Aliayah Lunsford -- Missing 9/24/11

The above links are the latest I could find on the case. There does seem to be a media blackout, I have faith there is a reason for this.

And another:

Little Aliayah Lunsford Missing for More than Two Weeks; FBI Not Releasing Information;
No Known Leads or Suspects
By John Clise Editor

(no date)

~Snipped~

There is the question of the national media. Where have they been? Nancy Grace gave it one day or so. ABC gave it a story or two based on WDTV’s coverage. There have been a few other outlets to give the story some press.

The problems is there is nothing to say. No one talking is something that can’t be reported very well. WDTV, WBOY, The Elkins Inter-Mountain, WHAW, and other media outlets gave the story continued press initially. The Inter-Mountain had front page stories on the story 10 days in a row. TV and radio stations covered the story daily.

All outlets continue to cover the story to the best of their ability. It becomes very difficult without cooperation from the authorities or the family. If there was a family member willing to speak out or law enforcement was willing say something beyond there’s nothing to report, it would be easier to cover.

http://www.centralwestvirginian.net/find-aliayah.html

Thanks for the updates, Piper!

It is so good to "see you!" Hope all is well! I've really missed you.

Work your magic and make these threads come alive!

New posters and a balloon launch for Alilayah on October 24 if Alilayah is not found by then!
~~~~~

Plans Made for Aliayah Lunsford Posters

Posted Monday, October 10, 2011 ; 05:53 PM
Updated Monday, October 10, 2011; 06:57 PM

Frustrated residents who searched for Aliayah after she went missing want to put up more posters in surrounding counties and have planned a march and balloon launch.

By Stacy Jacobson
WBOY - Clarksburg, WV

WESTON -- Monday marked almost 17 days since Aliayah Lunsford, 3, went missing from her Lewis County home.
The FBI is leading the investigation from the W.Va. State Police barracks.

Read more:

http://wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=109796

Hi Ann ~ I was just getting ready to post this, you beat me to it! Let's hope she's found soon.

Hey Piper, great to see you back!

Piper~

Hey Piper, glad you are back. Keeping you and your family, especially precious Ava in my prayers every night.

Piper ~ Good to see your posts. Take care.

There has been something "suspiciously wrong" with the reported disappearance of this poor little sweetie. I just hope that she is found, but I don't believe she was ever "missing". Sigh.

Cali, I agree with you. I don't think Aliayah was ever missing.

I think after the extensive searches for Aliayah and further investigations, LE knows Lena Lunsford's story does not add up.

Cali, it is so wonderful to see Piper posting. She is an awesome contributor to the many Missing/Murdered, etc. threads.

16 Days Later: Aliayah Lunsford Still Missing

Last Updated on Monday, 10 October 2011 20:19

Written by Katie Lusso
WDTV - Bridgeport, WV

Monday, 10 October 2011 17:13

The search is still on for a three year-old Lewis County girl who was last seen more than two weeks ago.

Aliayah Lunsford was last seen in her Bendale home on September 24th. Since then crews have searched the neighborhood, along with nearby bodies of water.

Last week FBI officials announce that they're investigating this case as a crime. They say they're looking at three possible situations, a homicide, an abduction or a concealment.

Read more and view video:

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9403-16-days-later-aliayah-lunsford-still-missing

Howdy friends, great to see you all Welcome to Gia, love your name!

No reward money says it all in this horrific situation. I found some disturbing information in regards to Ralph Keith Lunsford's stepfather but I am reluctant to post it.

Search for Little Aliayah Lunsford in Day 18

Posted Tuesday, October 11, 2011 ; 10:59 AM
Updated Tuesday, October 11, 2011; 11:16 AM

The State Journal - Charleston, WV

State, county and federal authorities are working together.

WESTON -- Tuesday marks 18 days since 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford has been missing from Lewis County, W.Va.

Read more:

http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=109837

Piper wrote:I found some disturbing information in regards to Ralph Keith Lunsford's stepfather but I am reluctant to post it.

We already know he has a criminal record and has two relatives who have been missing since 1999, so it's scary to think there is more.

It checked out that he went to work that morning, but we don't know exactly what time Aliayah went missing.

~Snipped~

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1109/26/ng.01.html

