The Refugees Unleashed

by **bbeba103** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:20 am

Day Eight: Search for Aliayah Continues; Investigators "Not Ruling Out Anything"

Last Updated on Monday, 03 October 2011 04:00 Written by Your News Team Sunday, 02 October 2011 20:15

Sunday marked day eight of the search for three year-old Aliayah Lunsford, and police say the search is still being considered a rescue mission.

Investigators say the cold weather and rain caused them to scale back their search efforts over the weekend, using mostly law enforcement based search teams. They say the search will resume on Monday in the same place that they left off at on Friday.

The Appalachian Search and Rescue Team is set to be back out as well.

Police say they are concentrating now on a five square mile radius around the home, based on how far they believe Aliayah could have possibly wandered, but say they aren't ruling out any possibilities and will continue to stay hopeful.

"For a child to survive especially with the weather turning cold and rainy over the past couple of days, we're very concerned if this is a walk-off that this child is in great danger. There is every possibility that we're looking at today and we are not ruling out anything and we're ruling everything in till there comes such a time that we can rule out certain things that have happened to this child, but right now it's an open book," says FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen.

Killeen says at this point the investigation is a joint effort between federal, state and local authorities, and they will leave no stone unturned. They will continue to search until they find answers surrounding Aliayah's disappearance.

If you have any information call the Lewis County 911 Center (304) 269- 8241.

Previous Stories:

Seven Days: Weather Affects Search fo Aliayah; Crews Remain Hopeful.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/loca ... h-lunsford

by **bbeba103** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:28 pm

FBI Investigating Aliayah Lunsford Case as a Crime

Posted Monday, October 3, 2011 ; 06:03
PM Updated Monday, October 3, 2011; 06:59 PM

Investigators consider homicide, abduction and concealment as the possible crimes. By Stacy Jacobson Email | Bio | Other Stories by Stacy Jacobson

WESTON -- The silence in the Bendale area said it all, as hope fades and thoughts turn grim, for missing Aliayah Lunsford, 3. "It's taken a huge toll. This is not something that happens in our community," Weston resident Tammy Raines said.

"It's been an atrocious situation," Lewis County Sheriff Mike Gissy said.

Last week, the Bendale area was the site of a bustling search effort to find Aliayah. But Monday, the FBI announced it considered her disappearance a crime. It considers considering homicide, abduction and concealment as possibilities, Special Agent Jeff Killeen said.

And though investigators don't have any suspects, "we have a small universe of people we are looking very, very closely at," Killeen said.

Defense Attorney Tom Dyer offered his services for free last week for anyone who knew anything about Aliayah's disappearance. He said he did get a tip from someone he caled a credible source, who said someone who is in or has a relationship with the family is responsible for Aliayah's disappearance.

Snipped...

http://wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=109288

by **bbeba103** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:29 pm

Disappearance of Lewis Co. Girl Now Being Called a 'Crime'

Last Updated on Monday, 03 October 2011 18:17 Written by Nicole Porter Monday, 03 October 2011 17:51

Snipped...

Article and Video...

Investigators had been looking at the possibility that 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford may have wandered away from her home last Saturday but that's no longer the case. After 10 days of searching, investigators don't believe she walked away from her Dennison Street home alone, and they say someone has to know where she is.

The disappearance of Aliayah is now being looked at as a a crime.

"We believe that there are three potential crimes here that may be committed. One's a homicide, the second is an abduction and a third may be a concealment," says FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/loca ... ed-a-crime

by **bbeba103** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 10:42 pm

NEW INFO: Latest Developments in Case of Missing 3-Year-Old Girl

UPDATE 10/4/11 @ 10:10 p.m. LEWIS COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- After 11 days of searching for a missing toddler and no sign of her anywhere, there were some new developments Tuesday.

The FBI says they have a "small universe" of people they believe may know what happened to 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford.

On Tuesday, the target area for professionals who are still involved in the search was 5 miles around the Lunsford home.

Aliayah has been missing since a week ago Saturday when her parents say they discovered her missing from her bed.

