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

**Twiglet** Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:42 am

WDTV

10 October 2011

16 Days Later: Aliayah Lunsford Still Missing

‎The search is still on for a three year-old Lewis County girl who was last seen more than two weeks ago.

Aliayah Lunsford was last seen in her Bendale home on September 24th. Since then crews have searched the neighborhood, along with nearby bodies of water.

Last week FBI officials announce that they're investigating this case as a crime. They say they're looking at three possible situations, a homicide, an abduction or a concealment.

Local, state and federal agencies are all working together on this case but have not released any new leads or evidence.

FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen tells 5 News that they are talking to several people, however he would not say if there were any suspects or who they might be.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9403-16-days-later-aliayah-lunsford-still-missing

**Twiglet** Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:45 am

State Journal

11 October 2011

Search for Little Aliayah Lunsford in Day 18

‎Tuesday marks 18 days since 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford has been missing from Lewis County, W.Va.
She was last seen on September 24 at her mother’s home, according to police. Since then, volunteers and law enforcement have combed the area.

Now the FBI is leading the investigation from state police barracks. Investigators said they are following every lead but can't comment on specifics.

In the meantime, some frustrated people who helped search for Aliayah are kicking off a new poster campaign.

http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=109837

**Twiglet** Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:46 am

WDTV

11 October 2011

Community Trying to Find Aliayah, Investigation Continues

‎After 18 days, investigators are still looking into the disappearance of Aliayah Lunsford, 3.

Lunsford's disappearance is being called a crime and is looked at as a homicide, a concealment or an abduction. A small group of persons of interest are being questioned but investigators are tight-lipped as to who these people are.

Now, some community members are doing all they can to help find her.

"There's several people behind the scenes doing a lot of things. I know several citizens have, you know, put together some projects that they're trying to change a law, Aliayah's Law. I know several of those are working on that and I'm very proud of those individuals for taking the effort to do that. There's also some individuals putting together a balloon launch in her honor, of Aliayah, which is also very commending of those folks," says County Commission President Agnes Queen.

Some frustrations are running high with folks who can't see what is being done from a law enforcement standpoint.

"There's still searchers out there. There's still dive teams in the river. The law enforcement are still working. I know to us, those who aren't involved in what they're doing, it looks like they're not doing anything, but they are. We just don't see what they see, what they're doing. I guess they have their reasons for what they're doing and how they're keeping it a little low key at this point," she says.

If you still want to help, you can join in on some of these citizen efforts.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9441-community-trying-to-find-aliayah-investigation-continues

**Twiglet** Fri Oct 14, 2011 8:58 am

WDTV

12 October 2011

Balloon Launch Scheduled in Honor of Aliayah's Disappearance

Folks across the country are planning an event to mark the one month anniversary since a Lewis County girl went missing.

A movement started on Facebook to do a balloon launch on October 24, in front of the Lewis County Courthouse, in honor of Aliayah Lunsford, 3. That movement has spread across the country.

The idea was started "...so people won't forget her. She's still out there and we need to find her and this is a perfect way. Purple's her favorite color. Kids love balloons and maybe she'll see the balloons and find her way home," says Teresa Hathaway, a Weston resident who started this event.

In addition to the balloon launch, volunteers plan to do a massive flyer handout across the state to get Aliayah's picture to as many folks as possible.

To see how you can help in the flyer campaign or to find different locations and times for the balloon launches, log onto Facebook and search "Lewis Co. Info, News and Talk."

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9464-balloon-launch-scheduled-in-honor-of-aliayahs-disappearance

**Twiglet** Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:01 am

West Virginia MetroNews

13 October 2011

They Need A Break In The Case‎

Investigators say they need more help with the case involving the ongoing search for a three year old girl who was reported missing in Lewis County last month.

Harrison County Attorney Tom Dyer says, based on the investigation up to to this point, law enforcement officers are now much less optimistic that they'll be able to find Aliayah Lunsford alive.

Dyer told MetroNews Affiliate WAJR-FM in Clarksburg the investigation has gone almost as far as it can.

"It's going to be one of those incredibly difficult cases to develop further evidence and, as a result, I want to brace the listening public for a period of time that may involve little, if any, news about any further developments in this case," Dyer said.

