Re: ALIAYAH LUNSFORD 3 - Weston, West Virginia (USA) - 24/09/11

**Twiglet** on Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:23 pm

Charleston Daily Mail

20 December 2011

Relatives picket on behalf of missing girl

Relatives of a 3-year-old Lewis County girl missing for nearly three months are trying to keep the public focused on the unsolved case.

Tina Smith is an aunt of Aliayah Lunsford, who vanished from her Bendale home Sept. 24. No one has been charged, but authorities are treating her disappearance as a crime.

‎http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201112200047

**Twiglet** on Mon Jan 02, 2012 10:48 pm

WDTV

28 December 2011

Plea Hearing Allegedly Set for Lunsford Federal Case
‎
The mother of missing 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford is supposedly scheduled for a plea hearing in a federal fraud case.

According to reports, Lena Lunsford should be in an Elkins federal courtroom on January 10 regarding indictments claiming she sold her family's S.N.A.P. benefits.

More than three months after Lena reported Aliayah missing, community members raised enough money to place a large banner including Aliayah's picture and information in downtown Weston. It was taken down after strong winds but organizers plan to have it up in the next few days.

No suspects have been named in the disappearance that's being looked at as a murder, a concealment or an abduction.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/11251-plea-hearing-allegedly-set-for-lunsford-federal-case

**Twiglet** on Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:24 pm

WDTV

5 January 2012

Over 100 Days Missing; Still No Sign of Aliayah Lunsford

‎After 103 days of searching, the investigation continues into the disappearance of 3-year old Aliayah Lunsford.

Her mother, Lena, reported her missing on the morning of September 24, but to this day, we still don't know where she is or what happened to her.

Although it's been a while since hearing anything, community members say they'll continue to search for her until she is brought home. Multiple state and federal agencies continue to look into her disappearance as a murder, an abduction or a concealment. No suspects have been named.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/11416-over-100-days-missing-still-no-sign-of-aliayah-lunsford

**Twiglet** on Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:01 pm

WDTV

9 January 2012

Months Missing, Mother Due in Court
‎
Aliayah Lunsford was first reported missing more than 15 weeks ago, and although all that time has passed, there's been no sign of her.

Her disappearance continues to be looked at as a murder, a concealment or an abduction. No suspects have been named but investigators say they are looking at a small group of people.

During the investigation into the little girl's disappearance, federal investigators say they discovered evidence that her mother Lena sold her family's S.N.A.P. benefits for cash. She's expected in an Elkins federal courtroom Tuesday, regarding a plea deal in the case. Previously she pleaded not guilty in the case.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/11501-months-missing-mother-due-in-court

**Twiglet** on Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:03 pm

WBOY-TV

10 January 2012

Lena Lunsford Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Welfare Fraud
‎
Lena Lunsford, 29, mother of missing Aliayah Lunsford, 3, pleaded guilty to one count of federal welfare fraud Tuesday. Federal Magistrate Judge John Kaull accepted her plea bargain.

Lunsford was charged with six counts of federal welfare fraud for selling her Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program food stamp debit card in October. She pleaded guilty to one count of selling $114 worth of welfare benefit funds in exchange for $50 cash at the Weston Walmart.

Protesters at the hearing believed she should not have been granted a plea bargain.

"We just don't feel like she should get away with anything else. She's walked free too many times," Doddridge County resident Desiree Matheny said.

Lunsford will be sentenced in six to eight weeks, Kaull said. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine and restitution.

Lunsford is free on bond.

http://www.wboy.com/story/16488602/2012/01/10/lena-lunsford-pleads-gulty-in-federal-court-on-federal-welfare-fraud-charge

**Twiglet** on Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:06 pm

WDTV

15 January 2012

More Than 16 Weeks Later Aliayah Lunsford Still Missing

It has been more than 16 weeks since Aliayah Lunsford was first reported missing from her Bendale home, and there still isn't any sign of her.

Since then, community members who've never met the three year-old, have made it clear that their not losing faith. Some have started the "Aliayah's Law" petition online to protect missing and abused children. Others continue to protest and beg Aliayah's parents for help.

