother Samantha Smith says Denny Adams will bring his bloodhounds back to the Minot area in a couple of weeks.
Adams, of Conde, South Dakota, has been involved in two earlier searches.
Reachelle Smith turned four years old over the weekend.
Reachelle was believed to be with a family friend, Leigh Cowen.
He was found dead after an apparent suicide. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
Samantha Smith says she's holding out hope that her daughter is still alive and that whomever may have her remembered her birthday.
Sep 11 2006 2:03PM
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. (AP) The mother of a missing Minot girl says a South Dakota bloodhound handler will continue to help in the search.
Reachelle Smith has been missing since mid-May and massive search efforts have turned up no trace of her.
Reachelle's mother Samantha Smith says Denny Adams will bring his bloodhounds back to the Minot area in a couple of weeks.
Adams, of Conde, South Dakota, has been involved in two earlier searches.
Reachelle Smith turned four years old over the weekend.
Reachelle was believed to be with a family friend, Leigh Cowen.
He was found dead after an apparent suicide. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
Samantha Smith says she's holding out hope that her daughter is still alive and that whomever may have her remembered her birthday.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Mother Marks Reachelle Smith's 4th Birthday - 9/11/2006
Mother Marks Reachelle Smith's 4th Birthday
Sep 11 2006 1:36PM
KXMCTV Minot
This weekend was Reachelle Smith's fourth birthday.
Reachelle is the Minot girl who was last seen in mid-May and has since been the subject of hours and days and weeks of searching.
And that searching will resume in a couple of weeks.
It'll be the third trip to the region for the dog handler.
Sep 11 2006 1:36PM
KXMCTV Minot
This weekend was Reachelle Smith's fourth birthday.
Reachelle is the Minot girl who was last seen in mid-May and has since been the subject of hours and days and weeks of searching.
And that searching will resume in a couple of weeks.
Samantha Smith, Reachelle's biological mother, says a search dog owner from South Dakota
will be making another trip to the Minot area soon to comb more areas where the
young girl's body might have been left.
It'll be the third trip to the region for the dog handler.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Bloodhounds Resume Search For Missing Girl - 9/11/2006
Bloodhounds Resume Search For Missing Girl
Sep 11 2006 9:12AM
Associated Press
(Jim Olson/KXMC)
Minot, N.D. (AP) The mother of a missing Minot girl says a South Dakota bloodhound handler will continue to help in the search.
Reachelle Smith has been missing since mid-May and massive search efforts have turned up no trace of her.
Reachelle's mother Samantha Smith says Denny Adams will bring his bloodhounds back to the Minot area in a couple of weeks.
Denny Adams, of Conde, South Dakota, has been involved in two earlier searches.
Reachelle Smith turned four years old over the weekend.Reachelle was believed to be with a family friend, Leigh Cowen.
He was found dead after an apparent suicide. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
Sep 11 2006 9:12AM
Associated Press
(Jim Olson/KXMC)
Minot, N.D. (AP) The mother of a missing Minot girl says a South Dakota bloodhound handler will continue to help in the search.
Reachelle Smith has been missing since mid-May and massive search efforts have turned up no trace of her.
Reachelle's mother Samantha Smith says Denny Adams will bring his bloodhounds back to the Minot area in a couple of weeks.
Denny Adams, of Conde, South Dakota, has been involved in two earlier searches.
Reachelle Smith turned four years old over the weekend.Reachelle was believed to be with a family friend, Leigh Cowen.
He was found dead after an apparent suicide. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
Samantha Smith says she's holding out hope that her daughter is still alive
and that whomever may have her remembered her birthday.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Reachelle Smith Turns 4 Years Old - 9/10/2006
Reachelle Smith Turns 4 Years Old
Sep 10 2006 11:36PM
KXMBTV Bismarck
Today is Reachelle Smith's fourth birthday.
Reachelle is the Minot girl who was last seen in Mid-May and has since been the subject of weeks of searching.
And that searching will resume in the next couple weeks.
Reachelle's mother Samantha Smith says a search dog owner from South Dakota will be making another trip to the Minot area soon to comb more areas in search of clues.
It'll be the third trip to the region for the dog-handler.
Samantha says she hopes Reachelle will be found soon and hopes especially that her daughter's birthday is being remembered by whomever has her.
Minot Police and Ward County deputies say previous searches for Reachelle have turned up nothing.
They also say there are no new leads in the case.
Sep 10 2006 11:36PM
KXMBTV Bismarck
Today is Reachelle Smith's fourth birthday.
Reachelle is the Minot girl who was last seen in Mid-May and has since been the subject of weeks of searching.
And that searching will resume in the next couple weeks.
Reachelle's mother Samantha Smith says a search dog owner from South Dakota will be making another trip to the Minot area soon to comb more areas in search of clues.
It'll be the third trip to the region for the dog-handler.
And his lack of success in finding anything related to Reachelle has her
mother encouraged.
(Samantha Smith, Reachelle's Mother) "Him not finding anything has been...has
been a joy. But it's been hard. It's a joy because it doesn't point to she's
dead, but it's hard because she's still not home."
Samantha says she hopes Reachelle will be found soon and hopes especially that her daughter's birthday is being remembered by whomever has her.
"We don't know if they're giving her a good birthday party. We don't know if
she'll get any presents, or a hug, or anything. And that's the hardest part for
us is just not knowing."
Minot Police and Ward County deputies say previous searches for Reachelle have turned up nothing.
They also say there are no new leads in the case.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Police Ask Hunters To Be Alert For Clues That Might Lead To... - 8/31/2006
Police Ask Hunters To Be Alert For Clues That Might Lead To...
Aug 31 2006 11:11AM
Associated Press
Police ask hunters to be alert for clues that might lead to 3-year-old
(Don May, KCJB, Minot)
MINOT, N.D. (AP) Minot Police are asking hunters who take to the fields next month to watch for any clues that might lead to 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
The Minot girl has been missing since mid-May. Extensive searches have turned up no trace of her.
Minot Police Captain Al Hanson is asking hunters not only in the Minot area but also across the state to be on the lookout.
Aug 31 2006 11:11AM
Associated Press
Police ask hunters to be alert for clues that might lead to 3-year-old
(Don May, KCJB, Minot)
MINOT, N.D. (AP) Minot Police are asking hunters who take to the fields next month to watch for any clues that might lead to 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
The Minot girl has been missing since mid-May. Extensive searches have turned up no trace of her.
Minot Police Captain Al Hanson is asking hunters not only in the Minot area but also across the state to be on the lookout.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Family Still Hopes 3-Year-Old Can Be Found - 8/29/2006
Family Still Hopes 3-Year-Old Can Be Found
Aug 29 2006 9:11AM
Associated Press
Family still hopes 3-year-old can be found
Minot, N.D. (AP) Bloodhound handler Denny Adams has broughthis dogs to the Minot (North Dakota) area to join the search for three-year-old Reachelle Smith, who's been missing more than three months.
Minot Police Sergeant Jason Sundbakken says it's a flashlight.
Sundbakken says it might have come from one of the search parties.
He says it was turned over to the Ward County Sheriff's Departmentto be checked out.
Yesterday Adams and his dog Molly were out searching an area west of the Minot Air Force Base for Reachelle.
The girl's aunt and legal guardian, Stephanie Smith, says her family is hoping for some kind of a clue.
Reachelle was last seen at her Minot home on the night of May 16th.
Aug 29 2006 9:11AM
Associated Press
Family still hopes 3-year-old can be found
Minot, N.D. (AP) Bloodhound handler Denny Adams has broughthis dogs to the Minot (North Dakota) area to join the search for three-year-old Reachelle Smith, who's been missing more than three months.
Adams, of Conde (kahn-DEE') says his search turned up what he called an "item of
interest" that's been given to authorities.
Minot Police Sergeant Jason Sundbakken says it's a flashlight.
Sundbakken says it might have come from one of the search parties.
He says it was turned over to the Ward County Sheriff's Departmentto be checked out.
Yesterday Adams and his dog Molly were out searching an area west of the Minot Air Force Base for Reachelle.
The girl's aunt and legal guardian, Stephanie Smith, says her family is hoping for some kind of a clue.
Reachelle was last seen at her Minot home on the night of May 16th.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Missing Minot Girl Continues - 8/29/2006
Search For Missing Minot Girl Continues
Aug 29 2006 7:48AM
KXMCTV Minot
It's been more than three months now since Raechelle Smith was last seen alive.
The Minot three-year-old was last seen with Leigh Cowan a friend of the family who turned up dead on the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge days after her dissappearence.
His death was ruled a suicide her whereabouts have been a mystery ever since.
As Perry Olson shows us the search continued over the last 48 hours with some help from man's best friend.
She wouldn't make a great pet...
(Denny Adams - Dakota Territory Search Dogs) "They're not a neat animal. They slobber, and smell bad."
But today just west of the Minot Air Force Base a bloodhound like Molly here was the perfect tool in the continuing search for Raechelle Smith of Minot.
(Denny) "Scent evidence is the most prominent evidence at crime scenes but it's the most overlooked because you can't see it or take pictures of it."
Molly a three year old bloodhound belongs to Denny Adams of Dakota Territory Search Dogs a South Dakota company that is here at no cost to the family working to find little Raechelle.
(Denny) "We feel we have to do this because we have such a good resource in the bloodhounds in working older cases and cold cases."
The dogs work the water...
(Denny) "When she sticks her nose in there that's when she checks for scent."
and the ground...
(Denny) "When we are doing wooded areas we have clothes from Raechelle and even at this stage we like to give the dogs a scent article."
covering as much area as possible hoping to get a hit.
(Denny) "Molly...show me!"
