There’s a break in the missing DeOrr Kunz, Jr. case. After 6 months of searching for the missing Idaho toddler without a trace, the child’s parents are named suspects in his disappearance.
Lemhi County Sheriff Lynn Bowerman told KTVB 7 News that the child’s parents have been “less than truthful” since the investigation began. Bowerman said DeOrr’s parents — Jessica Mitchell and DeOrr Kunz, Sr. — have “refused to give us any further information to clear up the untruthfulness and they’ve changed their story on numerous occasions.”
The missing Idaho toddler disappeared on July 10 while on a camping trip with his parents, grandfather, Robert Walton, and family friend, Isaac Reinwand, at Timber Creek campground in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Searchers, law enforcement, and the FBI have continued a large-scale search for Deorr Kunz, Jr. since that time. The family even hired Klein Investigations and Consulting. The firm recently said they have no reason to believe that the toddler was killed by a wild animal or was abducted.
Bowerman said he believes DeOrr’s parents know his whereabouts and whether he’s dead or alive.
“We’ve basically centered our investigation on them,” he said.
#BREAKING Lemhi Co. Sheriff: DeOrr Kunz’ parents named suspects in his disappearance https://t.co/n0I6h3U10S pic.twitter.com/4XyxIHfxBX
— KTVB.COM (@KTVB) January 25, 2016
Mitchell and Kunz, Sr. aren’t under arrest and no warrants have been issued, Bowerman said. He explained that he’s met with prosecutors, the FBI, and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, and plans take all the time needed to make sure the case is solid before bringing charges against the toddler’s parents. He doesn’t want to “jeopardize” the investigation and charge them too early in case they find DeOrr.
The Lemhi County sheriff added that he’s still interested in hearing from the public regarding DeOrr Kunz, Jr. Investigators are interested in knowing what interactions they’ve witnessed between the missing Idaho toddler and his parents.
“It’s time to let the public know that mom and dad are being less than truthful in two aspects: if they know what happened to DeOrr or if they know where he is. We believe the parents know where DeOrr is,” he said.
KSL reports that Mitchell and Kunz, Sr. kept changing their statements regarding where they were and what movements they made at the time of their son’s disappearance. Bowerman reveals that their statements don’t match, and it’s frustrating for everyone because they don’t know where the child is. There have been inconsistencies that make it hard to decipher the truth from everything the pair have told investigators.
Certain parts of Mitchell and Kunz’s polygraph tests have come back inconclusive concerning what happened to DeOrr, why he disappeared, and where he’s located.
Mitchell’s grandmother, Trina Clegg, is adamantly defending her daughter and Kunz, Sr.
“Until charges are filed or until they (authorities) can present (irrefutable) proof, I will stand 100 percent behind DeOrr and Jessica,” she said. “I believe what they are telling me.
“I don’t care what anyone says. This is about our grandson. I don’t want our family beat up. This is about a little boy who has touched everyone’s heart.”
#Deorr Kunz Jr missing from Lemhi County, #Idaho & his parents have been named suspects in his disappearance! https://t.co/boSIT1Jv9S
— CRIMEWATCHERSnet (@Kimster_CW) January 25, 2016
Bowerman added that there were a number of inaccuracies and several gaps in stories the toddler’s parents were providing. He said that Mitchell and Kunz, Sr. are “cooperating, but are you really cooperating if you’re being less than truthful?”
It’s also noted by Bowerman that Walton and Reinwand aren’t cleared in the case, but the focus is on Jessica Mitchell and DeOrr Kunz, Sr.
Anyone with information in the missing DeOrr Kunz, Jr. case may call the sheriff’s office at 208-756-8980.
[Photo Credit: DeOrr Kunz, Jr’s Voice/Facebook]
DeOrr Kunz, Jr. Case: Parents Named As Suspects In Missing Idaho Toddler’s Case is an article from: The Inquisitr News