Day 20: Searchers Question Adkins, Cops in Dunn Case

Hailey was last seen by her mother's boyfriend, Shawn Adkins, on Monday, December 27. Adkins is the only person to be named as a suspect in her disappearance.

On Friday, law enforcement zeroed in on an Abilene landfill in hopes of finding key evidence in the case. On Saturday, Colorado City's City Manager Pete Kampfer told bigcountryhomepage.com the search was unsuccessful.

With 20 days gone and few answers, volunteer searchers are demanding answers in the ongoing investigation. Many of the volunteers, like Freda Radcliff, have spent day and night out searching for any signs of Hailey.

"We feel like she's our child, and we're going to keep searching," said Radcliff.

The chatter amongst the volunteers primarily revolves around Shawn Adkins. The searchers tell bigcountryhomepage.com they feel he's the only person who knows where Hailey is.

"I always felt that Shawn had done something to her. He needs to tell us where she's at and let us bring her home," Radcliff said.

Those searching for Hailey say Adkins watches them comb the woods every day from his home. Since failing a polygraph test on Wednesday, January 5, Adkins has been staying at a home in Dunn, Texas, After initially being open to interviews, he's no longer speaking out at the request of an attorney. On Saturday, KRBC's Jessica Reyes knocked on the door of the home in an attempt to speak with Adkins. The person who answered said Adkins wasn't interested.

On Friday morning, bigcountryhomepage.com obtained two internet videos that provide some insight into Adkins' personal life. The videos appear to show Adkins smoking pot, cursing, and posing in costume with knives.

"He can watch all he wants, really. We're going to be out here regardless. He's not going to intimidate us," Radcliff added.

"I just don't know. I am very confused about it and that is why he is not here (her home) because I don't know," said Dunn about whether Adkins was involved in her daughter's disappearance.

Volunteer searchers also tell bigcountryhomepage.com they're unhappy with the way Colorado City police handled the investigation from the start.

"They didn't react as quick as they should. There should have been an Amber Alert out on Hailey immediately," said volunteer Debra Bloeman.

Earlier this week, Texas Department of Public Safety Senior Trooper Sparky Dean said local law enforcement did an excellent job at the beginning of the investigation. Dean said local authorities called in experts as needed and weren't afraid to ask for assistance.

On Wednesday, bigcountryhomepage.com obtained search warrant affidavits that provided insight into the work being done by officers in Colorado City. The documents seem to spell out exactly why Adkins is a person of interest in the case including an incident where Adkins threatened the lives of both Hailey and her mother. The affidavits also show Adkins and Billie Dunn failed polygraph exams concerning Hailey's disappearance, held a party after reporting her missing, purchased illegal drugs, and continue to change the stories they're giving to investigators.

Though the criminal aspect of the case continues to mount, the volunteers who have dedicated so much of their time to finding Hailey refuse to give up home. They tell bigcountryhomepage.com they won't rest until the little girl is found.

"That's all any of us want: to bring Hailey home," Radcliff said.

Officials now say the information that leads to Hailey's safe return is $15,000. They previously estimated much higher at $25,000.