Yes but with respect all this is circumstantial. Her car being found means little as it doesn't seem like someone was trying to get rid of it anyway. Let me ask everyone here a question. Assuming and this is just assuming that LE has enough to arrest Dale right now why do you think that they would wait????
Pretty much all evidence is circumstantial. People misunderstand what that means. Ballistics, DNA evidence, fingerprints, all of that is circumstantial. The opposite is direct evidence, which would be, for example, someone who gets caught or is recognizable, running out of a house, down the street, with a knife in their hands and blood all over them, leaving a dead body in the house behind them.
Few missing person's cases have direct evidence.
But, I get what you mean. However, finding the car does not mean little. That's a mighty piece of evidence. Where it was left in relation to the important locations in this case, as well as any possible trace evidence left in the vehicle, and the fact that the decal had been removed - all of that is very important stuff.
And, you left out the phone. That's an even bigger prize. Great evidence. The fact that they found that needle in the haystack indicates they know a lot about someone or something's movements.
I see this a lot in cases, too. One piece of evidence will be critiqued as if the failure of that piece of evidence to resolve the case, indicates there is no case. That is flat, faulty logic. Every piece of evidence is a piece of the puzzle. No matter how insignificant it may seem. When all put together, cases are solved.
I think LE does likely have enough to arrest Dale. I have explained before why they would wait and I think it's a great question, because that seems to trouble people a lot too. It makes us feel like there is no case and it may grow cold.
The fact is that probable cause and beyond a reasonable doubt are two separate principles. The standard necessary to an arrest is much easier to meet than the standard necessary to making it past a preliminary hearing, or, to an eventual conviction.
Simply, they are still working this case. They still have data to process, perhaps labs to process, puzzle pieces to fit together. Don't you think they would want all their ducks in a row before triggering speedy trial rights?
My family law cases are so simple in comparison to a criminal murder case. The level of preparation involved in my cases prior to trial is great. I cannot fathom the task of DAs preparing for a murder trial.
In weighing risks and advantages, seems like they are coming out on the side of not hastening an arrest which could cause them to have to scramble to be prepared for trial. They have Dale where they want him. He's not going anywhere. You better believe he is being tracked. They must think the kids are not in grave danger from this man. So, they need to do all the work now, at some leisure. Put their heads together without pressure and build that baby solid.