Adams and the Smith family are hoping that pinpoint accuracy can eventually lead to a solution in this mystery.
Northwest of the Minot Air Force Base Perry Olson, KX News.
This type of search is something Denny Adams and his crew have plenty of experience.
They were involoved in the search for Dru Sjodin and even have a dog named Dru in her honor.
They also partcipated in the search for the Atlanta Olympic bomber.
Aug 29 2006 7:48AM
KXMCTV Minot
It's been more than three months now since Raechelle Smith was last seen alive.
The Minot three-year-old was last seen with Leigh Cowan a friend of the family who turned up dead on the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge days after her dissappearence.
His death was ruled a suicide her whereabouts have been a mystery ever since.
Even after national attention and plenty of leads the case went cold and
authorities were forced to stop their search.
But hope isn't lost.
As Perry Olson shows us the search continued over the last 48 hours with some help from man's best friend.
She wouldn't make a great pet...
(Denny Adams - Dakota Territory Search Dogs) "They're not a neat animal. They slobber, and smell bad."
But today just west of the Minot Air Force Base a bloodhound like Molly here was the perfect tool in the continuing search for Raechelle Smith of Minot.
(Denny) "Scent evidence is the most prominent evidence at crime scenes but it's the most overlooked because you can't see it or take pictures of it."
(Stephanie Smith - Raechelle's Mother) "Dogs just get their nose right in there
and go around thick trees and stuff. Its nice knowing that they are going
through and checking everything."
Molly a three year old bloodhound belongs to Denny Adams of Dakota Territory Search Dogs a South Dakota company that is here at no cost to the family working to find little Raechelle.
(Denny) "We feel we have to do this because we have such a good resource in the bloodhounds in working older cases and cold cases."
The dogs work the water...
(Denny) "When she sticks her nose in there that's when she checks for scent."
and the ground...
(Denny) "When we are doing wooded areas we have clothes from Raechelle and even at this stage we like to give the dogs a scent article."
covering as much area as possible hoping to get a hit.
(Denny) "Molly...show me!"
Adams and the Smith family are hoping that pinpoint accuracy can eventually lead to a solution in this mystery.
Northwest of the Minot Air Force Base Perry Olson, KX News.
This type of search is something Denny Adams and his crew have plenty of experience.
They were involoved in the search for Dru Sjodin and even have a dog named Dru in her honor.
They also partcipated in the search for the Atlanta Olympic bomber.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search for Missing Minot Girl Continues - 8/28/2006
Search For Missing Minot Girl Continues
Aug 28 2006 7:42PM
KXMBTV Bismarck
It's been more than three months now since Raechelle Smith was last seen alive. But that does not mean the search is over...
The Minot three-year-old was last seen with Leigh Cowan a friend of the family who turned up dead on the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge days after her dissappearence.
His death was ruled a suicide her whereabouts have been a mystery ever since.
The case drew national attention and plenty of leads.
As Perry Olson shows us the search continued over the last 48 hours with some help from man's best friend.
(Denny Adams - Dakota Territory Search Dogs) "They're not a neat animal. They slobber, and smell bad."
But today just west of the Minot Air Force Base a bloodhound like Molly here was the perfect tool in the continuing search for Raechelle Smith of Minot.
(Denny) "Scent evidence is the most prominent evidence at crime scenes but it's the most overlooked because you can't see it or take pictures of it."
Molly a three year old bloodhound belongs to Denny Adams of Dakota Territory Search Dogs a South Dakota company that is here at no cost to the family working to find little Raechelle.
(Denny) "We feel we have to do this because we have such a good resource in the bloodhounds in working older cases and cold cases."
The dogs work the water...
(Denny) "When she sticks her nose in there that's when she checks for scent."
and the ground...
(Denny) "When we are doing wooded areas we have clothes from Raechelle and even at this stage we like to give the dogs a scent article."
(Denny) "Molly...show me!"
Adams and the Smith family are hoping that pinpoint accuracy can eventually lead to a solution in this mystery.
Northwest of the Minot Air Force Base Perry Olson, KX News.
This type of search is something Denny Adams and his crew have plenty of experience with.
They were involoved in the search for Dru Sjodin and even have a dog named Dru in her honor.
Aug 28 2006 7:42PM
KXMBTV Bismarck
It's been more than three months now since Raechelle Smith was last seen alive. But that does not mean the search is over...
The Minot three-year-old was last seen with Leigh Cowan a friend of the family who turned up dead on the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge days after her dissappearence.
His death was ruled a suicide her whereabouts have been a mystery ever since.
The case drew national attention and plenty of leads.
Those have all run dry and local authorities have been forced to stop their
search. But that doesn't mean searching is not going on.
As Perry Olson shows us the search continued over the last 48 hours with some help from man's best friend.
(Denny Adams - Dakota Territory Search Dogs) "They're not a neat animal. They slobber, and smell bad."
But today just west of the Minot Air Force Base a bloodhound like Molly here was the perfect tool in the continuing search for Raechelle Smith of Minot.
(Denny) "Scent evidence is the most prominent evidence at crime scenes but it's the most overlooked because you can't see it or take pictures of it."
(Stephanie Smith - Raechelle's Mother) "Its nice knowing that they are
going through and checking everything."
Molly a three year old bloodhound belongs to Denny Adams of Dakota Territory Search Dogs a South Dakota company that is here at no cost to the family working to find little Raechelle.
(Denny) "We feel we have to do this because we have such a good resource in the bloodhounds in working older cases and cold cases."
The dogs work the water...
(Denny) "When she sticks her nose in there that's when she checks for scent."
and the ground...
(Denny) "When we are doing wooded areas we have clothes from Raechelle and even at this stage we like to give the dogs a scent article."
(Denny) "Molly...show me!"
Adams and the Smith family are hoping that pinpoint accuracy can eventually lead to a solution in this mystery.
Northwest of the Minot Air Force Base Perry Olson, KX News.
This type of search is something Denny Adams and his crew have plenty of experience with.
They were involoved in the search for Dru Sjodin and even have a dog named Dru in her honor.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: New Search Planned For Missing Minot Girl - 8/26/2006
New Search Planned For Missing Minot Girl
Aug 26 2006 11:27PM
KXMBTV Bismarck
A new search is planned this weekend for a young Minot girl missing for three months.
The family of Reachelle Smith has asked a team of dog handlers to repeat some searches.
Local law enforcement officials say they have no new leads or information that would make them request such a new search, but they welcome the effort.
Dog handlers from South Dakota and Iowa are expected to be searching for the body of the three-year-old girl tomorrow and Monday.
Reachelle disappeared in mid-May and police issued an Amber Alert for her, believing she may have been abducted by a friend of the family.
Leigh Cowen's body was found in his van.Police ruled his death suicide, searched the area near where his body was found, and have found nothing.
They later called off their search.
Aug 26 2006 11:27PM
KXMBTV Bismarck
A new search is planned this weekend for a young Minot girl missing for three months.
The family of Reachelle Smith has asked a team of dog handlers to repeat some searches.
Local law enforcement officials say they have no new leads or information that would make them request such a new search, but they welcome the effort.
Dog handlers from South Dakota and Iowa are expected to be searching for the body of the three-year-old girl tomorrow and Monday.
Reachelle disappeared in mid-May and police issued an Amber Alert for her, believing she may have been abducted by a friend of the family.
Leigh Cowen's body was found in his van.Police ruled his death suicide, searched the area near where his body was found, and have found nothing.
They later called off their search.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: New Search Planned For Minot Girl - 8/26/2006
New Search Planned For Minot Girl
Aug 26 2006 7:57PM
KXMCTV Minot
A new search is planned this weekend for a young Minot girl missing for three months.
The family of Reachelle Smith has asked a team of dog handlers to repeat some searches using their specially-trained dogs.
Dog handlers from South Dakota and Iowa are expected to be searching for the body of the three-year-old girl tomorrow and Monday.
Reachelle disappeared in mid-May and police issued an Amber Alert for her, believing she may have been abducted by a friend of her mother and aunt, Leigh Cowen.
Then, the day after the Amber Alert was issued, Cowen's body was found in his van and it was determined he had killed himself.
Since then, many searches have been conducted around where the van was found on the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge, and in places around Minot where officials received tips to look.
Local officials say they expect at least two search dogs to be part of the new search tomorrow and Monday.
Aug 26 2006 7:57PM
KXMCTV Minot
A new search is planned this weekend for a young Minot girl missing for three months.
The family of Reachelle Smith has asked a team of dog handlers to repeat some searches using their specially-trained dogs.
Local law enforcement officials say they have no new leads or information
that would make them request such a new search, but they welcome the
effort.
Dog handlers from South Dakota and Iowa are expected to be searching for the body of the three-year-old girl tomorrow and Monday.
Reachelle disappeared in mid-May and police issued an Amber Alert for her, believing she may have been abducted by a friend of her mother and aunt, Leigh Cowen.
It was later revealed that the girl had last been seen several days before the
missing person report was made to police and Cowen had disappeared with her.
Then, the day after the Amber Alert was issued, Cowen's body was found in his van and it was determined he had killed himself.
Since then, many searches have been conducted around where the van was found on the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge, and in places around Minot where officials received tips to look.
Local officials say they expect at least two search dogs to be part of the new search tomorrow and Monday.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Family Still Hopes 3-Year-Old Can Be Found - 7/29/2006
Family Still Hopes 3-Year-Old Can Be Found
Jul 29 2006 11:32AM
Associated Press
(William Goad, WDAZ, Devils Lake)
UNDATED (AP) It's been more than two months since three-year-old Reachelle Smith disappeared from her Minot home. Massive search efforts have turned up no trace of her.
