ALIAYAH INVESTIGATION SHIFTS TO SOUTHERN LEWIS COUNTY - Change Based On "Valuable Tips"

(10/27/2011)
An FBI investigative team has expanded its search for Aliayah Lunsford to the Vadis area of southern Lewis County.

Authorities have been looking for the missing 3-year-old Lewis County girl since September 24.

The command center has been moved to the Midway Fire Department, with a search being made of a pond off Vadis Road.

Witnesses say they saw boats on the pond, with rescue crews and K-9s.

Law enforcement convened around a house at 1903 Vadis Road, where documents show authorities had arrested Aliayah's stepfather Ralph Lunsford for unlawful assault in 2009.

The FBI says the investigation has been shifted based on "valuable tips from the community."

"The temporary command post vehicle has been removed to a remote location where we continue to conduct our investigation. There are a couple of areas in this remote location that we're giving a very close look," said FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen.