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CNN Live At Daybreak
FBI Says It Is Making Progress In Search For Missing Oregon Girls
Aired March 18, 2002 - 05:19 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: The FBI says it is making progress in the search for two missing Oregon girls. And authorities are even optimistic the 13 year olds will be found alive.
John Flick of our Portland affiliate KGW has this update for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN FLICK, KGW REPORTER (voice-over): Authorities won't elaborate but they say as search dogs scoured the dense woods around the missing girls' apartment complex, they discover something, something that made them very optimistic, enough to make this bold prediction.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Investigators hold out every hope. I was just talking to the lead investigator and he told me that he believes the girls are alive and they're out there and they're going to find them.
FLICK: January 9, 13-year-old Ashley Pond disappeared before school from the Newell Creek Village apartments. March 8, 13-year-old Miranda Gaddis disappeared from her family's apartment, also before school. Investigators now believe the girls were abducted by someone they both know.
MICHELLE DUFFEY, MIRANDA'S MOTHER: I've got cards even from her medical doctor.
FLICK: Miranda's mom feels the same. Surrounded by flowers, pictures and cards of support, the comforting words that let her know she's not alone, Michelle Duffey holds out hope the two girls will be found.
DUFFEY: I know we'll find her and we're waiting today since "America's Most Wanted" last night, we're waiting for a call saying that they know where she is and they're going to bring her home. That's what we're praying for.
FLICK: Saturday Michelle continued canvassing businesses with fliers of the girls' pictures.
DUFFEY: She was leaving for school. That's all we know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Coming up next...
FLICK: Saturday night, the TV show "America's Most Wanted" aired a full segment on the girls' disappearance.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're up to more than 700 leads altogether. Tips keep coming in through the tip line, into the P.O. box, "AMERICA'S MOST WANTED."
FLICK: FBI spokesperson Beth Ann Steele says authorities continue to question a number of people, narrowing the pool of suspects. She says most tips are from the Oregon City area, each one getting them closer to bringing Miranda and Ashley home.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And that was John Flick of our Portland, Oregon affiliate, KGW.
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