From what we understand the 9-year-old sibling was originally sleeping in the room with Aliayah until that morning when the mother came in to check on her at 6:30 and to get the stepfather off for work. At that time the 9-year-old also woke up, went back with mom, back to mom`s bedroom.

Remember this was a kid who was sick the night before. Had to be brought home. Was diuretic, (INAUDIBLE) since she had messed at another friend's house. They wanted to get her home and get her in bed. And the mother and the 9-year-old left the room to allow a sick 3-year-old to sleep for a couple of extra hours.

The 9-year-old was in the room. She was not completely alone. The 9-year-old left at 6:00 in the morning to allow her younger sister to sleep for a couple of extra hours in the morning when mom had to get stepdad off to work.

It sounds like the 9-year-old moved to Lena's room before Ralph left for work, so I wonder if the 9-year-old can verify that Aliayah was still alive or at least still in the room at 6 or 6:30. I also wonder when was the last time that any of the other siblings saw Aliayah. Unless one of the siblings saw or heard something that morning, it looks like authorities only have Ralph and Lena's word to go on regarding Aliayah's whereabouts between 6:30 and the time she was reported missing.

The poor remaining children must be torn, being asked questions and wanting to defend the parents so they don't get in trouble or made to "disappear" like Aliayah. It is a cruel situation for the other four children who were in the home. There is no way a sick little three-year-old could leave that house unnoticed and make her way down to the river. If the dogs traced her scent to the river, then it seems to me that she had to have been led there by someone she trusted.
What mother, even if distraught, is going to waste two whole hours driving around to find a sick three-year-old. Who can prove that Aliayah was even sick. IMO..Things don't add up, haven't since the beginning of the story that was told.

i so agree, Cali

Community Trying to Find Aliayah, Investigation Continues
Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 18:00

Written by Nicole Porter
WDTV - Bridgeport, WV
Tuesday, 11 October 2011 17:45

After 18 days, investigators are still looking into the disappearance of Aliayah Lunsford, 3.

Lunsford's disappearance is being called a crime and is looked at as a homicide, a concealment or an abduction. A small group of persons of interest are being questioned but investigators are tight-lipped as to who these people are.

Now, some community members are doing all they can to help find her.

Read more:

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9441-community-trying-to-find-aliayah-investigation-continues

Amber Alert Substitute Used by Local Police Department for Cases Like Aliayah Lunsford

Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 18:12

Written by Nicole Porter
WDTV - Bridgeport, WV
Tuesday, 11 October 2011 17:58

It's now about two and a half weeks since Aliayah Lunsford, 3, went missing from her Lewis County home and many folks question where she is.

When Aliayah went missing, an Amber Alert could not be issued because there was a lack of information, such as a suspect description and a license plate number, to report.

Read more:

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9444-amber-alert-substitute-used-by-local-police-department-for-cases-like-aliayah-lunsford

Aliayah Lunsford Investigation Progressing Covertly

Posted Tuesday, October 11, 2011 ; 06:27 PM
Updated Tuesday, October 11, 2011; 07:05 PM

Led by FBI agents, law enforcement has "gone covert" and is working out of the Lewis County State Police barracks.

By Stacy Jacobson
WBOY - Clarksburg, WV

WESTON -- Aliayah Lunsford has now been missing for well over two weeks and authorities are still tight-lipped about the investigation's progress.
Read more:

http://wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=109890

Per the above article from WBOY, the FBI hopes to have a Presser this week.

I hope they will be able to disclose more info about this case than what they have in previous Pressers.

There is a reason they are keeping things close to the vest. In this case, perhaps information disclosure would jeopardize their investigative efforts.

Cali wrote:The poor remaining children must be torn, being asked questions and wanting to defend the parents so they don't get in trouble or made to "disappear" like Aliayah. It is a cruel situation for the other four children who were in the home. There is no way a sick little three-year-old could leave that house unnoticed and make her way down to the river. If the dogs traced her scent to the river, then it seems to me that she had to have been led there by someone she trusted.
