Haleigh Cummings Case: Pond in Putnam County Drained
BREAKING NEWS
Satsuma, FL– In the latest developments in the case of missing 6 year old Satsuma girl Haleigh Cummings, deputies are searching the woods and draining a pond on Stokes Landing Road.
Neighbors have reported the roads to the pond have been blocked off, and the crew draining the pond have been on scene since Police dive teams were deployed to the pond Friday morning.
This development comes on the heels of the arrest of Hank Croslin, Misty Cummings brother less than 24 hours earlier on an unrelated firearms charge.
Hank Croslin’s wife Lindsay, his sister and Haleigh Cummings step-mother, Misty Cummings, were at Satsuma Police HQ Friday morning.
There are unconfirmed rumors that Misty Cummings is in police custody. Recently, Misty Cummings sought the help of Texas Equusearch founder Tim Miller. Through the efforts of TES attorney Mark Nejame, Misty took a series of lie detector tests Miller said she failed miserably.
Reached for comment this morning, Mark Nejame told blinkoncrime.com the pond was in fact being drained, but had no new information.
Check back to blinkoncrime.com for updates.
Contributing Editor Kate Mills
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!!! Wow — this is terrible news, but wonderful as well. Hopefully those responsible will finally see just in this one!
This case is so sad. Another innocent gone because of selfish behaviors. God rest haleigh!!
Ditto BCW – I pray Haleigh is found. Blink will be watching for updates…thanks.
from wftv.com
Divers Search Lake In Haleigh Cummings Case
Posted: 11:14 pm EDT September 18, 2009
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — Dive crews in Putnam County searched a lake Friday night for evidence in the Haleigh Cummings case.
Sources tell Eyewitness News that crews did not find a body, but they did find evidence in the case.
Haleigh disappeared from her home in Satsuma in February.
Thursday night, authorities questioned the brother of Haleigh’s stepmother, Misty Croslin.
Hank Croslin was under arrest on grand theft charges unrelated to Haleigh’s case.
Detectives also questioned three other inmates about the girl’s disappearance.
Wow, this does not look good. I was really hoping they would find this child alive somewhere.
Do we know who, if anyone, owns this property?
[...] Satsuma, FL– In the latest developments in the case of missing 6 year old Satsuma girl Haleigh Cummings, deputies are searching the woods and draining a pond on Stokes Landing Road. [...]
Thanks for the info, Blink. So very sad.
I hope and pray they find this little girl. The world is so full of ugly.
Wow! I was thinking Misty was just a dipchit and couldn’t possibly be covering for someone else after all these months of scrutiny and interrogations.
I’m sooo relieved they didn’t find her in there, but I want her found so bad. i can’t wait to read what evidence they found. Maybe Misty will finally start to break. Sounds like her brother knows something…
My personal feeling this all involved over drugs, I pray they find Haliegh.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/16/stop-the-abuse-and-murder-of-the-children-in-the-us
Dear God, this took my breath away please let this be the answer to this sad sad story, I have been on pins and needels over this one, i don’t want it to be so, but sadly thinking it might just be.
Dear God in heaven what could have these people done to little Haliegh.
Please let Haleigh be found.
please let them find this beautiful baby
i dont think that the people in custody and the draining of the pond all at the same time are merely a coincidence
This is the first place I have heard the Misty rumor. At last LE decided to push somebody around: that $50000 bail for a gun that was returned before it was reported missing is kind of bs. Here is hoping that Misty is enjoying jail…Anybody else got news?
I was only able to confirm she was at the station yesterday, I have not heard of any kind of confession from anyone.
B
[...] Satsuma, FL– In the latest developments in the case of missing 6 year old Satsuma girl Haleigh Cummings, deputies are searching the woods and draining a pond on Stokes Landing Road. [...]
