Aliayah Lunsford, 3 YR OLD, MISSING IN WEST VIRGINIA/ Lunsford home declared a "crime scene"/ Mother of Aliayah Lunsford Indicted for Federal Fraud Charges/Reward of $20K Offered by the FBI/Mother released after serving eight months for welfare fraud

I think the girl is on drugs. Why else would she trade food for money???????

I can find so little news about this case....I want to know if she is still pregnant.

I hope LE is doing everything possible to find Aliayah and it is just not THE story media wants to cover for some reason.

Yes drugs makes sense but she is pregnant with twins and is 8 months pregnant - if thats true they need to get all her children away from her.

Agree, Art. I think she sold her child. I think she is probably hooked on oxycontin's and needs the money. It's like Heroin almost. This is MOO and if I am wrong, I apologize in advance but something with her just isn't right. She reminds me of Melinda Duckett for some reason.

Another one for the slammer -

Folks in Lewis County are working hard to keep the face of a missing 3-year-old out in the public.

It's now more than three weeks since Aliayah Lunsford was last seen in her Dennison Street home. Investigators call her disappearance a crime and say it's being looked at as a murder, a concealment or an abduction. While the FBI says it's hard to believe she's still out there alive, some still have hope are are lighting the way for her return by keeping porch lights on at night.

"Maybe it's just that, she'll see the lights to light her way home. You guys can keep it on for at least about an hour. You can keep it on for however long you even want to. We've got other people now leaving their lights on until she's found," says Sean Smith who organized the Porch Lights for Aliayah Campaign.

Folks from other areas are getting involved.

"We've gotten a lot of contacts outside of the state of West Virginia and that just tells us that it's not only our town that cares," says participant Patricia Bean.

Investigators continue to look at surveillance videos from the area to help piece together her disappearance. If you believe you may have any video that can help, call the Weston Detachment of the West Virginia State Police at 304-269-0500.

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Such b.s.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 October 2011 16:41
Written by Nicole Porter

Following a Freedom of Information Act request, 5 News has received a copy of the first two phone calls that prompted a massive search to find a missing 3-year-old in Lewis County.

Thursday is the 13th day since Aliayah Lunsford was last seen by her family. What follows is an edited version of the first two calls made by Lena Lunsford, Aliayah's mother, that brought thousands to the Bendale area.

911: What's your emergency?

LENA: My baby's missing!

That's how the 911 call started the Saturday morning Lena Lunsford reported her daughter Aliayah missing. She explains the last time she saw the girl.

LENA: This morning, real early, I went in and checked on her because she's been sick with the flu.

911: That was the last time you saw her, was at 6:30 this morning?

LENA: Yes, and then she laid back down and went back to sleep and we went back to bed.

Lena says the doors weren't open and three of her other four kids were also home that morning. When asked if Aliayah's father was there, she says no, then this.

LENA: Her father is a guy named Eric Harris. He doesn't even know that she exists.

After she discovered Aliayah was missing, Lena says she got in her car and started looking for her daughter.

LENA: I've looked everywhere. We've went up all these streets. We went up all these streets. Looking, thinking, maybe she went outside or something and I don't think my mom would have came and got her because she'd have woke me up and stuff.

911: OK, have you called your mother?

LENA: No. I need to do that.

Lena hangs up to call her mother to see if she has the 3-year-old. When she says no, Lena calls 911 for a second time.

LENA: This is Lena Lunsford.

911: OK

LENA: My mom doesn't have her.

911: She doesn't have her? OK.

LENA: She doesn't have her. She's coming now. Oh my God.

911: You don't know of any place she would have went there in the community? Is there a friends house nearby or somebody that she plays with?

LENA: No. Help me find her!

911: OK. I've got an officer on the way.

Lena goes into the physical description of Aliayah.

911: Was there anybody else in the residence with you this morning? Any other adults?

LENA: No.

She says three of her other four kids were home at the time. One was at visitation with his father.

911: Did any of them see her this morning? What time did they get up?

LENA: They came in here, umm, I'm not sure. Maybe around 7, 7:30? Came in here, in my room, with me.