What mother, even if distraught, is going to waste two whole hours driving around to find a sick three-year-old. Who can prove that Aliayah was even sick. IMO..Things don't add up, haven't since the beginning of the story that was told.

I agree, Cali. All of these children had to survive in the shadow of low life drug addicts and convicted criminals, which includes their own mother. We have no idea what their daily lives were like in this environment, I can only imagine.

Lena's ex-boyfriend, father of her 5 year old son, was booked into the Central Regional Jail yesterday. It doesn't state offense, it's been said it's burglary and reckless driving, but I can't confirm that.

http://www.wvrja.com/puboffsearch/offdetail.asp?root=1110642&bid=3670087&row=adsum

Piper thank you for the welcome.

It's really frustrating when so many days have gone by and the child is still missing and there are no new developments. I hate to think that Aliayah's name may just end up being another name on a long list of missing children.

I know it sounds awful but this is when I wish that non-removable tracking devices were attached to children.

I agree, Gia. Some people think that it would be wrong to put tracking devices on children, but anything that keeps them safe would be well worth it.

~Praying for Aliayah~

Wow, that's a tough subject to think about. If we microchip our children like we do our pets, they would of course be easier to find. But it sets a precedent...like do we leave the chips in or take them out when the kids reach a certain age. If they are left in, then it becomes a whole "invasion of privacy, big brother" kinda thing. Eventually, everyone could be kept track of. I know I don't like that!

kellikat wrote:Wow, that's a tough subject to think about. If we microchip our children like we do our pets, they would of course be easier to find. But it sets a precedent...like do we leave the chips in or take them out when the kids reach a certain age. If they are left in, then it becomes a whole "invasion of privacy, big brother" kinda thing. Eventually, everyone could be kept track of. I know I don't like that!

I know it's an awful idea and doing so would have more disadvantages than advantages ... and as you rightly point out ... where would the cut off point be. I must say though it would be useful to keep track of teens fibbing about their whereabouts and breaking curfew. LOL.

I just wish though that there was a feasible way to prevent children vanishing into thin air. The chances are that we'll never know if Aliayah and Lisa are the next Jaycee Dugard, or if they are dead, or are being raised by a childless couple somewhere in another state.

I know, hon....unfortunately, there will always be bad people doing bad things. The only thing we can hope for is to make it more difficult for them to do and/or get away with those bad things. Unfortunately, we aren't doing such a good job so far. :-(

There seems to be disadvantages to whatever "solutions" are out there.

Unfortunately, bad parents and bad people aren't discovered until they have committed the unthinkable. People should come with warning signs attached...

Balloon Launch Scheduled in Honor of Aliayah's Disappearance

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 October 2011 18:10

Written by Nicole Porter
Wednesday, 12 October 2011 17:31
WDTV - Bridgeport, WV

Folks across the country are planning an event to mark the one month anniversary since a Lewis County girl went missing.

A movement started on Facebook to do a balloon launch on October 24, in front of the Lewis County Courthouse, in honor of Aliayah Lunsford, 3. That movement has spread across the country.

Read more:

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9464-balloon-launch-scheduled-in-honor-of-aliayahs-disappearance

For Aliayah....

Attorney Says Search for Missing Girl Ongoing, but Hope is
Fading

WAJR - Morgantown, WV

October 13, 2011

Authorities are losing optimism that they'll find a missing three year old girl alive. Attorney Tom Dyer says based upon the investigation so far, authorities are now much less optimistic that they'll be able to find Aaliyah Lunsford alive. Dyer says the investigation has gone almost as far as it can.

Read more:

http://www.wajr.com/includes/news_items/1/news_items_more.php?id=13281§ion_id=1

10/13/2011

They Need A Break In The Case

WAJR-FM Radio News
Metro News.com - WV

Weston, Lewis County

Investigators say they need more help with the case involving the ongoing search for a three year old girl who was reported missing in Lewis County last month.

