For The Love of Reachelle

May 16, 2010 Marks 4 Years That Reachelle Marie Smith Has Been Missing

2010-05-18T22:30:00.000-07:00

My name is Reachelle Marie Smith. I have been missing for 4 years! I am 7 1/2 years old now. I have brown hair and brown eyes. When I was 3 years old my nickname was 'Peanut' and I loved to have my picture taken. My birthday is September 10 and this year I will be 8 years old. I have already missed 4 birthdays with my family. Please, won't you help me find my way home. Have you seen me? Please look out for me, I need your help to get home safely to my family. Please, if you have any information, ANYTHING at all, please call 911 IMMEDIATELY! You can also contact the FBI in your area. The Center For Missing & Exploited Children - 1-800-The-Lost. Jason Sundbakken @ The Minot, ND Police Department - 701-852-0111. Please help us find Reachelle!!!!

Reachelle Marie Smith - Age Progression Photo

2009-09-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

This is an age progression photo that shows what Reachelle might look today at the age of 7:

HAVE YOU SEEN HER?!?

Reachelle is still missing. It has been 3 1/2 years since Reachelle disappeared from her Minot, ND home.

Please, if you have any information, ANYTHING at all, please call 911 immediately!

You can also contact the FBI in your area

The Center For Missing and Exploited Children - 1-800-The-Lost

Jason Sundbakken @ The Minot Police Department - 701 852-0111

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY REACHELLE!

2009-09-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

This video was created by YouTube user Lost1Jazz.

Reachelle Marie Smith - Have You Seen Me?

2008-10-08T00:15:00.000-07:00

Kentucky Girl Resembles Missing Minot Girl - 5/16/2008

2008-10-07T23:50:00.000-07:00

Kentucky Girl Resembles Missing Minot Girl

KFYR-TV North Dakota

A girl that looks exactly like Reachelle Smith was found in Kentucky on May 15th.

While authorities have determined this girl is not Reachelle, this new lead breathes life into a case that has been open for two years.

Investigators say they gets leads at least once a week in this case because pictures and details circulate around the internet. This most recent tip comes from the Lexington, Kentucky area. Police say on May 15th a teacher at a school reported to the local sheriff`s department that a girl matching Reachelle`s picture and age went to the school there. Authorities took pictures of the girl and did interviews with the family. While we cannot show you the pictures, police say "if you age Reachelle two years, this is what she would like."

"We obtained a DNA sample. We won`t know the results of that DNA sample for some period of time. It has to be mailed to the state crime lab. The state lab has to analyze the DNA and compare it to the DNA we do have for Reachelle to determine with a lot more certainly whether it is or it is not," says Minot Police Detective Jason Sundbakken.

Police say the family of the little girl in Kentucky has been very cooperative.

Reachelle went missing exactly two years ago, on May 17th, 2006.

False Lead In Missing Girl Case - 5/16/2008

2008-10-07T23:46:00.000-07:00

False Lead In Missing Girl Case

KFYR-TV North Dakota

A promising lead into the whereabouts of Reachelle Smith has turned out to be nothing.

Smith vanished without a trace in May of 2006. She would be five now and authorities have not given up the search.

Minot Police detectives have been following the case for two years. Investigators say they gets leads at least once a week in this case because pictures and details circulate around the Internet.

This most recent tip comes from the Lexington, KY area. According to reports, Sheriffs there were investigating a girl who closely resembles Smith. Through DNA tests and pictures police were able to determine it was not her. Still, they will not give up the search.

Police say, this tip was called in by a cafeteria worker near Lexington.

FACTS: Background on Reachelle Smith's Disappearance

2008-10-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

• Reachelle Smith is put to bed at around 10:30 p.m. on May 16.

• Leigh Cowen tells Reachelle’s custodial mother, Stephanie Smith, with whom he is living, that Reachelle is staying with his mother at her residence at Minot Air Force Base.

• Cowen tells Smith on May 19 that his mother’s car has broken down and Reachelle is still at the base.

• Cowen steals a van from Smith’s residence in the early morning hours of May 22. When Smith discovers the missing van, she goes to the home of Cowen’s mother at Minot AFB, but discovers that Cowen’s mother had moved to Wichita, Kan., the week before. Smith contacts the Minot Police Department to report Reachelle missing. An Amber Alert is issued that quickly goes nationwide.

• Kansas authorities search the home of Cowen’s mother in Wichita, but turn up no evidence that Reachelle had ever been there.

• Cowen’s body is found in the stolen van on a gravel road at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot. Cowen apparently committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning after hooking a hose to the exhaust pipe.

• Subsequent searches are conducted, including massive coordinated searches of area parks, horseback searches of rural areas and wildlife refuges and even the draining of a portion of the Mouse River near the Smith residence. None turn up any concrete evidence in the little girl’s disappearance

A Little Girl Lost - Almost two years later, still no Reachelle

2008-10-07T22:53:00.000-07:00

By DAVE CALDWELL

Staff Writer, Minot Daily News

dcaldwell@minotdailynews.com

May 8, 2008

Nearly two years after her disappearance, investigators are still baffled by the case of little Reachelle Marie Smith.

Reachelle was 3 when she was last seen in the apartment where she lived with her mother, Stephanie Smith, and her mother’s live-in acquaintance Leigh Cowen.

Reachelle was last seen at around 10:30 p.m. on May 16, 2006, when she was put to bed by Cowen. Her case has garnered national attention, having been featured on Fox’s America’s Most Wanted and CBS’ “Without a Trace” and “The Morning Show.” But sadly, as time goes by, that national attention is slowly fading.

“After a couple of years, all that will slow down a little bit,” said Sgt. Jason Sundbakken, who heads the investigation of the case at the Minot Police Department. “The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Lost Child Network and all these other agencies are involved in this. They’re always keeping their ear to the ground and trying to help us out with things. That’s always appreciated,” he said Wednesday.

“We’re still getting tips in,” Sundbakken said. “Still trying to figure out a couple of puzzle pieces that we still have missing. Any information that we get that we didn’t already have is going to point us in that direction.”

Sundbakken said he feels confident that the areas that have investigated were searched thoroughly.

“North Dakota’s a big, open place,” he said. “There’s lots of little hidey-holes, but what we covered, we feel we covered extensively. Does that mean we might not have missed something? We hope we did everything thoroughly enough that we can check that box off the list.”

Sundbakken was asked if he thought he and/or the department were taking undue criticism due to the passage of time since Reachelle’s disappearance.

