Search for Nevaeh intensifies

MONROE, Mich. - Over 100 members comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies has been formed to allow a constant and open line of communication as the search intensifies for 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan, who disappeared three days ago from her apartment complex in Monroe, Mich.

In a news conference Wednesday morning, Monroe County Sheriff Tilman Crutchfield said than 140 investigators, comprised of his office, Monroe police, Michigan State Police, and the FBI have been assigned to to respond to every single lead called in to the (734) 243-7070 tip line.

He promised that they will be working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to find her.

"We will take the searches where the tips lead us, where various information leads us, and that's where the searches will be conducted," Sheriff Crutchfield said.

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SHERIFF CRUTCHFIELD NEWS CONFERENCE May 27, 2009
courtesy of myFOXDetroit.com / WJBK

 

 

 

AMBER ALERT

Active AMBER Alerts
National Center for Missing Exploited Children Web site

 

 

Name: Nevaeh (nuh-VAY-uh) Amyah Buchanan
Age: 5
Height: 3-foot-8-inches
Weight: 45 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Clothing: Red, white and blue striped shirt, knee length blue jeans.

If you have information, call 9-1-1 or (734) 243-7070

 

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The sheriff said the task force has received at least 200 tips since Nevaeh was last seen in the parking lot of the Charlotte Arms Apartments on Macomb Street at around 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

"We've made various searches, searches of locations. We've served search warrants, we've submitted evidence to the (Michigan State Police) crime lab and we're just following every lead wherever it takes us."

Sheriff Crutchfield said the task force has been concentrating their search in and around Monroe. He also did not elaborate on reports of a girl looking like Nevaeh spotted Monday in a Columbus, Ohio shopping center, as well in Toledo.

"It's just that. It's a rumor."

The task force and four dive teams are searching two quarries in Monroe.

"As I speak there are two areas that are being searched - one is a quarry that is located off South Dixie Highway, and there is a second quarry on the north side of Monroe off North Dixie Highway," Sheriff Crutchfield said.

"The quarry on North Dixie highway is located to the east of the apartment complex. It's a considerable distance. We base our searches on the tips that we receive."

The four dive teams are from Southeast Michigan -- Wayne County, Downriver, Michigan State Police, and the Monroe County Sheriff.

FBI agent Andy Arena said the FBI and the task force is looking at a variety of locations. He added a bona fide abduction case like this is very rare and hard to work on.

"These are the worst cases to investigate because we're all parents and aunts and uncles," Agent Arena said. "I went home last night and my 6-year-old wouldn't get off my lap. She knew about this and this morning she said, 'Daddy, you gotta go find that little girl.' So, this is hard on the investigators, and very difficult on them."

All 180 units in the apartment were searched. Agent Arena, special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit office, said he was going to bring in more agents.

On Tuesday authorities arrested George Kennedy, a 39-year-old close friend of Jennifer Buchanan - Nevaeh's mother. Jennifer told FOX Toledo News that Kennedy is a registered sex offender and he is being held for violating parole.

Kennedy was released from prison in 2003 after serving time for fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

"Mr. Kennedy is being held on an unrelated parole violation," Sheriff Crutchfield said Wednesday. "Mr. Kennedy is a person of interest and I will go no further. During the course of the investigation we have identified persons of interest."

"You have to understand that they are only persons of interest and our focus is not solely on those persons," the sheriff added. "We are soliciting any and all information, any and all tips regarding the disappearance of the child. We continue to investigate any all all tips."

Crutchfield said no arrests had been made in the possible abduction. He wouldn't discuss specifics about Kennedy or name other persons of interest in the investigation.

The ordeal has been even more difficult on the family.

"I just want to plead to whoever has her just bring her home so she can have her babies back," said Sherry Buchanan, Nevaeh's grandmother.

Nevaeh's grandmother brought out some of Nevaeh's favorite toys Wednesday afternoon and wants to keep the focus on the search for her granddaughter.

Family members said Shane Hinojosa, Nevaeh's biological father, has been estranged from the mother and family for nearly three years. The search for Nevaeh, though, has brought the entire family closer.

"It doesn't matter what happened in the past," said Hinojosa, who lives in Toledo. "We just want Nevaeh back. So, if anybody knows where Nevaeh's at, just bring her home. If anybody has any info call the numbers. Bring her