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CNN Live At Daybreak

Police Continue Search for Two Missing Chicago Girls

Aired July 11, 2001 - 07:22   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 LIN, CNN ANCHOR: With the missing intern Chandra Levy so uppermost in all of our minds, in another case, an intensive search is under way in Chicago for two young sisters missing since Friday.

Jim Wagner of our Chicago affiliate CLTV joins us now with an update.

Jim, any clue as to what happened to these two little girls?

JIM WAGNER, CLTV REPORTER: Not yet, Carol, you're right.

The latest here in Chicago: an excessive search in a nearby forest preserve by nearly 500 law enforcement officers that once again failed to come up with any clues as to where the little girls are.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Cook County Forest Preserve police spotted what appeared to be two small graves inside the Dan Ryan Woods -- the area immediately sealed off. FBI agents and Chicago police, with dogs, helicopters, and even on horseback, began their search. Articles of clothing were found next to one of the sites. But in the end, investigators were once again left without a clue.

PAT CAMDEN, CHICAGO POLICE DEPT.: One is a compost pile. The other is landscape debris that was dumped into the forest preserve. The clothing that was found is rather old, is not significant to this case.

WAGNER: Authorities say they believe 10-year-old Tionda Bradley and her 3-year-old sister, Diamond, were last seen at 6:00 a.m. last Friday. That's when their mother left for work and discovered them missing when she returned about four hours later. The only clue: a note from the 10-year-old stating they were going to a nearby elementary school to play.

Meantime, hundreds of friends, family and neighbors are showing their support to the mother who made a tearful statement of thanks.

TRACEY BRADLEY, MOTHER OF MISSING GIRLS: We thank you all. I'm just wishing my kids -- whoever out there got my kids, please return my kids home.

(END VIDEOTAPE) WAGNER: And investigators will resume their search this morning -- And Chicago police still classifying this case as a missing persons case until they can come up with any solid evidence or indication of foul play.

Live in Chicago, I'm Jim Wagner -- back to you in Atlanta, Carol.

LIN: All right, thank you very much, Jim, for that update.

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