HALEIGH CUMMINGS - 5 yo - Satsuma FL - The Beginning

Hank Croslin Jr. Sentenced To 15 Years
PALATKA, Fla. -- One of the key figures in the Haleigh Cummings investigation was sentenced Friday morning on drug charges.

Hank Croslin Jr., who pleaded no contest to two trafficking charges after being arrested in January during a drug sting operation, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, 10 years of probation and a $50,000 fine.

Croslin was arrested in January, along with his sister, Misty Cummings, his ex-brother-in-law, Ronald Cummings, and two other people.

Authorities said the drug charges the family members are facing are not related to Haleigh's disappearance. Ronald Cummings' 5-year-old daughter went missing from her Satsuma home in February 2009. Misty Cummings, briefly Ronald's wife, was the last person known to have seen Haleigh Cummings before she disappeared.

The kindergartner's body has not been found, but the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said earlier this year it believes she was killed and considers the ongoing case a homicide investigation.

Channel 4 had a crew in the courtroom for the sentencing hearing. This story will be updated as more information is available, with a full report on the local station at noon.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/24534837/detail.html

WATTS UP WITH THIS???

Misty’s brother, Tommy Croslin, gets 15 years for drug trafficking

August 6, 2010 – 8:46 am

Hank “Tommy” Croslin Jr. , brother of Misty Croslin, also in jail on drug charges, was sentenced this morning morning to 15 years in prison for trafficking in prescription drugs.Circuit Judge Terry LaRue sentenced Tommy Croslin to 15 year on the charge of trafficking in Roxicodone. Another sentence of five years in prison for drug possession will be served at the same time.

Misty Croslin, was the last known person was with 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings when the little girl disappeared from her Putnam County home in February 2009.

The drug-trafficking charges resulted from an undercover operation in January also included the arrest of Ronald Cummings, Haleigh’s father and Donna Brock and others. Croslin’s lawyer, James Werter, urged the judge to consider Tommy Croslin’s cooperation with with investigators in the Haleigh case. Cooperation?? what cooperation??

The prosecution which was seeking a 30-year sentence – countered that Tommy Croslin only came forward when facing serious prison time – and that he failed to tell authorities what had happened in the home the night Haleigh was reported missing.

This Tuesday marks the 18th month mark of her disappearance.

Haleigh’s birthday is August 17th, and whats left of the family on the ‘outside” is planning a balloon release in her honor. Maybe now seeing her brother get 15 years will refresh Misty’s drug clouded memory a little about what happened the night Haleigh disappeared

http://stephww.wordpress.com/2010/08/06/mistys-brother-tommy-croslin-gets-15-years-for-drug-trafficking/

Haleigh's Birthday 8/17/2010

Antioch TN ---- Metro Police swarmed an Antioch home Sunday evening, the same one that
was once the center of the search for clues into a nationally-known
missing child case.Acting on a tip, officers search a home in the
1500 block of Antioch Pike. A sergeant at the home said officers found
what they believe to be stolen goods and narcotics. Officers detained
and questioned two men at the home.This isn't the first time this year the home attracted both police and public attention.In
April, Florida investigators questioned Joe Overstreet, a man who lives
there, in their search for clues in the disappearance of Haleigh
Cummings. Overstreet's cousin once cared for Haleigh and he, according
to investigators, was there when the little girl vanished.Back in April, Overstreet denied he played a part in the girl's disappearance.Police
did not immediately identify Overstreet as one of the two men detained
and questioned in connection with Sunday's investigation. No charges
had been filed as of Sunday night.As for the Cummings investigation, authorities in Florida have persons of interest, but have not publicly identified them.

http://dcso.nashville.gov/inmatesearch/pages/RecentBookings.faces

OVERSTREET, JOSEPH EDWARD

Final Booking Date:

Aug 8, 2010 8:51:55 PM

This inmate has a total of 2 charges.

1	Warrant No.GS503972 Warrant No.: GS503972 Bond Amount: $5,000.00 Arrested Charge: CONT SUB, MFG, MARIJUANA 14.175-4535G Type: Felony Convicted Charge: Type: Status of Charge: Bond Made - Jail Release Disposition:
2	Warrant No.GS503973 Warrant No.: GS503973 Bond Amount: $2,000.00 Arrested Charge: DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESS Type: Misdemeanor Convicted Charge: Type: Status of Charge: Bond Made - Jail Release Disposition:

Exclusive: Joe Overstreet Behind Bars, Briefly

August 9th, 2010

By Art Harris, The Bald Truth, (c) www.artharris.com, all rights reserved

Excerpt:

Joseph Edward Overstreet, 21, the so called “cousin Joe” Misty Croslin blames for kidnapping a five year old she was babysitting, was jailed Sunday night in Nashville, Tennessee, on an unrelated felony drug charge, manufacturing marijuana, and possession.

