HAILEY OWENS - 10 yo/ Charged: Craig Michael Wood - Springfield MO

Amber Alert issued for 10-year-old Springfield girl


by KMOV.com Staff
Posted on February 18, 2014 at 7:36 PM[
Updated today at 8:12 PM

(KMOV) -- The Springfield, Missouri Police Department is looking for a suspect in connection with a child abduction.

According to Springfield Police Department spokesperson, Hailey Owens, 10, was approached by an unknown person and pulled into his vehicle shortly before 5 p.m. in a west Springfield neighborhood. 

The suspect was described as a 45-year-old white male with grey hair and an unshaven face. He may be driving a gold 2008 Ford Ranger with a license plate number of 1YF454 or 1YS454. 

The vehicle may be en route to an address in Ash Grove, Mo.

Hailey is described as a white female with brown eyes, brown hair and weighing  90 pounds. She was seen wearing jean shorts and purple sandals. 

If you have any information on the abduction, the suspect or Hailey's whereabouts call 911 immediately.



Www.kmov.com

@ksdknews
@ksdknews: Update: New plate # of vehicle to have #missing 10yo Hailey Owens of Springfield, Mo.: 1YF454 or 1YF454. #AmberAlert http://t.co/OMyKnL7KGc

@pzfeed
@PzFeed: AMBER ALERT EXTENDED TO OKLAHOMA: 10 year old abducted in Springfield MO. Gold Ford pick up MO tag 1YF-454. SHARE! http://t.co/EHgozPgImE

Springfield, Mo. Amber Alert girl still missing; suspect caught

Posted on: 7:20 pm, February 18, 2014, by Lakisha Jackson, updated on: 01:03am, February 19, 2014

SPRINGFIELD, MO (KTVI) – An Amber Alert remains in effect for 10 year old Hailey Owen of Springfield, MO.  An unknown man pulled her into his vehicle Tuesday afternoon. Police found him, and charged him with kidnapping, but Hailey remains missing.  A search will continue through the night.


Hailey Owen is a white female, 10 years old, 5 foot 2 inches tall, weighing 90 pounds with long brown hair, brown eyes and pierced ears. Owens was last seen wearing blue jean shorts and purple sandals. 
 
EARLIER STORY:
SPRINGFIELD, MO (KTVI)– An Amber Alert has been issued after a girl was kidnapped in Springfield, Missouri.

The Springfield Police Department was dispatched to a child abduction call around 4:48 p.m. Tuesday at 3247 W. Lombard.

Hailey Owens, 10, was approached by an unknown suspect and then pulled into his vehicle.

The suspect is a white male, and may be driving in a gold 2008 Ford Ranger. The Missouri license plate number may be one of two possibilities: 1YF454 or 1YS454. The vehicle was last seen southbound on Scenic from Grand in Springfield, MO.

Hailey Owen is a white female, 10 years old, 5 foot 2 inches tall, weighing 90 pounds with long brown hair, brown eyes and pierced ears. Owens was last seen wearing blue jean shorts and purple sandals.

If you have any information on Hailey’s whereabouts, please call 911.

http://fox2now.com/2014/02/18/amber-alert-issued-for-girl-kidnapped-in-springfield-mo/

Report: Missing Hailey Owens found dead

Posted on: 7:20 pm, February 18, 2014

SPRINGFIELD, MO (KTVI) – Update: A KMBC-TV reporter was at the home of 10-year-old Hailey Owens, when police arrived to tell the family that searchers found the little girl dead.

Police in Springfield, Mo. plan to update the case of a missing 10-year-old girl Wednesday morning. An Amber Alert remains in effect for Hailey Owens, of Springfield, MO. Hailey went missing after an unknown man pulled her into his vehicle Tuesday afternoon.

Police found him and charged him with kidnapping.
The Springfield Police Department plans to hold a news conference at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday to update the media.

Police are also using social media to keep the public informed about Hailey’s disappearance.

http://fox2now.com/2014/02/18/amber-alert-issued-for-girl-kidnapped-in-springfield-mo/

updated on: 06:41am, February 19, 2014

SPRINGFIELD, MO (KTVI) – Update: A KMBC-TV reporter was at the home of 10-year-old Hailey Owens, when police arrived to tell the family that searchers found the little girl dead. But in an early-morning news conference, police did not say the child was dead.

They did however identify the suspect as Craig Michael Wood, a 45-year-old white male.