The dispatcher asks one final question.

911: Can you look outside and see the officer?

LENA: I'm looking. Oh God. I see one out here.

911: OK. I'm going to go ahead and let you off the line so you can go talk to him.

LENA: OK.

Lena hangs up.

Of course this phone call is what prompted the thousands of volunteers and hundreds of local, state and federal officers to look for the little girl.

As of now, she hasn't been found. Her disappearance is being called a crime but no arrests have been made.

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must hear audio of 911 calls. cannot embed.

Both calls were on my link, but not in its entirety.

Thanks, BJ!!!

Folks Hope Social Media Will Keep Aliayah Lunsford's Story Alive

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 October 2011 19:52
Written by Nicole Porter
Thursday, 20 October 2011 18:20

Investigators continue to look at evidence in the disappearance of a Lewis County 3-year-old girl, and while they work, folks are using social media to get the word of her disappearance out to the public.

There's many Facebook groups honoring Aliayah Lunsford. One is about folks leaving porch lights on until she is found and another is aimed at making new legislation that will help kids everywhere. What does THAT mean??

"More children need protected throughout the state, and not only West Virginia, but throughout the whole country," says Margie Blake, administrator of the Aliayah Law page.

Folks from all across the country are following these pages.

"It shows that we have a nation that really cares about the children that are missing or children that have been abused any circumstances with any child where it's not proper, the things that might be going on in their lives," says Patricia Bean.

A balloon launch will be held in Aliayah's honor next Monday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. outside of the Lewis County Courthouse. Balloons will be provided but helium donations are appreciated.

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IMHO, they can "balloon launch" and "leave porch lights on" till the cows come home. But, what is REALLY being done to find this poor baby whose mother seems to find comfort in selling food stamps for money when she is pregnant with twins. Just what is wrong with this picture!!!!!!!???

What they ought to be doing is making sure that planned parenthood stays open for low income women and that we continue to have federal funding of contraception and help to stop these women getting pregnant over and over again. We need to stop letting these women scam the system by getting pregnant so many times to use children as a means of income. Everyone is suffering right now because I believe that the mother will be arrested and probably the step father as well, and those children are going to get farmed out to foster homes and we will pay for every single one of them until they are of age and beyond because their futures are so dim coming from parents like these.

In complete agreement, Art!

Artgal. I couldn't agree more.

Balloon Launch Held for Aliayah Lunsford Monday Night
Posted Monday, October 24, 2011 ; 08:52 PM
Updated Monday, October 24, 2011; 11:40 PM

It took place at the Lewis County Courthouse.

By Rodney Lamp

It has been a month since three year old Aliayah Lunsford disappeared from her home in Weston.

Organizers held a balloon launch for her Monday night at the Lewis County Courthouse. Before the launch, a program of speakers and singers offered encouragement to the crowd, with a message of hope and perseverance.

"They have to keep telling everybody. She's still out there. We need to bring her home, and, you know, keep putting her name out there, putting her face on Facebook, on tv, wherever. We need to get her face and her name out there, so the more people that know it, the better chance she'll have of being found and brought home," said balloon launch organizer Teresa Hathaway.

At 6:30 p.m., organizers released hundreds of purple balloons for a crowd of about 300 people.

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This case seriously pisses me off!! They can release balloons until they are blue in the face! They need to do Something, anything..to find this precious little girl! I think her mother is behind it. MOO.

Yes, more balloon releases. That will help immensely.

Aliayah Lunsford Investigation Expands to Southern Lewis County

VADIS -- Authorities including the Federal Bureau of Investigations, W.Va. State Police and Lewis County Sheriff's Department have been searching for Aliayah Lunsford, 3, since Sept. 24.
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From the above article: "Law enforcement convened around a home at 1903 Vadis Road, where documents show authorities arrested Aliayah's stepfather Ralph Lunsford for unlawful assault in 2009".
I sure hope LE are on to something and that they find little Aliayah, one way or another.