Harrison County Attorney Tom Dyer says, based on the investigation up to to this point, law enforcement officers are now much less optimistic that they'll be able to find Aliayah Lunsford alive.

Read more:

http://www.wvmetronews.com/news.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=48490

Aliayah's Law Petition Available Online

Last Updated on Thursday, 13 October 2011 18:25

Written by Nicole Porter
Thursday, 13 October 2011 17:29

WDTV - Bridgeport, WV

Thursday marks 20 days since Aliayah Lunsford was last seen at her Denisson Street home. Community members are trying to petition for new laws in her honor.

Read more and view video:

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9491-aliayahs-law-petition-available-online

Investigators Still Asking for Information in Aliayah Lunsford Disappearance, Press Conference Planned

Last Updated on Thursday, 13 October 2011 17:32

Written by Nicole Porter
WDTV - Bridgeport, WV
Thursday, 13 October 2011 17:10

The investigation of a missing 3-year-old Lewis County girl continues 20 days after she was missing. Aliayah Lunsford was last seen in her home on September 24. Police have ruled her disappearance a crime and say it's a murder, an abduction or a concealment. They've been quiet about what clues they may have that lead them to these conclusions but they say they still need your help.

Read more:

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9486-investigators-pleading-for-information-in-aliayah-lunsford-disappearance-press-conference-planned

Per the above article, a Presser is suppose to take place Friday afternoon.

Earlier in the week, the media indicated Law Enforcement (LE) would hold a Press Conference.

I hope LE will be able to disclose more info about Aliayah's case.

20 days and no Aliayah! I think the mother, Lena Lunsford, knows what happened to Aliayah. Her story does not even add up.

WDTV - WV has a News Alert on their home page:

Aliayah Lunsford Press Conference at 2 p.m. with a full report at 5 p.m.

There is no indication of a live stream at 2 p.m. In the past, WDTV tried to Live Stream earlier press conferences but there were problems with the feed.

I hope they will post a video of the Press Conference in its entirety.

FBI Sets News Conference About Missing Lewis County Girl

Posted Friday, October 14, 2011 ; 12:34 PM
Updated Friday, October 14, 2011; 01:04 PM

WBOY - Clarksburg, WV

The conference is at 2 p.m. Friday.

It's been almost three weeks since Aliayah Lunsford, 3, of Lewis County was reported missing from her home in the Bendale area of Weston.

Aliayah's mother, Lena Lunsford, reported her daughter missing on the morning of Sept. 24

Read more:

http://wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=110120



Aliayah Lunsford, 3

I am really disgusted with the WV media. I have checked 8 main stream media sources and no one is streaming the FBI Press Conference live.

Most have brief articles about the Presser but no indication that they will live stream.

I guess the Pressers, in the past, have yielded very little info and perhaps the media decided it is not worth their time and expense to Live Stream.

I realize the Weston area is in a rural area of WV but I would think at least one TV station would live stream.

I checked HLN and InSession (TV) and all they are talking about is the Dr. Murray trial!

Hopefully, there will be articles about the Presser and maybe at least one WV tv station will have a video posted.

No news is bad news in the case of missing children. Somebody hid poor little Aliayah's body where it may never be found.
I wonder if she was the child that was the least tolerated in that house filled with children. Four others, and two more on the way.

10/14/2011

UPDATE: Hopes Fade Of Finding Girl Alive

WAJR-FM Radio News - Morgantown, WV
MetroNews - Weston - WV

UPDATE Investigators say in Friday afternoon news conference given the time frame of the investigation it appears less likely they will find three-year-old Aliayah Lunsford alive.

Read more and listen to audio report:

http://www.wvmetronews.com/news.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=48490

Updated: 2:47 PM Oct 14, 2011

FBI: "Little Hope" Missing 3-Year-Old Girl is Still Alive
Aliayah Lunsford went missing from her home in Bendale, West Virginia on September 24.

Posted: 10:31 AM Oct 14, 2011
Reporter: WSAZ News Staff; The Associated Press
WSAZ - Charleston/Huntington, WV

UPDATE 10/14/11 @ 2:15 p.m.

LEWIS COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The FBI is comparing the case of a missing three year old from Lewis County to a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle.

A spokesperson with the FBI says the taskforce has put more pieces of the puzzle together, but the case is still not solved.

Aliayah Lunsford went missing from her home in Bendale, West Virginia on September 24.