“Not really,” he said, saying that most of the angst actually seems to be from the police end. “Obviously, we’re frustrated. We’re still getting tips in but they’re getting fewer and fewer, and more and more vague as time goes by. But we still get information in that we follow up on weekly, and we’re hoping that continues until we’re at the point where we can come to some form of conclusion to this case.”

Capt. Todd Keller, head of investigations for the Ward County Sheriff’s Department, said Wednesday that there have been no new developments in the case for some time.

“No leads or anything,” Keller said. In the past, the sheriff’s department has conducted searches when tips are presented, but have done none recently, according to Keller.

No matter what level of conventionality, the importance of the case dictates that most any lead be followed up on. Sundbakken says the department still hears occasionally from psychics who offer information, but not nearly as many as previously had contacted them.

“That’s gone down an awful lot,” he said. “I’ve spoken with at least one psychic in the past three to four months, and she provided some information that didn’t really pan out. I followed through on it. I’m not willing to discount anything.”

The van Cowen committed suicide in was found at Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge. That vast area was searched thoroughly, as were other remote locations.

Extensive searches of the Mouse River, which runs in front of the apartment where Reachelle lived near Oak Park, were conducted.

“We searched that area with the bloodhounds,” Sundbakken said. “We searched pretty much the entire river channel and the surrounding areas from end to end. We also searched intensely up at the Des Lacs (National Wildlife) Refuge with bloodhounds, with foot searches and four-wheeler searches and equine searches.

Some suspicion in the case originally centered on Cowen’s mother, who moved to Wichita, Kan., around the time of Reachelle’s disappearance. Sundbakken said that he speaks to her from time to time, and he doesn’t seem to harbor much suspicion toward her.

“Honestly, she is as much concerned as anybody,” Sundbakken said. “With the knowledge that there’s a potential that her son had something to do with Reachelle’s disappearance, and she loved that little girl – she really did. For quite some time, she felt that little girl was her granddaughter, so she’s very interested in coming up with a conclusion or figuring out where Reachelle is.”

Sundbakken is himself a father to two girls, one almost exactly the same age as Reachelle, which makes the case a little more personal to him. Reachelle’s birthday in September will make her 6.

“It’s frustrating, because you see her … I know if it were my little girl, I wouldn’t give up until I either found her or where she was,” he said. “As a detective, your job is to find the answers and to solve things, and there’s just so many questions and not enough answers.

“To go for two years and still have this thing hanging over your head, and you really want to solve it, but you’re just not able to. There’s just a lack of information.”

Sundbakken said that clues have been investigated and reinvestigated in an attempt to solve the mystery, but that he’s not averse to accepting help when it’s offered.

“Anytime I have somebody who’s willing to take a look at something, it’s just a new set of eyes,” he said. “Sometimes when you’ve looked over the same thing for two years now, you miss the forest for the trees. Anytime I can have someone lend an ear or lend an eye, or whatever specialized skills, I’m more than willing to share.

“I’m more about finding this little girl than I’m worried about the pride of being wrong.”

One Year Later, Missing Girl's Mother Not Giving Up Hope... - 05/16/2007

2007-05-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

One Year Later, Missing Girl's Mother Not Giving Up Hope

May 16 2007 2:18PM

Associated Press

One year later, missing girl's mother not giving up hope

MINOT, N.D. (AP) It's been a year today since three-year-old Reachelle Smith disappeared from her Minot home. Massive search efforts have turned up no trace of the little girl known as "Peanut."

The girl's mother, Samantha Smith-Duncan, says she has not given up hope of finding the girl alive.

Reachelle turned four years old in September. She was last seen at her Minot home on May 16th, 2006.

Authorities thought she was with 22-year-old Leigh Cowen, who had claimed to be her father.

He was found dead 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.

Smith-Duncan says she believes her daughter is still alive and somebody is hiding her. She says Cowen likely took the child but gave the little girl to an accomplice.

Minot Police Sergeant Jason Sundbakken is the lead investigator in the case. He says police have no evidence to back that theory or any other theory.

He says the case has created many more questions than answers.

One Year Later - 05/15/2007

2007-05-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

One Year Later

View The VIDEO

5/15/2007

KMOT - TV News Stories

Reachelle Smith was last seen one year ago. Leads have nearly dried up but police, her family and a community remain hopeful. Police in Minot say they will never stop looking for clues in this case and they are determined to bring some kind of closure to the family. Since the amber alert went out nearly one year ago the mystery of Reachelle Smith continues to linger in the front of everyone`s mind.

In a town like Minot people don`t worry about murder and kidnapping. In Minot everybody knows everybody, and everybody believes their children are safe. But Minot`s safe reputation was shattered last year when Minot police issued an amber alert in the case of a missing three year-old girl.

"That was the first amber alert I had ever issued. We were definitely concerned. You don`t see a child for 6 days and nobody is really sure where she is at. You are concerned," says Sergeant Winston Black of the Minot Police Department.

Reachelle Smith was last seen with Leigh Cowen a live-in family friend. Police suspected he had Reachelle. Shortly after the amber alert was issued a worker at the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge found Cowen and his van.

"When they found the car they found Cowen`s body deceased on the inside. There was a tube running from the exhaust into one of the windows. It was later determined he died of carbon monoxide asphyxiation," says Detective Jason Sundbakken of the Minot Police Department.

Police are not sure why Cowen killed himself although they do believe he probably knew something about Reachelle`s disappearance.

"He left us with a lot of questions. He didn`t leave any indication of what had happened. Why it happened. Why it was he felt the need to kill himself and just left us with unanswered questions that we are still dealing with today," says Sundbakken.

Although a year has passed, the desire to find Reachelle has not faded. And while leads are few and far between, police still investigate every new piece of information that comes in.

"To date, this is the case that leaves the most questions in your mind. I am always thinking about it and trying to figure out what happened," says Sundbakken.

And one day bring closure to a community and a family.

Of course if you have any information about the disappearance of Reachelle you can call the Minot Police Department at 852-0111.

One Year Later...Where Is Reachelle? - 05/14/2007

2007-05-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

One Year Later...Where Is Reachelle?

By DAVE CALDWELL, Staff Writer

dcaldwell@minotdailynews.com

Wednesday will mark one year since a little girl with an angel’s face and an electric smile apparently disappeared from a northwest Minot apartment, sparking an Amber Alert and spawning national media coverage.

Reachelle Marie Smith was 3 when she was last seen in the apartment where she lived with her mother, Stephanie Smith, and her mother’s live-in acquaintance Leigh Cowen.

Reachelle was last seen at around 10:30 p.m. on March 16 when she was put to bed by Cowen.

