Hi. I've been lurking on HaLeigh's thread for a long time. I keep hoping one day we will know what happened to HaLeigh for the people who truly loved her, especially her little brother. I can't imagine growing up around that media circus and never knowing for sure what happened to your sister and whether or not your family was involved in your own sister's death. That has to be very scary for a kid. I hope he doesn't fear that if he displeases someone, he will be made to disappear as well.
At one point very soon after HaLeigh went missing, Crystal Cummings was on Nancy Grace. Apparently NG's producers had been asked by Crystal C before if she could make a statement in defense of the underage babysitter before they went on the air. Mike Brooks was filling in for NG that night. I found it a really odd move at the time & find it even more odd in retrospect. I have never seen a guest request to speak in someone's defense like that. Sure, come to someone's defense when they're questioned about a person's involvement, but not apparently demand to be able to make such a statement.
At that point, people weren't really looking at Misty as being involved in HaLeigh's disappearance as strongly as they'd come to be. It was very hinky to me. I have to tell you that honestly, if one of my dogs went missing while I left them with a friend, I would not be defending the friend until I knew the whole story. Probably just because I'd have suspicions that the friend wasn't watching the dog closely enough. Honestly, I think Ronald's "How did you let my daughter get stole, ***ch" heard on the 911 call sounds more realistic than Crystal Cummings's reaction so soon after. She also seems to be implying "don't blame Ron, lots of people would leave their kids with a 17 year old." Maybe trying to deflect attention from Ron & Misty? All very odd. JMO.
http://asia.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0902/13/ng.01.html
"BROOKS: What would you like to say?
CRYSTAL CUMMINGS: I would like to say that Misty is very responsible, and even though she`s 17, that`s not that young. I know plenty of people that would leave their children with a 17-year-old. And she loves them children, and they love her just as much.
BROOKS: Now, how long...
CRYSTAL CUMMINGS: Misty wouldn`t do anything -- I`m sorry. I know she wouldn`t do anything to hurt them."