Hailey Dunn case takes somber turn

Investigations into the disappearance of 13-year-old Hailey Dunn have taken a turn as the task force focuses on the criminal side of the investigation.

As of Monday, spokespersons for the task force, headquartered at the CC Thompson Room in Colorado City, continued to insist they were searching for a missing person.

However, a press release late Monday evening and a subsequent breaking news story by KTXS reporter Jocelyn Tovar takes the investigation in a more somber direction.

Based on affidavits KTXS obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, two search warrants signed by County Judge Ray Mayo and two warrants issued by District Judge Glen Harrison were served at Billie Jean Dunn’s home. The information in the affidavits does not assign any guilt or innocence.

Dunn and her former live-in boyfriend, Shawn Adkins, have repeatedly gone on national television sharing information about the case that is now verified through those affidavits.

Due to the Record’s 7 a.m. press time and the late breaking KTXS story, the Record was unable to publish details about the search warrants. Interested readers can find the information on the KTXS website.

The Record also requested access to search warrant affidavits on Friday, January 7, but the request is still under review by Judge Glen Harrison.

Adkins, who walked out in the middle of a polygraph test, admits investigators should be looking to himself and Dunn for information about Hailey’s whereabouts. Reports that both Dunn and Adkins failed their polygraphs were confirmed by Mitchell County Sheriff Patrick Toombs, who said “the recipients were informed of the results according to state regulations.”

Investigators are now searching for Hailey in Scurry County, based on further information in the affidavits.

Conflicting information from the task force, whether unintentional or deliberate to direct attention away from more sensitive and crucial areas of the investigation have created much confusion in the media about the dual nature of the investigation.

It now appears that Adkins, who said he was fired from his job, actually quit according to a spokesperson in Weaver Pipeline Service and was in Scurry County at the time he reportedly was en route to Big Spring.

The affidavits also show that Dunn and Adkins withdrew money from an ATM in Snyder at 6:20 p.m on December 27, which they later told authorities they used to buy narcotics.

Hailey was reported missing on Tuesday, December 28 by her mother Billie Jean (Ostrander) Dunn after Hailey failed to return home from supposedly spending the night with a friend.

According to Dunn’s live-in boyfriend, Shawn Adkins, Hailey left to visit her father, Clint Dunn and then spend the night with Mary Beth Garcia, shortly after he returned home December 27 at 3 p.m.

Local police, as well as state and federal agencies have been investigating Hailey’s disappearance round the clock, interviewing family and friends, conducting a door-to-door search of the neighborhood, as well as searching fields, river beds, abandoned buildings and landfills. The search has covered more than 30 square miles.

Investigators searched the north eastern part of Colorado City by helicopter on January 6.

A temporary command post was set up in Dunn, Texas, January 8 as a authorities expanded the search for Hailey Dunn into south Scurry County.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Wallace and Ware Unit personnel have conducted a grid search of the town on horseback, with dogs and on foot.

Officials picked up a car from the Dunn residence on 1804 Chestnut for further investigation, as well as an X-box to help solidify the timeline of events.

Authorities have also spoken with two girls, last seen walking with Hailey on Manuel Street on either December 26 or 27, who might have useful information about Hailey’s state of mind, according to DPS Trooper Sparky Dean.

Funds for a reward continue to come in. Currently the amount is listed at $15,450.

“Hailey’s disappearance has had a huge impact on her friends,” Mark Merrell, Colorado Middle School superintendent told school board officials during their Monday evening meeting. “It’s been tough on her teachers, too.”

A media frenzy has resulted in numerous calls at the middle school from news agencies, even as far away as Australia.