An Amber Alert issued on May 22 after Smith discovered Reachelle was missing, and coverage of the subsequent search for Reachelle was featured on CBS’ “Without a Trace” and “The Morning Show,” as well as Fox’s “America’s Most Wanted.”

Although reports coming in to local law enforcement agencies are becoming less and less frequent with the passage of time, they have not stopped altogether.

“We’ve still been getting leads in from time to time,” said Sgt. Jason Sundbakken of the Minot Police Department, the detective investigating Reachelle’s case. “We’re following up on them as best we can, but sometimes there’s just not enough information to pursue anything on them.”

“We’ve been able to follow up on a lot of the leads that we get and determine that the girl that was observed isn’t the one that we’re looking for,” he said. “We’re plugging away with that, but other than that there really isn’t any massive influx of new information. Hopefully one of these leads will lead us to where we’re looking or what we’re looking for.”

That sentiment was echoed by Capt. Todd Keller, head of the investigations division at the Ward County Sheriff’s Office.“We continually get tips in,” Keller said. “We do follow-up on the leads that we get in.”

Keller said the most recent lead that the department physically followed up on came from a less-than-orthodox source.“

An individual’s brother had a dream that a little girl was put into a drain on their farmstead,” he said. The farm in question is located northeast of Minot, in McHenry County, Keller said. “We did go up and check that. It’s an old well – it has a pipe sticking out of the ground. We didn’t see anything suspicious.”

Keller said the physical location of the area made it more plausible as a potential site where something could’ve been intentionally placed for a year without being noticed.

“It was in a pretty hidden area,” he said. “I think it would be kind of hard for anyone to just happen across it to put somebody in it.”

Keller said law enforcement personnel used flashlights and gave the area a thorough visual inspection before determining nothing suspicious was there.

Sundbakken said that his department gets a lot of tips from psychics, but most are so vague they can’t be followed up on.

“We’re looking for the number four (for example), and by a lake with a boat,” he said. “It could be anywhere. The more detailed ones we get, we look into them as best we can. But we haven’t been able to find anything so far with those tips.”

“A lot of time, they’ll be coordinates Ö latitude and longitude,” he said. “We look it up and we always follow up on them. Ö I’m not going to discount any of that (psychic) stuff, but so far none of those leads have come out.”

Keller said that another lead that seemed potentially promising in the Trestle Valley area in recent months turned up empty as well.

“An individual was walking on his property and saw an area that looked like it had disturbed ground,” he said. “We went out there and dug up that area, but it didn’t reveal anything suspicious.”

Keller said that the majority of tips to the sheriff’s department are things of that nature.

“And we do still want to make people aware — especially with this anniversary coming up — that she is still missing,” he said. “We want to remind them to check their property and report anything suspicious. The time frame now is getting where there might be (vegetation) growth over something. “But anything we get in here, we do go check out.”

Sundbakken believes that the fact that Reachelle has such common features with no real physically distinguishing marks works against her while the search continues.

“That’s a hard thing to overcome,” he said. “She’d be a 4-year-old, brown-haired, brown-eyed girl. Which matches both of my own daughters at that age perfectly. They’re very common features. We’ve gotten a lot of tips that they think they saw the girl, and they send a picture and 100 percent of the time — so far — it’s not been Reachelle. But if somebody has a question, get a picture and send it off. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Sundbakken said that despite the passage of time, he’s not ready to give up hope anytime soon.

“You’ve got to (hold out hope),” he said. “I said it before and I’ll say it again Ö I’d just as soon follow up on 1,000 leads that turn out not to be her as overlook one that turned out to be a valid lead that will lead to someplace to find her. “The minute you give up hope on finding anything, you’ve just given up. And I’m not willing to do that until we come up with some conclusive answer.

“You can’t let her down, and you can’t let the family down by doing that.”

Family stays in touch

With the passage of nearly a year, Reachelle’s biological mother, Samantha Smith, has moved to Arizona, but remains very involved in the case, according to Sgt. Jason Sundbakken of the Minot Police Department. He said he also maintains contact with Leigh Cowen’s mother in Kansas, as well as family members of Reachelle’s biological father in Colorado.

“I talk to (the father’s) mother very frequently,” he said Friday. “And I got a call from (Samantha) last night. They’re constantly calling and asking if there’s anything new, and what’s going on with the case. It’s nice that they’re keeping tabs on things.”

“As far as Mr. Cowen’s mom, I speak with her from time to time as well,” he said. Sundbakken said that the working theory is that Cowen most likely knew what happened to Reachelle and had some level of involvement, and killed himself either out of guilt or to cover up something.

“(Cowen’s mother is) still very upset about the fact that she feels that her son may have been involved in the disappearance, and she’s very concerned about that,” Sundbakken said. “She really did love that little girl, and she would like to come up with a conclusion just as much as everybody else.”

Background on Reachelle Smith’s disappearance

- Reachelle Smith is put to bed at around 10:30 p.m. on May 16. - Leigh Cowen tells Reachelle’s custodial mother, Stephanie Smith, with whom he is living, that Reachelle is staying with his mother at her residence at Minot Air Force Base.

- Cowen tells Smith on May 19 that his mother’s car has broken down and Reachelle is still at the base.

- Cowen steals a van from Smith’s residence in the early morning hours of May 22. When Smith discovers the missing van, she goes to the home of Cowen’s mother at Minot AFB, but discovers that Cowen’s mother had moved to Wichita, Kan., the week before. Smith contacts the Minot Police Department to report Reachelle missing. An Amber Alert is issued that quickly goes nationwide.

- Kansas authorities search the home of Cowen’s mother in Wichita, but turn up no evidence that Reachelle had ever been there.

- Cowen’s body is found in the stolen van on a gravel road at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot. Cowen apparently committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning after hooking a hose to the exhaust pipe.

- Subsequent searches are conducted, including massive coordinated searches of area parks, horseback searches of rural areas and wildlife refuges and even the draining of a portion of the Souris River near the Smith residence. None turn up any concrete evidence in the little girl’s disappearance.

Where to get more/give information

Reachelle Smith is listed on the Web site of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (www.missingkids.com) as well as being featured on the Web site for Fox network’s “America’s Most Wanted” at (www.amw.com).

Anyone who may have information relating to the case is asked to contact the Minot Police Department at 852-0111.

Words of Wisdom

2007-04-12T04:21:00.000-07:00

Winston Churchill said, "The farther backward you can look,
the farther forward you will see."

Emerson said, "All is riddle. And the key to a riddle, is
another riddle."

