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CNN Live Today

Coroner Trying to Determine Whether Body Found is 5-Year-Old Samantha Runnion

Aired July 17, 2002 - 11:05   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In California this morning, a coroner there is trying to determine whether a body found in Riverside County is that of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion. The girl was grabbed in front of her suburban L.A. home on Monday.

And our Thelma Gutierrez is on this story for us, and she is standing by in Stanton, California -- Thelma.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Leon.

Stanton is where 5-year-old Samantha Runnion and her parents live. Investigators are still out on the scene in Riverside County. They say they're combing the area. They were there all night. They're looking for forensic and physical evidence in this crime. In about two hours or so, the sheriff's department is expected to confirm the identity of the child's body that was found yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): First, a mother's plea.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Baby, I love you. You are such a good girl. You're so clever. Please, ask your captor to let you go.

GUTIERREZ: And then the residents of Stanton, California got into gear looking for 5-year-old Samantha Runnion, and then a grizzly discovery.

SHERIFF MICHAEL CARONA, ORANGE CO. CALIFORNIA: There has been a body of a young girl, approximately 4-6 years of age in Riverside County.

GUTIERREZ: Riverside authorities say two men stumbled across the body in a mountainous area used by hikers and hang gliders.

CARONA: It would meet the description of Samantha. But we have not confirmed that.

GUTIERREZ: The child was snatched right outside her family's town home early Monday evening in what cops call a low-crime neighborhood. Samantha's playmate, Sarah Ahn, was the only witness.

SARAH AHN, WITNESS: He threw her in the car really quick, then he left really quick.

She said, "Help, tell me grandma," and then I did.

GUTIERREZ: Who he was, and what his motive was -- well nobody knows that yet. But 5-year-old Sarah was able to give police this description of the man.

CARONA: We'll do the best investigation we possibly can, and we are going to bring whoever killed that young lady to justice.

GUTIERREZ: Justice -- no matter who the killer is, no matter who the victim is.

Ann McDermott, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GUTIERREZ: Samantha's 6th birthday is only nine days away. And, Leon, the family of Samantha Runnion is here in their home. They're in seclusion right now, and I was told that grief counselors have been with them.

Leon, back to you.

HARRIS: You can understand why there. Boy, that's a tough story.

Thelma Guttierez, thanks appreciate that. Thelma Guttierez in Stanton, California.

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