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CNN Live At Daybreak

Vigils Held as Search Continues for Missing Chicago Girls

Aired July 11, 2001 - 08:05   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.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: Another missing persons case in the news this morning -- this one in Chicago, where two small sisters disappeared last Friday. Vigils were held last night on the city's South Side. The girls' mother is expected to talk to police again today.

Suzanne Lemignot with CNN affiliate WBBM is outside Chicago police headquarters for us live this morning -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE LEMIGNOT, WBBM REPORTER: Good morning.

The mother of the two children came in. And she spoke with police on her own accord as part of this ongoing investigation.

Now, meantime, we have learned that the father of one of the girls is inside right now here at police headquarters.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Investigators used cadaver dogs searching two locations here at the Dan Ryan Woods near 91st and Prospect. Police and FBI agents combed through a pile of landscaping debris and an area of fresh dirt.

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.

LEMIGNOT: Meanwhile, the community gathers again to pray, searching for peace.

PASTOR COREY BROOKS, NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH: It was a lot of joy and a lot of relief and -- but it was an outcome that they already expected anyway.

LEMIGNOT: At last night's vigil, Tionda and Diamond Bradley's mother spoke to the community that has rallied around her family.

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

(END VIDEOTAPE) LEMIGNOT: The mother has taken a polygraph test, and she has passed it. Meantime, police are going to be back at the Dan Ryan Woods about one hour from now. That area is near one of the girl's father's homes.

Now, published reports are indicating this morning as well that a minister's vision led police to go to those woods to search that area -- Colleen.

MCEDWARDS: Suzanne, there were reports that a note was found saying the kids were going off to a nearby school. Is anything more known about that or how significant that is?

LEMIGNOT: Colleen, what's happening right now with that note is that police are going over that note, comparing the note allegedly left by the 10-year-old at the home, the note stating that they were going to a store and to a park nearby -- the school nearby. Police are comparing that note with girl's school -- from her elementary school -- writings that she left at school -- to see if, in fact, the 10-year-old wrote that note.

MCEDWARDS: All right, Suzanne Lemignot, thanks very much.

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