The girl's aunt and legal guardian, Stephanie Smith, says just"not knowing" is the problem. She still believes Reachelle is alive somewhere.
Her sister Samantha, Reachelle's mother, says she's sure someone out there has "that one tip" that can lead to her daughter.
Reachelle was believed to be with a family friend, Leigh Cowen. He was found dead after an apparent suicide. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
Minot Police are still investigating the case and following up leads as they come in.
Jul 29 2006 11:32AM
Associated Press
(William Goad, WDAZ, Devils Lake)
UNDATED (AP) It's been more than two months since three-year-old Reachelle Smith disappeared from her Minot home. Massive search efforts have turned up no trace of her.
The girl's aunt and legal guardian, Stephanie Smith, says just"not knowing" is the problem. She still believes Reachelle is alive somewhere.
Her sister Samantha, Reachelle's mother, says she's sure someone out there has "that one tip" that can lead to her daughter.
Reachelle was believed to be with a family friend, Leigh Cowen. He was found dead after an apparent suicide. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
Minot Police are still investigating the case and following up leads as they come in.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Still Hoping For A Miracle - 7/29/2006
Still Hoping For A Miracle
Jul 29 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/
(AP) _ It's been more than two months since three-year-old Reachelle Smith disappeared from her Minot home. Massive search efforts have turned up no trace of her.
Reachelle was believed to be with a family friend, Leigh Cowen. He was found dead after an apparent suicide. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
Minot Police are still investigating the case and following up leads as they come in.
Jul 29 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/
(AP) _ It's been more than two months since three-year-old Reachelle Smith disappeared from her Minot home. Massive search efforts have turned up no trace of her.
The girl's aunt and legal guardian, Stephanie Smith, says just "not
knowing'' is the problem. She still believes Reachelle is alive somewhere.
Her sister Samantha, Reachelle's mother, says she's sure someone out there has
"that one tip'' that can lead to her daughter.
Reachelle was believed to be with a family friend, Leigh Cowen. He was found dead after an apparent suicide. But there was no sign of Reachelle.
Minot Police are still investigating the case and following up leads as they come in.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Leads Drying Up In Missing Girl Case - 6/25/2006
Leads Drying Up In Missing Girl Case
Jun 25 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/
(AP) _ It's been more than a month since three-year-old Reachelle Smith was last seen. And Minot police say leads have virtually dried up.
Authorities say hundreds of searchers have gone over thousands of acres of land and water but there's still no sign of Reachelle.
The man believed to have taken her 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found dead in a van at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge late last month, and police say he killed himself.
Police Detective Dan Strandberg says no new leads have come in for several days. He says the hope that the girl will be found alive is starting to fade.
Jun 25 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/
(AP) _ It's been more than a month since three-year-old Reachelle Smith was last seen. And Minot police say leads have virtually dried up.
Authorities say hundreds of searchers have gone over thousands of acres of land and water but there's still no sign of Reachelle.
The man believed to have taken her 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found dead in a van at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge late last month, and police say he killed himself.
Police Detective Dan Strandberg says no new leads have come in for several days. He says the hope that the girl will be found alive is starting to fade.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Leads Have Dried Up In Search For Missing 3-Year-Old-Girl From Minot - 6/24/2006
Leads Have Dried Up In Search For Missing 3-Year-Old-Girl From Minot
Jun 24 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ It's been more than a month since three-year-old Reachelle Smith was last seen. And Minot Police say leads have virtually dried up.
The man believed to have taken her 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found dead in a van at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge late last month, and police say he killed himself.
Police Detective Dan Strandberg says no new leads have come in for several days. He says the hope that the girl will be found alive is starting to fade.
Jun 24 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ It's been more than a month since three-year-old Reachelle Smith was last seen. And Minot Police say leads have virtually dried up.
Authorities say hundreds of searchers have gone over thousands of acres of land
and water but there's still no sign of Reachelle.
The man believed to have taken her 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found dead in a van at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge late last month, and police say he killed himself.
Police Detective Dan Strandberg says no new leads have come in for several days. He says the hope that the girl will be found alive is starting to fade.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Missing Girl At A Standstill - 6/12/2006
Search For Missing Girl At A Standstill
Jun 12 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Minot Police say the search for three-year-old Reachelle Smith is pretty much at a standstill, but they continue to follow up on leads.
Reachelle has been missing since May 16th. The man believed to have taken her, 22-year-old Leigh Cowen, was found dead in a van in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, and police say he killed himself. They found no sign of Reachelle.
Police Lieutenant Steve Kukowski says no more large-scale searches are planned. But he says two investigators continue to compile information, looking for something that might have been left uncovered.
Kukowski says police also are checking with the F-B-I, the sheriff's office and other agencies.
Jun 12 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Minot Police say the search for three-year-old Reachelle Smith is pretty much at a standstill, but they continue to follow up on leads.
Reachelle has been missing since May 16th. The man believed to have taken her, 22-year-old Leigh Cowen, was found dead in a van in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, and police say he killed himself. They found no sign of Reachelle.
Police Lieutenant Steve Kukowski says no more large-scale searches are planned. But he says two investigators continue to compile information, looking for something that might have been left uncovered.
Kukowski says police also are checking with the F-B-I, the sheriff's office and other agencies.
He says police welcome all leads, even if some might consider them frivolous.
He says police even have followed up on tips from psychics, but have found
nothing.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: No More Searches Planned - 6/05/2006
No More Searches Planned
Jun 5 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/
(AP) _ Minot authorities are still asking rural residents to check their property for clues in the disappearance of Reachelle Smith.
The three-year-old girl has been missing more than two weeks. And a search by horseback riders of four townships on Saturday failed to turn up any sign of her.
Minot Police Captain Al Hanson says no more searches of that magnitude are planned.
One of the riders on Saturday was injured when his horse started bucking. Authorities say 41-year-old Tom Freud of Cando tried to dismount but fell at an angle, breaking his leg.
He's listed in satisfactory condition today at Minot's Trinity Hospital.
Also joining Saturday's search was Becker County Deputy Darwin Nundahl, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Nundahl says he has a three-year-old daughter, and he wanted to help.
Jun 5 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/
(AP) _ Minot authorities are still asking rural residents to check their property for clues in the disappearance of Reachelle Smith.
The three-year-old girl has been missing more than two weeks. And a search by horseback riders of four townships on Saturday failed to turn up any sign of her.
Minot Police Captain Al Hanson says no more searches of that magnitude are planned.
One of the riders on Saturday was injured when his horse started bucking. Authorities say 41-year-old Tom Freud of Cando tried to dismount but fell at an angle, breaking his leg.
He's listed in satisfactory condition today at Minot's Trinity Hospital.
Also joining Saturday's search was Becker County Deputy Darwin Nundahl, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Nundahl says he has a three-year-old daughter, and he wanted to help.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search Continues For 3-Year-Old N.D. Girl - 6/05/2006
Search Continues For 3-Year-Old N.D. Girl
Jun 5 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Police Chief Dan Draovitch had difficulty sleeping the night before he handed in his badge after 38 years in law enforcement. It wasn't his retirement keeping him awake - but a case he was leaving behind.
Jun 5 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Police Chief Dan Draovitch had difficulty sleeping the night before he handed in his badge after 38 years in law enforcement. It wasn't his retirement keeping him awake - but a case he was leaving behind.
The disappearance of 3-year-old Reachelle Smith, who was last
seen May 16, has been one of the most complex and frustrating cases ever
investigated by his department, he said.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Frustrating Search For Girl Continues - 6/04/2006
Frustrating Search For Girl Continues
Jun 4 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Police Chief Dan Draovitch had difficulty sleeping on the night before he handed in his badge and retired after 38 years in law enforcement. It was not retirement that was keeping him awake - but a case he was leaving behind...
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the third identical article to those previously posted.]
Jun 4 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Police Chief Dan Draovitch had difficulty sleeping on the night before he handed in his badge and retired after 38 years in law enforcement. It was not retirement that was keeping him awake - but a case he was leaving behind...
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the third identical article to those previously posted.]
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Missing Girl Search - 6/03/2006
Missing Girl Search
Jun 3 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Ward County officials hope to get more than 100 horseback riders today for a major search for 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
Today's search will be focused on roads and ditches in an area from Ruthville to Deering.
Deputies say those are areas where 22-year-old Leigh Cowen is believed to have traveled.
Reachelle was believed to be with Cowen. His body was found in a van in the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge last week, but there was no sign of Reachelle. Authorities say Cowen apparently killed himself.
Jun 3 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Ward County officials hope to get more than 100 horseback riders today for a major search for 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
The girl has been missing for more than two weeks, but authorities are not
giving up hope of finding her.
Today's search will be focused on roads and ditches in an area from Ruthville to Deering.
Deputies say those are areas where 22-year-old Leigh Cowen is believed to have traveled.
Reachelle was believed to be with Cowen. His body was found in a van in the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge last week, but there was no sign of Reachelle. Authorities say Cowen apparently killed himself.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Case Is Baffling, But Search For 3-Year-Old Girl Continues - 6/03/2006
Case Is baffling, But Search For 3-Year-Old Continues
Jun 3 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Police Chief Dan Draovitch had difficulty sleeping on the night before he handed in his badge and retired after 38 years in law enforcement. It was not retirement that was keeping him awake - but a case he was leaving behind.
The case of 3-year-old Reachelle Smith, last seen on May 16, haunted him. It has been one of the most complex and frustrating cases ever to be investigated by his department, he said.
Searches have turned up no trace of the girl known as "Peanut." And leads in the case have dried up.
