7 . "Why Run Away?"
Posted by Bluefire on Mar-17-00 at 12:16 PM (EST)
Can't these people say a little about Asha? Reading every piece of news on her disappearance i can't find one hint of what she was like, what sort of habits she had, what things she enjoyed doing or
anything else. Nobody talks about Asha as a person at all.

How in the heck do they expect anyone to identify the child without some of her personal quirks?

This is a strange case. Why would a nine year old run away in the middle of the night and walk along the highway? Is it possible she was KICKED out after an arguement? Followed from home?

Why would her hair bow and backpack be in an old abandoned shed and not something a bit more appropriate to a stranger abduction? Like certain pieces of clothing?

8 . "37 Days Later New Billboard Up On N.C. 18"
Posted by LadyBug on Mar-24-00 at 01:32 AM (EST)
Police seek new ways to find Asha

Shana Bretzius
Star Managing Editor

SHELBY - Interviews of kids who know Asha Degree and a billboard seeking clues are two new tacks being taken to find the missing 9-year-old.

Cleveland County Sheriff Dan Crawford stepped in front of a small army of TV cameras and
microphones Tuesday to introduce new members of the investigative team from the FBI and Department of Justice. He also made a plea for new information from the public.

"Investigators have reason to believe that there may be individuals who have information pertinent to this investigation, that for some unknown reasons, have yet to come forward with said information."

It's been 37 days since anyone has reported seeing Asha.

Hundreds of clues and leads have been followed since Asha disappeared, said Crawford, but none of them have led detectives to the little girl.

Currently, the sheriff said his department is trying to rule out a handful of suspects.

He would say only that there are "active leads involving individuals that we are pursuing."

Crawford urged the public to report anyone whose normal activities have changed. He gave as an example someone who has stopped driving a particular car since Asha disappeared.

Without a break in the case, Crawford said the team is forced to retrace its own steps and the actions of Asha on the morning of Feb. 14.

Kimberly Poyer, a child interview specialist with the Department of Justice, said children, "can become very critical" in a case like Asha's.

"This is not therapy," said Ms. Poyer about her interview techniques. "I follow a standard protocol."

Ms. Poyer would not identify any children she plans to interview while in Cleveland County, but said it's often helpful to talk with children who have witnessed crimes or know a victim.

Asha's 10-year-old brother, O'Bryant, was the last person in the Degree home to see Asha.
O'Bryant told police Asha got up during the night to go to the bathroom. She was discovered
missing the following morning.

Crawford said he made the right decision by calling members of the FBI and SBI the day Asha was reported missing.

"I felt like the criteria was met early on," said Crawford, adding that, "I'm not looking for glory or anything else, I'm looking for this little girl."

A profile of a possible suspect was done in Quantico, Va., at an FBI lab, but Crawford said there isn't enough evidence for profilers to draw on.

Crawford continues to say that, "there is a strong belief that foul play is involved in Asha Degree's disappearance."

FBI Supervisor Rick Shaffer said there isn't a shred of evidence in the case.

"It's very unusual," said Shaffer, "and that's why there's such a resolve and commitment to this case."

Crawford said Asha could have been abducted, but leaves open th