At 7:57 pm Sunday,records show Overstreet was booked into the Davidson County Criminal Justice Center (CJC), a medium/maximum facility build in 1982 that can house 807 inmates; bond was at $7,000. Within hours, he had bonded out.

READ MORE: http://www.artharris.com/2010/08/09/exclusive-joe-overstreet-busted-behind-bars/

What a messed up family IMO they should all be sterilized so they don't bring anymore children into this whacked family.

Statement Analysis

Monday, August 09, 2010

Joe Overstreet Arrested

Excerpt:

not that this will surprise many...but where did the tip come from?

Police Swarm Antioch Home Acting On Tip, Investigators Discover Possible Stolen Goods,

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Metro Police swarmed an Antioch home Sunday evening, the same one that was once the center of the search for clues into a nationally-known missing child case.

Acting on a tip, officers search a home in the 1500 block of Antioch Pike. A sergeant at the home said officers found what they believe to be stolen goods and narcotics. Officers detained and questioned two men at the home.

READ MORE: http://seamusoriley.blogspot.com/2010/08/joe-overstreet-arrested.html

today marks 18 months since haleigh was last seen -
snipped
Vigil set for Haleigh
By Kristin Chambers

Published: Thursday, August 5, 2010 12:55 AM EDT
A vigil to commemorate the 18 months
Haleigh Cummings has been missing will be held next week in Welaka.

The paternal side of the family has organized the memorial, which will take
place at the First Baptist Church on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Annette Sykes, Haleigh's great-grandmother, said they are still holding onto
hope that Haleigh will be found and brought home.

http://palatkadailynews.com/articles/2010/08/05/news/news01.txt

Vigil Marks 18 Months Since Haleigh Disappeared

Grandmother
Says Family Is Holding Onto Hope


POSTED: 11:18 am EDT August 10, 2010
UPDATED: 11:40 am EDT August 10, 2010

PALATKA, Fla. -- Tuesday marks 18 months since
Haleigh Cummings vanished from her Putnam County home.Her
father's family will hold a vigil Tuesday night at the First Baptist
Church in Welaka.Haleigh's grandmother said they are holding onto
hope that the missing 6-year-old will still be found.She was
last seen in February 2009 with her father's ex-wife Misty Croslin.Misty
and Haleigh's father, Ronald, are currently in jail on drug trafficking
charges.
http://www.wesh.com/news/24577723/detail.html

The drug investigation into the family of a local missing child continues with a court hearing Monday morning.Misty Croslin is scheduled for a hearing in Putnam County on drug trafficking charges.Croslin was the last known person seen with Haleigh Cummings before the child vanished in February of last year.
Misty's brother, Tommy, was sentenced to 15 years behind bars last week on similar charges.

Misty Croslin Enters 'No Contest' Plea to Putnam Drug Charges PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Misty Croslin could spend up to 240 years in prison following this morning's plea, but her attorney will likely seek a sentence closer to six years.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/

Misty Croslin Enters 'No Contest' Plea to
Putnam Drug
Charges
PUTNAMCOUNTY, Fla. -- Misty Croslin could spend up to 240
years in prison following this morning's plea, but her attorney will
likely seek a sentence closer to six years.Croslin, the last person to see Haleigh
Cummings in her home in February 2009, entered a "no contest" plea
to the seven drug-related charges facing her following her arrest in January.
The maximum she could face if all seven charges are given the maximum
sentence and are assigned consecutively would be 240 years, according
to the state attorney's office. Croslin's attorney, though, is trying
to have Croslin sentenced as a youthful offender, which means she
could face up to six years. She will learn her sentence in October.
Her attorney, Robert Fields, told the judge this morning that a
"landslide of evidence" against Croslin, including video of her with the
drugs and several undercover officers as witnesses in the case, led to
the no contest plea. Fields also said he will need about three hours to
present his case at the sentencing hearing, where he will introduce
more evidence and witnesses. Croslin, sporting a new, shorter
haircut that replaces the braided look she wore in court earlier in
the trial, told the judge she understands the charges against her.
She is due in St. Johns County court Tuesday to face a similar
charge, and there's a potential rub. Under Florida law, youthful offender
status can only be granted one time, so if Croslin is sentenced in
Putnam County as a youthful offender, she cannot be given the same
treatment in St. Johns County. The drug trafficking charge against
her there carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years if she is
convicted. A plea is expected in that case as well. Croslin and
four others were arrested in January on drug trafficking
charges unrelated to the disappearance of Haleigh Cummings, though the
girl's father, Ronald Cummings, was also among those arrested.
Earlier in August, Croslin's brother Hank Jr., known as Tommy, was sentenced
to 15 years in prison and 10 years of probation. He was also among those
arrested in January.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=163192