"I haven't been this frustrated in years - it's driving me crazy," Draovitch said, as he cleared out his office on Wednesday, his last day with the department. "It feels terrible to leave this undone. But at the same time, it will be left in very capable hands."
Draovitch, 62, announced his retirement in January.
Armies of authorities and volunteers have scoured Minot and surrounding areas since May 22, when Reachelle was reported missing by her aunt, Stephanie Smith, 24, the child's legal guardian.
Reachelle was believed to be with Leigh Cowen, a man wanted on a parole violation who had been living with Smith, and who claimed to be Reachelle's father even though police say DNA tests proved he was not.
Police said Cowen told Smith that Reachelle was with his mother and she believed him, until a family van turned up missing, along with Cowen and Reachelle. Authorities later learned that Cowen's mother did not know the girl's whereabouts and issued an Amber Alert.
A day later, Cowen's body was found in a van in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, northwest of Minot. Authorities said the evidence showed he died from carbon monoxide poisoning about 12 hours before his body was found, after running a hose from the exhaust inside the vehicle.
There was no sign of Reachelle.
Over the past few weeks, law enforcement officers have sought help from FBI behavioral scientists and even psychics in their search for the child. Stephanie Smith and her sister Samantha, the child's biological mother, held a news conference to issue a tearful plea for her return. Samantha Smith, 22, had given legal custody of Reachelle to her sister at birth, Draovitch said.
A river channel near the child's home drew much interest from authorities early in the search. Divers dragged the water, while volunteers and bloodhounds searched the banks. The channel later was pumped dry.
"We've floated it, drained it, dove it, dogged it and walked it," said Capt. Al Hanson, the lead investigator in the case. "Nothing."
Most of the ground in the city has been searched "six, seven or eight times," he said.Draovitch and Hanson said some overtime has been paid to officers but most of them have volunteered to search for Reachelle while off-duty."
Most days, I have to kick the guys out and make them go home," Hanson said. One officer was covered with more than 80 ticks after one day of searching, he said.Cowen's mother, Ellen Loomis, of Derby, Kan., said her son turned 22 years old on May 16, the day Reachelle was last seen.
Loomis, who had moved from Minot shortly before the child disappeared, said she had taken care of Reachelle only once. She said she learned she was not the Reachelle's grandmother when police began investigating the child's disappearance. Her son and "everyone else led me to believe I was her grandmother until she went missing," she said.
Authorities have said they questioned Loomis and are satisfied that she has no idea of Reachelle's whereabouts. She said she is as baffled they are.
"I don't know the story," she said. "I wish I knew - it would be a lot easier on me. I just want her found. That's all I want."
Cowen's ashes were sent to his mother last week, police said.
Cowen was on probation for theft of property in Ward County and was being supervised in Fargo when he failed to report in as required. A warrant was issued in April for his arrest on charges of violating his probation and he was facing up to 18 months in prison for the parole violation, Hanson said.
Before Reachelle disappeared, Cowen had taken dozens of snapshots of the child to bring with him to prison, Draovitch said. DNA tests earlier had proved he was not the father, the chief said.
Authorities do not know why he continued to claim the girl was his daughter.
"He said he was the father, and his mother was convinced he was the father," Draovitch said. "He called her his child and he claimed she was his child, but I'm not sure he was ever totally convinced that he was the father."
Draovitch said Cowen did not leave any clues about why he killed himself, or any clues to Reachelle. Still, police consider him the only suspect in the girl's disappearance.
"Everything we've run down leads back to him," Hanson said.
Two volunteers from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were in Minot last week to help in the investigation. Missing-child experts Pat Farrell, a retired police chief from Rochester, Minn., and Lee Manning, a retired Massachusetts State Police officer, said they believed authorities in North Dakota have been doing everything possible to find the child.
"They are not leaving any stone unturned," Manning said.
Draovitch said many of the 62 officers in the department are "physically and emotionally drained" from the case, but no one has given up.
"People have come together like you would not believe," he said.
Jun 3 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Police Chief Dan Draovitch had difficulty sleeping on the night before he handed in his badge and retired after 38 years in law enforcement. It was not retirement that was keeping him awake - but a case he was leaving behind.
The case of 3-year-old Reachelle Smith, last seen on May 16, haunted him. It has been one of the most complex and frustrating cases ever to be investigated by his department, he said.
Searches have turned up no trace of the girl known as "Peanut." And leads in the case have dried up.
"I haven't been this frustrated in years - it's driving me crazy," Draovitch said, as he cleared out his office on Wednesday, his last day with the department. "It feels terrible to leave this undone. But at the same time, it will be left in very capable hands."
Draovitch, 62, announced his retirement in January.
Armies of authorities and volunteers have scoured Minot and surrounding areas since May 22, when Reachelle was reported missing by her aunt, Stephanie Smith, 24, the child's legal guardian.
Reachelle was believed to be with Leigh Cowen, a man wanted on a parole violation who had been living with Smith, and who claimed to be Reachelle's father even though police say DNA tests proved he was not.
Police said Cowen told Smith that Reachelle was with his mother and she believed him, until a family van turned up missing, along with Cowen and Reachelle. Authorities later learned that Cowen's mother did not know the girl's whereabouts and issued an Amber Alert.
A day later, Cowen's body was found in a van in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, northwest of Minot. Authorities said the evidence showed he died from carbon monoxide poisoning about 12 hours before his body was found, after running a hose from the exhaust inside the vehicle.
There was no sign of Reachelle.
Over the past few weeks, law enforcement officers have sought help from FBI behavioral scientists and even psychics in their search for the child. Stephanie Smith and her sister Samantha, the child's biological mother, held a news conference to issue a tearful plea for her return. Samantha Smith, 22, had given legal custody of Reachelle to her sister at birth, Draovitch said.
A river channel near the child's home drew much interest from authorities early in the search. Divers dragged the water, while volunteers and bloodhounds searched the banks. The channel later was pumped dry.
"We've floated it, drained it, dove it, dogged it and walked it," said Capt. Al Hanson, the lead investigator in the case. "Nothing."
Most of the ground in the city has been searched "six, seven or eight times," he said.Draovitch and Hanson said some overtime has been paid to officers but most of them have volunteered to search for Reachelle while off-duty."
Most days, I have to kick the guys out and make them go home," Hanson said. One officer was covered with more than 80 ticks after one day of searching, he said.Cowen's mother, Ellen Loomis, of Derby, Kan., said her son turned 22 years old on May 16, the day Reachelle was last seen.
Loomis, who had moved from Minot shortly before the child disappeared, said she had taken care of Reachelle only once. She said she learned she was not the Reachelle's grandmother when police began investigating the child's disappearance. Her son and "everyone else led me to believe I was her grandmother until she went missing," she said.
Authorities have said they questioned Loomis and are satisfied that she has no idea of Reachelle's whereabouts. She said she is as baffled they are.
"I don't know the story," she said. "I wish I knew - it would be a lot easier on me. I just want her found. That's all I want."
Cowen's ashes were sent to his mother last week, police said.
Cowen was on probation for theft of property in Ward County and was being supervised in Fargo when he failed to report in as required. A warrant was issued in April for his arrest on charges of violating his probation and he was facing up to 18 months in prison for the parole violation, Hanson said.
Before Reachelle disappeared, Cowen had taken dozens of snapshots of the child to bring with him to prison, Draovitch said. DNA tests earlier had proved he was not the father, the chief said.
Authorities do not know why he continued to claim the girl was his daughter.
"He said he was the father, and his mother was convinced he was the father," Draovitch said. "He called her his child and he claimed she was his child, but I'm not sure he was ever totally convinced that he was the father."
Draovitch said Cowen did not leave any clues about why he killed himself, or any clues to Reachelle. Still, police consider him the only suspect in the girl's disappearance.
"Everything we've run down leads back to him," Hanson said.
Two volunteers from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were in Minot last week to help in the investigation. Missing-child experts Pat Farrell, a retired police chief from Rochester, Minn., and Lee Manning, a retired Massachusetts State Police officer, said they believed authorities in North Dakota have been doing everything possible to find the child.
"They are not leaving any stone unturned," Manning said.
Draovitch said many of the 62 officers in the department are "physically and emotionally drained" from the case, but no one has given up.
"People have come together like you would not believe," he said.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: About 100 Riders Comb Township Ditches For 3-Year-Old Girl - 6/03/2006
About 100 Riders Comb Township Ditches For 3-Year-Old Girl
Jun 3 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - About 100 horseback riders spread out through roads and ditches in four townships north and east of here Saturday, looking for signs of 3-year-old Reachelle Smith, now missing more than two weeks.
"It's pretty hot out here, but the volunteers are doing very well. We've got one of our squad vehicles pulling a water trailer, moving around and watering the horses," Ward County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Dave Bosh said at mid-afternoon.
The search had found "nothing significant" so far, he said.
The riders started before 9 a.m., seeking to cover about 250 miles before early evening.
"We've got between 90 and 100 riders out," Bosh said. "Geographically, we're looking north and east of Minot and we're covering four townships. We're doing all the roads and ditches in those townships."
Twenty-four horses were assigned to each township, and the groups were then broken down into teams of four, he said.
"Two go on either side of the road - go up to the end and come back down another road," he said.The Red Cross providing food and drinks to the riders, he said.
Authorities said the search was in an area where Leigh Cowen was reported to have driven along back roads.
Reachelle, who has been missing since the night of May 16, was believed to be with Cowen, 22, but when his body was found in a van in the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge last week, there was no sign of her. Authorities said he apparently killed himself.
"We've had local landowners file reports that his van was seen in this area," Bosh said of Saturday's search area. Horseback riders would have the chance for a broader look, he said.
