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.
Friday, March 23, 2007
ARCHIVED ARTICLE: Search Continues For Missing Minot Girl - 5/25/2006
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.
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
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.
"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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 weStephanie 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.
wanted to search this area so thoroughly was that he was found there," Keller
said.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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