Diane Arbus once said, "A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know."
EDITOR'S NOTE: My apologies to Photographer Diane Arbus for misspelling her last name. Thank you Anonymous for bringing this to my attention.

Quitting Is Not An Option...

2007-04-12T02:31:00.000-07:00

...Neither is giving up.

REACHELLE: Sweet Little Angel

2007-04-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

My Dreams & Visions About Reachelle - XI - 4/04/2007

2007-04-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

My Dreams & Visions About Reachelle - IX - 3/09/2007

2007-04-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

*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...

This vision began with a car pulling up. I heard the young woman [with the long brown hair that's slightly wavy and parted down the middle] exclaim, "I just know we're there!"

Next the scene changed to inside a house. I saw the young woman in a bed with Reachelle next to her. The woman was keeping Reachelle tight against her. The covers were pulled up covering Reachelle's chin and mouth. Reachelle was awake and she was trembling. The young woman's eyes were large and had a wild look to them. I heard the young man exclaim, "It's not the same thing!" The young woman shushed him with, "Shhh, you'll wake her!"

Next suddenly the young woman said something very strange as she closed her eyes, "I love the bushes in this dream."

Then, I saw the words 'blue light', I got the feeling that this was extremely important!

The young woman's sister is distraught. I heard the young woman tell her, "I remember you two dancing." Next, I heard another man's voice tell the young woman's sister, "My son is having a good night's rest at my aunt's house."

Then I heard several people talking. One voice stood out from all the rest that said, "We have people who have cushions, who don't deal with things like we do."

Next the young woman's sister told the man she was talking to earlier, "If you wanna take care of the kid, take care of the kid. It don't matter to me!"

Then the woman with the long brown hair looked in my direction. As she spoke she pointed to a picnic table in the distance where I could see Reachelle coloring. At first, I thought she was speaking to me but then I realized she was speaking to the man with the short dark hair when she said almost begrudgingly, "There's your angel over there." I didn't know he was there. I hadn't seen him until that moment.

Next I heard very prominently, "Dirt! Dirt!"

Then in a quiet conversation with a person I couldn't see, the young woman with the long brown hair whispered, "Put it in the mail, it's cheap."

The scene changed again and it became very dark. The young woman with the long brown hair was engaged in conversation with someone or something in the darkness when I heard her reply, "...almost, and how's my body guard?" When things came into focus, a horrific looking multi-headed dragon with forked tongues appeared. A cold voice shouted, "Don't be a nasty d*ke!"

The young woman almost desperately said, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry. How was your weekend?" The reply was "Good." The young woman said, "Good? Good."

The scene changed again. The young woman and Reachelle were in a car. She looked over at Reachelle, who was buckled into the passenger side front seat, and said, "You can go...to sleep."
Reachelle's eyes were wide as she exclaimed, "Home! Home!"

Next there was something about a suburban Idaho office building that was prominent. Then I saw someone there pick up a phone and say, "Hello?"

The next part of the vision took place up on a roof. There was two people there talking. The young woman [with the long brown hair that's slightly wavy and parted down the middle] and the young man [with the short dark hair]. The young woman began, "So, here we are. It's just you and me again." There were echoes in the background, then she said, "Just like before." The young man was quiet and didn't say anything. She continued, "I thought about my temper last night. I thought alot about it on purpose." Then she said something else I couldn't make out entirely, "....transition, and now I can't kick her." (I couldn't make out the words she used before 'transition')

Next, it seemed as if the young man [with the short dark hair] wanted to tell me his story...

He began, "We were packing the car. We had skates. I had skates too. Fishing, we were going fishing." He continued, "Reachelle was excited. I was excited too. There was a boat." His thoughts were echoing, 'Rental Boats, Lake Darling'. Then he said, "We didn't drink, but we smoked...we smoked alot."

He was quiet for a few minutes, then he continued, "It wasn't right what she was saying. She kept saying that it had to be done, that I had to go away." He made a slight head gesture toward the young woman with the long brown hair.

"Reachelle was my life." These words he spoke with warmth. "Reachelle wanted to catch a fish. I was sad, sadder than most days...my little girl."

Then someone came along and pushed the young man on his way saying, "Come on we can talk about this later." He turned to me as he was walking away and said, "Much love to another inside person." He smiled and then he was gone.

My Dreams & Visions About Reachelle - VIII - 3/07/2007

2007-04-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

My Dreams & Visions About Reachelle - VII - 2/27/2007

2007-04-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

My Dreams & Visions About Reachelle - VI - 12/7/2006

2007-04-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

My Dreams & Visions About Reachelle - X - 3/27/2007

2007-03-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

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!

Video & Photo Gallery: Amber Alert Day In ND - 1/13/2007

2007-03-27T09:44:00.000-07:00

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Amber Alert Day In ND - 1/13/2007

2007-03-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

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.

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?

2007-03-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

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 VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY: Year End Review Part 3 - 12/28/2006

2007-03-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

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ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Year End Review Part 3 - 12/28/2006

2007-03-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

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...

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.]

ARCHIVED VIDEO: CBS Morning Show Interview With Samantha & Stephanie Smith - Girl Gone 'Without A Trace'

2007-03-27T07:52:00.000-07:00

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ARCHIVED VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY: Authorities Recover Ground In Search For Reachelle Smith - 10/27/2006

2007-03-26T22:30:00.000-07:00

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ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Authorities Recover Ground In Search For Reachelle Smith - 10/27/2006

2007-03-26T22:24:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY: Authorities Recover Ground In Search For Reachelle Smith - 10/27/2006

2007-03-26T22:17:00.000-07:00

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ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Authorities Recover Ground In Search For Reachelle Smith - 10/27/2006

2007-03-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-26T21:45:00.000-07:00

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.

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 in
the case.

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Authorites Searching Again Today For Reachelle Smith - 10/27/2006

2007-03-26T21:29:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Authorities To Search Again Today For Reachelle Smith... - 10/27/2006

2007-03-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Another Search Planned Friday For Reachelle Smith - 10/25/2006

2007-03-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY: Mother Marks Reachelle Smith's 4th Birthday - 9/11/2006

2007-03-25T12:57:00.000-07:00

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ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Mother Marks Reachelle Smith's 4th Birthday - 9/11/2006

2007-03-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Samantha Smith says she's holding out hope that her daughter is still alive
and that whomever may have her remembered her birthday.

ARCHIVED VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY: Reachelle Smith Turns 4 Years Old - 9/10/2006

2007-03-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

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ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Reachelle Smith Turns 4 Years Old - 9/10/2006

2007-03-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-25T12:27:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Family Still Hopes 3-Year-Old Can Be Found - 8/29/2006

2007-03-25T12:22:00.000-07:00

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.