He says investigators have been able to eliminate several persons of interest and possible suspects and are focusing on a small group of people who may have been involved in the girl's disappearance.

http://www.wvmetronews.com/news.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=48490

**Twiglet** Mon Oct 17, 2011 6:20 am

WDTV

14 October 2011

Investigation Narrows in Aliayah Lunsford Disappearance

‎Saturday will mark three weeks since Aliayah Lunsford was reported missing from her Lewis County home, and Friday, investigators said the search is narrowing, and a timeline is being formed after viewing a lot of surveillance videos.

FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen says that after three weeks and no sightings of the girl, it is hard to believe that any child could still be alive with the weather we have had, but, he also says stranger things have happened.

Members of the FBI, the Lewis County Sheriff's Department and the West Virginia State Police are looking at business and home surveillance videos to help piece the situations surrounding Aliayah's disappearance together.

"Video evidence in the form of home security systems and the form of government security systems, other monitoring systems those, that immense amount of data that we have accumulated in the town of South Weston and elsewhere, has been very, very helpful to us. We certainly have narrowed our focus and we have narrowed our timeline down about the circumstances surrounding this missing child," Killen says.

No one will say whether or not Aliayah herself is seen in these videos or where they're from. We do know some are from Lewis County, and others are from surrounding areas.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9508-investigation-narrows-in-aliayah-lunsford-disappearance

**Twiglet** Mon Oct 17, 2011 6:22 am

WDTV

15 October 2011

Three Weeks Later; Aliayah Lunsford Still Missing

Saturday marks exactly three weeks since little Aliayah Lunsford was last seen.

At a press conference on Friday, investigators said that it's hard to believe this little girl could still be alive.

Members of the FBI, the Lewis County Sheriff's Department and the Weston Detachment of WVSP are looking over various surveillance videos, trying to piece together Aliayah's disappearance.

No one will say whether or not Aliayah sis seen in these videos or where they're from.

Investigators say it's helped them narrow down the persons of interest list, and confirms the thoughts that it's either a murder, a concealment or an abduction.

One or more people may be involved in her disappearance and they could face a variety of charges.

‎http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9516-three-weeks-later-aliayah-lunsford-still-missing

**Twiglet** Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:23 am

WDTV

17 October 2011

Aliayah Lunsford Press Conference

A press conference was held Monday October 17th in regards to the investigation of missing Aliayah Lunsford. At this press conference they discussed some of the details surrounding the arrest of Aliayah's mother, Lena Lunsford.

FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen said in this press conference that the arrest of Lena Lunsford is not directly involved to Aliayah's disappearance. As of right now the two cases are not related. Stay with 5 News we will have live coverage in Weston on First at 5:00 and 5 News at 6:00.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9535-aliayah-lunsford-press-conference-1017

**Twiglet** Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:25 am

WDTV

17 october 2011

Lena Lunsford, Mother of Missing 3-Year-Old Girl, Arrested

‎Lena Lunsford has been arrested, however these charges are not related to the case of missing Aliayah Lunsford.

According to the criminal complaint, Lena Lunsford did knowingly transfer a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card issued in her name and Personal Identification Number (PIN) issued to her to a person known to the United States Attorney, in order for that person to use the benefits on defendant Lena Lunsford's SNAP EBT card to purchase approximately $114.82 of food in exchange for $50 in United States Currency.

Lunsford was released on her own personal recognizance Monday afternoon and is currently out free.

FBI investigators would not say if Lunsford is a suspect in her daughter's disappearance.

"I'm not going over who's a suspect... We're not labeling anybody a suspect at this time. That investigation remains ongoing. We're still committed to resolving this case favorably," says FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen.

Investigators are still looking at surveillance videos.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9534-lena-lunsford-mother-of-missing-3-year-old-girl-arrested-

**Twiglet** Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:25 am

WDTV

20 October 2011

Lighting the Way for Aliayah's Return
‎
Folks in Lewis County are working hard to keep the face of a missing 3-year-old out in the public.