Police plan another news conference at 11 a.m.

http://fox2now.com/2014/02/18/amber-alert-issued-for-girl-kidnapped-in-springfield-mo/

Active Greene County Jail Population

Charges


Warrant No

Offense Type

Offense Description

Bond Amount

Court Date/Time

PC 14-6392 F MURDER 1ST 565.020 0 12/12/2030 -- 12:00 AM

http://www.greenecountymo.org/sheriff/offender.php?id=1401084073

This was a witnessed abduction. Why the delay of the Amber Alert. Those few hours could've saved her life. 

Family says abducted girl's body found

Hailey Owens abducted in Springfield Tuesday afternoon

UPDATED 7:06 AM CST Feb 19, 2014

Police said they were notified at 4:48 p.m. Tuesday that a man in a gold-colored 2008 Ford Ranger drove down the street several times before approaching Hailey and pulling her into his truck.

Authorities issued an Amber Alert at 7 p.m.


Read more: http://www.kmbc.com/news/amber-alert-issued-for-missing-girl-from-southwest-mo/24549338#ixzz2tm1UgFAL

Police name suspect in 10-year-old Hailey Owens’ abduction

Posted on: 7:13 pm, February 18, 2014
by Andrew Lynch and Sarah J. Clark
updated on: 07:42am, February 19, 2014

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Police took no questions from reporters during a live news conference early Wednesday morning in regard to the abduction of 10-year-old Hailey Owens, snatched as she walked home from a friend’s house on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Police named Craig Michael Wood, 45, in Owens’ abduction, but offered no details on the whereabouts of Owens. Just before 6 a.m. some media reports indicated Hailey’s body was found, however police did confirm this — or even mention it — in their news conference. However, the Green County Sheriff’s website indicates Wood is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder.

In the news conference, police said they located Wood inside his truck in the 1500 block of E. Standford Street Tuesday around 8:30 p.m. Police said they also found evidence of foul play at a home in that area, but offered no other details. Another news conference is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Timeline of events
   

• Tuesday 4:48 p.m. Witnesses call Springfield police to report child abduction

• Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Police arrive at scene of reported abduction

• Tuesday 7:00 p.m. State-wide Amber Alert is issued for Hailey Owens

• Tuesday 8:30 p.m. Following a tip, police locate Craig Michael Wood in his vehicle in the 1500 block of E. Stanford Street. He is subsequently taken into custody.

• Tuesday 11:30 p.m. About 30 police officers and investigators search area in the 1500 block of E. Stanford Street where they find evidence of foul play.

The Springfield Police Department issued an Amber Alert Owens shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Witnesses said they saw a man — matching Wood’s description — abduct her near her home in the 3200 block of W. Lombard Street shortly before 5 p.m.

Witnesses said the man approached her, asked her a question about where Springfield Street was and then pulled her into a 2008 gold Ford Ranger with Missouri tags 1YF454 or 1YS454.

A tweet sent out by the Springfield Police Department right after midnight, early Wednesday morning, stated Wood and his vehicle had been located.

A police spokesman expressed to local media on Tuesday night that they don’t believe the incident is related to another crime in the Springfield area. They do believe the abduction was a random act.

FOX 4 will continue to update this story as more developments are confirmed.

http://fox4kc.com/2014/02/18/amber-alert-issued-for-abducted-10-year-old-from-springfield/

Man charged with murder in kidnapping of 10-year-old Springfield girl



by KMOV.com staff and Associated Press
Posted on February 19, 2014 at 2:31 AM
Updated today at 7:57 AM

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A man faces murder charges in the death of a 10-year-old Springfield girl who was abducted Tuesday evening.

According to the Green County sheriff's website, a warrant charges 45-year-old Craig Michael Wood with first-degree murder.

The murder booking comes hours after police announced they had arrested a suspect in the abduction of Hailey Owens. 

A public information officer with the Kansas Highway Patrol initially tweeted Owens' body had been found, but later admitted his information was based on media reports and not independently confirmed.

Police did not say anything about her body being found during a 6:30 a.m. news conference. Police did not answer questions.

Authorities say Wood was found inside a vehicle at a Springfield home in the 1500 block of E. Stanford St. around 8:30 p.m. Wood was brought into custody for questioning and later arrested.

Authorities say 30 Springfield officers conducted a search at the home where Woods was found. That’s when police say they found evidence suggesting foul play. Police say the FBI was assisting officers in processing the crime scene at the home.