Any new news on this case? I rarely see any coverage. Does anyone know if the mother gave birth? I remember reading she was expecting twins. Another sad case of a beautiful child gone missing with suspicion directed towards the people who are supposed to love and protect them. What is wrong with the world today. Where are all these missing babies??

The last thing I read was that they had expanded the search area - I need to check on it - this case hardly got any press. I think the difference between Aliayah's case and also Jehessey Shockleys case is that the parents all had criminal backgrounds - and so its not such a surprise when something happens to their children - I know thats cynical but its true. In the case of Baby Lisa, as in the Anthony case - the parents dont seem like the "type" (if there is one) to hurt a child.

If my child was missing I would go crazy worrying about them now that the weather is cold. It snowed here today, the thought of my missing child possibly laying outdoors and being snowed on is just horrifying to me.

I dont think these people think like we do - they couldnt do what they do if every fiber of their being was programmed to care for their children at all costs.
The mother traded or sold her food card -for what - probably drugs and she was arrested while 8 months pregnant, with existing children she already couldnt care for. Who does that?

A grand jury indicted Lena Lunsford Tuesday on charges of federal welfare fraud.
The mother of missing Aliayah Lunsford, 3, is charged with six counts of fraud.

Records show Lena Lunsford sold her Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program card for $50 cash on four separate occasions between Sept. 9 and Oct. 11 at stores including Walmart and Shop 'n Save. She also is accused in a separate count of selling the card for $50 on Oct. 15.

Aliayah has been missing since Sept. 24.

Her Great Aunt Vickie Bowen said she is the appointed spokesperson for the extended family. She wants anyone with information to contact her at 304-493-9549.

"She's loved so much by so many. Whoever has her please do this. We want her home. If there's anyone out there and don't feel comfortable calling 911 or the authorities, call me," she said.

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Did she have those twins?

My god, 5 children and she is selling the card for $50.00 - is she on drugs? Does she still have those children or were they taken away? Why was no one monitoring this and what about that no good husband of hers? Didnt he work? She sold these cards for $50.00 it has to be drugs - what else could she buy for $50.00?

Wednesday marks 40 days since Aliayah Lunsford was last seen in her Lewis County home and there's no word on where she may be. Her great aunt, Vickie Bowen, says Aliayah's disappearance has resulted in many sleepless nights and they want to see her safely returned.

Bowen is doing something many of us may never do, and that's put her number out in the public for anyone to call. She's begging anyone with information to please call her, even if you don't want to release your identity.

Bowen released the following statement:

"I am begging, if anyone knows anything at all about where this child is, please call me at 304-493-9549. I will come and get her and I will ask no questions. Please we just want her home! You don't even have to tell me who you are, just arrange for me to pick her up. You don't have to be there. Tell me where she is an leave her there, Just please keep her safe. She is loved by so many. Please do this, we want her home!! If there is anyone out there with information and doesn't feel comfortable with calling 911 or the authorities for whatever reason, CALL ME PLEASE. You don't have to tell me who you are. Please, if you know ANYTHING that will help, call me. 304-493-9549 You can call me collect from a pay phone if you feel more confident in doing that."

The family will not say their personal opinions on what happened to Aliayah but they want to see whoever is responsible be fully prosecuted.

Aliayah's disappearance is still being investigated as a murder, a concealment or an abduction.

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artgal16 wrote:Did she have those twins?

Vickie Bowen released a statement through WDTV-TV , asking anyone with information about Aliayah Lunsford to call her. She offers to arrange for a pickup, no questions asked.
She says the girl's mother, Lena Lunsford, has yet to deliver twins. Lena Lunsford was eight months pregnant when Aliayah disappeared. Four other children have been removed by child-welfare officials.

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Well I guess then when she has them they will be removed as well and rightly so. However, I did hear that the other four children were split up which is a terrible shame.

What??? she was 8 months pregnant with twins 40 days ago and she still has not delivered. How common is it to carry twins for longer than 40 weeks?????

Hey Laga, maybe there is a reason they havent induced birth by c-section. I would think with all her stress of being arrested and her kids taken from her she would have started labor a long time ago.

