Crawford said Asha could have been abducted, but leaves open the possibility that she traveled beyond the search area on her own and was injured by natural causes.

"The child, Asha Degree, has just basically disappeared," said Crawford. "We're having trouble building this case. We have had no productive sightings since that Monday, the 14th."

Anyone with information about Asha Degree is urged to call 476-3030 or send written information to Sheriff Dan Crawford at P.O. Box 3117, Shelby, N.C. 28151.

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http://www.shelbystar.com/news/asha/asha26.html
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Hunt for girl will try a billboard

Investigators stymied in disappearance of Cleveland County 9-year-old

By AILEEN SOPER
SHELBY -- Police say they will erect a full-size color billboard with the picture of a missing 9-year-old Cleveland County girl and other identifying information along the road where she was last spotted five weeks ago.

The sign on N.C. 18 is intended to jog the recollections of people who might have more information about the disappearance