I have followed this story since the beginning
I just can't imagine not knowing what happened to a child, especially if the child is your own. Please keep this family in prayer that they may soon be able to put their daughter to rest. Thank you.
WHIO Local News
Police Searching For Body Of Erica Baker
Search for Erica Baker produces mix of sorrow and hope, grandmother says
Search for Erica Baker produces mix of sorrow and hope, grandmother says
By Jim DeBrosse
Staff Writer
Dayton Daily News
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
KETTERING - Erica Baker's grandmother said Wednesday the renewed search for her granddaughter's body has produced a mix of sorrow and hope.
"The pain of losing her is brand new again. That's the downside," said Pamela Schmidt. But with the Christmas holiday approaching, "wouldn't it be joyous if we could experience the miracle of bringing her home this year."
Acting on a tip, Kettering police were using cadaver dogs and a backhoe near Enon Beach in western Clark County looking for Erica's remains, who disappeared from a Kettering park in 1999.
"It's a lead, no more than the ones we follow up on regularly," said Kettering police spokesman Bill Torok on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Torok said the department gets "several leads" a year, including calls from psychics, anonymous informants and people who say they've had dreams and heard from God about the girl who went missing at age 9.
"We give every one of them due diligence. There's always the possibility someone knows something and they're just using a cover story about a dream," he said.
This particular tip came in over the weekend from an anonymous informant, Torok said. The search has gotten more attention than previous ones because it's taking place out in the open instead of a wooded area, he said.
The search will continue Wednesday and perhaps Thursday, Torok said. Police are using a backhoe because it allows them to search a wide area quickly.
The Clark County sheriff's office is assisting in the search.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2437 or jdebrosse@DaytonDailyNews.com.
WHIO Local News
Police Searching For Body Of Erica Baker
Search for Erica Baker produces mix of sorrow and hope, grandmother says
Search for Erica Baker produces mix of sorrow and hope, grandmother says
By Jim DeBrosse
Staff Writer
Dayton Daily News
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
KETTERING - Erica Baker's grandmother said Wednesday the renewed search for her granddaughter's body has produced a mix of sorrow and hope.
"The pain of losing her is brand new again. That's the downside," said Pamela Schmidt. But with the Christmas holiday approaching, "wouldn't it be joyous if we could experience the miracle of bringing her home this year."
Acting on a tip, Kettering police were using cadaver dogs and a backhoe near Enon Beach in western Clark County looking for Erica's remains, who disappeared from a Kettering park in 1999.
"It's a lead, no more than the ones we follow up on regularly," said Kettering police spokesman Bill Torok on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Torok said the department gets "several leads" a year, including calls from psychics, anonymous informants and people who say they've had dreams and heard from God about the girl who went missing at age 9.
"We give every one of them due diligence. There's always the possibility someone knows something and they're just using a cover story about a dream," he said.
This particular tip came in over the weekend from an anonymous informant, Torok said. The search has gotten more attention than previous ones because it's taking place out in the open instead of a wooded area, he said.
The search will continue Wednesday and perhaps Thursday, Torok said. Police are using a backhoe because it allows them to search a wide area quickly.
The Clark County sheriff's office is assisting in the search.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2437 or jdebrosse@DaytonDailyNews.com.