"If you put two or three horses side-by-side, the riders are up so much higher than a walker would be and they have a broader span of version," the deputy said. "The horses will maintain the slow, steady pace we need all day long."
Jun 3 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - About 100 horseback riders spread out through roads and ditches in four townships north and east of here Saturday, looking for signs of 3-year-old Reachelle Smith, now missing more than two weeks.
"It's pretty hot out here, but the volunteers are doing very well. We've got one of our squad vehicles pulling a water trailer, moving around and watering the horses," Ward County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Dave Bosh said at mid-afternoon.
The search had found "nothing significant" so far, he said.
The riders started before 9 a.m., seeking to cover about 250 miles before early evening.
"We've got between 90 and 100 riders out," Bosh said. "Geographically, we're looking north and east of Minot and we're covering four townships. We're doing all the roads and ditches in those townships."
Twenty-four horses were assigned to each township, and the groups were then broken down into teams of four, he said.
"Two go on either side of the road - go up to the end and come back down another road," he said.The Red Cross providing food and drinks to the riders, he said.
Authorities said the search was in an area where Leigh Cowen was reported to have driven along back roads.
Reachelle, who has been missing since the night of May 16, was believed to be with Cowen, 22, but when his body was found in a van in the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge last week, there was no sign of her. Authorities said he apparently killed himself.
"We've had local landowners file reports that his van was seen in this area," Bosh said of Saturday's search area. Horseback riders would have the chance for a broader look, he said.
"If you put two or three horses side-by-side, the riders are up so much higher than a walker would be and they have a broader span of version," the deputy said. "The horses will maintain the slow, steady pace we need all day long."
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For 3-Year-Old Girl Continues - 6/03/2006
Search For 3-Year-Old Girl Continues
Jun 3 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Police Chief Dan Draovitch had difficulty sleeping on the night before he handed in his badge and retired after 38 years in law enforcement. It was not retirement that was keeping him awake - but a case he was leaving behind.
The case of 3-year-old Reachelle Smith, last seen on May 16, haunted him. It has been one of the most complex and frustrating cases ever to be investigated by his department, he said.
Searches have turned up no trace of the girl known as "Peanut." And leads in the case have dried up.
"I haven't been this frustrated in years - it's driving me crazy," Draovitch said, as he cleared out his office on Wednesday, his last day with the department. "It feels terrible to leave this undone. But at the same time, it will be left in very capable hands."
Draovitch, 62, announced his retirement in January.
Armies of authorities and volunteers have scoured Minot and surrounding areas since May 22, when Reachelle was reported missing by her aunt, Stephanie Smith, 24, the child's legal guardian.
Reachelle was believed to be with Leigh Cowen, a man wanted on a parole violation who had been living with Smith, and who claimed to be Reachelle's father even though police say DNA tests proved he was not.
Police said Cowen told Smith that Reachelle was with his mother and she believed him, until a family van turned up missing, along with Cowen and Reachelle. Authorities later learned that Cowen's mother did not know the girl's whereabouts and issued an Amber Alert.
A day later, Cowen's body was found in a van in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, northwest of Minot. Authorities said the evidence showed he died from carbon monoxide poisoning about 12 hours before his body was found, after running a hose from the exhaust inside the vehicle.
There was no sign of Reachelle.
Over the past few weeks, law enforcement officers have sought help from FBI behavioral scientists and even psychics in their search for the child. Stephanie Smith and her sister Samantha, the child's biological mother, held a news conference to issue a tearful plea for her return. Samantha Smith, 22, had given legal custody of Reachelle to her sister at birth, Draovitch said.
A river channel near the child's home drew much interest from authorities early in the search. Divers dragged the water, while volunteers and bloodhounds searched the banks. The channel later was pumped dry.
Most of the ground in the city has been searched "six, seven or eight times," he said.
Draovitch and Hanson said some overtime has been paid to officers but most of them have volunteered to search for Reachelle while off-duty."
Most days, I have to kick the guys out and make them go home," Hanson said. One officer was covered with more than 80 ticks after one day of searching, he said.
Cowen's mother, Ellen Loomis, of Derby, Kan., said her son turned 22 years old on May 16, the day Reachelle was last seen.
Authorities have said they questioned Loomis and are satisfied that she has no idea of Reachelle's whereabouts. She said she is as baffled they are.
"I don't know the story," she said. "I wish I knew - it would be a lot easier on me. I just want her found. That's all I want."
Cowen's ashes were sent to his mother last week, police said.
Cowen was on probation for theft of property in Ward County and was being supervised in Fargo when he failed to report in as required. A warrant was issued in April for his arrest on charges of violating his probation and he was facing up to 18 months in prison for the parole violation, Hanson said.
Before Reachelle disappeared, Cowen had taken dozens of snapshots of the child to bring with him to prison, Draovitch said. DNA tests earlier had proved he was not the father, the chief said.
Authorities do not know why he continued to claim the girl was his daughter."He said he was the father, and his mother was convinced he was the father," Draovitch said. "He called her his child and he claimed she was his child, but I'm not sure he was ever totally convinced that he was the father."
Draovitch said Cowen did not leave any clues about why he killed himself, or any clues to Reachelle. Still, police consider him the only suspect in the girl's disappearance.
"Everything we've run down leads back to him," Hanson said.
Two volunteers from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were in Minot last week to help in the investigation. Missing-child experts Pat Farrell, a retired police chief from Rochester, Minn., and Lee Manning, a retired Massachusetts State Police officer, said they believed authorities in North Dakota have been doing everything possible to find the child.
"They are not leaving any stone unturned," Manning said.
Draovitch said many of the 62 officers in the department are "physically and emotionally drained" from the case, but no one has given up.
Jun 3 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Police Chief Dan Draovitch had difficulty sleeping on the night before he handed in his badge and retired after 38 years in law enforcement. It was not retirement that was keeping him awake - but a case he was leaving behind.
The case of 3-year-old Reachelle Smith, last seen on May 16, haunted him. It has been one of the most complex and frustrating cases ever to be investigated by his department, he said.
Searches have turned up no trace of the girl known as "Peanut." And leads in the case have dried up.
"I haven't been this frustrated in years - it's driving me crazy," Draovitch said, as he cleared out his office on Wednesday, his last day with the department. "It feels terrible to leave this undone. But at the same time, it will be left in very capable hands."
Draovitch, 62, announced his retirement in January.
Armies of authorities and volunteers have scoured Minot and surrounding areas since May 22, when Reachelle was reported missing by her aunt, Stephanie Smith, 24, the child's legal guardian.
Reachelle was believed to be with Leigh Cowen, a man wanted on a parole violation who had been living with Smith, and who claimed to be Reachelle's father even though police say DNA tests proved he was not.
Police said Cowen told Smith that Reachelle was with his mother and she believed him, until a family van turned up missing, along with Cowen and Reachelle. Authorities later learned that Cowen's mother did not know the girl's whereabouts and issued an Amber Alert.
A day later, Cowen's body was found in a van in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, northwest of Minot. Authorities said the evidence showed he died from carbon monoxide poisoning about 12 hours before his body was found, after running a hose from the exhaust inside the vehicle.
There was no sign of Reachelle.
Over the past few weeks, law enforcement officers have sought help from FBI behavioral scientists and even psychics in their search for the child. Stephanie Smith and her sister Samantha, the child's biological mother, held a news conference to issue a tearful plea for her return. Samantha Smith, 22, had given legal custody of Reachelle to her sister at birth, Draovitch said.
A river channel near the child's home drew much interest from authorities early in the search. Divers dragged the water, while volunteers and bloodhounds searched the banks. The channel later was pumped dry.
"We've floated it, drained it, dove it, dogged it and walked it," said
Capt. Al
Hanson, the lead investigator in the case. "Nothing."
Most of the ground in the city has been searched "six, seven or eight times," he said.
Draovitch and Hanson said some overtime has been paid to officers but most of them have volunteered to search for Reachelle while off-duty."
Most days, I have to kick the guys out and make them go home," Hanson said. One officer was covered with more than 80 ticks after one day of searching, he said.
Cowen's mother, Ellen Loomis, of Derby, Kan., said her son turned 22 years old on May 16, the day Reachelle was last seen.
Loomis, who had moved from Minot shortly before the child disappeared, said
she had taken care of Reachelle only once. She said she learned she was not the
Reachelle's grandmother when police began investigating the child's
disappearance. Her son and "everyone else led me to believe I was her
grandmother until she went missing," she said.
Authorities have said they questioned Loomis and are satisfied that she has no idea of Reachelle's whereabouts. She said she is as baffled they are.
"I don't know the story," she said. "I wish I knew - it would be a lot easier on me. I just want her found. That's all I want."
Cowen's ashes were sent to his mother last week, police said.
Cowen was on probation for theft of property in Ward County and was being supervised in Fargo when he failed to report in as required. A warrant was issued in April for his arrest on charges of violating his probation and he was facing up to 18 months in prison for the parole violation, Hanson said.
Before Reachelle disappeared, Cowen had taken dozens of snapshots of the child to bring with him to prison, Draovitch said. DNA tests earlier had proved he was not the father, the chief said.
Authorities do not know why he continued to claim the girl was his daughter."He said he was the father, and his mother was convinced he was the father," Draovitch said. "He called her his child and he claimed she was his child, but I'm not sure he was ever totally convinced that he was the father."
Draovitch said Cowen did not leave any clues about why he killed himself, or any clues to Reachelle. Still, police consider him the only suspect in the girl's disappearance.
"Everything we've run down leads back to him," Hanson said.
Two volunteers from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were in Minot last week to help in the investigation. Missing-child experts Pat Farrell, a retired police chief from Rochester, Minn., and Lee Manning, a retired Massachusetts State Police officer, said they believed authorities in North Dakota have been doing everything possible to find the child.
