Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Adji's disappearance leaving parents scared
By
WINK News
Story Created:
Jan 19, 2009 at 6:24 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Jan 19, 2009 at 6:36 PM EDT
IMMOKALEE, Fla. - Ten days and there is still no sign of six-year-old Adji Desir. A ground search was called off on Sunday after investigators said they searched everywhere they possibly could.
The focus is now turning toward a task force effort. Lt. Tom Smith told WINK News on Sunday night, "We're gonna start looking at old case files and old persons of interest, things like that to try to get some leads."
For the last week, the Immokalee Farmworkers Village was at the center of massive search for Adji. On Monday though, it was quiet. Playgrounds that used to be full of children and streets where they would play baseball, soccer, and football were empty.
"Everybody that has kids, they keep them at home," said Adji's step-father Antal Elant, "Adji is still lost...they don't let children outside."
Parents in the village tell WINK News, until they know what happened to Adji, they are not letting their children go far from home.
"They need to keep an eye on their kids, not let them out or if they're going to go out, they need to stay outside with them or it could be their kid next," said Prisma Zarate, "You can't trust anybody no more."
Even detectives told us, the Farmworkers Village is not your typical neighborhood. People know their neighbors and tend to know what's going on with everyone else.
It's what makes Adji's disappearance that much more bizarre. No one seemed to see anything. A child playing with Adji the night he vanished told WINK News she saw him walking away down a nearby street.
Adji's parents are still not losing hope he will come home to them.
"Right now, I feel empty," explained Elant, "I always think in the morning that some detective can come and show me a picture and say 'yes, they found Adji'. So, every night I dream about that."
Detectives remain focused on two theories, whether Adji wandered off or was abducted. The FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are assisting in the investigation.
National attention on Adji's story is generating more leads. The Collier County Sheriff's Office says several tips were called in after the story aired on America's Most Wanted Saturday night.
The reward for Adji's safe return is now $33,000. Anyone with information is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).