At the time, no Amber Alert was issued because the case didn't meet the requirements for the program. Amber alerts require a vehicle description or license plate number, and investigators had neither of the two.

Lena Lunsford, who is Aliayah's mother, has four other children between the ages of 9 months and 11 years old. We're told she's also 8 months pregnant with twins.

http://www.wsaz.com/mobi?storyid=130568983

by **bbeba103** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 10:07 pm

Aliayah Lunsford Investigation Progressing Covertly

Posted Tuesday, October 11, 2011 ; 06:27 PM Updated Tuesday, October 11, 2011; 09:21 PM

Led by FBI agents, law enforcement has "gone covert" and is working out of the Lewis County State Police barracks.

WESTON -- Aliayah Lunsford has now been missing for well over two weeks and authorities are still tight-lipped about the investigation's progress.

FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen said the investigative team is not allowed by law to discuss anything personally identifiable about a subject. He added they can't give up their "investigative advantage" by talking about leads in the case, but they have a lot of pictures and video they're studying.

The FBI hopes to have another press conference this week.

http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=view ... yid=109890

by **bbeba103** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 10:04 am

Investigators Still Asking for Information in Aliayah Lunsford Disappearance, Press Conference Planned

Last Updated on Thursday, 13 October 2011 17:32 Written by Nicole Porter Thursday, 13 October 2011 17:10

The investigation of a missing 3-year-old Lewis County girl continues 20 days after she was missing. Aliayah Lunsford was last seen in her home on September 24. Police have ruled her disappearance a crime and say it's a murder, an abduction or a concealment. They've been quiet about what clues they may have that lead them to these conclusions but they say they still need your help.

The mass volunteer search ended but police continue their investigation into a small group of persons of interest.

They've pleaded for anyone with any information to call 911 or the Lewis County Sheriff's Department; however, it seems that not many people have. Of course, they're still encouraging that.

If you're afraid to call into a law agency, police say you can call into the 5 Newsroom and leave an anonymous tip that we can forward on to them. To do so, call 304-848-5000 and ask for the newsroom.

We will not be reporting on any rumors or tips we receive. We will simply pass them on to investigators.

A press conference is planned for Friday afternoon. Stay with 5 News for the latest.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/loca ... ce-planned

I am starting to wonder if Aliayah had been missing longer then what her mother has reported, last known picture of Aliayah was at Christmas of last year, and none besides the mother has mention when was the last time anyone had seen Aliayah... :cry:

by **bbeba103** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:33 pm

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

Last Updated on Monday, 17 October 2011 18:43

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.

"We continue to get evidence everyday, in the form of most particularly, video evidence. Again, as I said last week, we're looking very, very hard at video evidence. There's a lot of public and private facilities around this area that have video cameras and video capability so we have scoured the area and it takes a long time. We're trying to have a lot of that enhanced," says Killeen.

If you think you have any video evidence that can help investigators, call the WVSP Weston Detachment at 304-269-0500.

Also, if you have information but aren't comfortable calling law enforcement, you can call the 5 NEWS newsroom and we can forward the tips anonymously. To do so, call 304-848-5000 and ask for the newsroom.

We will not be reporting any of the tips we receive.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/loca ... -arrested-

by **bbeba103** » Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:56 am

FBI: There's Limited Hope She's Alive

Posted Friday, October 14, 2011 ; 06:16 PM Updated Saturday, October 15, 2011; 11:38 PM

More than one person could have conspired in 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford's disappearance, authorities said.

WESTON -- Like many others in Lewis County, Jared Ballard, 18, has been affected by the disappearance of Aliayah Lunsford, 3. His school, Lewis County High School, sits across the street from the Lunsford's Bendale home.

"Obviously when helicopters are flying around that's a little distracting when you're taking tests," Ballard said.

LCHS Guidance Counselor Eddie Vincent said the students' mood remains optimistic.

"They're holding out for hope that they're going to find this girl and she's going to be okay," he said.

But now, almost three weeks into the search for Aliayah, the FBI has its doubts.

"We're operating under the assumption that there's limited hope she's alive," Special Agent Jeff Killeen said.

