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CNN Live At Daybreak

Authorities in Texas Not Sure if Body Found is That of 4-Year- Old Girl

Aired July 09, 2002 - 06:35   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: Authorities in southeast Texas say they are not sure if the body of a child found in the Port Arthur area is that of a 4-year-old girl who has been missing for five days now. In the meantime, the search for little Dannariah Finley continues in her hometown 30 miles away in Orange. The child was last seen tucked away in her bed.

That story from KBTV's Wilton Johnson.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILTON JOHNSON, CNN AFFILIATE KBTV REPORTER (voice-over): The search for 4-year-old Dannariah Finley rested for a bit, just long enough for law enforcement officials to update the public on the progress of the mission.

CHIEF SAM KITTRELL, ORANGE, TEXAS POLICE: And the search for Dannariah Finley is still ongoing, very active. We've got a lot of community support. Those of you who were here yesterday saw the tremendous outpouring of the community. There are a lot of people out today looking, trying to find this missing child.

JOHNSON: Although no significant findings or suspects were mentioned, Chief Kittrell did announce a beefed-up reward, put up by the FBI, Crimestoppers and private citizens.

KITTRELL: We are now at an $18,000 reward for any information that will -- regarding the whereabouts of Dannariah.

JAMIE ARNOLD, MISSING GIRL'S MOTHER: Please don't be scared to return her home. Just let us know something.

JOHNSON: An emotional plea from Dannariah's mother turned into thanks to the hundreds of volunteers aiding in the search.

ARNOLD: It's amazing. I didn't think people would, you know, be this concerned. And I just want to tell everybody thank you.

JOHNSON: The announcements had the same impact on Dannariah's father as well.

JOHNNY EDWARDS, MISSING GIRL'S FATHER: We have so many people and organizations trying to find her. It lets me know (UNINTELLIGIBLE) she is going to be found, you know, she is going to be brought back to us sooner or later.

JOHNSON: And for a community joined together in support of a bereaved family, sooner is preferred.

In Orange, Wilton Johnson, NBC 4.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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