"They are not leaving any stone unturned," Manning said.
Draovitch said many of the 62 officers in the department are "physically and emotionally drained" from the case, but no one has given up.
"People have come together like you would not believe," he said.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Authorities Planning Weekend Horseback Search For Missing Girl - 5/31/2006
Authorites Planning Weekend Horseback Search For Missing Girl
May 31 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Ward County officials hope to line up some 200 horses and riders for a weekend search for 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
"We have a horse search set up for Saturday," Deputy Kevin Nelson said. "We'll see what we can get set up ... that's a lot of coordinating when you get that many people and horse trailers."
The search is aimed at covering as many township and county roads as possible, authorities said.
Searches so far have turned up no sign of Reachelle, who has been missing for two weeks.
Minot Police Capt. Al Hanson said most of the ground in the city has been searched more than once, and more searches there are unlikely unless a lead develops. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is working to mail out fliers within a 25-mile radius of Minot, he said.
"We're going to mail out close to 31,000 fliers to every mailing address with 17 zip codes," Hanson said Wednesday. The goal, he said, is "to just put it back in the forefront of everybody's mind."
Authorities say they are not giving up, though the failure to find the girl is frustrating. She was last seen the night of May 16, when she was put to bed in her Minot home.
May 31 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Ward County officials hope to line up some 200 horses and riders for a weekend search for 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
"We have a horse search set up for Saturday," Deputy Kevin Nelson said. "We'll see what we can get set up ... that's a lot of coordinating when you get that many people and horse trailers."
The search is aimed at covering as many township and county roads as possible, authorities said.
Searches so far have turned up no sign of Reachelle, who has been missing for two weeks.
Minot Police Capt. Al Hanson said most of the ground in the city has been searched more than once, and more searches there are unlikely unless a lead develops. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is working to mail out fliers within a 25-mile radius of Minot, he said.
"We're going to mail out close to 31,000 fliers to every mailing address with 17 zip codes," Hanson said Wednesday. The goal, he said, is "to just put it back in the forefront of everybody's mind."
Authorities say they are not giving up, though the failure to find the girl is frustrating. She was last seen the night of May 16, when she was put to bed in her Minot home.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Minot Girl Continues - 5/31/2006
Search For Minot Girl Continues
May 31 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Authorities are planning more checks and double-checks as they continue the search for three-year-old Reachelle Smith.
The Minot girl hasn't been seen for two weeks. Police Captain Al Hanson says authorities are trying to in his words think outside the box. That includes possibly searching some storm sewers.
The ongoing search includes areas in the city and out in Ward County.
Authorities had thought Reachelle was with 22-year-old Leigh Cowen, who disappeared about the same time. His body was found May 23rd in a van at a wildlife refuge northwest of Minot, but there was no trace of the girl. Authorities say Cowen apparently killed himself.
May 31 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Authorities are planning more checks and double-checks as they continue the search for three-year-old Reachelle Smith.
The Minot girl hasn't been seen for two weeks. Police Captain Al Hanson says authorities are trying to in his words think outside the box. That includes possibly searching some storm sewers.
The ongoing search includes areas in the city and out in Ward County.
Authorities had thought Reachelle was with 22-year-old Leigh Cowen, who disappeared about the same time. His body was found May 23rd in a van at a wildlife refuge northwest of Minot, but there was no trace of the girl. Authorities say Cowen apparently killed himself.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search To Continue For Missing Minot Girl - 5/30/2006
Search To Continue For Missing Minot Girl
May 30 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmb.com/
Authorities say the search will continue for missing three-year-old Reachelle Smith of Minot.
Police Captain Al Hanson says additional air and ground searches may be planned this week. He says authorities have received hundreds of calls from people wanting to help out in the search.
Reachelle has been missing since two weeks ago today (5-30).
Hanson says authorities still hope to find Reachelle alive. But he says the chances are getting slimmer as time passes.
Hanson says three bloodhounds brought in from southern North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota failed to turn up any trace of the girl over the weekend.
He says bloodhounds and their handlers searched the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot Monday morning.
May 30 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmb.com/
Authorities say the search will continue for missing three-year-old Reachelle Smith of Minot.
Police Captain Al Hanson says additional air and ground searches may be planned this week. He says authorities have received hundreds of calls from people wanting to help out in the search.
Reachelle has been missing since two weeks ago today (5-30).
Hanson says authorities still hope to find Reachelle alive. But he says the chances are getting slimmer as time passes.
Hanson says three bloodhounds brought in from southern North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota failed to turn up any trace of the girl over the weekend.
He says bloodhounds and their handlers searched the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot Monday morning.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Hope Diminishes, Searches Continue - 5/30/2006
Hope Diminishes, Searches Continue
May 30 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/
(AP) Minot Police Captain Al Hanson says he's asked for volunteers to walk some areas around the city as the search continues for three-year-old Reachelle Smith of Minot.
Hanson says the search will include storm sewers and aircraft to fly over some areas to make sure they're covered.
Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck says county officials will be searching north of the Minot Air Force Base, in areas where a van belonging to 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was seen days before his body was found in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge.
Reachelle has been missing for two weeks. Authorities had thought she was with Cowen, but they've found no sign of her.
Hanson says three bloodhounds brought in from southern NorthDakota, Minnesota and South Dakota failed to turn up any trace of the girl over the weekend.
He says bloodhounds and their handlers searched the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot yesterday morning. He says the dogs will be available again if needed.
Hanson says he's still hoping Reachelle will be found alive, but the hopes diminish as time passes.
May 30 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/
(AP) Minot Police Captain Al Hanson says he's asked for volunteers to walk some areas around the city as the search continues for three-year-old Reachelle Smith of Minot.
Hanson says the search will include storm sewers and aircraft to fly over some areas to make sure they're covered.
Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck says county officials will be searching north of the Minot Air Force Base, in areas where a van belonging to 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was seen days before his body was found in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge.
Reachelle has been missing for two weeks. Authorities had thought she was with Cowen, but they've found no sign of her.
Hanson says three bloodhounds brought in from southern NorthDakota, Minnesota and South Dakota failed to turn up any trace of the girl over the weekend.
He says bloodhounds and their handlers searched the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot yesterday morning. He says the dogs will be available again if needed.
Hanson says he's still hoping Reachelle will be found alive, but the hopes diminish as time passes.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Police Trying To 'Think Outside The Box' In Search For 3-Year-Old - 5/30/2006
Police Trying To 'Think Outside The Box' In Search For 3-Year-Old
May 30 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - More checks and double-checks are planned around the city as authorities seek clues in the disappearance of 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
"It's going to change day to day, as leads and stuff come in, or things we think we need to look at again," Minot Police Capt. Al Hanson said Tuesday.
Checks were planned in "couple of areas close by town that need to be walked," and possibly some flyovers, he said.
"We've thought about storm sewers," he said. "We may look at some of them this week ... just trying to think outside the box in some cases, to make sure we cover all the bases."
Reachelle has been missing for two weeks. Authorities thought she was with Leigh Cowen, 22, who disappeared about the same time. His body was found May 23, in a van in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot, but there was no trace of the girl. Authorities said Cowen apparently killed himself.
"We're going to be doing some searches north of the Air Force base up to the area of the refuge and on the refuge itself, and then some other areas where the van was supposedly seen in the days prior (to the finding of Cowen's body)," Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck said. "We're just taking the task mainly out in the county, so it frees up city police to do everything in town."
Police Lt. Steve Kukowski said later Tuesday that there was still no sign of Reachelle, but authorities wanted to make sure they left no stone unturned.
"We're going over some of the same areas, and extending them," he said.
May 30 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - More checks and double-checks are planned around the city as authorities seek clues in the disappearance of 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
"It's going to change day to day, as leads and stuff come in, or things we think we need to look at again," Minot Police Capt. Al Hanson said Tuesday.
Checks were planned in "couple of areas close by town that need to be walked," and possibly some flyovers, he said.
"We've thought about storm sewers," he said. "We may look at some of them this week ... just trying to think outside the box in some cases, to make sure we cover all the bases."
Reachelle has been missing for two weeks. Authorities thought she was with Leigh Cowen, 22, who disappeared about the same time. His body was found May 23, in a van in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot, but there was no trace of the girl. Authorities said Cowen apparently killed himself.
"We're going to be doing some searches north of the Air Force base up to the area of the refuge and on the refuge itself, and then some other areas where the van was supposedly seen in the days prior (to the finding of Cowen's body)," Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck said. "We're just taking the task mainly out in the county, so it frees up city police to do everything in town."
Police Lt. Steve Kukowski said later Tuesday that there was still no sign of Reachelle, but authorities wanted to make sure they left no stone unturned.
"We're going over some of the same areas, and extending them," he said.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Missing Girl - 5/30/2006
Missing Girl
May 30 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmb.com/
Hanson says the search will include storm sewers and aircraft to fly over some areas to make sure they're covered.
Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck says county officials will be searching north of the Minot Air Force Base, in areas where a van belonging to 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was seen days before his body was found in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge.
Reachelle has been missing for two weeks. Authorities had thought she was with Cowen, but they've found no sign of her.
Hanson says three bloodhounds brought in from southern North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota failed to turn up any trace of the girl over the weekend.
He says bloodhounds and their handlers searched the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot yesterday morning. He says the dogs will be available again if needed.
Hanson says he's still hoping Reachelle will be found alive, but the hopes diminish as time passes.
May 30 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmb.com/
Hanson says the search will include storm sewers and aircraft to fly over some areas to make sure they're covered.
Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck says county officials will be searching north of the Minot Air Force Base, in areas where a van belonging to 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was seen days before his body was found in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge.
Reachelle has been missing for two weeks. Authorities had thought she was with Cowen, but they've found no sign of her.
Hanson says three bloodhounds brought in from southern North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota failed to turn up any trace of the girl over the weekend.
He says bloodhounds and their handlers searched the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot yesterday morning. He says the dogs will be available again if needed.
Hanson says he's still hoping Reachelle will be found alive, but the hopes diminish as time passes.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search Continues For Missing Girl - 5/29/2006
Search Continues For Missing Girl
May 29 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Authorities plan to continue the search today for missing three-year-old Reachelle Smith of Minot.
Police Captain Al Hanson says the bloodhounds and their handlers are slated to search the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot.
He says the dogs and their handlers searched sections of the river yesterday. Authorities also searched a park and a gravel pit near town.
Hanson says additional air and ground searches are planned this week.
He says leads have dried up but any new ones will be checked out.
Reachelle has not been seen since the night of May 16th.
Hanson says authorities still hope to find Reachelle alive.
May 29 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Authorities plan to continue the search today for missing three-year-old Reachelle Smith of Minot.
Police Captain Al Hanson says the bloodhounds and their handlers are slated to search the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot.
He says the dogs and their handlers searched sections of the river yesterday. Authorities also searched a park and a gravel pit near town.
Hanson says additional air and ground searches are planned this week.
He says leads have dried up but any new ones will be checked out.
Reachelle has not been seen since the night of May 16th.
Hanson says authorities still hope to find Reachelle alive.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search Still Unsuccessful For Minot Girl - 5/29/2006
Search Still Unsuccessful For Minot Girl
May 29 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Three bloodhounds brought in from southern North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota have failed to turn up any trace of missing 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
Police Capt. Al Hanson said dogs and their handlers on Monday searched the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot, a distance of about 5 miles. Part of the river was pumped dry over the weekend, and divers had searched it last week.
The bloodhounds and their handlers searched several sites in Minot over the weekend, including a park and a gravel pit near town.
Hanson said the bloodhounds may be used in future searches.
"If we develop more leads, the handlers said they would be more than happy to come back," he said.
Reachelle has not been seen at her Minot home since the night of May 16. Hundreds of people have been involved in the search.
"Searchers on Saturday also returned to the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, where the body of Leigh Cowen, 22, was found in a van on May 23. Authorities say he knew Reachelle's family and they suspected he had taken the girl.
They said he killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning.
May 29 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Three bloodhounds brought in from southern North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota have failed to turn up any trace of missing 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
Police Capt. Al Hanson said dogs and their handlers on Monday searched the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot, a distance of about 5 miles. Part of the river was pumped dry over the weekend, and divers had searched it last week.
"We have no reason to believe that the river hasn't been more than
adequately searched," Hanson said.
The bloodhounds and their handlers searched several sites in Minot over the weekend, including a park and a gravel pit near town.
Hanson said the bloodhounds may be used in future searches.
"If we develop more leads, the handlers said they would be more than happy to come back," he said.
Reachelle has not been seen at her Minot home since the night of May 16. Hundreds of people have been involved in the search.
Hanson said more ground and air searches may happen this week. He said the
search would be halted "when we run out of ideas or leads completely - and that
hasn't happened.
"Searchers on Saturday also returned to the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, where the body of Leigh Cowen, 22, was found in a van on May 23. Authorities say he knew Reachelle's family and they suspected he had taken the girl.
They said he killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Leads Starting To "Dry Up" - 5/28/2006
Leads Starting To "Dry Up"
May 28 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/
(AP) _ The search for a missing three-year-old Minot girl has ``pretty much been shut down.''
That's according to police Captain Al Hanson. He says if there are any new leads, they will be checked out.
Reachelle Smith has not been seen since the night of May 16th.
Searches this week have been done on the ground and in the air. Hanson says today's search was only on the ground. And there were fewer people out searching.
Three bloodhounds brought in last night helped out. Hanson says the search was in a number of areas, including around the girl's home and at a wildlife refuge northwest of Minot.
That was where the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in a van Tuesday. Authorities say he knew Reachelle's family and they suspected he had taken the girl.
The area had been searched previously but Hanson says leads are starting to dry up.
May 28 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/
(AP) _ The search for a missing three-year-old Minot girl has ``pretty much been shut down.''
That's according to police Captain Al Hanson. He says if there are any new leads, they will be checked out.
Reachelle Smith has not been seen since the night of May 16th.
Searches this week have been done on the ground and in the air. Hanson says today's search was only on the ground. And there were fewer people out searching.
Three bloodhounds brought in last night helped out. Hanson says the search was in a number of areas, including around the girl's home and at a wildlife refuge northwest of Minot.
That was where the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in a van Tuesday. Authorities say he knew Reachelle's family and they suspected he had taken the girl.
The area had been searched previously but Hanson says leads are starting to dry up.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search Continues For Missing Minot Girl - 5/28/2006
Search Continues For Missing Minot Girl
May 28 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmb.com/
Police Captain Al Hanson says the bloodhounds and their handlers searched sections of the Mouse River ... a park ... and a gravel pit near town.
Hanson says the search dogs will be used again tomorrow to search the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot.
Hanson says additional air and ground searches are planned this week.
He says leads have dried up but any new ones will be checked out.
Reachelle has not been seen since the night of May 16th.
An account has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank for people to donate toward a reward fund for information.
Police also are asking area residents to check sheds, bushes and vehicles on their property.
Hanson says authorities still hope to find Reachelle alive.
May 28 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmb.com/
Police Captain Al Hanson says the bloodhounds and their handlers searched sections of the Mouse River ... a park ... and a gravel pit near town.
Hanson says the search dogs will be used again tomorrow to search the entire length of the Mouse River in Minot.
Hanson says additional air and ground searches are planned this week.
He says leads have dried up but any new ones will be checked out.
Reachelle has not been seen since the night of May 16th.
An account has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank for people to donate toward a reward fund for information.
Police also are asking area residents to check sheds, bushes and vehicles on their property.
Hanson says authorities still hope to find Reachelle alive.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Missing Minot Girl Continues - 5/27/2006
Search For Missing Minot Girl Continues
May 27 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmb.com/
That's according to police Captain Al Hanson. He says if there are any new leads, they will be checked out.
Reachelle Smith has not been seen since the night of May 16th.
Searches this week have been done on the ground and in the air. Hanson says today's search was only on the ground. And there were fewer people out searching.
Three bloodhounds brought in last night helped out. Hanson says the search was in a number of areas, including around the girl's home and at a wildlife refuge northwest of Minot.
That was where the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in a van Tuesday. Authorities say he knew Reachelle's family and they suspected he had taken the girl.
The area had been searched previously but Hanson says leads are starting to dry up.
May 27 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmb.com/
That's according to police Captain Al Hanson. He says if there are any new leads, they will be checked out.
Reachelle Smith has not been seen since the night of May 16th.
Searches this week have been done on the ground and in the air. Hanson says today's search was only on the ground. And there were fewer people out searching.
Three bloodhounds brought in last night helped out. Hanson says the search was in a number of areas, including around the girl's home and at a wildlife refuge northwest of Minot.
That was where the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in a van Tuesday. Authorities say he knew Reachelle's family and they suspected he had taken the girl.
The area had been searched previously but Hanson says leads are starting to dry up.
Friday, March 23, 2007
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Missing North Dakota Girl Being Shut Down - 5/27/2006
Search For Missing North Dakota Girl Being Shut Down
May 27 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Searchers looking for a missing 3-year-old girl began winding down their efforts on Saturday after bloodhounds failed to turn up any trace of Reachelle Smith.
Police Capt. Al Hanson said any new leads would be checked out, but "we've had virtually no leads coming in," he said. "(The search) has pretty much been shut down."
Searches might resume in the coming days, but nothing was scheduled Sunday, Hanson said.
Reachelle has not been seen since the night of May 16. Hundreds of people have been searching for days on the ground, in the air and in the Mouse River. Hanson said only about three dozen people searched on Saturday, and only on the ground.
They revisited a wildlife refuge northwest of Minot as well as the area around the girl's home.
Three bloodhounds were brought in from southern North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.
"We completed a neighborhood canvas for the fourth time with no positive results," Hanson said. "We want to double- and triple-check to make sure we haven't missed anything."
Authorities also finished draining a section of the river near the girl's home "as far down as we can get it," Hanson said. "The dogs were run past that this morning."
Searchers on Saturday also returned to the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, where the body of Leigh Cowen, 22, was found in a van Tuesday. Authorities say he knew Reachelle's family, and they suspected he had taken the girl.
They said he killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning. Hanson said Cowen had made previous attempts at suicide, though not in Minot.
Cowen had grown up with Smith and Samantha Smith, the girl's biological mother, Hanson said.
He said Cowen had told Stephanie Smith that he was Reachelle's father, which she accepted until Cowen disappeared with the van.
Cowen's mother, who had sometimes cared for Reachelle, had moved to Derby, Kan. She has been questioned several times in Kansas, and authorities say they do not believe she is involved in the girl's disappearance.
Police on Saturday also asked area residents to check sheds, bushes and vehicles on their property.
"Obviously, the longer things go on, statistically the less likely it is to be a search operation," he said. "But you're always going to have to hold out some hope."
May 27 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Searchers looking for a missing 3-year-old girl began winding down their efforts on Saturday after bloodhounds failed to turn up any trace of Reachelle Smith.
Police Capt. Al Hanson said any new leads would be checked out, but "we've had virtually no leads coming in," he said. "(The search) has pretty much been shut down."
