Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Interview with David Francom

Aired June 11, 2002 - 09:11   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: On to Salt Lake City, where there are still no promising leads in the search for 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, who has been missing for almost a week now. Police believe she was kidnapped at gun point from her home, but investigators so far have turned up nothing. Over the weekend they gave her father a polygraph and may test other family members as well.

Elizabeth's family believes she is still alive, and they are sending a message to her and her captors.

Joining us now from Salt Lake City is Elizabeth's uncle, David Francom -- David, welcome, good to see you. How is your family bearing up?

DAVID FRANCOM, ELIZABETH SMART'S UNCLE: Well, we are holding on with a lot of hope and faith.

ZAHN: And unfortunately, you have had to deal with the cold hard reality of a typical investigation, where family members have to take polygraph tests. Elizabeth's father having done such a couple of days ago. Did he tell you what he was asked?

FRANCOM: I haven't spoken with him since that time. But I do know that he is willing and wanting to do everything necessary to comply with the police and everything that they need to do.

ZAHN: And that is, we should make very clear, standard procedure in most abductions. Nevertheless, it has to be a pretty uncomfortable to go through.

FRANCOM: I'm sure.

ZAHN: Tell us about the kind of strain that can have on the family where the specter of someone's involvement is just raised by traditional investigation -- or potential involvement, I should say?

FRANCOM: The potential involvement, well, like I say, we're just willing to do everything and anything that it takes. And we appreciate all of the effort and the work that the volunteers are doing, that the police are doing. Now I know that everybody is concerned and it's just -- it's been a horrible thing, but it's been wonderful to see the turnout of volunteers and the effort of everybody, and we really appreciate that. ZAHN: It's been very impressive to see the level of volunteerism. I know we were speaking with an investigator the other day who said he's never seen the kind of resources marshaled in this search for Elizabeth? But coming back to the investigation, for a moment, who else in the family do you expect will be asked to take a polygraph test?

FRANCOM: Well, you know, I don't know. But I am certain that anybody that they ask would be more than willing to take one. I really don't know that they've asked anybody at this point to take a polygraph test.

ZAHN: I know I was speaking with Elizabeth's parents yesterday, and they were talking about the toll this has taken on their other children, in particular, Elizabeth's little sister, who was laying beside her in bed when she was abducted. Do you know if police have talked with Mary Catherine again?

FRANCOM: Well, to my knowledge, they have. They have spoken with her several times. But I'm not the closest person to that source. But I understand that they have talked to her again.

ZAHN: And I know her parents said they're trying to keep her life as normal as possible. I guess they said they sent her off to live with some relatives away from the home. But how is this little girl enduring the trauma of what she so closely witnessed?

FRANCOM: Well, I was with her and her siblings Sunday evening, and we focused on faith and hope, prayer and fasting. And, as you can imagine, it's very difficult. But I think by focusing on the hope and the faith that we have that it's really helping. And we do believe that Elizabeth is alive and will be found.

ZAHN: And I know her parents felt strongly about making a plea yesterday on air for her safe return. Is there any final thought you want to share with us this morning?

FRANCOM: Well, again, we just hope that the person who has done this will do the right thing, let Elizabeth go. Just allow her to return to her family, help her to return to a happy, normal life. And, again, I -- we all appreciate the efforts of everybody who has helped. I know that this is a difficult time for many, many people. And we appreciate all of the love and effort that everybody has given to us.

ZAHN: Well our thoughts collectively are with you as your family endures this nightmare. David, we appreciate your getting up so early to join us. And we hope this media attention also assists the investigation. Take care.

FRANCOM: That's our hope as well. Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com