Two Months and Still No Sign of Hailey Dunn
By: Austin Kellerman
Updated: February 27, 2011
Law enforcement agencies from across the region have searched landfills, administered lie detectors tests and interviewed dozens of witnesses. Volunteers have scoured fields across Mitchell, Scurry, and Howard Counties. Media agencies from across the country have raised awareness about this tragic case.
For now, none of it has helped bring Hailey home.
Though investigators can only release so much about their investigation, we have no reports of key pieces of evidence discovered that would help pinpoint the missing girl's whereabouts. Cadaver dogs have registered "hits" during searches, however those have never been linked directly to this case.
Some progress have been made, though. Thanks to volunteers and search groups, we know where Hailey is not.
Searchers from Klaaskids, Laura Recovery Center, and Hailey's Angels have covered ground all over the area in-and-around Colorado City. The areas have been marked to indicate nothing was found. These developments allow the search to remain efficient and focused.
Law enforcement has named a single suspect in the case. Shawn Adkins, the live-in boyfriend of Hailey's mother, was first named a person of interest and then a suspect by authorities in January. He recently told KTAB's Tiffany Tatro he was not involved in Hailey's disappearance.
This past week, affidavits revealed pornography was discovered on a computer in the home of Adkins' mother as well as on a jump drive discovered in the home Adkins shared with Billie Dunn, Hailey's mother. Mitchell County Sheriff Patrick Toombs tells bigcountryhomepage.com the images included child pornography and bestiality. Because of the nature of those images, grand jurors could indict Adkins or Dunn.
This isn't the first time Adkins has made headlines for activities that raised red flags. In January, bigcountryhomepage.com released images of Adkins dressing up in slasher outfits along with videos that appeared to show him using illegal drugs. Bigcountryhomepage.com also released 911 calls in which Adkins said Billie Dunn was suicidal – and Billie said Adkins threatened the lives of she and Hailey's father.
Nevertheless, Adkins remains a free man. This past week, bigcountryhomepage.com asked Adkins to comment on the recent developments. At the request of his attorney, Adkins said he could not comment.
For now, the only arrests of key players in this case appear to have nothing to do with Hailey's disappearance. Hailey's father, Clint Dunn, was arrested on a probation violation earlier this month. Clint has never been named as a person of interest. Billie Dunn's mother, Connie Ostrander, bonded out of jail Saturday. She was arrested in Scurry County on drug charges.
Law enforcement says it still has several "persons of interest" in the case.
People who've been following the case will have an opportunity to get their questions answered Monday evening by Hailey's mother. Billie Dunn has agreed to take part in a web chat on bigcountryhomepage.com. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For now, the case and search appears to be at a stalemate. However, that doesn't mean people aren't trying.
Law enforcement continues to work day and night to crack the case. Volunteers vow to continue their tiring search. And, local media agencies will continue to try and raise awareness. All of the efforts are with one goal in mind: to bring Hailey home.