A recent picture released on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's website has many up in arms.

Folks say a bruise has been photo shopped off of the missing toddlers face. We've called the center, but they have yet to call back.

Police say they're investigating her disappearance as a crime but have still not named any suspects.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/11639-more-than-16-weeks-later-aliayah-lunsford-still-missing
‎

**Twiglet** on Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:09 pm

New Image Of Aliayah

**Twiglet** on Sat Mar 03, 2012 3:27 pm

WDTV

28 February 2012

Suspicious Finding in Bendale Dam Prompts Water Search for Aliayah Lunsford‎

A dive team was out searching in a dam near Aliayah Lunsford's Bendale home after volunteers in a search group say they found something in the water.

Aliayah's Army has continued the volunteer searches of the area after PPP Recovery left. On Tuesday, members were sent out around 10:30 a.m. to clear some more areas, including the Bendale dam, which is behind the former home of Aliayah's parents, Lena and Ralph Lunsford.

The volunteers have been following leads and searching certain areas for the past few weeks. They say this dam has been a point of interest because it's so close to where Aliayah disappeared.

Volunteers had the dam lowered so they could take out a boad and an underwater camera. They found "something" around 2:30 Tuesday afternoon.

The volunteers aren't allowed to specify exactly what they found. They alerted authorities, according to protocol, who took over the search.

http://www.wdtv.com/wdtv.cfm?func=view§ion=5-News&item=Suspicious-Finding-in--Bendale-Dam-Prompts-Water-Search-for-Aliayah-Lunsford1167

**Twiglet** on Sat Mar 03, 2012 3:29 pm

WBOY-TV

1 March 2012

Heavy Rain Delays Search for Aliayah Lunsford‎

Wednesday's heavy rains kept divers searching for remains that could be those of Aliayah Lunsford out of the West Fork River Wednesday.

Divers couldn't resume the search Thursday either because of high water and flooding.

Aliayah's Army said its member spotted something suspicious in an underwater photograph on Tuesday.

http://www.wboy.com/story/17058106/heavy-rain-delays-aliayah-lunsford-search

**Twiglet** on Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:04 pm

Daily Mail - Charleston

29 March 2012

FBI says intruder didn't take missing W.Va. child
‎
The FBI has a working theory about what happened to a 3-year-old Lewis County girl who vanished six months ago, and it doesn't involve a break-in.

Supervisory agent John Hambrick wouldn't say during a press conference Thursday what investigators believe happened to Aliayah Lunsford or whether they think she's still alive. Nor would Hambrick name a suspect, predict when an arrest might be made or offer any details about the ongoing investigation.

Asked about persons of interest, he said only: "It's a small universe.''

Hambrick did, however, seek to assure residents of north-central West Virginia that they need not fear for their own children's safety, saying investigators have ruled out the notion that Aliayah was taken by an intruder.

"The initial concerns of somebody slipping in and taking Aliayah, a break-in -- we found no evidence of that,'' Hambrick said. "We were not able to develop that as a theory.''

Aliayah disappeared from her Lewis County home on Sept. 24, 2011, and there has been no sign of her since. Her mother, Lena Lunsford, told police her daughter was in bed at 6:30 a.m. but was gone when she checked on her a few hours later.

Last week, Lena Lunsford's attorney said his client believes there is no way her daughter wandered off. He also said she was cooperating with investigators and "is convinced that no blood relative of Aliayah knows what has happened to her.''

Asked whether Lunsford believes a non-blood relative may have been involved in the disappearance, attorney Mike Woelfel told The Associated Press, "She doesn't know what has happened to Aliayah.''

Lena has recently filed for divorce from her husband, Ralph Keith Lunsford. She's been living at her mother's house for months and is currently awaiting sentencing for federal welfare fraud.

In a hearing on that case last fall, Ralph Lunsford suggested he's been the focus of some scrutiny. He told a judge he'd "been questioned by authorities day after day for the last month or two.''

Hambrick wouldn't say Thursday if Ralph Lunsford is a suspect or if investigators are still talking to him.