WOW ! Blink, thank you so much! I was afraid the things will turn out bad for little Haleigh ..NO way in the world Misty’s brother moved out of the area the same time Halegh disappeared ; second coinsidence – the search now with his arrest.Cops are doing great job in FL! Let’s see how Misty will end up been involved in this ..Thx again, Blink
This Pond/ area that is being searched is not far from where I told Crimestoppers to look for Haleigh’s remains.
I feel they are getting closer to finding her .
The area I told them about is across from there also near a road called Chickasaw Place….sound familar…….remember Caylee was found off Chickaswaw Trail /Suburban Rd.
Hope thay nail all of them!
NOt familiar with the area, was this pond and surroundings searched before ? Is it faraway from the trailer kids use to live ?
Can you ask if they know if Misty and Ron are seperated at this time or does anyone know their whereabouts?
I am hoping that they are seperated as that would tell me that we may just be near the end of this?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2192419/police_flip_flop_on_haleigh_cummings.html?cat=8
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/cummings_case/091909_New_search_for_Haleigh_Cummings
This is soooo confusing and conflicting?
They are admitting to questioning Tommy and NayNay but LE is ALSO saying they have nothing to do with this searching of the pond?
I just want to know where Misty is Today!…. geesh
http://stephww.wordpress.com/
another source of information but don’t know how reliable?
I think the Watts name is the one that owns the funeral home that was taking donations and had the reward account or general donation fund for the Cummings family but it can also be a common name?
Perhaps someone knows a way of checking this out?
Hey Blink, the first try for the ‘pingback’ showed me a new page for missing people on SM? Whatever it was, EXCELLENT! Then my post didn’t work here so will retype.
In the meantime, I’ve listened to the video report as linked, and also have found 212 Monroe Ave in Buffalo Bluff and across the winding river, found Stokes Landing Rd. But no ‘ponds’ which probably are not shown in the Google earth satellite views– the river, I assume is not a pond by any description, although the news reporter implied that all were tied together and it’s less than a mile from Haleigh’s home to the Stokes Landing pond area.
From the Google maps, which is limiting, it appears that Monroe has an alleyway leading down to the river but also that the easiest accesses are through private home lots. There has to be well tramped local public access in that area, and probably a lot of off-shoots for small boat access. Same on the west side of the river. ‘Ponds’ (drainage ponds’ don’t seem to show up, unless it’s the agricultural drainage ditch that runs from a big barn (hogs or chickens?) from the Stokes Landing area.
Is there a map image from the county that would help?? Anyone have a link to county maps?
I am listening to putnam county police scanner and they did mention Timothy Croslins name and birthdate for some reason…
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?ctid=369
the link…..
Kleat, long day. Please post exactly what you requested, and I will post the still.
Thanks my friend
B
Long day– I bet, Blink. Not wanting to make work for you– thought a view of how ‘close’ that pond search apparently is, by water, to the Cummings home in Buffalo Bluff. A long circuitous route through town but almost directly west, across the river to the ‘landing’ area.
I’ve made a ‘direction map’ which takes you from ‘A’, the Cummings home on Monroe Ave via Google driving route (BLUE) to “B”, the lower end of Stokes Landing Road. (maybe someone has local knowledge of where that pond is, from this point– east, or south probably).
Here is a direct link, which I sent back to myself and checked so it works: (wait for the blue line to appear just to show the appro 20 mile road route to the site and the optional direct one mile route via boat on the river. The map is zoom-able to see details but I expect no details are in much of the ‘forest’ area away from town or mapped roads.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=212+Monroe+Ave+Satsuma&daddr=29.574054,-81.703091&geocode=&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=13&sll=29.606148,-81.643524&sspn=0.122086,0.204449&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=13
One quick observation about the ‘short’ route via waterways, that is no small river and there’s navigation hazards between Buffalo Bluffs area any which way you go. I’d think that even following the ‘shoreline’ would be impossible on a dark night, and extremely hazardous to anyone in a small boat and the route would be best done farther north to avoid the islands and any ‘sand bars’.