The investigative team includes federal, state and county law enforcement. Killeen said investigators are working 13 hours every day. The team is using enhancement technology to analyze videos and pictures taken from homes and businesses in south Weston, Killeen said.

They are handling both state and federal crimes and charges. Investigators also have a small group of suspects, but they remain tight-lipped.

"I don't want to reveal information that will tell certain people exactly how we're looking at this case," Killeen said.

Investigators still consider kidnapping, concealment or homicide the three main scenarios explaining what happened to Aliayah, Killeen said. He said they are dealing with both state and federal crimes. But parents in the area have no reason to fear it might happen again to one of their own, he added.

For the children in the community, the fear is still palpable.

"If this is a bad ending then we'll have some mental health issues with kids dealing with that," Vincent said.

"I felt like this was a pretty safe community and we had people we knew and trusted, but something like this puts it in perspective," Ballard said.

The FBI still has no timetable for when it thinks the case will get solved. Authorities encourage anyone with any relevant pictures or video to call state police at 304-269-0500.

http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=view ... yid=110155

by **bbeba103** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 5:19 pm

10/24/2011

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.

Hathaway says she and many others are still holding out hope. She says she doesn't regret the many hours she has volunteered during the past month.

"I'm a grandmother and she's the same age as two of my grandchildren and your heart just kind of melts, especially when it's a small child," she said. "It kind of takes over from there."

The balloon release will take place at 6 p.m. Monday in front of the Lewis County Courthouse in Weston.

http://www.wvmetronews.com/news.cfm?fun ... ryid=48717

by **bbeba103** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:03 am

Such beautiful pictures...

Balloons for Aliayah Lunsford <3 by Miranda Hathaway

http://m.facebook.com/LewisCountyTalk?_ ... =571380052

by **bbeba103** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:04 am

Diver Returns to Water in Aliayah Lunsford Search

Last Updated on Tuesday, 25 October 2011 18:20
Tuesday, 25 October 2011 17:35

Divers returned to the water in the search for a missing 3-year-old Lewis County girl on Tuesday.

While law enforcement keeps going over surveillance videos and following up leads, a private diver went back in the river near Aliayah Lunsford's home. Investigators say this is just a way to make sure they cover all the water in the area.

Aliayah was last seen more than a month ago in her Dennison Street home.

Police continue to look for additional surveillance videos. If you believe you have one that could help them, contact the Lewis County Sheriff's Department at 304-269-8251.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/loca ... ord-search

by **bbeba103** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:09 pm

Aliayah Lunsford Investigation Expands to Southern Lewis County

Posted Wednesday, October 26, 2011 ; 05:50 PM
Updated Wednesday, October 26, 2011; 06:59 PM

The FBI has moved its mobile command post to the Midway Volunteer Fire Department in southern Lewis County.

VADIS -- Authorities including the Federal Bureau of Investigations, W.Va. State Police and Lewis County Sheriff's Department have been searching for Aliayah Lunsford, 3, since Sept. 24.

The investigative team has expanded its search to the Vadis area of southern Lewis County.

Search crews focused on a pond off Vadis Road, just beyond the Midway Fier Department Wednesday. Witnesses said they saw boats. Webster and Tyler County search and rescue crews with K9s also assisted.

Law enforcement convened around a home at 1903 Vadis Road, where documents show authorities arrested Aliayah's stepfather Ralph Lunsford for unlawful assault in 2009.

The FBI confirmed it shifted its focus to the Vadis area based on valuable tips from the community.

"The temporary command post vehicle has been removed to a remote location where we continue to conduct our investigation. There are a couple of areas in this remote location that we're giving a very close look," FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen said.

Killeen said investigators are also still focusing around the Bendale home from where she disappeared. He also said investigators have not ruled out offering a reward for information and expected a decision to be made within one week.

http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=view ... yid=111014

by **bbeba103** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:17 pm

Search for Aliayah Lunsford Moves to New Location

Wednesday, 26 October 2011 17:39

A new area is now the focus of the search for a missing three year old in Lewis County.

FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen says the Mobile Command in the Aliayah Lunsford search has been temporarily moved to a remote location after receiving what he called "valuable information."

