Story Published:
Nov 9, 2007 at 8:44 PM CST
Story Updated:
Nov 9, 2007 at 8:57 PM CST
NEOSHO, Mo. -- Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland said Friday night that two people are in custody and likely to be charged for the kidnapping and murder of Rowan Ford. The 9-year-old girl disappeared from her home in Stella a week ago and searchers found her body on Friday morning.
Copeland says the evidence now indicates Rowan was taken between midnight and 1 a.m. on Nov. 3 after her stepfather left her alone, sleeping in her bed, and went out with some buddies. Copeland said it appears Rowan was killed in Barry County and her body was dumped in a sinkhole in a remote location in McDonald County.
Rowan said murder charges would be up to the Barry County prosecuting attorney, although it's possible that kidnapping charges could be filed in Newton County. One suspect was in custody in Barry County and one was in custody in Newton County on Friday night. One is a 24-year-old man and the other is a man about the same age. One is from Barry County and the other is from Newton County.
