MISSING GIRL - Mother and Aunt Plead for Three Year Old's Safe Return - 5/24/2006

MINOT, N.D. (AP) - The mother and aunt of three-year-old Reachelle Smith pleaded today for her safe return. Stephanie and Samantha Smith joined law enforcement officials at a news conference in Minot -- while northwest of the city, the search for the child continued.

Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck says more than 200 people are out searching the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge north of Minot for Reachelle, who's been missing for a week.

The search resumed this morning, in the area at the refuge where the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found yesterday in a van. Authorities believe Cowen may have taken Reachelle, but they've found no sign of her. They think Cowen killed himself.

Reachelle's mother and aunt say she has asthma and needs treatment. They
were in tears at the news conference this morning, and took no questions.
Samantha Smith, the girl's mother said, "Right now, we just want her back."

Today's search is being conducted by people on foot, horseback and in all-terrain vehicles. Sheriff Vern Erck says the refuge itself covers 32-thousand acres, but authorities are concentrating on about 500 acres. He says one National Guard unit is helping in the search and another one is expected.

The search also includes 40 all-terrain vehicles and about 15 horseback riders from nearby McHenry County. Erck says they're looking along trails where the van was found. He says the terrain is rough.

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