MONROE, Mich. (AP) - The search continues Sunday for a 5-year-old Monroe girl.
Nevaeh Buchanan was last seen a week ago tonight in the parking lot of her apartment complex in the city 40 miles south of Detroit.
Monroe County Sheriff Tilman Crutchfield has said there are at least two people "of interest" in the case, including a friend of Nevaeh's mother. Thirty-nine-year-old George Kennedy is in custody on an unrelated parole violation.
Police have named a third man, James Easter of Monroe, a person of interest but aren't saying why. The 69-year-old Easter is being held on unrelated charges and was questioned yesterday.
WATCH SATURDAY'S STORY ON THE VIDEO PLAYER TO THE RIGHT
Sources say evidence that was sent to the lab for testing is not linked to the missing girl.
Blood found on a silver-multi tool knife was not Nevaeh Buchanan's.
George Kennedy and Roy Smith, both convicted sex offenders and friends of the child's mother, are considered "persons of interest" in the case.
Action News spoke with Nevaeh's mother, Jennifer Buchanan, who says she's not pointing the fingers at anyone but says Kenndey was like a father to Nevaeh.
She says Nevaeh did not really know 48-year-old Roy Smith, the other person of interest.
When asked if she thought that Kennedy or Smith would be capable of doing anything against Nevaeh she said, "Anyone is capable of doing anything."
Roy Smith is listed on the National Sex Offender Registry. His record from the Michigan Department of Corrections dates back almost three decades with convictions for criminal sexual conduct, larceny and breaking and entering.
In the search warrant and affidavit connected to Nevaeh's disappearance, investigators call Smith an associate of the child's mother. He is behind bars on a parole violation.
He also owned the van in which investigators found the bloody multi-tool after Nevaeh disappeared.
39-year-old George Kennedy is also a registered sex offender and is currently behind bars on an unrelated parole violation.
Investigators say Kennedy is a friend of Nevaeh's mother.
After the child disappeared on Sunday, police searched a room at the Motel 7 in Monroe where Kennedy had been staying.
Investigators seized shorts, a towel with blood stains, samples of blood from the wall above the bathroom sink, photos of a white female similar to Nevaeh and hairs from the toilet and bathroom floor.
So far, no arrests have been made and no charges are pending.
Monroe County Sheriff Tilman Crutchfield told reporters that they are still following up on tips in the search for Nevaeh Buchanan. Crutchfield also told reporters that they there is no indication that Nevaeh is not alive.
Investigators have combed through the Charlotte Arms Apartment Complex, the home of 5-year-old Nevaeh. They continue to go door to door re-interviewing residents at the complex.
The Monroe County Sheriff and the FBI urged the public to keep coming forward with tips and information.
Candles burned Wednesday night at a community vigil for the missing girl.
Meantime, Nevaeh's family is pleading for her safe return. On Wednesday, investigators searched two quarries near the little girl's home.
Several law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Michigan State Police and Monroe City Police Department have joined forces to help support the Monroe County Sheriff's Department. A task force has been created and is working the case around the clock. More than 100 investigators are involved in the task force.
At this point, investigators have looked into hundreds of tips.
If you have any information or tips related to the disappearance of Nevaeh Buchanan, call the Task Force Hotline at 734-243-7070.Nevaeh was last seen Sunday in the parking lot of the Charlotte Arms Apartment Complex on Macomb.
Loved ones say Nevaeh was playing on a scooter with a friend when she went missing. The little girl's friend says she went to tell Nevaeh's mom, and when they went out to check on her she was gone.
Nevaeh has brown hair and eyes and was last seen wearing a light blue sleeveless shirt with red and white stripes and blue jean shorts.
Her scooter was also found laying in the parking lot of the complex.
If you have any information regarding Nevaeh's disappearance please call 911 immediately.
