Body of Missouri Girl Hailey Owens Found; Coach Held in Abduction, Killing

[onedef92]

Body of Missouri Girl Hailey Owens Found; Coach Held in Abduction, Killing

Feb. 19, 2014

Springfield, Mo., police today identified a body believe to be that of 10-year-old Hailey Owens in the home of a school coach who allegedly abducted her yesterday.

"While she has not been positively identified, we have a high degree of confidence that it is Hailey Owens," said a spokesperson for the Springfield Police Department.

Owens was reported missing yesterday after reportedly walking to a friend's house at 5 p.m. about a block from her house. After an amber alert was issued, police arrested 45-year-old Craig Michael Wood, of Springfield, in connection to Hailey's abduction.

Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams said in a press conference that Wood refused to talk to authorities and asked for an attorney. He was taken to the Greene County Jail in Springfield.

Wood is on temporary suspension from his job at in the Springfield Public School system while the investigation is ongoing.

An autopsy on the body is expected soon. Police did not provide details on how the girl died.

Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Norm Ridder said in a statement that Wood was an employee and a coach. “Last night we learned the terrible news that one of our students had been abducted near her home,” Ridder said. “This morning, our sadness is compounded by the recent developments in the case of Hailey Owens’ abduction.”

Wood, the district said, has worked for the district since August 1998 as a paraprofessional and athletic coach at Pleasant View K-8 School, according to the release, as reported by The Kansas City Star.

Police tracked down Hailey’s alleged abductor and killer because of “very good witnesses” to the abduction. “They provided information regarding a vehicle and license plate number,” Williams told the newspaper. Police tracked that to the owner of the vehicle, which led to the suspect.

[8Up]

Man, this just makes me sick. I truly cant imagine what these parents are going through. Ill be adding them to my prayers.

[VITE1]

As a society we need to change our way of dealing with these deviants. Once convicted they need to be executed publicly.

[Cybercowboy]

The night of the abduction my wife's phone was beeping Amber Alerts. I commented that I turned mine off when iOS7 came out. This may make me rethink that decision. It's a very big story around here.

[snide]

Originally Posted by VITE1

As a society we need to change our way of dealing with these deviants. Once convicted they need to be executed publicly.

Bring back public stoning. I'd gladly pay money to throw a stone or ten at a convicted child molester/murderer.

[Grey Ghost]

I wish the bastard a slow and painful death.

[Ol Timer]

Reports are circulating that the girl was shot in the base of the skull. Her body was found in the suspect's house. He was found sitting in his pick-up outside and offered no resistance when arrested.

There would be no shortage of volunteers here to provide a swift and appropriate punishment for this animal. I'm waiting for an insanity defense.

[Chuck A]

RIP
very sad, indeed

[Superstreet]

Originally Posted by Cybercowboy

The night of the abduction my wife's phone was beeping Amber Alerts. I commented that I turned mine off when iOS7 came out. This may make me rethink that decision. It's a very big story around here.

Ours were too.

Hopefully the guy gets azz raped to death.

Originally Posted by Ol' Timer

Reports are circulating that the girl was shot in the base of the skull. Her body was found in the suspect's house. He was found sitting in his pick-up outside and offered no resistance when arrested.

There would be no shortage of volunteers here to provide a swift and appropriate punishment for this animal. I'm waiting for an insanity defense.

That's what the local news is saying here.

[ApexOversteer]

I don't get something...

Abduction occurrs, witnessed by two people.

One calls police and gives the license plate number, the other attempts to follow the vehicle.

The next day, cops arrive at the license plate owners home.

WTF? The NEXT day?

[Ol Timer]

Originally Posted by ApexOversteer

I don't get something...

Abduction occurrs, witnessed by two people.

One calls police and gives the license plate number, the other attempts to follow the vehicle.

The next day, cops arrive at the license plate owners home.

WTF? The NEXT day?

As I understand the abduction took place after 4:00 PM, police had to confirm that it was an actual abduction. Amber alert was issued, seems a laundromat was involved in the evidence chain, arrest took place before dawn - local stations had a 6:30 AM press conference, so the time lag doesn't appear to be too sketchy at first blush.

I'm sure as the details come forward, there will be answers to some of the questions asked. And there will be many.

[Sneaks]

Originally Posted by VITE1

As a society we need to change our way of dealing with these deviants. Once convicted they need to be executed publicly.

This right here. TRUTH