$20,000 Reward Issued in Aliayah Lunsford Case

Investigators are asking hunters to be on the look-out for evidence.

WESTON -- The FBI announced Thursday that it is offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Aliayah Lunsford, 3.
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$20,000 Reward in Aliayah Lunsford Case

Posted Thursday, November 3, 2011 ; 02:24 PM
Updated Thursday, November 3, 2011; 07:30 PM

Investigators are asking hunters to be on the look-out for evidence.
By Stacy Jacobson

WESTON -- The FBI announced Thursday that it is offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Aliayah Lunsford, 3."As soon as you'd see her she'd steal your heart," Great Uncle Jesse Prunty said. "She was loving, caring, not a mischievous bone in her. She just loved to play, play with her brother. She enjoyed it."

Prunty and his sister Vickie Bowen have decided to speak publicly about their great niece.
"The main reason is we feel Aliayah needs a voice and we feel no one else in the family has stepped up to do that," Bowen said.

Thursday marked 40 days since Aliayah disappeared from her Bendale-area home. FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen discussed the reward and other updates in the case at a press conference at W.Va. State Police barracks Thursday afternoon.

"We know that this is the beginning of hunting season. We know people will be out in wooded areas. If anybody sees anything suspicious out there that relates to this case, we request your assistance," Killeen said.

New information should be reported to the W.Va. Fusion Center or by calling 304-558-4831. The center is staffed 24 hours a day, officials said. Killeen said investigators believe there is more information someone might be withholding.

Killeen said investigators are still considering three possibilities in her disappearance: homicide, kidnapping and concealment.

He also said their search last week of 35 acres in Vadis is now over and that last weekend's snowfall slowed the search.

"We have to bring enough evidence to convict someone beyond a reasonable doubt. If we divulged that information prematurely, that may jeopardize a criminal case," Killeen said.
But until the case is over, the community and Aliayah's family can only wait.

"[Children] can't speak for themselves. You just want to help them. Especially if you're a parent, you understand," said Weston resident Wendy Alkire, who lives near the Lunsford's Bendale home.

"I love this child. The community that never heard of this child before loves this child. And this child needs to be brought home," Bowen said.

"We're not going to give up, we're not going to lose hope, we're not going to lose faith. She will come home," Prunty said.

Killeen also told Bowen that Aliayah's family members are not under a gag order. He said by law, free speech applies unless a judge orders otherwise.

The FBI said a new poster with new photos of Aliayah will be released next week.

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video I cannot embed.

Folks in Lewis County will be hosting a prayer meeting this Saturday in honor of missing 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford.

The community will gather at The Way of Holiness Church on Route 33 in Buckhannon on Saturday at 2 p.m. Hundreds of folks have been honoring the missing girl through different ways such as a balloon launch and on social media sites.

Aliayah was reported missing more than six weeks ago.

Last week, the FBI announced that they have $20,000 in reward money for information in her disappearance.

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Lena Lunsford, the mother of missing Aliayah Lunsford waived her hearing and a not guilty plea was entered Tuesday morning.

Lunsford was recently indicted for supposedly allowing somebody else to use her family's benefits.

She allegedly sold a SNAP balance, or federal food stamps, worth more than $100 to another person for $50 in cash. If convicted she could spend five years behind bars and owe a fine of up to $10,000.

Aliayah was reported missing more than six weeks ago.

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This statement has been released on behalf of Lena Lunsford by counsel Woelfuel & Woelfuel:

Lana Lunsford implores residents of central West Virginia to keep a vigilant eye open for any clue concerning her daughter's September 24 disappearance of her current whereabouts. Aliaya, age 3, has brown hair, brown eyes, weighs about 35 pounds and is three feet in height

"I believe in my heart that Aliayah is alive. That belief is keeping me going through these horrible days. If Aliayah's photo stays in the public eye, maybe someone will notice something which will lead to a break in the case. Thank you to the volunteers and law enforcement officers who have been helping and who gave us hope. I continue to fully cooperate with the investigators who are working so hard for Aliayah's s return home. Sadly, a relative of ours who has no knowledge of the real facts has been making uninformed comments to the media which I hope will come to a stop by my speaking out now. Please keep Aliayah, my other children and our entire family in your prayers. I believe the person or persons who are responsible for this nightmare will see justice soon."