Police would not say what the evidence was and additional details surrounding Owens' death was not immediately available. Authorites said more information would be released during an 11 a.m. news conference.

Witnesses told investigators a man in a gold-colored 2008 Ford Ranger drove down the street several times before approaching Hailey and pulling her into his truck around 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Neighbor Carlos Edwards tells the Springfield News-Leader that he ran after the truck as his wife tried to get the license plate number after seeing the abduction.

Amber Alerts were issued in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.

http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Suspect-in-custody-abducted-girl-still-missing-246104241.html

@charlesjacofox2 5m
Suspect in abduction, murder of 10 yr. old Hailey Owens in Springfield, MO. has been athletic coach at S'field elementary school for 16 yrs.

@charlesjacofox2 3m
Springfield Public Schools say suspect Craig Michael Wood employed by school system since 1998. Was "paraprofessional, athletic coach."

Hailey Owens

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2563085/Elementary-school-coach-45-charged-murder-dragging-10-year-old-girl-street-walked-home-broad-daylight.html

A cute little girl.  Just breaks my heart and makes my soul cry.  William

Felony Complaint: http://localtvktvi.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/wood-c-press-release-charges-filed-02-19-14.pdf

Murder, kidnapping charges filed in death of Hailey Owens




http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/crime/2014/02/19/craig-wood-charged-murder-kidnapping-hailey-owens/5621469/[

Thousands turn on “Porch Lights for Hailey” around the world

Posted on: 7:49 am, February 20, 2014 updated on: 12:24pm, February 20, 2014

• 
  Afghanistan
  
• 
  Austin, TX
  
• 
  Australia
  
• 
  Fort Lee, Virginia
  
• 
  Haysville, KS
  
• 
  Japan
  
• 
  Kuwait
  
• 
  Louisiana
  
• 
  Nebraska
  
• 
  Orlando Florida
  
• 
  St. Louis
  
• 
  South Carolina
  
• 
  Springfield, MO
  
• 
  Springfield Buffalo Wild Wings
  
• 
  St. Peters, MO
  
• 
  St. Louis Fire Dept Medic Unit
  
• 
  Tulsa, OK
  
• Send U
  

(KTVI) – An online effort to show support for the family of murdered 10-year-old Hailey Owens has exploded online.

The “Porch Lights For Hailey” Facebook Page has garnered over 155,000 supporters.

The page administrator is asking people to leave their porch lights on to show support for Hailey’s family and the responses have come from all across the country and even the world.

Several supporters are posting pictures of the porch lights and leaving messages of love for Hailey. There are messages from Kentucky, California, St. Louis and even from soldiers in Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Supporters are asked to keep their lights on through Saturday.
You can visit the Facebook Page here: Porch Lights for Hailey Owens.  You can also add your pictures to our gallery above.

http://fox2now.com/2014/02/20/porch-lights-for-hailey-facebook-page-goes-viral/

Court finds Craig Wood has $1 million in trust fund, still requests public defender

Posted on: 9:19 am, February 21, 2014, by FOX 4 Newsroom, updated on: 09:31am, February 21, 2014

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The man accused of kidnapping and killing 10-year-old Hailey Owens appeared in court for the first time on Friday, Feb. 21.

Family and friends turned out in mass numbers wearing pink and purple to show support for the little girl who was found dead inside Craig Wood’s home on Feb. 19. Wood has been charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and kidnapping in the abduction and death of Owens.

Wood, who appeared in court via video, did not enter a plea on Friday. When discussing Wood’s finances and whether he could afford an attorney, it was revealed Wood has over $1 million in a trust fund. Despite this, Wood still requested a public defender, which the judge granted.

Wood is expected to appear in court again in March and a preliminary hearing is set for April.

With the charges, if convicted, Wood faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

http://fox4kc.com/2014/02/21/court-finds-craig-wood-has-1-million-in-trust-fund-still-requests-public-defender/

Accused killer of Hailey Owens makes first court appearance; police release search warrant documents

POSTED: 09:29 AM CST Feb 21, 2014 UPDATED: 11:55 AM CST Feb 21, 2014

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -
Accused killer Craig Wood appeared in Greene County Associate Circuit Court for the first time on Friday morning. Also Friday morning, detectives filed search warrant documents in court that show what they found and seized when they searched Wood's home and found Hailey Owens' body and other evidence.

read more
http://www.kspr.com/news/local/accused-killer-makes-first-appearance-in-court/21051620_24599206

Search warrant part 1
http://www.kspr.com/blob/view/-/24601948/data/1/-/11h1j1r/-/Search-warrant-1-Craig-Wood-s-home.pdf

Search warrant part 2
http://www.kspr.com/blob/view/-/24601950/data/3/-/i26f8bz/-/Search-warrant-2-Craig-Wood-s-home.pdf

mermaid55 wrote:This was a witnessed abduction. Why the delay of the Amber Alert. Those few hours could've saved her life. 