Report: Misty Croslin heard Haleigh Cummings scream during attack
An attorney for Misty Croslin said the young woman cowered beneath a sheet the night Haleigh Cummings was abducted.
Misty Croslin attorney: She heard Haleigh Cummings being attacked before she vanished
Posted: August 17, 2010 - 10:26am
By Dana Treen

ST. AUGUSTINE — Misty Croslin cowered beneath a sheet and heard the screams of Haleigh Cummings being attacked the night the 5-year-old disappeared, Croslin's attorney said this morning.

Croslin has told investigators she was at the mobile home in Satsuma in Putnam County and heard the attack then heard a van door outside open and close, Robert Fields said following a hearing on a prescription drug charge Croslin faces in St. Johns County.

The five- to six-minute attack happened after Croslin's cousin, Joe Overstreet, who was visiting from Tennessee, came to the mobile home looking for a machine gun belonging to Haleigh's father, Ronald Cummings.

The gun wasn't there, Fields said

"Haleigh was a substitute," he said.

He said Croslin hid beneath the sheet holding 3-year-old Ronald Cummings Jr.

At one point, Croslin saw Overstreet either covering Haleigh with something or putting her in a black bag, Fields said.

Fields said Croslin, who is likely facing 25 years in prison on unrelated drug trafficking charges, has told investigators the story.

This morning, she pleaded no contest to a charge of trafficking in oxycodone at a St. Johns County truck stop. Judge Wendy Berger set an Oct. 8 sentencing date. Monday, Croslin pleaded no contest to seven similar charges in Putnam County.

Croslin family members have said Overstreet, who has returned to Tennessee, was at the mobile home the night Haleigh disappeared 18 months ago. Croslin's brother, Hank "Tommy" Croslin Jr., was also there at some point that night.

Fields said it is not clear if Croslin Jr. was at the mobile home when Haleigh was attacked. He had been there earlier in the night.

Croslin Jr. has said he was at the mobile home that night. He and his sister are telling investigators similar stories, Fields said.

Croslin Jr. has said he delayed telling his part of the story because he feared for the welfare of his family. He relented after he was jailed on the drug-trafficking charges and his family moved from Satsuma.

Investigators questioned Overstreet that February and again this year in Tennessee where he lives. But he has never been charged or named a suspect.

Today, Shawn Sirgo, his attorney in Tennessee, said Overstreet was nowhere near the mobile home and was with another relative when they learned Haleigh was gone.

"I don't know how many times Misty has changed, modified the story," he said. "I don't believe anything she said."

Today marks Haleigh's seventh birthday. A balloon release is scheduled for shortly after 2 p.m. at Memorial Bridge in Palatka.
http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2010-08-17/story/misty-croslin-attorney-she-heard-haleigh-cummings-being-attacked-she

This is the media release from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office:

Date: August 17, 2010

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous requests for an official comment regarding a statement made earlier today by Attorney Robert Fields. For those outlets not aware, Attorney Fields is legal counsel for Misty Croslin.

Attorney Fields made a statement to media outlets that after Misty Croslin’s arrest, she informed investigators what happened the night Haleigh Cummings went missing, and what happened to Haleigh Cummings.

Since the onset of this investigation, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has been asked to comment on information obtained during the investigation. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has always taken the firm stance that any information obtained in this case is not to be released, and any investigative strategies will not be discussed. The Haleigh Cummings investigation is far too important to be jeopardized by releasing this type of sensitive information.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office will not be participating in any formal interviews or providing statements regarding this morning’s events at this time. The main concern of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is finding Haleigh Cummings and returning her home to her family.

Lieutenant Johnny Greenwood
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
http://www.thesky973.com/pages/7930698.php

Sheriff Blasts Misty Croslin Attorney!

http://www.artharris.com/2010/08/18/sheriff-blasts-misty-croslin-attorney/#more-4578

Exclusive: Haleigh Tossed into “Black Bag!”
http://www.artharris.com/2010/08/17/exclusive-haleigh-tossed-into-black-bag/#more-4569

Haleigh's Grandma: Misty Is Lying
Shadow Of Doubt Has Been Cast Over Misty Cummings Since Girl Disappeared

POSTED: Wednesday, August 18, 2010
UPDATED: 9:06 pm EDT August 18, 2010
Haleigh and Misty Cummings
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Less than 24 hours after learning Misty Cummings claimed to know what happened to missing Satsuma girl Haleigh Cummings, the girl's family has spoken out.