The direct route water route seems to be too hazardous for a night trip to a party place, unless there are some direct navigation aids.
Noticed the two large ‘tug’(?) boats at the end of Stokes Landing road. Whoever captains those boats would likely know every inch of that river and it’s hazards and likely be a good (probably expert) source of information, if the river route becomes a plausible explanation in the future.
If the river was used, a daylight trip would be the best choice, if not, the only practical choice (from a good safe armchair distance here, looking in from sat. view).
just thought, I’ve assumed the river flows ‘southwest’ from the ‘bow’ which has the rail bridge (with looks like a span of some sort like a swing span), that could be wrong, anyone know? That would be important– what the direction of flow is between points A and B.
Why was Thomas Croslin over looked by police up until now? If most child abductions are not stranger related, you think they’d look a little closer at Misty’s circle, including family and junkie friends. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out she’s been hiding info or protecting someone. JMHO
He was NOT overlooked. Don’t believe everything you read my friend.
B
There is a satellite map of the search area on the Websleuth forum… look for the pic with the L-shaped pond
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87971&page=4
Re-listening to the video report, not sure if it’s updated again today, but reference to “1400 Block” of State Hwy 19 as the news team’s location. Also they reference Mondex (sp) which might be Mondetes Rd area? (which leads directly to Stokes Rd a short distance away– like about ).
There is a drainage pond (by it’s shape doesn’t look natural) almost across from the 19 and Mondetes ‘T’ intersection and on the other side of the highway 19, just above that are more ponds, which are either at low flood as it’s all ‘cleared’ (large squared shape) around the water at the date of the sat. photo.
Really like to narrow the area– the end of Stokes Rd doesn’t look so convenient for a major teen hang-out, but off a convenient highway, fewer houses in the area, faster access and quieter area, this area could be close?? Also, ‘off roading’ in the clear-cut power line area area — the report said something about the area being popular for that.
I’m thinking this looks like a good choice?? Hope the show a map soon:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1400+FL-19+County+Hwy&sll=29.592286,-81.711631&sspn=0.015263,0.025556&ie=UTF8&ll=29.594609,-81.713583&spn=0.007631,0.012778&t=h&z=17&layer=t&lci=com.panoramio.all
Hi Caly, yes, that “L” shaped pond is on River Rd and Mondetes, just down from Stokes Landing Rd too, and it’s in my last google link above, just on the other side of Hwy 19. The photo on websleuths is a bit later (looks like) than the earlier one in Blink’s article, just from the amount of exposed ‘beach’ area.
This is August, so those retention or drainage areas should be full. In earlier this year, January, wouldn’t the ponds be low, especially if it is a larger and ‘shallow’ pond, as on the left with lots of bare areas at low water. So, this might be a reason to drain the pond because there could be evidence of a ‘burial’ under the mud, a ‘campfire’ or other ‘party remnants’ that would show up at a different ‘shoreline’ at low water levels. That could be a reason to pump the pond vs searching with divers– a rock ring of a campfire, or added boulders over a possible body burial, might be seen undisturbed. And doing this search now, vs waiting for some months to low water again, would give a ‘pristine’ crime scene or evidence, vs another season of partying over the winter.
I think they may be looking at the pond opposite of 19, either the large area one (which during low season, would offer wide areas for partying on a ‘beach/sand pit’, and a lot of privacy) or the smaller pond just south of the bigger shallow one. (kids like gravel pits for partying as they are remote, nowhere near houses, and no noise problems or other interruptions, and easy quiet access, room for pit fires vs in ‘forest’ areas for bigger crowds).
I don’t think the ‘L’ is the one (hunch driven only)– but we’ll see if the WS’s are right, I don’t look there first and of course, just guessing, just like they are.
Thanks for the link! I didn’t see that till you gave me the link.
I initially was thinking that Haleigh’s disappearance was a parental custody/kidnap and that she was being kept hidden somewhere but she was ok. I was hoping so.