During a news conference Friday, the FBI said "they have limited hope she (Aliayah) is alive."

Read more:

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/Search_Continues_for_Missing_3-year-old_WVa_Girl__130568983.html

Once again, as it happens way too often, I feel hope slipping away in this case.

Well, yah! Her mother drove around for TWO HOURS looking for Aliayah before calling 911. This child was shoeless, and supposedly sick. She sure wouldn't have been in a mood to sneak out of her house, undetected.
Nobody in the neighborhood even knew she was missing until the call. I truly believe that something horrible happened to this poor little child.

Investigation Narrows in Aliayah Lunsford Disappearance

Last Updated on Friday, 14 October 2011 18:26

Written by Nicole Porter
WDTV - Bridgeport, WV
Friday, 14 October 2011 17:55

Saturday will mark three weeks since Aliayah was reported missing from her Lewis County home, and Friday investigators said the search is narrowing, and a timeline is being formed after viewing a lot of surveillance videos.

FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen says that after three weeks and no sightings of the girl, it is hard to believe that any child could still be alive with the weather we have had. He also says stranger things have happened.

Members of the FBI, the Lewis County Sheriff's Department and the state Police are looking at business and home surveillance videos to help piece the situations surrounding Aliayah's disappearance together.

Read more:

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9508-investigation-narrows-in-aliayah-lunsford-disappearance

FBI: "There's Limited Hope She's Alive"

Posted Friday, October 14, 2011 ; 06:16 PM
Updated Friday, October 14, 2011; 06:45 PM

More than one person could have conspired in 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford's disappearance, authorities said.

By Stacy Jacobson
The State Journal - Charleston, WV

WESTON -- Like many others in Lewis County, Jared Ballard, 18, has been affected by the disappearance of Aliayah Lunsford, 3. His school, Lewis County High School, sits across the street from the Lunsford's Bendale home.

"Obviously when helicopters are flying around that's a little distracting when you're taking tests," Ballard said.

Snipped:

The investigative team includes federal, state and county law enforcement. Killeen said investigators are working 13 hours every day. The team is using enhancement technology to analyze videos and pictures taken from homes and businesses in south Weston, Killeen said.

They are handling both state and federal crimes and charges. Investigators also have a small group of suspects, but they remain tight-lipped.

Read more and view video:

http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=110155

Now I understand why there has been limited information from LE regarding this case.

I hope that an arrest or arrests will be made soon in the disappearance and more likely, death, of precious Aliayah Lunsford.

It is amazing what LE can recover from today's technology. I hope the surveillance/security videos from the various businesses and homes will be of assistance to LE in narrowing the suspect(s).

If you followed the Jonathan Foster case (Houston, Harris County, Tx) in December, 2010, you know that the security cameras from a business gave the Houston Police Department (HPD) the huge break in the case which resulted in the arrest of Mona Yvette Nelson. She was charged with Capital Murder and is scheduled to go to trial in May, 2012.

Piper, the link to the info you e-mailed me last week has been on my mind ever since I received it. It is chilling to think about!

I wonder if that individual might have something to do with the "disappearance" of Aliayah.

As of today, I have not seen any thing in the media about it. I would think LE has asked media to not disclose the info.

Piper, you know that some in the media must have done some investigative research . . . like you did!

Or maybe you are a step ahead of them.

P & AT Investigations are on top of the story!

Aliayah Paige Lunsford Missing Since September 24, 2011 Have You Seen This Child?
Uploaded by TIGERBABE72 on Oct 2, 2011

Aliayah is a 3 year old child who disappeared on September 24, 2011 from her bedroom in West Virginia. She was last seen by her mother around 6AM but was not discovered missing till about 9AM but was not reported missing until around 11:30 AM.
~~~~~

You can view this video at YouTube in a much larger video box. Click below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC1E6D2OYHQ&feature=share
YouTube - Aliayah Lunsford - 10-2-11
_______________

Special thanks to Connie Lloyd for this very beautiful video!