The news from Homosasser, Florida this week is not encouraging. Rather than searching for nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford, authorities were investigating a registered sex offender who lived nearby and left the area shortly after Jessica vanished from her bedroom Feb. 23.

Police arrested John Evander Couey, 46, in Augusta, Georgia and are questioning him as a "person of interest" in the disappearance of Jessica. Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said Couey left the area five days after Jessica disappeared using a bus ticket to Savannah, purchased by a relative in another name.

Police in Savannah questioned Couey briefly on Tuesday and then released him, because they had no reason to hold him. He was arrested again Thursday near a homeless shelter in Augusta. Authorities said Couey was cooperating and answering their questions.

Although Couey lived within two miles of the Lunsford home, he sometimes stayed with a half-sister across the street from the Lunsfords. The Lunsford family say they did not know Couey and never saw him.

"It's someone nobody has seen before," Lunsford said. "I know my daughter doesn't go with strangers. So I just don't see it." See Also:
Sex Offender Arrested in Missing Girl Case

Background:
Police Puzzled Over Disappearance of Jessica Lunsford
9-Year-Old Jessica Lunsford Still Missing