Sheriff Turns to Public to Help Find Gabbiee
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott updated the community and media Thursday morning on the case on Gabrielle Swainson.
The search for Gabrielle Swainson continues.
Despite an extensive search earlier this week, Patch has learned that cadaver dogs and FBI search dogs turned up nothing on Freddie Grant's Elgin properties. Grant has been charged with a federal weapons charge and the kidnapping of Gabbiee Swainson.
So Sheriff Leon Lott this morning turned again to the public for help.
In a press conference from the Richland County Sheriff's Office this morning, Lott said the investigation continues on two fronts: searching for Gabbiee and building a case against Freddie Grant, the 52-year-old man who deputies have charged with kidnapping in the case.
Lott said investigators are asking for two things: prayer and tips.
"Pray — pray for Gabbie's return," Lott said.
Deputies released a photo of pajamas similar to the ones Gabbiee was believed to have been wearing. They are hoping someone has seen those and it might lead to discovering where Gabbiee may be (photo attached).
Grant was driving a 1992 light blue Ford Escort, and deputies would like anyone who saw the car between Friday night and Saturday morning (Aug. 17-18) to call the Sheriff's Office or CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC.
"We don't need a hero. We just need to find Gabbiee," he said. "We continue to operate that Gabbiee is alive and well, and we just need to find her."
Lott said Grant "holds the key" and "can stop the tears in Gabbiee mother's eyes and the pain in her heart. He holds the keys to that."
But Grant has not been interrogated. He immediately asked to speak to his attorney, a Richland County public defender, and deputies have been unable to ask him any questions.
The "sickest" part of the case, Lott said, was that Grant took part in the search for Gabbiee.
Lott said Grant, who he described as a "monster," is a suspect in another Elgin missing person case as well as a homicide in Kershaw County murder.
Read more:
- Sheriff: Family Friend Arrested in Missing Gabrielle Swainson Case
- Photos: FBI, Sheriff's Deputies Search for Gabbiee Swainson
- Reward Offered in Missing Gabrielle Swainson Case
- Foul Play Suspected in Gabrielle Swainson Disappearance
- Day 10: Prayer Vigil Set for Gabrielle Swainson
- Day 12: Candlelight Vigil Set for Gabrielle Swainson
- Follow the Tweets in the Search for Gabrielle Swainson
- Gabrielle Swainson Update: New Search Party, Download the Flyer
- Search Party Information: Where to Look for Gabrielle Swainson
- Prayer Vigil, Search Party, Fund Set To Aid Gabrielle Swainson Recovery
- 5 Days Missing: Search for Gabrielle Swainson Moves to Broad River Road
- Superintendent Still Hopeful for Swainson's Return
- Principal: Swainson is a 'Great Kid, Great Student'
Rebecca Reeves
12:30 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Well, the first thing a law enforcement division is supposed to do is to locate and question ALL of the victim's family and close friends and acquaintances because 9 times out of 10 we are told that they are the culprits!! It took over 10 days to do this---what's happening? Also, what was this guy doing out on the streets (like most of them who have done these things) over here???? Isn't there SOME way we can keep them in jail and off the streets? And if he has such a long awful record, why was he not being looked at from the beginning? Or was he??
Carolina Girl
5:46 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
I totally agree with you Rebecca! Obviously someone isn't doing their job in a timley matter...if they say that the phones GPS tells them about what time the phone was taken from Gabbiees house, the route that was taken, & ended up @ Grants residence..if they had all that info. Why did it take them 8 days to get this guy? You would think that if they had a lead such as this, they would follow it ASAP!!!
So...obviously that wasnt the case if Grant had time to help pass out fliers!!!! So sick!
They also need to check with her mother..since she seems like she hasn't told them EVERYTHING...how does her " lawn man" become her " boyfriend"??...she could've been honest with authorties from the begining...just maybe Gabbiee would have been found by now!
Rebecca Reeves
12:30 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Clueless!!
S E
12:39 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Instead of a long rambling, law enforcement bashing comment, i'll pray for Gabbies safe return.................
Rebecca Reeves
12:51 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
We ALL are praying for Gabbie's return, but we have to be realistic at the same time and stir these law enforcement people up a bit over here!! Besides - you would be bashing, too, if you were stabbed, robbed and knocked down in 2010 and all of your items were found on the criminal and she lied about it for 2 years and then pleaded guilty before a judge and all she got was a 3 year probation against a 7-year sentence and is still out on the streets over here! No - I wasn't even notified - at all -that the hearing or trial was taking place or I would have been there to testify against her just like I was before the Grand Jury that bound her over for trial!! Bashing?? Oh yeahhhhhhhhh!
Jessie Gable
12:44 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
In the press conference this morning, the sheriff said Grant was questioned in the beginning but requested a lawyer even before he was a suspect.
Rebecca Reeves
12:52 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Ah........sooooooo.
tom notting
2:08 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Somebody needs to get an image of a 1992 light blue ford escort posted to the public. Grant would have drove 120lbs. away from his residence after dawn on Saturday morning before he re-appeared from his short absence making the police believe that Gabbie is in close proximity.
joyce smalls
2:25 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
I think the mother know something I haven't seen a tear yet. She just looks suspect the family member is always the first suspect any way.and why would you get up in the middle of the night to go to work while your15 year old daughter is home alone.in these days and times its too dangerous for that.the mom don't seem that up set.but I could be wrong.but I feel gabbie is dead maybe a bushy area a pond maybe closer than they think.I hate reading stuff like this it makes you never wanna leave ya kid's.