Detailed timeline here: (copied below link in case it doesn't work)
This will be a LENGTHY post regarding the search for
#AthenaStrand.
If anyone would like to share to the page
Where Is Athena Strand, feel free.
I'm a reporter with
WFAA and covered this story Thursday.
The
Wise County Sheriff's Office just wrapped up a presser about the search and gave us little new details aside from the fact that this has involved into more of an *investigation rather than a search.
Much of the narrative given to us yesterday by the sheriff hasn't changed.
--Athena got off her bus around 4:15 PM at her father's home.
--Her father wasn't present whenever Athena went missing and was on his way to a deer hunting trip.
--At some point, Athena's *stepmother told police that she got into an argument with the little girl, which the sheriff said wasn't unusual.
--The *stepmother went to make dinner, and then when she went to find Athena, she wasn't in the house.
--The sheriff said the *stepmother called 911 at 6:40 PM. Yesterday the sheriff told us 5:40 PM.
--That's when police searches began along with EMS and volunteer firefighters.
--Search dogs were used Wednesday night along with thermal imaging from the air with the help of helicopters from DPS and FWPD. Nothing was found but wildlife.
--Investigators called off the search around 4:30 AM Thursday morning and then started again a few hours later.
--This time, roughly 200 citizens joined in and combed over the area. Nothing was found at all on Thursday.
--Nothing has been found since. No evidence. Nothing of Athena's.
--The sheriff says that registered sex offenders have been interviewed within the area.
--Some search dogs found a scent that went around the house but nothing outside of the perimeter.
--The
FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation, TXDPS, and U.S. Marshals all are assisting.
--The FBI is using digital resources to help the sheriff's office. This would likely include cell phone data, social media posts, etc.
No family has spoken with me yet aside from Athena's biological mother and her aunt.
--Athena's biological mother, Maitlyn Gandy, spoke with me yesterday and said she can't conceive that Athena would wander off.
--Told me that Athena was staying with her biological father for the school semester and was supposed to trade custody for Christmas.
--Athena's mother told me that the little girl is afraid of the dark and that she is known to go to neighbor's homes or for a walk but has never wandered off like this before.
--Athena's aunt, Keeland Kulbeth, told me that something doesn't feel right about all of this and that she just wants Athena to come home.
I did ask the sheriff if CPS has ever visited the biological father's home, and he told me has no knowledge of that. We've reached out to CPS about it, and those records are confidential.
I'm looking into both father's and stepmother's backgrounds, like many of you have, and trying to get court records confirmed.
More importantly, DO NOT SPREAD INFORMATION UNLESS THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT IT.
At this time--sheriff and FBI need tips.
If you have any, please call them and pray this little girl is found.