You are so right, especially since they found him so soon after 7:00 when it finally was issued. I don't understand this. I don't understand how people can take a precious child's life for a few moments of self gratification and I also wonder if during those 16 years working at an elementary school he molested other children.

Prayers for Hailey's family.  

Documents: search of home where abducted girl was slain finds binder of child porn; what defendant told police

Feb. 21, 2014

Newly released documents detailing the search of the home where authorities believe 10-year-old Hailey Owens was killed say police found a three-ring binder containing “pornographic images of young children.”

Authorities say they also seized computers and cameras in Craig Michael Wood’s home.

“I know based upon training and experience that suspects of child abductions or child homicides are often found to have possession of child pornography or have viewed child pornography,” the search warrant return said.

The warrant also says officers noticed bleach in several rooms in the home and that the sheets and pillows were not on Wood’s bed.

Seized at the house, documents say, were bottles of bleach, at least a dozen guns, several DVDs, two video cameras and “stories written on notebook paper.” What kind of stories is not noted.

Authorities sought two search warrants for Wood’s home at 1538 E. Stanford St., Springfield after Tuesday’s abduction and slaying of Hailey Owens.

The first warrant sought evidence in the abduction and death. That warrant was signed at 1:28 a.m. Wednesday.

A second warrant, signed at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, also sought “papers, letters, journals, diaries, etc. documenting criminal plans, activities and/or desires.”

During a search, police also say they found a maroon hat. Witnesses to Hailey’s abduction reported the suspect wearing a maroon ball cap.

What Wood told police

While voluntarily being interviewed by police, Wood, 45, appeared to have blood on his shirt, search warrant documents note.

Both Wood and his clothing were processed for potential evidence. Officers also noted he smelled of bleach.

Wood told authorities that he left work at Pleasant View Elementary and Middle School, where he works as as teacher’s assistant and coach, at 3:15 p.m. and went straight home. He told police he later walked his dog and ran errands. He said he was driving in the area of Missouri State University and areas west of there.

Confronted with witness statements that his truck was at the scene of the abduction, Wood denied taking Hailey.

“Craig denied that he had contacted any young children or girls,” the document says.

More details about neighbors trying to help

The “probable cause” section of the search warrant, which tells a judge why the warrant should be approved, offers some details from the abduction scene not previously noted by authorities.

Carlos Edwards and wife Michelle of West Lombard Street had been identified as neighbors who tried to stop the 10-year-old’s abduction as it happened about 5 p.m. on West Lombard Street, as Hailey was walking from a friend’s home. The Edwardses quickly got information to the police. The new search documents say Carlos also “began to knock on doors trying to locate the girl’s family.”

Carlos was able to find out where Hailey lived after seeing “a young boy outside” and describing “the abducted girl to the boy.” Carlos was told by the boy that the description “matched his sister,” and took Carlos to Hailey’s nearby home on Page Street, the documents say.

At that time, according to police, Wood was in his father’s pickup truck with Hailey. Where specifically police believe he went from there isn’t clear.

Police used a license plate number from Michelle Edwards to track the truck to Wood’s father in Ash Grove. He told them his son used the truck and police found Wood outside Wood’s home, about 8:30 p.m.

Hailey’s body, police say, was later found inside. Police say she had been shot in the head and placed inside black trash bags inside a large plastic storage container in the northeast corner of Wood’s basement.

The FBI helped process the crime scene.

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20140221/NEWS12/302210094

ladibug wrote:

mermaid55 wrote:This was a witnessed abduction. Why the delay of the Amber Alert. Those few hours could've saved her life. 

You are so right, especially since they found him so soon after 7:00 when it finally was issued.  I don't understand this.  I don't understand how people can take a precious child's life for a few moments of self gratification and I also wonder if during those 16 years working at an elementary school he molested other children.

Prayers for Hailey's family.  