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Lena Lunsford Reportedly Gives Birth to Twins Who Are Now in State Custody

Thursday marks 48 days of Aliayah Lunsford's disappearance, and there's still no sign of where she may be. But reports from family members on Facebook say her mother, Lena Lunsford, has given birth to a set of twins.

But it was apparently a day of mixed emotions for Lena, as those same reports suggest those twins have already been taken into custody by the state.

Wednesday, Lena released a statement related to Aliayah's disappearance. Lena says that the family still believes she is out there, somewhere, alive. She's asking folks to keep a vigilant eye out for anything regarding her disappearance.

In a letter released by her attorney, she thanks the thousands of people looking for her daughter.

This Saturday marks the seventh week of Aliayah's disappearance.
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video at link, cannot be embed.

So, she gave birth yesterday??? Were they boys, girls or both?

Thank God the State took them!!!!! I think this girl is a drug addict and either sold her child, killed her or had someone else do it. This is My Opinion Only!!!!!

Well wrap its my opinion as well and its a good one!

Darn good opinion and ditto for me.

We all know the doctors will do labs for drugs on the twins. If there is anything in their little systems (coke, THC, meth, benzo's, pain pills) she is TOAST!!

UPDATE 11/11/11 @ 11:30 a.m.
WESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The mother of a 3-year-old Lewis County girl missing for more than six weeks has given birth to twin girls.

Attorney Michael Woelfel says Lena Lunsford delivered late Thursday. He said Friday he believes the babies remain hospitalized.

Their sibling, Aliayah, has been missing since Sept. 24, when she vanished from the family home in Bendale.

Woelfel won't say which hospital is caring for the babies or whether state child-welfare authorities are expected to take them.

The Department of Health and Human Resources removed four other children between 10 months and 11 years old from Lunsford's care after Aliayah vanished.

Woelfel says Circuit Judge Thomas Keadle has issued a gag order prohibiting comment on the status of the older children, so he won't comment on the babies.

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New posters show missing W.Va. girl’s bruised face

WESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Authorities have released two new posters to help locate a 3-year-old girl Lewis County girl missing since Sept. 24, and one shows a bruise on the left side of her face.
FBI special agent Jeff Killeen says investigators don’t know what caused it or why Aliayah Lunsford is missing four teeth.
He says children can have marks and missing teeth for many reasons. But Killeen says the photo was taken shortly before Aliayah vanished from her Bendale home and is one of the last known images of her.
WBOY-TV says the posters are on the FBI’s website and Facebook page.
Investigators are treating the disappearance as a crime but won’t say what they believe happened to Aliayah.
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Thanks Turtle!!!

Two New Posters Released in Aliayah Lunsford Disappearance

Last Updated on Monday, 14 November 2011 19:40 Written by Nicole Porter Monday, 14 November 2011 18:36

Two new posters were released Monday in regards to missing 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford. Both the FBI and the West Virginia Fusion Center released new flyers about Aliayah, whom they're calling missing and endangered.

"It's important to note that there are two. The West Virginia Fusion Cell took responsibility for releasing the first one, the FBI took responsibility for releasing the other one and they're freely available for the public to take a look at and we've also made copies and more copies are available if people want to distribute them," says FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen.

The picture on the Fusion Center's flyer was supposedly taken just days before Aliayah was reported missing.

In it, you can see a bruise on the left side of her face. There's no word on where this bruise originated.

"I don't know the origin of any of the marks on the child. I wouldn't want to comment on that. That could be from a number of different sources. I do not know," says Jeff Killeen.

Killeen says the FBI was given this picture by a member of Aliayah's extended family with the approval to release to the public. As far as investigators know, this is the most recent picture taken of the little girl.

"We're continuing our efforts just to find the child and we believe that having a new picture out here, the most recent picture that we know of of the child before she went missing, may spur someone's memory as to where this child was or maybe her movements right before she went missing," Killeen says.