And, at low flood levels, lots of room to play around on the empty bare areas with bikes or atv’s, or trucks. The ‘L’ pond is bordered closely on all sides with roads, not nearly so private, no access to vast ATV’g areas without crossing those roads– people would know about the partying more likely than the other area. (jmho, but someone knows– we just need someone ‘there’ to put a pin on our maps!)
Kleat,
Reports are saying that they are searching in the area of Hwy19 and Escambia Rd. (just a little south of your map) I see another “L” shaped pond that has a more wooded environment around it between roads. Do you see which one I’m referring to?
Ok, various news sources in the area, have conflicting information on ‘the pond’. Blink’s link to the video says that the pond is linked by waterways directly to the Buffalo Bluff area. The ‘L’ pond and any in that area, don’t seem to fit. Also, the reporter says that she talked to neighbours in the area who have watched from their homes, the activity, including bulldozers etc– but how can it be both so isolated and within easy watching distance of someone’s back yard. (naw… unless someone has a trailer in the woods out there with little or no clearing around it)
Another report (local Fox station) includes ‘Interlachen’ as the location of the small lake. Interlachen doesn’t have hwy 19 through the town itself, but dropping further south, and taking the clue that the ‘small lake’ or pond, is connected by a waterway which leads directly to Buffalo Bluff, gives a possibility on the google view.
The reports are being cryptic, when they could just publish a map view and location.
I’ll add the link in a minute, but there’s a ‘Buckman Lock Rd’, which leads to what else– locks! Locks ‘between the lakes’ or ‘Inter – loche’. Following the canal waterway east from the locks, it arrives at the river and the little lack must have a direct water link to either the canal or to the river.
Now, to find a ‘small pond/lake’ which has direct water (boatable if not really truly navicable) in that general area. I followed the water east — linking to ‘Stokes Landing Road’, follow that road’s “direction line” south, there is a ‘little white’ dot in all that green tree cover– the Stokes road direction points right to it.
That little white dot would be a pond which was low at the time the satelite view was taken– in August, the white areas would be filled with water. This could be the pond IF it has a waterway that leads to the river, therefore, to Buffalo Bluffs as Ms. Bauer reported in her video. And it DOES.
Here’s the link– find the little white ‘dot’ of a pond near the canal/river convergence, and by dropping an imaginary line right down the Stokes Rd– it’s right in all that treed green area closer to the water, but not touching it.
Interlachen, FL
Link:
Once that white dot ‘pond’ is located, you can zoom in on it, and there IS a water link in the trees, back to the river. The little waterway is hard to see, but it goes from the top left area of the ‘white pond’ and makes a ‘C’ curving around the pond area and then connects to the river.
It’s in the trees, but visible.
The other ponds, off 19, either side discussed earlier, don’t fit other discriptions by reporters, particularly as that pond is said to connect to the river and on to Buffalo Bluffs.
This one fits that.
oh oh, the link did not post– I need to remove the html brackets first I assume:
Interlachen, FL
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&q=Interlachen+Putnam+FL&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Interlachen,+FL&ei=FKC1Srr2M42IsgPV4u3RDA&ll=29.560057,-81.717682&spn=0.028594,0.046906&t=h&z=15
http://www.artharris.com/2009/09/19/putnam-county-pond-search-tied-to-haleigh-cummings-tips/#more-2957
As the article says, perhaps we’re not giving the men in blue enough credit. Thanks for your reply blink. To think, I’m the one who teaches my children to ask questions and not jump to conclusions so quickly. Another serving of humility :S
The source of the above Fox report: (quoted in part, below) http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/cummings_case/091909_New_search_for_Haleigh_Cummings
“FOX 35 News reported Friday that search crews and a surveillance helicopter were checking an area of Interlachen off U.S. Highway 19 in North Central Florida, where detectives found a field of marijuana.