Haleigh's grandmother, Teresa Neves, told Channel 4 Wednesday morning that she does not know what to believe.

On Tuesday, Misty's attorney, Robert Fields, said Haleigh's former stepmother has told investigators that her cousin, Joe Overstreet, put Haleigh in a black bag and took her away. Fields said Overstreet took Haleigh while Misty was lying in bed and covered herself up with a blanket. He said Misty heard Haleigh scream.

Video: Changes In Misty's Story Raise Concerns
Uncut Video: Haleigh's Grandma Doesn't Believe Misty
Timeline: Haleigh Cummings Investigation

"Why would you hide with a little 5-year-old screaming like that?" Neves said. "How can the neighbors not hear her? Things just don't add up."

Neves said she thinks Misty is lying.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/24674646/detail.html

I hope they find Hailey and bring her home where she belongs. They all need to be ashamed of themselves. I don't know how they sleep at night. Come to think of it, maybe they don't.

welcome to our forum!

I think they may never find her - sad to say.

Attorney: Croslin's Cousin Killed Haleigh


Hank Croslin, Misty Cummings' Attorneys' Accounts Coincide

POSTED: Thursday, August 19, 2010
UPDATED: 8:59 pm EDT August 19, 2010

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- The attorney for Hank Croslin Jr. said Thursday that his client told him Joe Overstreet, Croslin's cousin, killed Haleigh Cummings in a Satsuma mobile home in February 2009 because he couldn't find the machine gun he came looking for.
"He took the body down to the dock and then he came back without the body, so there you have it," Croslin's attorney, James Werter, said. "At the dock that night, Joe Overstreet put Haleigh in the (St. Johns) (R)iver."
Werters' statements corroborate what Misty Cummings' attorney, Robert Fields, said Tuesday. He said Misty Cummings, Haleigh's former stepmother, told investigators that her cousin, Overstreet, put Haleigh in a black bag and took her away. He said Haleigh was a "substitute" for the gun.
Werter said Croslin rode in a van to a dock with Overstreet as Haleigh's lifeless body lay in the back seat.
"Haleigh was quiet, limp and not moving, like she was sleeping," Werter said.
Werter said Overstreet threatened to kill Croslin, which is why he went along with the plan.
"(Croslin) stayed in the vehicle in the passenger seat. He didn't drive. He didn't help in any sort of fashion," Werter said. "Joe was ordering him around, 'Come on. Let's go. Come on. Do this.'"
Werter said Putnam County investigators threatened Croslin with accessory to murder charges, which is why Werter will no longer allow Croslin to talk to tell his account. Werter said he wants immunity for his client.

"My advice to him is that he does not talk because they keep threatening him with felony murder charges, which are unfounded and unwarranted," Werter said. "So how can I let him talk in that situation. How can I let him say he even held a door open for Joe as he carried out the body. That would make him, technically speaking, an accessory after the fact. I can't let him talk with even that stupid little threat."
Joe Overstreet and his attorney were unavailable for comment Thursday.
Haleigh's grandmother, Teresa Neves, said she does not believe any of the stories that have come out this week about Haleigh's disappearance.
Marc Mcallister is a law professor at Florida Coastal School of Law. McAllister isn't involved in the Haleigh case, but he has read up on it. McAllister says even if there was probable cause, at this point the biggest hurdle would be proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
"The things I look at in this case are the fact that we have no body and we have no physical evidence and we also have would-be witnesses who are not credible," Mcallister said. He also said, "The story has changed so many times, in the eyes of the law, Misty and Tommy have both lost credibility.

Tommy Croslin's Attorney Says Croslin said Haleigh Likely Strangled

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Tommy Croslin, one of three people believed to have been in a mobile home the night Haleigh Cummings disappeared, told investigators he thinks she was strangled by his cousin, his attorney said today.

Attorney James Werter, representing Croslin, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison this month, said Croslin told authorities in April that he believed Joe Overstreet strangled Haleigh after losing his temper in February 2009.

Overstreet, Croslin's cousin, was reportedly looking for a gun that belonged to Haleigh's father Ronald, but couldn't find it.

