SEATTLE—
Crews searched areas around McCleary Tuesday where a ten year old girl disappeared last month.
Grays Harbor County Undersheriff Richard Scott told Q13 FOX News that they recently received quite a few tips, so they checked them out on Tuesday with the help of several agencies including the FBI, Aberdeen Police, Crime Stoppers and Thurston, Mason and Pierce County Sheriff's Offices. Pierce County Search & Rescue dogs also helped in the search.
The search teams braved temperatures of more than a hundred degrees and searched several areas in McCleary including an abandoned house, but came up empty. Investigators also went door-to-door and handed-out flyers.
10-year-old Lindsey Baum disappeared on June 26 as she walked from a friend's house to her own home. Her mom called police when Lindsey failed to show the night she disappeared.
The FBI along with the National Center For Missing And Exploited children joined the search days after the little girl disappeared.
Undersheriff Scott has been trying to find out what happened to the little girl. He says so far in the investigation, they've received about 700 tips. He told Q13 FOX News, "This is a girl with no means, no money, and no true opportunity to leave. We have nothing specifically that is pointing us in any direction that is going to allow us to rule out any scenario.... this may be a worst case scenario criminal investigation involving a predator or predatory behavior."
Lindsey's mom Melissa Baum told Q13 FOX News that she knows the police will find her little girl and she prays it's sooner than later because of the extremely hot weather. Baum says, "It's hot and if she's in an old house, shed or basement somewhere she's probably burning-up and that's been bothering me the last couple days because it's been so hot. I just worry."
Lindsey also missed her 11th birthday. Melissa says they'll have a huge party for her when she comes home.
Lindsey is 4'9" tall and 80 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt with blue jeans and black shoes.
A $6,000 reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators hope it'll prompt someone to come forward with information about Lindsey's disappearance.
Melissa says a $4,000 reward is also being offered through a fund set-up at Sterling Savings Bank. To make a donation contact any Sterling Savings Bank. The account is called the "Lindsey Baum Reward Fund".
Melissa is in the process of setting-up a search center in McCleary. She says it'll help organize volunteers to look for her daughter. Melissa says if you're interested in volunteering or making a donation, go to www.findlindseybaum.com