Does Amber Alert Criteria Slow Down Law Enforcement?

02/21/2014 02:55 AM
02/21/2014 03:47 AM

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI -- The abduction of 10-year-old Hailey Owens shows saving a life can come down to a matter of minutes. One of the main tools police have in catching an abductor is the Amber Alert. An Amber Alert has high criteria, for good reason. It is important the community knows a life is at risk and the situation is as real as it gets.

Thursday, KOLR10 looked at the Amber Alert system from the perspective of a police agency that needs to get information to the Missouri State Highway patrol quickly to have an Amber Alert activated. What was found was in the middle of this urgent process local agencies are required to fill out a three page form by hand and then fax or email it in. In the middle of a crucial investigation, it involves a game of telephone and less than cutting edge technology.

There has been a lot of scrutiny surrounding the timeline of the Hailey Owens abduction, but one part of the Amber Alert criteria likely slows down the process. Here is the timeline of events from the day of the kidnapping:

At 4:48 p.m. the 911 call goes into police about Hailey's abduction.

5:00 p.m., police arrive to begin the investigation and to verify the story surrounding it. They interview witnesses, get the truck description and the description of the abductor and other important information.

At 6:07 p.m. the Springfield Police Department contacts the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

By 6:31 required paperwork for amber alert is submitted to the Highway Patrol.

"We basically mirror the federal criteria that is out there for the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children," explains Lt. John Hotz Assistant Director of the Public Information and Education Division for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Other than the initial investigation, the largest amount of time that passes is when the Springfield Police Department is filling out the three page required form for an Amber Alert. The three page form is filled out by hand and then faxed or emailed to the Highway Patrol. It includes:

Law enforcement officials have reasonable belief that an abduction has occured which meets the legal definition for the state

Law enforcement officials believe the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death

Enough descriptive information exists about the victim and the abductor for law enforcement to issue an Amber Alert

The victim of the abduction is 17 or younger.

The child's name and other critical elements have been entered into the National Crime Information Center.

This three page form is filled out by hand and then faxed or emailed to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. There's a reason the criteria is so high. "So when they see this amber alert they know this is a serious situation we do see events every day where people think they're abductions when in reality they are not," said Hotz.But, in the age of the electronic form and mobile hand held devices is the use of a handwritten, printed out, faxed in form the most efficient way for local law enforcement to interface with the Missouri State Highway Patrol the agency responsible issuing an Amber Alert?

Eleven minutes after this form is received the alert went out at 6:42 p.m.

Fifteen minutes later the alert hits the internet.

At 7:00 p.m. media received the Amber Alert in email.

This Amber Alert, like all others will be reviewed. But, this form is a long held part of system. "We constantly monitor that process to see if there are ways that we can improve that," said Hotz. The ability of the police to get the suspect in this case largely came down to eagle eyed witnesses and investigative work. But, the question remains, are local police agencies being given the most efficient way to use one of their key tools?

The process for getting an Amber Alert is put together by a committee and the answer, for now, using these forms is the way it's done. The committee that determines how the Amber Alert criteria is set in the State of Missouri is made up of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, MoDOT, the Missouri Lottery, the Missouri Police Chiefs Association and the Missouri Sheriffs Association, according to Hotz.

http://www.nwahomepage.com/fulltextfox/d/story/does-amber-alert-criteria-slow-down-law-enforcemen/32505/x_0WMqk53UOv5coX-uYc7Q

Red tape. How long does it take to track a license plate and get an address? Couldn't that have happened while the Amber Alert was being processed?

Wood family releases statement following the death of Hailey Owens

POSTED: 09:23 PM CST Feb 20, 2014    
UPDATED: 10:17 AM CST Feb 21, 2014

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The family of accused murderer Craig Michael Wood released a statement Thursday night following the death of 10-year-old Hailey Owens of Springfield.

Jim and Genie Wood released this statement through a family spokesman: "They join the rest of the community in praying as their hearts pour out to the Owens family."  

Craig Wood also played in a popular Ozarks bluegrass band called Uncle Fudd.  Band leaders also released a statement: "Uncle Fudd would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family of Hailey Owens.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this devastating time."

Police say Craig Michael Wood kidnapped Owens Tuesday night.   Authorities found the girl's body at his home on East Stanford.  Wood faces a judge for the first time Friday morning.

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/wood-family-releases-statement-following-the-death-of-hailey-owens/21048998_24592824