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 VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY: Search Continues For Missing Minot Girl - 8/29/2006

2007-03-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

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ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Missing Minot Girl Continues - 8/29/2006

2007-03-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

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.

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 VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY: Search For Missing Minot Girl Continues - 8/28/2006

2007-03-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

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ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search for Missing Minot Girl Continues - 8/28/2006

2007-03-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

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.

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 VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY: New Search Planned For Missing Minot Girl - 8/26/2006

2007-03-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

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ARCHIVED ARTICLE: New Search Planned For Missing Minot Girl - 8/26/2006

2007-03-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY: New Search Planned For Minot Girl - 8/26/2006

2007-03-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

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ARCHIVED ARTICLE: New Search Planned For Minot Girl - 8/26/2006

2007-03-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Still Hoping For A Miracle - 7/29/2006

2007-03-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-25T11:03:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Leads Have Dried Up In Search For Missing 3-Year-Old-Girl From Minot - 6/24/2006

2007-03-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search Continues For 3-Year-Old N.D. Girl - 6/05/2006

2007-03-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

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.]

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Missing Girl Search - 6/03/2006

2007-03-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Case Is Baffling, But Search For 3-Year-Old Girl Continues - 6/03/2006

2007-03-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: About 100 Riders Comb Township Ditches For 3-Year-Old Girl - 6/03/2006

2007-03-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

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."

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For 3-Year-Old Girl Continues - 6/03/2006

2007-03-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

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.

"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

2007-03-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Minot Girl Continues - 5/31/2006

2007-03-24T10:11:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search To Continue For Missing Minot Girl - 5/30/2006

2007-03-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Hope Diminishes, Searches Continue - 5/30/2006

2007-03-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Police Trying To 'Think Outside The Box' In Search For 3-Year-Old - 5/30/2006

2007-03-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Missing Girl - 5/30/2006

2007-03-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search Continues For Missing Girl - 5/29/2006

2007-03-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search Still Unsuccessful For Minot Girl - 5/29/2006

2007-03-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

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.

"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

2007-03-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search Continues For Missing Minot Girl - 5/28/2006

2007-03-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Missing Minot Girl Continues - 5/27/2006

2007-03-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Missing North Dakota Girl Being Shut Down - 5/27/2006

2007-03-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-23T14:51:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search of Wildlife Refuge Brings No Sign of Missing 3-Year-Old - 5/25/2006

2007-03-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Search of Wildlife Refuge Brings No Sign of Missing 3-Year-Old
May 25 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmb.com/

The effort to find three-year-old Reachelle Smith continues after a search of a wildlife refuge north of Minot turned up nothing.

A dive team combed a river near the child's Minot home but also found no clues.

Reachelle has been missing more than a week. Her mother and aunt have issued a public plea for her safe return.

Ward County Sheriff's Captain Todd Keller estimates about 2,500 acres of the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge were searched yesterday. He says there was no indication the girl was there but authorities searched because it was where the body of Leigh Cowen was found. He was believed to have taken Reachelle.

His body was found Tuesday in a van. Authorities believe he killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search Continues For Missing Minot Girl - 5/25/2006

2007-03-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

Search Continues For Missing Minot Girl
May 25 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/

Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Minot Police say they're looking to drain part of a river, search a park and check the city landfill as they continue searching for three-year-old Reachelle Smith.

Captain Al Hanson says police are interested in a section of the Souris River close to the girl's house. He also says police continue to check out other leads.

He says a search of Minot's Roosevelt Park is planned this afternoon with volunteers, because Reachelle had gone there occasionally. He says officials also plan to search the city landfill.

A search of the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot yesterday turned up no trace of Reachelle, who has been missing since the night of May 16th.

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: Search Continues For 3-Year-Old In River, Landfill - 5/25/2006

2007-03-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

Search Continues For 3-Year-Old In River, Landfill
May 25 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org

Associated Press

Minot, N.D. - The search for 3-year-old Reachelle Smith focused Thursday on the river and the city landfill.

Crews sifted through garbage in the landfill and began drawing down the Mouse River channel near the home of the girl, who was last seen the night of May 16. A search of the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot on Wednesday had turned up no trace of her.

Minot Police Capt. Al Hanson said the drawdown of the river's channel around Minot's Oak Park would likely take two days.

"There's one section (of the river) that we're interested in that's close
to the house," Hanson said.

Divers had searched the section of the river Wednesday.

"We've boated it, walked it and dove it. We just need to go that one more extra step to make sure that box has been checked, that we've done everything we can to look at that particular area," Hanson said.

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 refuge was searched 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.

Their 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.

Stephanie Smith and Samantha Smith, the girl's mother, have said she has asthma and needs treatment for it, and have pleaded for her safe return.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Still Searching For Reachelle - 5/25/2006

2007-03-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

Still Searching For Reachelle
May 25 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/

(AP) _ Authorities began draining part of a river, scoured a park and checked the city landfill as they continue searching for three-year-old Reachelle Smith.

Captain Al Hanson says police are interested in a section of the Mouse River close to the girl's house. He also says police continue to check out other leads.

He says a search of Minot's Roosevelt Park by off-duty
policemen turned up nothing today.

Hanson says Reachelle had gone there occasionally.

A search of the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot yesterday turned up no trace of Reachelle. She's been missing since the night of May 16th.

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.

Hanson says authorities plan to meet late tonight to plan future searches.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search of Wildlife Refuge Brings No Sign of Missing 3-Year-Old - 5/24/2006

2007-03-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

Search of Wildlife Refuge Brings No Sign of Missing 3-Year-Old
May 24 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
JAMES MacPHERSON

Associated Press

Minot, N.D. - Reachelle Smith's mother and aunt tearfully pleaded for her safe return as searchers fanned out through a wildlife refuge north of here to look for the 3-year-old girl known as "Peanut."

The search centered around an area where the body of a man suspected of taking her was found Tuesday.

Leigh Cowen, 22, was found inside a van on a gravel road at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, and authorities said he apparently killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning.

There was no trace of Reachelle, who was last seen the night of May 16 when
she was put to bed at her home.

National Guard members, law enforcement officers, horseback riders and others on foot and in all-terrain vehicles, battled heat and then rain in searching the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, which covers some 32,000 acres northwest of Minot. They found no sign of the child.

"We figure we searched at least 2,500 acres of the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge," said Capt. Todd Keller, of the Ward County Sheriff's Department at the end of the day Wednesday.