He won't say what areas they're looking in exactly but folks in the county tell us that most of the search is going on in the Vadis area.

Local, state and federal agencies are still looking at Aliayah's disappearance as a murder, an abduction or a concealment.

She hasn't been seen in over a month.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/loca ... w-location

This doesn't sound good if they believe its " valuable information "... :cry:

by **bbeba103** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:25 pm

Aliayah Lunsford: FBI Searching New Area

Published: Oct 27

Search crews are back out looking for the 3-year old girl missing for more than a month from Lewis County.

The FBI is searching a new area Thursday.

They are combing an area in Alum Bridge outside Glenville for Aliaya Lunsford.

She disappeared from her family's home in Bendale.

*******************************************

Federal agents announced on Monday that Lena Lunsford, the mom of Aliayah Lunsford, has been arrested.

Lena was arrested on a federal charge of transferring benefits for selling her benefits card to someone else. Federal agents say they were made aware of the alleged violation while investigating the little girl's disappearance.

Aliayah went missing more than three weeks ago and police have deemed her disappearance a crime but are unsure if she was killed, abducted or if her disappearance is a concealment.

Lena was taken into federal custody on Monday and then released on bond.

******************************************* FBI Agents say they're narrowing the search for 3-year old Aliayah Lunsford who disappeared from her home nearly three weeks ago, but they say it's hard to believe she's still alive.

According to WDTV, investigators say it would be hard for a 3-year old girl to survive after nearly three weeks. They also can't confirm if Aaliyah is in West Virginia or out of state, and won't comment on any persons of interest.

Agents are looking at surveillance video from businesses and homes in Lewis County and surrounding counties, but won't say if Aliayah is in the videos. The investigation is considered a murder, abduction, or concealment.

******************************************* It's been 13 days since Aliayah Lunsford, 3, disappeared from her Bendale home in Lewis County. FBI Agents say the little girl is the victim of a crime. Now, a Clarksburg attorney claims he has information that suggests she could be still be alive.

Earlier this week,Tom Dyer offered his services for free to anyone who had information about Aliayah's disappearance.

He says that on Sunday, a woman he had represented in the past called him with what he calls "very credible information." The woman suggests that Aliayah has been taken and the man responsible has some sort of prior relationship with the Lunsford family.

Dyer would not name the man, but says he has a "sordid past." Dyer says he believes if the information he has been given is true, there is a chance Aliyah is still alive.

"It lead me to believe, and I believe that everybody else that the story has been shared with in law enforcement, that there's reason to continue to maintain some guarded level of optimism about this turning out well...this girl still being alive and being able to be found alive," Dyer tells Eyewitness News.

"Given that they've not located him where they expected to initially, that's only lent further credence to the veracity of the information that was provided initially by this caller," says Dyer.

The FBI has not named any suspects in the case, but has previously told media they have a "small universe" of "persons of interest." Dyer claims law enforcement is currently trying to locate the man in question.

Eyewitness News has also obtained a copy of the 911 call made by Aliayah's mother the morning she discovered her missing. The little more than six minute call doesn't offer much new information into the case, but it does paint a picture of how Lena Lunsford reacted to her daughter's disappearance.

"911 what is your emergency?"

"My baby's missing!" Lena exclaims.

The call was made around 11:30 a.m. on September 24th.

"That was the last time you saw her was at 6:30 this morning?" asks the operator.

"Yes, and then she laid back down and went back to sleep, and we went back to bed," says Lena.

"Okay, was the doors open or anything?" asks the operator. "No, the doors weren't open," she responds. "Were they locked?" "Yeah, I think," says Lena.

Lena told 911 that she had been out searching for her for over an hour, and that Aliayah was sick with the flu. She said three of her four other children were at home when all of this was going on. She said she was the only adult in the home. She said her other child, a boy, was at a visitation with his father.

She also gives information about Aliayah's biological father.

"Okay, do you live with her father?" asks the operator.

"No," responds Lena.

"Who is her father?" she asks.

"Her father is a guy named Eric Harris. He doesn't even know she exists," Lena answers.