WAWS TV had a crew which shadowed law enforcement agents throughout the afternoon Friday and inquired about whether there was a possible connection between the discovery of the marijuana field and ongoing search for missing Haleigh Cummings. …
Major Gary Bowling with the PCSO … did confirm on Friday evening that the small lake off U.S. Hwy 19 is being drained and a search of the area will be conducted over the weekend, and today officials admitted they were looking for the missing girl.
Earlier Friday, there were dive teams and special crews from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, but they insisted they were conducting training exercises, according to news sources.”
This ‘could’ be it: (detailed view same as above link but zoomed in on the pond)
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&q=Interlachen+Putnam+FL&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Interlachen,+FL&ei=FKC1Srr2M42IsgPV4u3RDA&t=h&ll=29.561984,-81.703128&spn=0.003574,0.005863&z=18&iwloc=A
The ‘C’ shows up then the bottom tail of the ‘C’ curves upward, then curves down to enter the river at the little ‘bump’ on the shoreline. Not a long punt to the little lake, very very well hidden unless you know how to access it.
Seems like news reports are so varied right now, this could be a possibility.
http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2009/09/19/news/news01.tnv
Video of the search activity, (videographer credit at the end of the clip) dated Sept 18th.
Ok, if the info from Ms. Bauer is just wrong about the water link to the river etc, the ‘L’ shaped lake does appear to be in a ‘failed subdivision, some prior roads and indications of lot divisions. Is the “L” shaped lake (apparently the party place name) on River Avenue off 19 and is this definitely in the Mondex Subdivision? Definitely is the most noticeable ‘L’ in the whole area and it could be the right size– 5 acres.
the ‘L shaped lake on ‘River Ave’ is the best bet, although the smaller pond on the opposite side of 19 is also accessed by two parallel roads off Hwy 19, it would not be described as ‘off Stokes Landing Rd’ and is likely much smaller than 5 acres in size. I’d guess that road names in the rural Mondex, wouldn’t be so commonly used or known as the well developed Stokes Landing area.
” To improve access to the pond in the rural area off Stokes Landing Road, an access road was bulldozed into the woods off Florida 19. Neighbors said the pond is popular for fishing and accessible on a pair of narrow dirt roads. It is known locally as the L-Shaped Pond.”
Source Dana Treen, writer– http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-09-20/story/pond_drained_in_haleigh_investigation_0
Comment by NancyS — September 19, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
I am listening to putnam county police scanner and they did mention Timothy Croslins name and birthdate for some reason…
>> When a person is run through NCIC or the FL crime info center, all you need is a name and b’day. All names/b’days that match will be returned with the SSNs associated with them. How it’s done too when folks just cannot remember their SSNs (funny how often that occurs).
dddeerma…re #17, IF her bro is a convicted felon, he’s gonna be charge cuz he isn’t supposed to have one in his possession period. Not really BS, HAS to be more to it :>)
I pray they find this child one way or another. ANswers need to be found. Keep squeezing this family of losers of life. Squeeze them until they pop! This child did nothing wrong….No …..NO! child asks to be born…….For all that her father was…..he was a good father to her. I always felt this Misty knew the answer……..SQUEEZE!
blink, any word on what was found that was related to the case although Haleigh is yet to be found?
To this day I think Misty left that backdoor open for herself to get back in and out and to prevent being seen going in the front door in view of others….OR for whoever was over with her to do so freely and inconspicuously….
I’m also yearning to hear there’s been an ending to the search for Haleigh. If this “evidence” releates to Misty, she’s probably crack soon (hopefully).
We do know pot plants (’bout 100) were found growing on the edge of this pond. wonder if that too is related or a coincidence. I mean relate in that it was Misty or her brother’s plants??? Would make it a place they frequented.
Yes, it is related to her case, but no other official statement from LE.
B
# 20 JO, I know of your thoughts from another forum, and yes, you were right about Caylee and you said a long time ago where Haleigh would be found near 2 tall trees. I sure hope your tips were heard by LE. I know how hard you fought to have your tip be heard. You go girl, and don’t give up.