"We really didn't have any indication that she was here. The only reason we
wanted to search this area so thoroughly was that he was found there," Keller
said.

Stephanie Smith, the girl's aunt and legal guardian, and Samantha Smith, her mother, joined other relatives and friends at a news conference with law enforcement officials Wednesday.

They said the 3-year-old needs treatment for asthma, and clutched her doll in tears as they spoke about how Reachelle knows the alphabet, likes puzzles and likes to have her picture taken.

"She's our Peanut," Stephanie Smith said.

"Right now, we just want her back," Samantha said.

Authorities said dive teams were searching part of the Souris River in Minot's Oak Park, near the girl's home. The search also included in the Surrey area, where a farmer thought he had recently seen the van in which Cowen's body was found.

"We're going where the evidence takes us. We're not going to leave any leaf
unturned. We're not going to close the door on other suspects," Police Capt. Al Hanson
said.

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.

Authorities said Cowen lived with Stephanie Smith and had told her that the girl was staying with his mother. Police later learned that Cowen's mother had moved to Kansas and did not know the girl's whereabouts. They issued an Amber Alert.

State officials said Cowen was on probation for theft of property in Ward County and had failed to report in as required. A warrant was issued last month for his arrest on charges of violating his probation.

Reachelle Smith is described as white, about 3-foot-4 and weighs about 40 pounds, authorities said. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Missing Girl; Police Find Suspect's Body But The Girl Is Still Missing - 5/24/2006

2007-03-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

Missing Girl; Police Find Suspect's Body But The Girl Is Still Missing
May 24 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/

Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Authorities have found the man who they thought was with a missing three-year-old girl. The man was dead and the girl still hasn't been found.

Authorities have issued an Amber Alert for Reachelle Smith.

She's been missing since last Tuesday.

Police Captain Al Hanson says the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found in a van yesterday at a wildlife refuge northwest of Minot.

Cowen had claimed to be the girl's father but he wasn't.

Hanson says it appears Cowen poisoned himself with carbon monoxide.

An autopsy is being done to confirm the cause of death.

Hanson says police searched the area around the van. They didn't find any evidence the girl was in the area.

Reachelle Smith is described as white, about three-foot-four and weighing about 40 pounds. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search To Resume For Missing Girl After Man Found Dead - 5/24/2006

2007-03-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

Search To Resume For Missing Girl After Man Found Dead
May 24 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org

Associated Press

Minot, N.D. - Searchers locked arms and walked through a wildlife refuge north of here for signs of a missing 3-year-old girl, after the body of a man believed to have been with her was found in a van nearby.

The search was to resume Wednesday for 3-year-old Reachelle Smith, at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck said.

Minot Police Capt. Al Hanson said the body of Leigh Cowen, 22, was found inside a van on a gravel road at the refuge Tuesday. Hanson said Cowen appeared to have killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning. He said authorities could find no trace of the girl, who was last seen the night of May 16.

"We absolutely felt like we had to do a grid search since the van and the body was found here, Erck said. The search was called off about 9 p.m. Tuesday. It was a tough effort, with searchers battling wood ticks and heat, he said.

"We're hoping to get more people out here, and we'll have gone over this refuge with a fine-toothed comb," the sheriff said. The National Guard may be available to help, he said.

Reachelle Smith was put to bed at about 10:30 p.m. on May 16 at her home in Minot, Minot Police Sgt. Winston Black said. The following day she was gone, he said.

The Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert for Reachelle after she was reported missing Monday by her aunt.

Authorities had thought the child was with Cowen, a man who had been living with her aunt, the child's legal guardian. Police said his mother sometimes looked after Reachelle in Minot.

Police said Cowen first said the girl had been staying with his mother, but they found out his mother had moved to Derby, Kan., within the past few days. When Cowen turned up missing, they thought he might have taken Reachelle and headed for Kansas.

The van in which his body was found was taken to the Police Department for a more thorough search.

State officials 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 last month for his arrest on charges of violating his probation.

Reachelle Smith is described as white, about 3-foot-4 and weighs about 40 pounds, authorities said. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Searchers To Return To Refuge Today To Look For 3-Year-Old - 5/24/2006

2007-03-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

Searchers To Return To Refuge Today To Look For 3-Year-Old
May 24 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmb.com/

Searchers are to return to the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge north of Minot today to look for three-year-old Reachelle Smith.

Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck says search and rescue workers conducted an arm-to-arm grid search last night, along with divers in Lake Darling. He says it was called off about nine p-m, and will resume about eight Wednesday morning.

Erck says the search is centered around the area where a van with the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found yesterday. Reachelle was believed to be with him, but authorities found no sign of her. They believe Cowen killed himself.

Erck says yesterday's search was tough because of hot weather and wood ticks. But he says he wants to go over the refuge with a "fine-tooth comb." Erck says National Guard members also might help in the search.

The three-year-old girl has been missing since last Tuesday. She's described as white, about three-foot-four and weighing about 40 pounds. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search Continues For Missing Girl - 5/24/2006

2007-03-23T13:44:00.000-07:00

Search Continues For Missing Girl
May 24 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/

(AP) _ Searchers are to return to the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge north of Minot today to look for three-year-old Reachelle Smith.

Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck says search and rescue workers conducted an arm-to-arm grid search last night, along with divers in Lake Darling. He says it was called off about nine p-m, and will resume about eight this morning.

Erck says the search is centered around the area where a van with the body of 22-year-old Leigh Cowen was found yesterday. Reachelle was believed to be with him, but authorities found no sign of her. They believe Cowen killed himself.

Erck says yesterday's search was tough because of hot weather and wood ticks. But he says he wants to go over the refuge with a ``fine-tooth comb.'' Erck says National Guard members also might help in the search.

The three-year-old girl has been missing since last Tuesday. She's described as white, about three-foot-four and weighing about 40 pounds. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Mother and Aunt Plead For 3-Year-Old's Return As Search Continues - 5/24/2006

2007-03-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

Mother and Aunt Plead For 3-Year-Old's Return As Search Continues
May 24 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org
JAMES MacPHERSON

Associated Press

Minot, N.D. - Reachelle Smith's mother and aunt tearfully pleaded for her safe return as searchers on horseback, in all-terrain vehicles and on foot fanned out through a wildlife refuge north of here to look for the 3-year-old girl.

The search centered around an area where the body of a man suspected of taking her was found Tuesday.

Leigh Cowen, 22, was found inside a van on a gravel road at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, and authorities said he apparently killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning.

There was no trace of Reachelle, who was last seen the night of May 16 when she was put to bed at her home.