It's now more than three weeks since Aliayah Lunsford was last seen in her Dennison Street home. Investigators call her disappearance a crime and say it's being looked at as a murder, a concealment or an abduction. While the FBI says it's hard to believe she's still out there alive, some still have hope are are lighting the way for her return by keeping porch lights on at night.

"Maybe it's just that, she'll see the lights to light her way home. You guys can keep it on for at least about an hour. You can keep it on for however long you even want to. We've got other people now leaving their lights on until she's found," says Sean Smith who organized the Porch Lights for Aliayah Campaign.

Folks from other areas are getting involved.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9610-lighting-the-way-for-aliayahs-return

**Twiglet** Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:31 am

WDTV

20 October 2011

Folks Hope Social Media Will Keep Aliayah Lunsford's Story Alive

‎Investigators continue to look at evidence in the disappearance of a Lewis County 3-year-old girl, and while they work, folks are using social media to get the word of her disappearance out to the public.

There's many Facebook groups honoring Aliayah Lunsford. One is about folks leaving porch lights on until she is found and another is aimed at making new legislation that will help kids everywhere.

"More children need protected throughout the state, and not only West Virginia, but throughout the whole country," says Margie Blake, administrator of the Aliayah Law page.

Folks from all across the country are following these pages.

"It shows that we have a nation that really cares about the children that are missing or children that have been abused any circumstances with any child where it's not proper, the things that might be going on in their lives," says Patricia Bean.

A balloon launch will be held in Aliayah's honor next Monday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. outside of the Lewis County Courthouse. Balloons will be provided but helium donations are appreciated.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9642-folks-hope-social-media-will-keep-aliayah-lunsfords-story-alive

**Twiglet** Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:33 am

WDTV

21 October 2011

'Aliayah Law' Facebook to Honor Other Missing or Abused Kids
‎
Saturday marks four weeks since Aliayah Lunsford, 3, was last seen in her Lewis County home.

Local and federal law enforcement officers continue to look at her disappearance as a murder, a concealment or an abduction.

While local search parties stopped weeks ago, many of those folks turned to social media to get the word of her disappearance out to the public.

Starting next Monday, which marks one month to the day that Aliayah went missing, the Aliayah Law Facebook site will be focusing on other kids as well.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/9666-aliayah-law-facebook-to-honor-other-missing-or-abused-kids

**Twiglet** Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:35 am

West Virginia Metro News

24 October 2011

Aliayah Lunsford Missing For One Month
‎
One-thousand purple balloons will be released into the evening sky in Weston Monday as the community gathers to mark the disappearance of three-year-old Aliayah Lunsford. She was last seen a month ago, Sept. 24.

"We're hoping filling the sky with purple, an act of God and a miracle that she'll come home," event organizer Teresa Hathaway told MetroNews Monday. "There are so many people here that are keeping her name out there, her face out there on Facebook, we're not letting anyone forget."

Lunsford was last seen in her Bendale home. Her mother reported her missing after an initial search of the community. Police and hundreds of volunteers, including Hathaway, searched the area south of Weston for more than a week. The FBI is now leading the investigation.

"They know what they are doing," Hathaway said of investigators. "They can't release what they do have and we understand it, but it's still so frustrating that we have nothing."

Aliayah's mother, Lena Lunsford, was arrested by federal authorities last week on a charge of allegedly selling federal food stamp benefits to another person. The FBI called it an ancillary investigation.

The FBI also said last week there was little hope that Aliayah was still alive.

http://www.wvmetronews.com/news.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=48717

**smokie** Sun Nov 20, 2011 10:37 am

12wboy.com

16th November 2011

Court Documents: Mother of Aliayah Lunsford Violates Federal Probation

http://www.wboy.com/story/16058484/2011/11/16/mother-of-aliayah-lunsford

**pam supportfromireland** Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:04 pm

Gather.com

24 November 2011

Missing Girl's Mother to seek drug counselling

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980829897

**Twiglet** Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:13 am

WDTV

5 December 2011

Ten Weeks Later; Still No Sign of Aliayah Lunsford

Saturday marks ten weeks since Aliayah Lunsford was reported missing from her Bendale home, and there's still no word on where she might be.

