Police Puzzled Over Disappearance of Jessica Lunsford

There are plenty of rumors and gossip flying around the community, but authorities in Homosassa, Florida have very few, if any, clues in the disappearance of nine-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford 10 days after she vanished from her bedroom.

Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy has spent valuable time with the news media dispelling rumors surrounding the case, but has admitted that this case has puzzled everyone, because of a total lack of clues.

Jessica Lunsford
Family photo

Friday, the Sheriff announced that rumors that some of the missing girl's clothing had been found and that two bodies found in California had no connection with the case. He also dealt with the news that both the girl's grandfather and father had past arrest records.

The media made a big deal out of the arrest records of the family members, but neither the father nor grandfather had ever been convicted of a crime. Dawsy told reporters that he had been aware of that information from the beginning and had discounted it as a factor.

Both Mark Lunsford, the girl's father, and Archie Lunsford, her grandfather, have taken polygraph tests by the Sheriff's office and the FBI and have nothing has thrown up any red flags, Dawsy said. Even her grandmother, Ruth Lunsford, has taken a polygraph and passed, he said.

Authorities ended the massive search for Jessica in the woods and marshes around Homosassa last week. Dawsy said the case has now moved into the "investigative stage."

The Lunsford case was profiled on "America's Most Wanted" this weekend and has been featured on the "Today" show, Fox News and several other national news outlets. A reward of more than $115,000 has been offered for information leading to her return.

See Also:
Rumors Fly as Search for Jessica Continues
Jessica Marie Lunsford Official Web Site

Background:
9-Year-Old Jessica Lunsford Still Missing