At one point, Lena hangs up to call her mother, Joanne Evans, to see if she had Aliayah. Then she calls 911 back.

"911 what is your emergency?"

"This is Lena Lunsford. My mom doesn't have her!" she exclaims.

"She doesn't have her?" asks the operator.

"She doesn't have her! She's coming now! Oh my God!" she says.

In the 13 days since the call was made, thousands have searched for the toddler. The FBI has previously said she is either the victim of a murder, an abduction, or a concealment.

The volunteer search was called off earlier this week,but investigators continue to search for answers.

http://m.wchstv.com/index.php?action=ar ... 99fdf9f24b

by **bbeba103** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:28 pm

Missing Girl's Family Pleads For Return As FBI Search Shifts Locations

Published: Oct 27

A major shift in the search for a missing Lewis County toddler, and extended family members are pleading for her return.

Aliayah Lunsford's great aunts and uncles say they've been left in the dark just as much as everyone else when it comes to her search. Now, Eyewitness News has learned the search is focusing on an area that her step-father used to call home.

"We're not going to give up hope. We want her home more than anything in the world," says her great aunt Vickie Bowen from Webster County, West Virginia. They are words from a grieving family as they hold out hope Aliayah is still alive.

"Whoever has her. Please, please bring her home. Take her anywhere, to a public place...anywhere. Please do the right thing and send this little girl home," she tells Eyewitness News.

Missing now for more than a month, the search for Aliayah has shifted to the remote town of Vadis in Lewis County. Vadis is about 30 minutes away from Bendale, where Aliayah was last seen at her home on the morning of September 24th.

"The search area is confined to several points of interest that law enforcement officers are looking at," explains FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen.

At the middle of that search is 1903 Vadis Road, the same address Ralph Lunsford, Aliayah's step-father, had when he was arrested in 2009 for allegedly attacking a family member with an ax.

"We received some information from the community that we deemed credible," says Killeen.

The FBI also moved it's mobile command center from the state police barracks in Weston,to the Midway Volunteer Fire Department. The FBI says they can't comment on what, if anything, they've found.

"People want to put the family down saying nobody cares about this little girl, and that is so far from the truth," says her great uncle Jesse Prunty.

"People are wanting to place blame and I understand that. I understand the anger and the fear. Don't you think we feel it too? We're scared, we're hurt, we're angry, we're grieving. We want this little girl home," says Bowen.

Much speculation has been put on Aliayah's mother, Lena, and her husband Ralph Lunsford, but the family says they're not pointing any fingers. They just want Aliayah home, and whoever is responsible prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"We have to believe she is still out there. At this point, we could not function believing anything else," says Bowen.

The FBI says they plan to have a press conference next week,and are hoping to release newer pictures of Aliayah.

The search in Vadis will continue tomorrow.

Since Aliayah went missing, Lena Lunsford was arrested on federal charges for selling her food stamps. Her four other children have been placed in foster care. She is also pregnant with twins.

http://m.wchstv.com/index.php?action=ar ... a9dbb88807

by **bbeba103** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 4:05 pm

Searching in a new location
FBI says community tip led authorities to western end of county

October 28, 2011

Law enforcement authorities have refocused their search for a missing 3-year-old to the western end of Lewis County. Federal Bureau of Investigation Special agent Jeff Killeen said the move was made based on what he called "valuable information" received from the community.

The search for Aliayah Lunsford, missing since Sept. 24, in now centered in the Vadis area, which is located off of U.S. 33 west. According to reports, it has included both boat and K9 searches.

In an effort to strengthen the search, the FBI mobile command unit has been moved from its location at the West Virginia State Police Barracks just off of U.S. 33 east to near the Midway Volunteer Fire Department.

According to police documents, a residence on Vadis Road is where law enforcement officials arrested Aliayah Lunsford's stepfather, Ralph Lunsford, on charges of unlawful assault in 2009.

The disappearance of Aliayah Lunsford is still being investigated as a possible homicide, abduction or concealment, Killeen said.

Aliayah Lunsford went missing from her family's Bendale home in the early morning hours of Sept. 24, and was reported missing to 911 by her mother, Lena Lunsford, at approximately 11:30 that morning.