Searches might resume in the coming days, but nothing was scheduled Sunday, Hanson said.
Reachelle has not been seen since the night of May 16. Hundreds of people have been searching for days on the ground, in the air and in the Mouse River. Hanson said only about three dozen people searched on Saturday, and only on the ground.
They revisited a wildlife refuge northwest of Minot as well as the area around the girl's home.
Three bloodhounds were brought in from southern North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.
"We completed a neighborhood canvas for the fourth time with no positive results," Hanson said. "We want to double- and triple-check to make sure we haven't missed anything."
Authorities also finished draining a section of the river near the girl's home "as far down as we can get it," Hanson said. "The dogs were run past that this morning."
Searchers on Saturday also returned to the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, where the body of Leigh Cowen, 22, was found in a van Tuesday. Authorities say he knew Reachelle's family, and they suspected he had taken the girl.
They said he killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning. Hanson said Cowen had made previous attempts at suicide, though not in Minot.
The captain said Cowen moved to Minot to live with Stephanie Smith, Reachelle's
aunt and legal guardian.
Cowen had grown up with Smith and Samantha Smith, the girl's biological mother, Hanson said.
He said Cowen had told Stephanie Smith that he was Reachelle's father, which she accepted until Cowen disappeared with the van.
Cowen's mother, who had sometimes cared for Reachelle, had moved to Derby, Kan. She has been questioned several times in Kansas, and authorities say they do not believe she is involved in the girl's disappearance.
Hanson said other people were being interviewed on Saturday, but he
declined to say who they were.
Police on Saturday also asked area residents to check sheds, bushes and vehicles on their property.
Hanson said authorities still hope to find Reachelle alive.
"Obviously, the longer things go on, statistically the less likely it is to be a search operation," he said. "But you're always going to have to hold out some hope."
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Missing Girl Continues - 5/26/2006
Search For Missing Girl Continues
May 26 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ The search for three-year-old Reachelle Smith of Minot is now focused on a portion of the Mouse River and the city landfill.
Smith was last seen the night of May 16th.
Crews yesterday sifted through garbage in the landfill and began drawing down the Mouse River channel near the girl's home.
Minot Police Captain Al Hanson says the drawdown of the river's channel around Minot's Oak Park will likely take two days.
The body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in a van at the refuge, after an apparent suicide. He was believed to have taken the child.
May 26 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ The search for three-year-old Reachelle Smith of Minot is now focused on a portion of the Mouse River and the city landfill.
Smith was last seen the night of May 16th.
Crews yesterday sifted through garbage in the landfill and began drawing down the Mouse River channel near the girl's home.
Minot Police Captain Al Hanson says the drawdown of the river's channel around Minot's Oak Park will likely take two days.
A search of a wildlife refuge northwest of Minot earlier this week turned up no
trace of Reachelle.
The body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in a van at the refuge, after an apparent suicide. He was believed to have taken the child.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Police Check With Experts As Search Continues For 3-Year-Old - 5/26/2006
Police Check With Experts As Search Continues For 3-Year-Old
May 26 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Police say they have spoken with FBI behavioral scientists as well as psychics in their search for 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
The search for the child continued Friday in her home neighborhood. She was last seen the night of May 16.
Police Capt. Al Hanson said investigators had a conference call with FBI behavioral scientists for about an hour to discuss the case and sent them tapes from interviews "to pore through and see if there's anything that they think we've missed."
"We've got some dogs in, we're going to try to bring some more dogs in, just to double, triple check," Hanson said. "We have two experts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children here, helping us. Of course, the behavioral scientists - we're reaching out to anything and everything that we can think of.
"Psychics have given general suggestions, such as water or tall grass, he said, and all leads are checked out.
"I'd be lying if I said we didn't think the possibility exists that she could be dead, because we're searching garbage dumps and rivers and such, but we want to cover all our bases," he said. "I still think there's a possibility that she's alive."
Crews sifted through garbage in the city landfill on Thursday and began drawing down the Mouse River channel near the girl's home. The landfill search turned up no sign of her. Hanson said the drawdown of the river channel would take a couple of days.
A search Thursday of Roosevelt Park in central Minot also came up empty, Hanson said. About 20 off-duty police officers volunteered to search the park, he said.
The Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge was searched earlier, after the body of Leigh Cowen, 22, was found in a van there Tuesday. Authorities suspected he had taken Reachelle. They said he killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning, but there was no sign of the child.
Reachelle Smith was put to bed at about 10:30 p.m. on May 16 at her home in Minot and was missing the next day, police said. She lived with her aunt, Stephanie Smith, who was her legal guardian, police said. Her and her mother, Samantha Smith, have said she has asthma and needs treatment.
Police suspicions centered on Cowen after he told Stephanie Smith that Reachelle was with his mother, who had sometimes cared for the girl, and then disappeared, Hanson said. Police later learned that Cowen's mother did not know the girl's whereabouts and issued an Amber Alert.
"Mr. Cowen gave an explanation to the custodial mother and that was, in her mind, enough to go on until he disappeared and the vehicle disappeared. She started to question that and followed up," Hanson said.
Cowen's mother has been questioned several times in Kansas, Hanson said. "We have no reason to believe that she's involved," he said.
May 26 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
Associated Press
Minot, N.D. - Police say they have spoken with FBI behavioral scientists as well as psychics in their search for 3-year-old Reachelle Smith.
The search for the child continued Friday in her home neighborhood. She was last seen the night of May 16.
Police Capt. Al Hanson said investigators had a conference call with FBI behavioral scientists for about an hour to discuss the case and sent them tapes from interviews "to pore through and see if there's anything that they think we've missed."
"We've got some dogs in, we're going to try to bring some more dogs in, just to double, triple check," Hanson said. "We have two experts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children here, helping us. Of course, the behavioral scientists - we're reaching out to anything and everything that we can think of.
"Psychics have given general suggestions, such as water or tall grass, he said, and all leads are checked out.
Hanson said he still hopes to find Reachelle alive.
"I'd be lying if I said we didn't think the possibility exists that she could be dead, because we're searching garbage dumps and rivers and such, but we want to cover all our bases," he said. "I still think there's a possibility that she's alive."
Crews sifted through garbage in the city landfill on Thursday and began drawing down the Mouse River channel near the girl's home. The landfill search turned up no sign of her. Hanson said the drawdown of the river channel would take a couple of days.
A search Thursday of Roosevelt Park in central Minot also came up empty, Hanson said. About 20 off-duty police officers volunteered to search the park, he said.
The Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge was searched earlier, after the body of Leigh Cowen, 22, was found in a van there Tuesday. Authorities suspected he had taken Reachelle. They said he killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning, but there was no sign of the child.
Reachelle Smith was put to bed at about 10:30 p.m. on May 16 at her home in Minot and was missing the next day, police said. She lived with her aunt, Stephanie Smith, who was her legal guardian, police said. Her and her mother, Samantha Smith, have said she has asthma and needs treatment.
Police suspicions centered on Cowen after he told Stephanie Smith that Reachelle was with his mother, who had sometimes cared for the girl, and then disappeared, Hanson said. Police later learned that Cowen's mother did not know the girl's whereabouts and issued an Amber Alert.
"Mr. Cowen gave an explanation to the custodial mother and that was, in her mind, enough to go on until he disappeared and the vehicle disappeared. She started to question that and followed up," Hanson said.
Cowen's mother has been questioned several times in Kansas, Hanson said. "We have no reason to believe that she's involved," he said.
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Missing Girl Continues In Minot - 5/26/2006
Search For Missing Girl Continues In Minot
May 26 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Minot Police say they're getting help from F-B-I behavioral scientists as they continue their search for three-year-old Reachelle Smith.
Captain Al Hanson says investigators had a conference call with the behavioral scientists for about an hour. He won't discuss details. But he says the F-B-I scientists will check to see if there's anything police have missed.
Searches of the Minot landfill and the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge northwest of the city have turned up no trace of the girl, who's been missing since the night of May 16th.
Authorities also want to search the channel of the Mouse River around Minot's Oak Park, where Reachelle lived. Today, Hanson says they plan another check of the neighborhood and sites near Surrey, and plan to bring in dogs to double-check and triple-check some areas.
Hanson says some psychics have given general suggestions, and authorities are checking out all leads.
The body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in a van at the Upper Souris refuge earlier this week, after an apparent suicide.
He was believed to have taken the child. But authorities found no trace of her.
Hanson says Cowen's mother, who moved to Kansas, has been questioned several times and there's no reason to believe she's involved.
May 26 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/
Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Minot Police say they're getting help from F-B-I behavioral scientists as they continue their search for three-year-old Reachelle Smith.
Captain Al Hanson says investigators had a conference call with the behavioral scientists for about an hour. He won't discuss details. But he says the F-B-I scientists will check to see if there's anything police have missed.
Searches of the Minot landfill and the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge northwest of the city have turned up no trace of the girl, who's been missing since the night of May 16th.
Authorities also want to search the channel of the Mouse River around Minot's Oak Park, where Reachelle lived. Today, Hanson says they plan another check of the neighborhood and sites near Surrey, and plan to bring in dogs to double-check and triple-check some areas.
Hanson says some psychics have given general suggestions, and authorities are checking out all leads.
The police captain says he still has hope of finding Reachelle alive, and that's
why police continue asking people to check for any sign of her.
The body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in a van at the Upper Souris refuge earlier this week, after an apparent suicide.
He was believed to have taken the child. But authorities found no trace of her.
Hanson says Cowen's mother, who moved to Kansas, has been questioned several times and there's no reason to believe she's involved.
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