One thing that stands out to me in one of the first tapes released is the fact that authorities are protecting Tommy's children, or trying to. I don't believe Joe is the one responsible for the death of Haleigh, although I'm not saying he isn't involved in some way.
To me this sounds like they have suspicions of someone who has perhaps not been named. This would make sense if there is intense fear, which I think there is on the part of those
involved. They are not afraid of Joe and he is expendable, but there is someone else, heavy into drugs who makes them very anxious and willing to do almost anything to stay away from, thus Tommy's story. Tommy could have had a knife held to his throat when walking by the van if there was another person there. Joe could have been there also, Misty knows everything. Just my opinion, but why are police guarding in some fashion Tommy's children?