Since then, law enforcement along with other trained personnel and volunteers have conducted searches for the girl surrounding the Bendale residence.

On Oct. 24, approximately 300 people gathered at the Lewis County Courthouse to release purple balloons to mark one month since Aliayah Lunsford has been missing.

http://www.theintermountain.com/page/co ... 47256.html

by **bbeba103** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:56 pm

Updated: 11:02 AM Nov 2, 2011

UPDATE: Mother of Missing 3-Year-Old Indicted on Welfare Fraud Charges
The search for a missing toddler continues but FBI agents have started searching in a new location.

Posted: 11:02 AM Nov 2, 2011

WESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The mother of a 3-year-old Lewis County girl missing for nearly six weeks has been indicted on multiple welfare fraud counts.

U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld said Tuesday that 29-year-old Lena Lunsford of Weston faces six federal charges alleging she tried to swap the value of her food stamp card for cash.

The indictment says she exchanged varying amounts on her card for $50 cash five times - twice in September and three times in October.

Her daughter Aliayah Lunsford vanished Sept. 24. Investigators consider her disappearance a crime but have made no arrests and named no suspects.

The charges against the mother include conspiracy to defraud the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program and knowingly selling federal benefits.

Lena Lunsford's public defender, Brian Kornbrath, didn't immediately return messages Tuesday.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/Sear ... 68983.html

by **bbeba103** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:59 pm

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

Wednesday, 02 November 2011 12:01

As the search for missing Aliayah Lunsford enters day 40, the 3 year old's mother Lena Lunsford has been indicted for supposedly allowing somebody else to use her family's benefits.

Lunsford allegedly sold a SNAP balance, or federal food stamps, worth more than $100 to another person for $50 in cash. If convicted she could spend five years behind bars and owe a fine of up to $10,000.

The search continues for her daughter who was last seen on September 24th. Lena is not being named a suspect in her daughter's disappearance. Investigators say they're still looking at this as a murder, a concealment, or an abduction

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/loca ... l-indicted

by **bbeba103** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 7:03 pm

A Personal Collection of Found Materials

Aliayah Lunsford MISSING - Weston (Bendale community), Lewis County, West Virginia
Age: 3, Aliayah Lunsford was last seen at her home on September 24, 2011 around 6:30 a.m. Eyes: Brown, Hair: Brown, Weight: About 30 lbs.

Last seen wearing purple Dora the Explorer pajama bottoms, pink princess sweatshirt and no shoes. Aliayah's ears are pierced and she's missing her four (4) front teeth. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children lists Aliayah as "endangered missing."

http://www.acandyrose.com/aliayah_lunsford_timeline.htm

by **bbeba103** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:53 pm

UPDATE: FBI Offering Reward in Case of Missing 3-Year-Old

UPDATE 11/3/11 @ 2:06 p.m.

WESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ & AP) -- The FBI is now offering a $20,000 reward in the case of a missing three-year-old girl from Lewis County.

The FBI made the announcement during a news conference Thursday in Weston.

Aliayah Lunsford was last seen at her home in Lewis County on Sept. 24.

Investigators are hoping the reward will help develop a break in the case.

The reward is being offered for information that leads investigators to Aliayah's whereabouts or an arrest in the case.

Last week investigators moved their search to the Vadis area of Lewis County . The command was moved there after investigators say they received "valuable information." No other details about why investigators are looking in the new location have been released.

Meanwhile, Vickie Bowen, Aliayah's great aunt released a statement asking anyone with information about Aliayah to call her. She offers to arrange for a pickup, no questions asked.

Bowen says she won't give up hope that Aliayah's alive.

Authorities are treating the disappearance as a crime but have named no suspects.

Bowen says investigators have told the family very little.

She says the girl's mother, Lena Lunsford, has yet to deliver twins.

Lena Lunsford was eight months pregnant when Aliayah disappeared. Four other children have been removed by child-welfare officials.

Aliayah's mother was just indicted Wednesday on multiple welfare fraud counts.

U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld said Tuesday that 29-year-old Lena Lunsford of Weston faces six federal charges alleging she tried to swap the value of her food stamp card for cash.

