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Child Abduction Team Responds to Amber Alert By David Sutta 7/21/05 |
LEE COUNTY — Child Abduction Response Team
The Child Abduction Response Team, or CART, has responded to cases around the state such as
Jessica Lunsford's kidnapping. They have been preparing for the inevitable day they would have to use the team locally. Thursday was their big day and they're pleased with how well things worked.
When the Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued the Amber Alert for Jessie Threatts at 3:00 AM Thursday morning investigators and officers from almost every local and federal agency in Lee County responded.
The massive effort is part of the
Child Abduction Response Team, or CART.
Special Agent Steve Emerson helped create CART just a few months ago.
"This is unfortunately too common and so we knew we had to be prepared," said Emerson.
Most agencies in Southwest Florida have the manpower to canvass an area, but CART shares resources.
"What you are doing is providing them people that are subject matter experts in
child abductions, missing persons to be able to assist them immediately on this investigation," said Emerson.
With so many people working the case, the team set up a central location to process all of the leads.
"We paired everyone up and we mixed and matched, put them in cars together and sent them to talk to those addresses to interview people and talk to people," said Lieutenant Ron Curtis of the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
Around 3:00 PM, 12 hours after CART was activated, an anonymous Crimestoppers call gave the team the tip they needed.
"Anytime we have a substantial case like this, in an area like this, we're always willing to offer a reward," said Emerson.
While Emerson is pleased with Thursday's end result, he sees room for improvement, specifically the way the team canvasses neighborhoods.
"We're far from perfect. We learn each time how we can do this better," said Emerson.
Sabrina Cobb is charged with interference with child custody, a third degree felony. For now, the baby is going to be placed into the Department of Children and Families' care. Source: nbc-2.com |
