The gripping mystery over the disappearance of toddler BABY LISA IRWIN that has enthralled the nation intensifies.
Baby Lisa Irwin was last seen October 3 when her mother Deborah Bradley put her to bed. When the baby's father Jeremy Irwin came home from a late-shift at work at 4am, he says he noticed the front door was unlocked, the window was wide open and his baby daughter was missing along with three cell phones.
Police have not officially named Lisa’s parents as suspects.
Investigators spent Thursday afternoon scouring a wooded area near Highway 210 in Kansas City, MO. looking for evidence connected to the disappearance of the 11-month old infant.
Captain Steve Young said the latest search was near the same area authorities and police dogs searched on. Investigators say they did not receive a tip, but wanted a more thorough examination of the wooded area, RadarOnline.com reported.
“We thought it was prudent to keep looking,” Young said.
Meanhile, a New York security consultant, who’s working with Lisa’s parents to find her, spent more than an hour speaking with them on Thursday.
PI Bill Stanton, a former New York City police officer and consultant for network news shows, wouldn’t give specifics of his conversation with the parents – with whom he spoke separately. However, he said his inquiry is moving ahead.
As he left, Stanton told reporters that he was assembling his own team of investigators who were about to arrive in Kansas City to assist in the search.
"I am seeing a family's heart literally torn out of its chest," Stanton later told Kansas City ABC affiliate KMBC-TV. "How do you deal with a heart torn out of your chest? How many tears can you cry?"
Stanton was asked whether he thought mom Deborah Bradley was connected to Lisa’s disappearance.
"She wants to be looked at," Stanton said. "She wants to be vetted, and then once everyone feels she's not a suspect, let's move on and get the bad guy. In my opinion, she understands, look at me, question me, let's get this done."
Meanwhile, the mystery man seen on a surveillance tape shopping with Lisa’s mother hours before the infant went missing has been identified as the woman’s brother, according to Kansas CBS affiliate KCTV5.
Deborah Bradley and her brother were purchasing wine for a family event at a grocery store near her home, family members told the station.
KCTV5 also reports that authorities have interviewed the brother and determined he wasn't involved in Lisa’s disappearance.
Bradley has been interviewed by authorities and fears she'll be arrested at any moment, a relative tells the station.
Police said they still have no suspects. Anyone with information about Lisa’s disappearance may call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474 TIPS.