The FBI is still offering a $20,000 reward for anyone who leads investigators to her whereabouts. You can call the Fusion Center with this information at 1-866-WVWATCH or 304-558-6592.

Agents say independent groups may still search for the little girl.

To see or print the new posters, click the following links:

West Virginia Fusion Center
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FBI Missing Persons

FBI - Pittsburgh Field Office

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video I can't embed.

She is SO adorable!! And, looks so sad in those pics!

Posted: Nov 16, 2011 3:59 PM CST
Updated: Nov 16, 2011 4:20 PM CST
By Stacy Jacobson, Gilmer, Harrison and Lewis County Reporter - email

CLARKSBURG -

Lena Lunsford, mother of missing Aliayah Lunsford, 3, has violated her federal probation terms.

In U.S. District Court records, U.S. Pretrial Services Officer Brian Kilgore recommended home incarceration and substance abuse treatment for Lunsford. Kilgore wrote she has violated the terms of her probation with two incidences of "non-compliance."

Federal records show state police found Lena Lunsford and her husband Ralph in possession of synthetic drug bath salts in Clarksburg on November 1. WTH????The records show Lunsford then failed to report the incident to her supervising officer.

Federal authorities arrested Lunsford in October for charges related to federal welfare fraud.

Her daughter, Aliayah Lunsford, has been missing since September 24. An FBI-led investigative team is still looking for her.

Lena Lunsford released a statement last week, asking people to keep her family in their prayers. She also said she would "continue to fully cooperate with the investigators who are working so hard for Aliayah's return home."

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WTH are synthetic drug bath salts ??? I have Now heard it ALL!!!

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November 18, 2011 05:25 AM EST

The mother of missing tot, Aliayah Lunsford, is being investigated for involvement with a dangerous drug known as "bath salts." This doesn't bode well for Lena Lunsford, who some believe has been a target of suspicion since her three-year old child vanished.

In a time when missing children are of a lot of focus, it's probably easy to forget about little Aliayah Lunsford who vanished over the summer under mysterious circumstances. The mother of the missing child, Lena Lunsford, has been arrested on drug charges before, and everyone knows that drug use and parenthood are a dangerous mix.

It's probably also a good idea to point out the photos of the missing kid. Have you noticed that in more than one of the child's photos, there are visible bruises on her face? Could this be indicative of ongoing child abuse, or are these just marks of a rough-and-tumble child who has a lot of "accidents?"

Lena Lunsford and Bath Salts?

Bath salts, contrary to the name, are not spa-like fizzies that you add to a bath. It's actually a dangerous drug sold under the non-alerting name in headshops and on the streets. It causes hallucinations and is very unpredictable no matter how many times you use it. It's also been linked to a few fatalities. The fact that this woman is being investigated for involvment with these drugs points to criminal irresponsibility that could have put the missing child in some kind of danger.

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This poor little girl - If the parents are dealing in these drugs and taking them, it explains why she sold her food card and also explains what happened to this little girl - shes dead - they need to find her body and they need to keep this woman in jail - not home confinement
and drug rehab because in jail she might possibly break down and say where she hid this adorable little girls body. At least she deserves a decent burial in a short and painful life.

Bond Revocation Hearing Date Set for Aliayah Lunsford's Mother

The mother of missing 3-year-old Aliayah Lunsford will be in court later this month for a bond revocation hearing.

A federal pretrial services officer says that Lena Lunsford did not comply with the conditions of her bond settings for a federal food stamp fraud charge.

The officer claims that a state trooper found Lena, and her husband Ralph, in a car in Clarksburg with bath salts inside. One of the conditions of her release was that she could not be in the possession of any narcotics including bath salts.

A federal probation officer recommends that her new supervision requirements should change to hone incarceration or substance abuse treatment. He notes that if she can prove that Ralph is the sole user of the drugs, that she should not be allowed to live with him until he can provide documentation that he completed counseling or treatment to address the substance abuse issues.

This hearing is set for November 28.
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video at the link, can't embed.