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CNN Live At Daybreak

Body Discovered by Search Group Believed To Be Danielle Van Dam

Aired February 28, 2002 - 05:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And authorities believe they have found the body of 7-year-old Danielle Van Dam. A volunteer search group found the body under a group of trees in a remote area east of San Diego. The girl disappeared four weeks ago. A 50-year-old neighbor has already been charged with her kidnapping and her murder.

As I said, San Diego police say the body of a girl believed to be Danielle Van Dam will be handed over to the medical examiner for identification later today. Volunteer searchers had discovered the body near a two lane road about 25 miles from San Diego. Authorities haven't determined the cause of death.

Let's listen, though, as prosecutors describe the crime scene.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL PFINGST, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Detectives have observed a three to four foot tall young, white female, apparently with blonde hair on her back. The body has a plastic necklace around its neck similar to the one seen in the missing person flyer that's been distributed throughout San Diego County with Danielle Van Dam's picture on it. One earring is visible and appears to be the same as the one described having been worn by her at the time of her abduction.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: David Westerfield has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and murder in this case. If he is convicted, he could face the death penalty.

The 7-year-old girl's parents were notified of the discovery and police officers stayed with them to help them cope with the news.

Reporter Greg Phillips of affiliate XETV has reaction from neighbors.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's bad in a sense but it's good in a way.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. It's bittersweet. GREG PHILLIPS, XETV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Volunteers arrive at the Danielle Search Center to news that the body of the 7- year-old may have been found.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's shocking right now. My skin is kind of trembling right now inside.

PHILLIPS: Minutes later, the head of the search team makes an announcement. The search is called off.

DIANE HALFMAN, DANIELLE RECOVERY CENTER: The Danielle Search Center will be postponing any further searches until we get further information from the investigation on what was found today.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is an awful, horrible thing and no right words are going to make it any better.

PHILLIPS: At the Van Dams' home, Father Joseph Acton is called to comfort the family. Friends and neighbors come to lend support during a difficult time.

KRISTEN FRANCY, NEIGHBOR: I just think about the fact, you know, I have two little sisters and it's just hard to think that like this came from, you know, inside her house and to think that like something like that could happen to my sisters.

PHILLIPS: Later, Father Acton leaves the home, asking the family to pray for Danielle and the Van Dams.

REV. JOSEPH ACTON, ST. TIMOTHY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH: I really can't say what I told the family. I just prayed with the family, OK? I just sat with them and prayed with them. As you can imagine, they're devastated and they're being surrounded by family and friends and there's a lot of praying going on.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That report from Greg Phillips of station XETV.

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