Lena Lunsford, meanwhile, pleaded guilty in January to selling $114 worth of credit on her food stamp card for $50 cash. She had been indicted on multiple counts in October, accused of swapping for cash five times in two months.

http://www.dailymail.com/policebrfs/201203290059

**Twiglet** on Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:06 pm

WDTV

10 April 2012

Candle Lighting Ceremony to Mark Seven Months Since Aliayah's Disappearance ‎

Just days after a memorial candle lighting for lost ones in Lewis County, extended family members of Aliayah Lunsford are planning another one in her honor.

In two weeks, Aliayah will have been reported missing 7 months ago. Therefore, on the night of the 24, extended family will hold a candle lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. at the State Road Parking Lot in Bendale.

Since the three year old was reported missing, no one has been named a suspect and investigators won't say if they believe she is still alive. They have a working theory but won't elaborate on it.

http://www.wdtv.com/wdtv.cfm?func=view§ion=5-News&item=Candle-Lighting-Ceremony-to-Mark-Seven-Months-Since-Aliayahs-Disappearance2134

**Twiglet** on Tue May 08, 2012 10:26 am

WDTV

24 April 2012

Aliayah Lunsford - Seven Months Missing

Tuesday marks seven months since she was first reported missing. While time has passed, many still think of the little girl every day.

It was a Saturday in September that Aliayah's mother first called 911 to say she couldn't find her daughter. Since that day, thousands of people have came in and out of Bendale to find the little girl.

The sheriff's department was the first to look into the missing person case but the investigation quickly grew to include the State Police and the FBI. To this day, after thousands of hours of searching and investigation not much has been released to the public about what may have happened. Federal investigators say that no one broke into the house to take her. They will say there's a working theory but there's no details on what that may be. A small universe of people are being looked a but no one is officially called a suspect.

They can still use your help if you have any information about what could have happened. You're asked to call the West Virginia Fusion Center at 304-558-6592 . This is the number to report information on Aliayah's case. If you're trying to report another crime, call your local police department.

http://www.wdtv.com/wdtv.cfm?func=view§ion=5-News&item=Aliayah-Lunsford---Seven-Months-Missing2426

**Twiglet** on Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:44 pm

WDTV

24 May 2012

Aliayah Lunsford Missing Eight Months; Vigil Held in Bendale
‎
Members of the community were along side some family members of Aliayah Lunsford Thursday evening, showing their support in the effort to bring home the little girl.

Thursday marks eight months since she was first reported missing from her Bendale home in Lewis County. Folks held a candlelight vigil and a balloon launch to make sure she's not forgotten. They passed out purple wrist bands which say "Pray For Aliayah" and has the date she went missing, September 24, 2011.

Since that September day, thousands of people have come from all over the county, searching any and everywhere for signs of Aliayah. Investigators say they've looked into almost 150 tips they've received from the public. They have video evidence gathered from homes and businesses which has helped them come up with a working theory on what happened to the little girl, but haven't said what that theory could be. Aliayah's aunt says they'll never give up looking and will never forget about Aliayah.

"We wanted to make sure nobody forgets about her and to let her know that we're still here and we're not giving up. We'll be here until we bring her home," said Tina Smith, Aliayah's aunt.

http://www.wdtv.com/wdtv.cfm?func=view§ion=5-News&item=Aliayah-Lunsford-Missing-Eight-Months-Vigil-Held-in-Bendale3084

**pam supportfromireland** on Fri Jul 27, 2012 8:51 pm

WDTV

25 July 2012

Aliayah Lunsford: 10 Months missing

http://www.wdtv.com/wdtv.cfm?func=view§ion=5-News&item=Aliayah-Lunsford-10-Months-Missing4342

**pam supportfromireland** on Thu Sep 27, 2012 11:08 am

The News Tribe

25 September 2012

West Virginia: Family wants answers on 3 year old missing Aliayah Lunsford

http://www.thenewstribe.com/2012/09/25/west-virginia-family-wants-answers-on-3-year-old-missing-aliayah-lunsford/#.UGQk6KTC4Vk

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31