There was no trace of Reachelle, who was last seen the night of May 16 when she was put to bed at her home.

National Guard members, law enforcement officers, horseback riders, and others on foot and in all-terrain vehicles, battled heat and then rain in searching the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, which covers some 32,000 acres northwest of Minot. They found no sign of the child.

"We figure we searched at least 2,500 acres of the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge," said Capt. Todd Keller, of the Ward County Sheriff's Department at the end of the day Wednesday.

"We really didn't have any indication that she was here. The only reason we wanted to search this area so thoroughly was that he was found there," Keller said.

Stephanie Smith, the girl's aunt and legal guardian, and Samantha Smith, her mother, joined other relatives and friends at a news conference with law enforcement officials Wednesday. They said the 3-year-old needs treatment for asthma and clutched her doll in tears as they spoke about how Reachelle knows the alphabet, likes puzzles and likes to have her picture taken.

"She's our Peanut," Stephanie Smith said.

"Right now, we just want her back," Samantha said.

Authorities said dive teams were searching part of the Souris River in Minot's Oak Park, near the girl's home. The search also included in the Surrey area, where a farmer thought he had recently seen the van in which Cowen's body was found.

"We're going where the evidence takes us. We're not going to leave any leaf unturned. We're not going to close the door on other suspects," Police Capt. Al Hanson said.

Reachelle Smith was put to bed at about 10:30 p.m. on May 16 at her home in Minot and was missing the next day, police said.

Authorities said Cowen lived with Stephanie Smith and had told her that the girl was staying with his mother. Police later learned that Cowen's mother had moved to Kansas and did not know the girl's whereabouts. They issued an Amber Alert.

State officials said Cowen was on probation for theft of property in Ward County and had failed to report in as required. A warrant was issued last month for his arrest on charges of violating his probation.

Reachelle Smith is described as white, about 3-foot-4 and weighs about 40 pounds, authorities said. She has brown eyes and straight, light brown hair.

Comments

Dave Bundy, editor wrote on May 25, 2006 8:41 AM:"To Question: I haven't seen that addressed in any story, though there could be any number of reasons. I don't have any inside knowledge."

Mother of 1 wrote on May 25, 2006 8:27 AM:"First of all I want to know why it took the aunt so long to report her missing you would think it is kind of funny when you put a child to bed and then she is gone the next day I mean come on I would have been calling that mothers place to make sure that she was there and it is strange how he made up that story saying she was staying with his mother and then he turns up dead how do we know that his mother doesn't have that child and she is hiding the child out someplace else you never know these days there are many ways to do that kind of stuff today in this world but personally I wonder if he didn't do something to the child and that is why he killed himself all everyone can do is hope for the best and pray that everything will turn out and this little girl can be home with her family again I will be praying for you all that she is safe and that you find her. "

Question wrote on May 25, 2006 8:10 AM:"Mr. Bundy, what is the reason that the aunt was the legal guardian instead of the mother? I watched Nancy Grace last night and saw these two speak, and it just made my blood boil. Nancy had some pretty choice words for those two and rightfully so. Something smells fishy, I don't trust those two either."

Fran wrote on May 25, 2006 7:53 AM:"How can you not know where your 3 year old child is.. Come on.. You put the child to bed and the next morning she is gone and you have no idea and don't call the police until days later... Just what the heck kind of people was this poor child living with.. And why aren't they being questioned more!!!!! My lord I know where my 2 year old Grandson is at all times, I know where his mother is.. Heck for that matter I could tell you were my own parents are... And I can tell you it sure wouldn't take me 3 or 4 days to decide to call the police........."

Hi Brian, Your amber ticker tape refers to this little girl and the person Leigh. It seems he is not a suspect anymore to them. Just wanted to pass this on. Robin