Stephanie Smith, the girl's aunt and legal guardian, and Samantha Smith, her mother, joined other relatives and friends at a news conference with law enforcement officials Wednesday.

They said the 3-year-old has asthma and needs treatment for it. Stephanie clutched the girl's doll as she spoke about how Reachelle knows the alphabet, likes puzzles and likes to have her picture taken.

"Right now, we just want her back," Samantha Smith said, crying.

Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck said more than 200 people were searching the 32,000-acre refuge northwest of Minot. They included members of the National Guard, horseback riders and others on foot and in all-terrain vehicles, the sheriff said. Divers also were searching the Souris River and Lake Darling.

"We're concentrating along trails where the vehicle was found," Erck said. "There's a couple of hundred acres in just that small area alone."

Authorities said dive teams were searching part of the Souris River in Minot's Oak Park, near the girl's home. The search also included in the Surrey area, where a farmer thought he had recently seen the van in which Cowen's body was found.

"We're going where the evidence takes us. We're not going to leave any leaf
unturned. We're not going to close the door on other suspects," Police Capt. Al Hanson
said.

The terrain near the refuge was rough, with marshes and ravines, authorities said. They also asked people to check abandoned buildings in the area.

Reachelle Smith was put to bed at about 10:30 p.m. on May 16 at her home in
Minot and disappeared the next day, police said.

Authorities said Cowen lived with Stephanie Smith and had told her that the girl was staying with his mother. Police later learned that Cowen's mother did not know the girl's whereabouts and issued an Amber Alert.

State officials said Cowen was on probation for theft of property in Ward County and had failed to report in as required. A warrant was issued last month for his arrest on charges of violating his probation.

Reachelle Smith is described as white, about 3-foot-4 and weighs about 40 pounds, authorities said. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search For Missing Minot Girl Continues - 5/24/2006

2007-03-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

Search For Missing Minot Girl Continues
May 24 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/

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.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Amber Alert For Minot Girl - 5/23/2006

2007-03-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

Amber Alert For Minot Girl
May 23 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmc.com/

(AP) _ The Highway Patrol has issued an Amber Alert for a three-year-old girl missing from Minot.

Troopers say Reachelle Smith has been missing since May 16th. The girl was last seen at her home in Minot.

The girl is white, about three-and-a-half feet tall and weighs about 40 pounds. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

Authorities believe she may be with 22-year-old Leigh Cowen. He's white, five-feet-nine inches tall, weighing 220 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of a Chinese symbol on his neck.

Officials say the two may be traveling in a stolen 1995 teal Ford van with North Dakota tag number H-A-Y-5-4-8. The van has minor front end damage.

Troopers say the vehicle may be heading to Kansas possibly the Wichita area.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Amber Alert Issued For 3-Year-Old Girl - 5/23/2006

2007-03-23T13:19:00.000-07:00

Amber Alert Issued For 3-Year-Old Girl
May 23 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org

Associated Press

Bismarck, N.D. - The Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert for a 3-year-old girl, saying she is believed to be with a man posing as her father.

The patrol said Reachelle Smith was last seen at her Minot home on May 16.

Minot Police Sgt. Winston Black said the girl is believed to be with Leigh Cowen, 22, a man claiming to be the girl's father.

"The person we're looking for is making the claim he is the father of the child, when in fact, he's not," Black said.

"We have reason to believe the child is in danger," Highway Patrol Capt. Mark Bethke said.

The girl's mother does not have legal custody of the child, Black said. The girl lives with her mother's sister, the child's legal guardian, he said.

Black said Cowen had been living with the child's aunt and Cowen's mother sometimes looked after the child in Minot.

The 3-year-old was put to bed at about 10:30 p.m. on May 16 at her home, Black said. "The following day, she was no where to be found," he said.

Cowen claimed the girl had been staying with his mother in Minot. The child's aunt reported her missing Monday."

It was not uncommon for her to spend time with (Cowen's) mother," Black said.

Cowen's mother moved to Derby, Kan., within the past few days, Black said.

Police believe Cowen may be headed there, in a stolen teal-colored van with minor front-end damage.

Reachelle Smith is white, about 3-foot-4 and weighs about 40 pounds, authorities said. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

Authorities said Cowen is white, 5-foot-9, and weighs 220 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of a Chinese symbol on his neck.

The Amber Alert program is named for Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in her hometown of Arlington, Texas.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Amber Alert Issued For Minot Girl - 5/23/2006

2007-03-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

Amber Alert Issued For Minot Girl
May 23 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kxmb.com/

Troopers have issued an Amber Alert for a three-year-old girl missing from Minot.

Troopers say Reachelle Smith has been missing since May 16th. The girl was last seen at her home in Minot.

The girl is white, about three-and-a-half feet tall and weighs about 40 pounds. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

Authorities believe she may be with 22-year-old Leigh Cowen. He's white, five-feet-nine inches tall, weighing 220 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of a Chinese symbol on his neck.

Authorities say Cowen claims to be the girl's father but he's not.

Minot Police say the girl's mother does not have legal custody of the child. They say the girl lives with her mother's sister.

Police say Cowen had been living with the child's aunt and she's the child's legal guardian.

Officials say the two may be traveling in a stolen 1995 teal van with North Dakota tag number H-A-Y-5-4-8. The van has minor front end damage.

Troopers say the vehicle may be heading to Kansas possibly the Wichita area. Authorities say that's where Cowen's mother lives.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Amber Alert Issued For Missing Minot Girl - 5/23/2006

2007-03-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

Amber Alert Issued For Missing Minot Girl
May 23 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) _ Troopers have issued an Amber Alert for a three-year-old girl missing from Minot.

Troopers say Reachelle Smith has been missing since May 16th.

The girl was last seen at her home in Minot.

The girl is white, about three-and-a-half feet tall and weighs about 40 pounds. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

Authorities believe she may be with 22-year-old Leigh Cowen.

He's white, five-feet-nine inches tall, weighing 220 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of a Chinese symbol on his neck.

Authorities say Cowen claims to be the girl's father but he's not.

Minot Police say the girl's mother does not have legal custody of the child. They say the girl lives with her mother's sister.

Police say Cowen had been living with the child's aunt and she's the child's legal guardian. Officials say the two may be traveling in a stolen 1995 teal van with North Dakota tag number H-A-Y-5-4-8. The van has minor front end damage.