Earlier in the week, a Federal Magistrate found Lena Lunsford in violation of her probation for not reporting a contact with law enforcement to her probation officer.

She'll be required to attend drug counseling and rehab, and she's no longer living with her husband Ralph. Lena is on probation for federal charges that she allegedly sold her families food stamp benefits.

No one's been labeled as a suspect in Aliayah's disappearance and it's still being looked at as a murder, a concealment or an abduction.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/10632-ten-weeks-later-still-no-sign-of-aliayah-lunsford
‎

**Twiglet** Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:14 am

WDTV

16 December 2011

Decorating Trees for Aliayah
‎
Folks all across the country are organizing Christmas celebrations to keep the word of missing 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford out in the public.

Desiree Matheny, of Doddridge County, decorated her home with a light up sign for Aliayah. Others are putting purple ribbons on their trees in honor of her favorite color.

Next Thursday, you're invited to bring ornaments with your name and the year on them to decorate Christmas trees in Clarksburg and Weston for Aliayah.

The Clarksburg decoration will be held near the old city hall building at 1 p.m. The Weston decorating will take place at Plant a Seed starting sometime around 3:00 and ending at about 6:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve will mark three months since Lena Lunsford first reported her daughter missing.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/10947-aliayah-6

**Twiglet** Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:16 am

WOWK

19 DEcember 2011

Aliayah Lunsford featured on America's Most Wanted

Christmas Eve will mark three months since Aliayah Lunsford, 3, was last seen at her home just outside of Weston.

Saturday night, Aliayah was featured on the show America's Most Wanted, a nationally televised program typically known for tracking down fugitives. The show also features missing persons and children cases.

The show encouraged anyone with information to call its hotline.

In West Virginia, anyone with information is still encouraged to call the Fusion Center at 866-989-2824 (866-WV-WATCH).

‎http://www.wowktv.com/story/16352112/aliayah-lunsford-featured-on-americas-most-wanted

**Twiglet** Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:18 am

WBOY-TV

19 December 2011

Lena Lunsford in Court for Child Protective Services Hearing
‎
Lena Lunsford, the mother of three year old Aliayah Lunsford who disappeared almost three months ago, had a Child Protective Services hearing Monday.

Relatives said Lunsford is trying to regain custody of her six children including twins born just last month.

Demonstrators formed outside the Lewis County courthouse before the hearing.

The demonstrators want CPS to keep Lunsford's children in foster care at least until Aliayah is found.

http://www.wboy.com/story/16355931/2011/12/19/lena-lunsford-heads-to-child-protective-services-hearing

**Twiglet** Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:20 am

WDTV

19 December 2011

Extended Family Questions Lunsfords Regarding Aliayah's Disappearance
‎
It's been almost three months since 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford was reported missing. Other than right after it was reported, her parents haven't spoken to the cameras. 5 News reporters tried talking to them outside a Lewis County Courthouse on Monday.

Ralph and Lena Lunsford were in court for a closed hearing Monday but neither had much to say about their daughter Aliayah's disappearance.

A WCHS reporter asked Ralph, "You never told us anything about Aliayah's disappearance and many fingers are being pointed at you so what do you have to say about that?"

Ralph said, "No comment."

5 News then asked, "Ralph do you have any idea of where she is or where she might be?"

Ralph was silent. Extended family members rallying outside the courthouse had strong messages.

"We're just hear to get Aliayah's information out. See if Ralph or Lena, either one of them, will say something, something, something. Where she's at or something about her," says Aliayah's cousin Sean Smith.

"We just want her home safe, good or bad. We need anything - to know where she's at," says Tina Smith, Aliayah's aunt.

Neither Lena nor Ralph are listed as suspects in Aliayah's disappearance. Formally no one is.

While walking into the courthouse, 5 News also asked Ralph, "If you guys have nothing to do with this, why won't anyone speak? Why don't you want to get your daughter back?"

Again, there was no response.

Total strangers to Aliayah say they'll keep working to bring her home.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/11039-extended-family-questions-lunsfords-regarding-aliayahs-disappearance

**Twiglet** Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:23 am

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** Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:48 am

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** Fri Jan 06, 2012 9:24 am

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** Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:01 am

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** Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:03 am

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

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