The indictment says she exchanged varying amounts on her card for $50 cash five times - twice in September and three times in October.

We have a crew in Lewis County. Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the very latest information.

http://www.wsaz.com/mobi?storyid=130568983

by **bbeba103** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 4:27 pm

by **bbeba103** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:26 pm

The Search for Missing Aliayah Lunsford Continues

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

November 24th, this Thursday, will mark two months since Aliayah Lunsford went missing in Lewis County.

Lena Lunsford reported her daughter missing eight weeks ago Saturday, and police have been tight lipped about the investigation ever since.

Lena is facing federal charges on allegations that she sold her family's food stamp benefits. She is set to appear in front of a federal judge on November 28th for a bond revocation hearing.

New missing and endangered posters have been released of Aliayah and can be found in the links below.

West Virginia Fusion Center

FBI Missing Persons

FBI - Pittsburgh Field Office

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by **bbeba103** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:27 pm

Family, Friends Keep Hope Alive in Aliayah Lunsford Case

Last Updated on Monday, 28 November 2011
Friday, 25 November 2011

It has been more than two months since Aliayah Lunsford went missing, and though she still has not been found, her family isn't losing hope.

Friends and family of Aliayah made an appearance in the Weston Christmas parade Friday night. They gave out candy that had her picture and information on it, as well as bracelets and flyers in the hopes of having someone give information that will help find her.

Aliayah's cousin, Sean Smith, was at the parade handing out some of the flyers. He said, "We were just trying to get Aliayah's information out there. (For) Anybody that knows anything. You know, that way they can just call the number that's on the flyers, (and) everything. We just want to keep her information and her story alive. Never forget about her, nothing, because we're not gonna forget about her."

The family and friends ran out of all the candy and bracelets that they had.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/loca ... ton-parade

by **bbeba103** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:30 pm

Court Documents: Mother of Aliayah Lunsford Violates Federal Probation

Lena Lunsford, mother of missing Aliayah Lunsford, 3, has violated her federal probation terms, according to court documents.

U.S. Pretrial Services Officer Brian Kilgore recommended home incarceration and substance abuse treatment for Lunsford, U.S. District Court documents state. Kilgore wrote that she has violated the terms of her probation with two incidences of "non-compliance."

Federal records show State Police troopers found Lena Lunsford and her husband Ralph in possession of synthetic drug bath salts in Clarksburg on Nov. 1. The records show Lunsford then failed to report the incident to her supervising officer.

Federal authorities arrested Lunsford in October for charges related to federal welfare fraud.

Her daughter, Aliayah Lunsford, has been missing since Sept. 24. An FBI-led investigative team is still looking for her.

Lena Lunsford released a statement last week,asking people to keep her family in their prayers. She also said she would, "continue to fully cooperate with the investigators who are working so hard for Aliayah's return home."

Regarding her probation case, however, Kilgore wrote, "The defendant appears to be demonstrating a lack of willingness to fully cooperate with the conditions of her supervision, and she appears to be selectively censoring what she wants her supervising officer to know."

She has a bond revocation hearing Nov. 28 at federal court in Elkins.

http://www.wboy.com/story/16058484/2011 ... onfig=H264

This mother should have remained locked up its more then obvious her priorities aren't finding her missing baby, which she hasn't assisted in searches done for Aliayah but she violates her probation...

by **bbeba103** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:07 pm

Search for Missing Aliayah Lunsford Nears Week 10

Last Updated on Friday, 02 December 2011 14:24
Friday, 02 December 2011 14:08

Saturday will mark ten weeks since 3-year old Aliayah Lunsford was reported missing from her Lewis County home.

Earlier this week, a federal magistrate found her mother, Lena Lunsford, in violation of her probation for not reporting a contact with law enforcement to her probation officer.

She will be attending drug counseling and rehab and she is 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 has been labeled a suspect in Aliayah's disappearance and it is still being looked at as a murder, a concealment, or an abduction.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/loca ... rs-week-10

The Refugees Unleashed

Missing 3 Year Old Aliayah Lunsford

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