By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Lots of questions were asked of Crawford County Sheriff Scott Kent at a Friday afternoon press conference regarding a missing 15-year-old girl. But the only question of any importance was never really voiced and remains unanswered: Where is Beccy Kemper?
The teen went missing sometime late the evening of Sept. 23 and reported to the Sheriff’s Office just after midnight Sept. 24. Bloodhounds were brought to the home on Crestline Road near Bucyrus to no avail. As of Friday, Kent indicated that after sifting through every lead and piece of information that has been received, authorities are still unable to determine if Beccy is a missing runaway or something else.
Kent said at this time there is no indication of foul play.
“We’re making sure all stones are turned over at this point,” Kent said. “We are currently speaking with all the parties involved.”
Kent said Beccy’s mother and stepfather, Heather and Chris Todd, have been fully cooperative. Kent said the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been brought in to help in the investigation. Kent added that to his knowledge everyone in the household was at home when Beccy disappeared.
“They are very upset. They want their daughter back,” Kent said. “They want to know the who, what, why. They’re very concerned about her well-being.”
Friday a car belonging to the family was taken from their home on Crestline Road to be processed and two people left the home with investigators.
Beccy and her family moved to this area from Marion. Kent said police departments from Bucyrus, Galion and Marion along with the Marion Sheriff’s Office are also actively involved in the investigation. Todd Wickerham of the FBI said approximately 20 agents from his office are actively involved.
“We’re following up all leads together,” Wickerham said. “She (Beccy) is not considered a runaway.”
Wickerham explained there simply wasn’t enough evidence at this point to say if Beccy left voluntarily or not, whether or not she was free to return. Kent said they have no evidence of foul play at this point.
Kent did say they have talked to a male that Beccy was in contact with by cell phone prior to her disappearance.
“We do have a cell phone that they believe is hers,” Kent said. “She may have access to another phone. There has been no determination as to any person she may be with.”
Wickerham said all evidence and information that has been collected is being taken to a crime lab to be processed.
A poster rally was held Wednesday at Aumilller Park that was organized by We Help the Missing. Another one was tentatively planned for Saturday in Marion.
Kent said, “We’re not stopping here.”
Asked if he could get a message to Beccy if she were to somehow see or read the coverage about her disappearance, Kent said, “The message to Rebecca would be to contact her family, the Sheriff’s Office. We want to get her back to her family safely.”
Kent again requested that if anyone has any information regarding Beccy’s disappearance or her whereabouts to contact his office at 419-562-7906.The We Help The Missing tip line number is 866-660-4025.