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Search for Elizabeth Smart Continues

Aired July 05, 2002 - 14:24   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In the month since Elizabeth Smart disappeared, police have interviewed several people but have not gathered enough evidence to make an arrest in the case.

CNN's Mark Potter joins us from Salt Lake City with the very latest on this investigation. Hi, there, Mark.

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. Yes, that is the bottom line -- one month later no arrest and no credible information developed on the whereabouts or the condition of 14 year old Elizabeth Smart.

Now investigators are working hard. At the core of the case are some 30 FBI agents and detectives from the Salt Lake City Police Department. They are working full-time. They can bring in other officers when they need to and they have been chasing all kinds of leads.

Now indeed they are narrowing their focus. They are looking very closely now at 48 year old Richard Ricci who was the handyman for the Smart family last year.

He's currently in prison on an alleged parole violation -- actually several alleged violations.

He, however, has denied any involvement in the abduction and he is supported in that claim by his wife.

Now meanwhile a short time ago here in Salt Lake City Ed Smart, Elizabeth's father, asked whoever might be holding her to please let her go.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED SMART, FATHER OF ELIZABETH SMART: It's been about 30 days now and I just want to make a plea to this perpetrator. I would ask him that he would see that for whatever reason he's kept Elizabeth that it's time for her to come home.

And I would ask him to please find it in his heart, find it in his mind that it is time to let her go and to please let her come home to where she's loved and where she feels comfortable.

(END VIDEO CLIP) POTTER: Now as the investigation presses on agents and police are talking to a number of people who knew Ricci in and out of prison. Authorities say they are also considering filing burglary charges against Ricci who reportedly has admitted taking items from the Smart home when he worked for the family last year.

But no arrests in connection with that or with the abduction itself has been made. The primary focus of this investigation continues to be to find Elizabeth Smart.

The family members say they believe she is still alive but, sadly, there is just no way to know for sure. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Now, Mark, did Ed Smart, the father, express how the rest of the family is holding up? We haven't seen Mrs. Smart in quite a few days now.

POTTER: Well, you're going to see her tonight on LARRY KING LIVE. In fact, they are getting ready to do that interview. She was here the other day. This is very, very difficult for the family.

We last saw her on Monday when she came her to speak to her daughter. She told her a story and asked her to remain strong.

It's a very sad ritual that we have been seeing here in Salt Lake City. The family is here every day but this has been very difficult and they said they had a very tough Fourth of July.

WHITFIELD: All right -- thank you very much -- Mark Potter from Salt Lake City.

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