"The gun wasn't there. Joe Overstreet lost his temper and took or did something to Haleigh that evening," said Werter, citing Croslin's account of the night.

Werter said Croslin told this information to authorities in April, which led to a re-intensified search for the missing girl in the water near their Satsuma home.

"Tommy rode with (Joe Overstreet) to where Joe Overstreet disposed of the body off that dock, which was the subject of search in April," said Werter.

Werter said while Croslin claimed to be with Overstreet that night, "Tommy had not act of participation."

Earlier this week, after the "no contest" plea by Misty Croslin on her drug charges, her attorney told Misty's side of what happened.

Misty was in the home babysitting Haleigh and her younger brother.

She said Tommy and Overstreet came in looking for the gun, then went after Haleigh while Misty and the younger brother hid under the covers.

Misty said Haleigh was screaming and fighting back, then became quiet, and she next heard the door to the house open and close, then the door to a van open and close.

She said she saw Overstreet put Haleigh in a bag.

Haleigh has been the subject of an Amber Alert ever since.

Werter said his client has not had contact with his sister, making each story more believable.

"The two of these people have not been in contact with each other while in jail, so it was not like they are collaborating on stories," said Werter. "It gives it more credibility through there may be variances. That is a normal thing with different witnesses seeing different things."

The information about Tommy came after Werter spoke about Tommy's reaction to his prison sentence.

He said Croslin was "shocked" at his recent sentence of 15 years in prison on two drug charges, one for possession and one for trafficking.

Werter plans to appeal the sentence.

He said Tommy and his sister have had no contact since their arrest in January on the drug charges for which Tommy was sentenced, and the fact that both of them tell the same story means it is true.

Misty Croslin entered pleas of "no contest" this week to her drug charges, and is scheduled for sentencing in October.

First Coast News tried to contact Overstreet's attorney Shawn Sirgo in Nashville, Tennessee. Overstreet lives in that area.

However, Sirgo's staff would not connect the call to him, saying simply there was no comment.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office, which is handling the Haleigh case, is not commenting.

In the past, authorities have maintained Haleigh is not alive, but won't specify why they believe that.

Haleigh's family meanwhile, contends that she is alive.

Her grandmother keeps a porch light on just in case if the little girl wanders home one night.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/topstories/news-article.aspx?storyid=163701&catid=3

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/noon/default.aspx

they do a live feed at noon -

pleads guilty - sentencing sept 24 - thanks mermaid for the update

She was the babysitter! she was entrusted to care and protec this child. Instead she hid cowardly under the covers and just let them take Haleigh. One never knows what type person they are trusting their kids to. She should have fought for that child. She should have died trying to keep them from taking Haleigh! THAT IS IF SHE IS TELLING THE TRUTH....

Haleigh's Dad Pleads To Drug Charges

Girl Still Missing As 3rd Person Related To Her Pleads
To Unrelated Charges

POSTED: Friday,
August 20, 2010
UPDATED: 12:18 pm EDT August
20, 2010
PALATKA, Fla. -- The father of missing girl Haleigh Cummings pleaded
guilty Friday morning to three of five drug trafficking charges against
him in exchange for him agreeing to testify in any future trial criminal
involving the disappearance of his daughter.
Cummings, along with his ex-wife, Misty Cummings, her brother,
Hank Croslin Jr., and two other people were arrested after an undercover
drug sting by St. Johns and Putnam County detectives. Misty Cummings
and Croslin have pleaded no contest to charges. Croslin received a
15-year sentence and Cummings faces sentencing in October.All
three are central figures in the disappearance of Ronald Cummings'
5-year-old daughter in February 2009. After an Amber Alert, weeks of
exhaustive searching and an investigation involving more than 4,000
leads, Haleigh remains missing. In May, the Putnam County sheriff said
she is likely dead and described the case as a homicide investigation.
Earlier this week, attorneys for both Misty Cummings and Tommy Croslin
said their clients have told investigators a similar story of what
happened the night Haleigh disappeared. They both said that a Croslin
cousin, who lives in Tennessee, placed the screaming girl in a black bag
and took her from Cummings' mobile home.That cousin, Joe
Overstreet, has been questioned at least twice by detectives, but never
charged or named a suspect in Haleigh's case.Ronald Cummings
could face a maximum of 90 years in prison. He will be sentenced Sept.
24.

Channel 4's Tarik Minor was in the courtroom for the hearing. He will be getting
reaction from those involved and learning more about this new
development in the case. He will have complete reports on
the local station beginning at 5 p.m.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/24700021/detail.html