Troopers say the vehicle may be heading to Kansas possibly the Wichita area. Authorities say that's where Cowen's mother lives.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Amber Alert; Missing Minot Girl - 5/23/2006

2007-03-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

EDITORS NOTE: Various articles were published throughout the day by several media sources, May 23, 2006
Amber Alert; Missing Minot Girl
May 23 2006 12:00AM
http://www.kfyr.com/

Minot, N.D. (AP) _ Minot Police say they're trying to run down leads in the search for a three-year-old girl missing since last Tuesday night.

Authorities have issued an Amber Alert for Reachelle Smith, who disappeared from her Minot home.

Authorities believe she may be with 22-year-old Leigh Cowen.

They say he claims to be her father, but tests have proven that he's not.

Police say Cowen had been living with the child's aunt, who's her legal guardian.

Officials say the two may be traveling in a stolen 1995 teal van with North Dakota tag number H-A-Y-5-4-8. The van has minor front end damage.

Troopers say the vehicle may be heading to Kansas possibly the Wichita area. Authorities say that's where Cowen's mother lives.

Minot Police Captain Al Hanson said they have no reason to believe he'd go anywhere else.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Police Continue Search For Missing 3-Year-Old Girl - 5/23/2006

2007-03-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

EDITORS NOTE: For some reason this article was posted the same day/time as the previous archived article I posted.
Police Continue Search For Missing 3-Year-Old Girl
May 23 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org

Associated Press

Minot, N.D. - Police were looking for a 3-year-old girl who they believe may be headed to Kansas with a man claiming to be her father.

Authorities say Reachelle Smith was last seen the night of May 16. She was believed to be with Leigh Cowen, 22, a man who had been living with her aunt, the child's legal guardian.

Minot Police Capt. Al Hanson said Cowen considered himself the girl's father, but tests proved otherwise.

Hanson said Tuesday police believed Cowen was headed for Kansas.

"That's where his family is. We have no other reason to believe he's going anywhere else," Hanson said.

The Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert for Reachelle after she was reported missing Monday by her aunt.

"Because she's traveling with a stranger and not a blood relative, there's a possibility she's in danger," Hanson said.

Police said Cowen had been living with the child's aunt and his mother sometimes looked after her in Minot.The 3-year-old was put to bed about 10:30 p.m. on May 16 at her home, Minot Police Sgt. Winston Black said. "The following day, she was nowhere to be found," he said.

Cowen claimed the girl had been staying with his mother, but police said his mother had moved to Derby, Kan., within the past few days.

State officials 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 last month for his arrest on charges of violating his probation.

Authorities said Cowen was believed to be driving a stolen teal-colored van
with minor front-end damage. He is not accused of stealing the van, Hanson
said.

Reachelle Smith is described as white, about 3-foot-4 and weighs about 40 pounds, authorities said. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

Authorities said Cowen is white, 5-foot-9, and weighs 220 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes and a tattoo of a Chinese symbol on his neck.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Man Thought To Be With Missing Girl Found Dead - 5/23/2006

2007-03-23T12:43:00.000-07:00

Man Thought To Be With Missing Girl Found Dead
May 23 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org

Associated Press

Minot, N.D. - A man who police thought was with a missing 3-year-old girl was found dead in a van at a wildlife refuge Tuesday, but authorities said there was no sign of the girl.

Police Capt. Al Hanson said the body of Leigh Cowen, 22, was found inside the van on a gravel road at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot early Tuesday afternoon. The body was sent to the state medical examiner in Bismarck to determine a cause of death, but Hanson said Cowen appeared to have killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Hanson said authorities searched the area for 3-year-old Reachelle Smith, who was last seen the night of May 16.

"At this point, there's no indication that the girl was around that area," he said.

Authorities had thought Reachelle was with Cowen, a man who had been living with her aunt, the child's legal guardian. Hanson said authorities were looking for evidence at the site where Cowen's body was found to see if the girl had been with him.

The Patrol issued an Amber Alert for Reachelle after she was reported missing Monday by her aunt. Police said Cowen had been living with the child's aunt and his mother sometimes looked after her in Minot.

The 3-year-old was put to bed at about 10:30 p.m. on May 16 at her home, Minot Police Sgt. Winston Black said. "The following day, she was nowhere to be found," he said.

Cowen said the girl had been staying with his mother, but police said his mother had moved to Derby, Kan., within the past few days, and they had contacted her.

Reachelle Smith is described as white, about 3-foot-4 and weighs about 40 pounds, authorities said. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.State officials 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 last month for his arrest on charges of violating his probation.

The Amber Alert program is named for Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in her hometown of Arlington, Texas.

ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Amber Alert Issued For Minot Girl - 5/22/2006

2007-03-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

Amber Alert Issued For Minot Girl
May 22 2006 12:00AM
http://www.ap.org

Associated Press

Bismarck, N.D. - The Highway Patrol on Monday issued an Amber Alert for a 3-year-old Minot girl and said she might be on her way to Kansas.

The patrol said Reachelle Smith was last seen at her Minot home on May 16.Minot Police Sgt. Winston Black said the girl is believed to be with 22-year-old Leigh Cowen, a man claiming to be the girl's father."

The person we're looking for is making the claim he is the father of the child, when in fact, he's not," Black said.

"We have reason to believe the child is in danger," Highway Patrol Capt. Mark Bethke said.

The girl's mother does not have legal custody of the child, Black said. The girl lives with her mother's sister, the child's legal guardian, he said.

Black said Cowen had been living with the child's aunt.

Cowen's mother sometimes looked after the child in Minot, Black said.

The girl was "put to bed" at about 10:30 p.m. on May 16 at her home, Black said. "The following day, she was no where to be found," he said.

Cowen claimed the girl had been staying with his mother in Minot. The child's aunt reported the girl missing on Monday.

"It was not uncommon for her to spend time with (Cowen's) mother," Black said.

Cowen's mother moved to Derby, Kan., within the past few days, Black said.

Police believe Cowen may be headed there, in a stolen teal-colored van with minor front-end damage.

The girl is white, about 3 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 40 pounds, authorities said. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

Cowen is white, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 220 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of a Chinese symbol on his neck.

The Amber Alert program is named for Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in her hometown of Arlington, Texas.

Information, Archived Articles & Many Thanks

2007-03-23T12:20:00.000-07:00

I have just come across a huge load of archived articles pertaining to Reachelle Smith. Please bear with me as I put them in chronological order from May 22, 2006 to present.

Many thanks to all of you who have helped make this blog-site for Reachelle possible and for helping get Reachelle's story out there. Thank you everyone for all your help in gathering articles, video clips, archives, and information. Thank you all for all you do! Bless You!

Archived Article: Search For Missing Girl Continues - 5/26/2006

2007-03-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-03-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

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 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.