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(http://media2.foxtoledo.com//photo/2009/08/07/Cynthia_Sumner_-_web_format_20090807123014_320_240.JPG)

Woman with muscular dystrophy missing
Search begins for Cynthia Marie Sumner

Updated: Friday, 07 Aug 2009, 12:32 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 07 Aug 2009, 12:32 PM EDT

TOLEDO, Ohio - A twenty-year-old woman with muscular dystrophy has been reported missing.

Cynthia Marie Sumner talked with her mother around 2pm Thursday and said she was fine and was on her way home by riding her bicycle.  She never arrived.

Toledo Police were notified and conducted a search where she may have been along with Sumner's father.  They did not find her.

The missing woman is 5'4" and weighs approixmately 125 pounds.  She has brown hair and hazel eyes.  There is no information on what clothes she was wearing at the time she was reported missing.

A search party to find Sumner was organized at 11:30am at Jamie Farr Park.

If you have any information , call Detectives at 419-255-1111
http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/wupw_news_local_woman_with_muscular_dystrophy_missing_20090807

Boyfriend arrested; neighbors search for missing disabled woman

Posted: Aug 07, 2009 10:40 AM CDT Updated: Aug 07, 2009 6:24 PM
By Lisa Rantala

TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - "This is her right here," said Mary Sumner showing a photo of her daughter Cindy, "If you see her, please bring her home to me."

Sumner last saw 20-year-old Cindy at 11 a.m. Thursday when she went out for a bike ride. She says her daughter has muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis. "Her multiple sclerosis is up here," said Sumner pointing to her head, "That's why she doesn't act like a 20 year-old."

Neighbors and family members formed a search party around 11:30 a.m. at Jamie Farr Park in north Toledo. They believe that's where she might have ridden.

She was reported missing at 2:45 p.m. on Thursday when she didn't come home from an afternoon bike ride

Cindy broke up with her boyfriend, who is a registered sex offender, several months ago. "As soon as I saw that, I said 'Cindy, get away from him.' She didn't listen. She's still in love with this kid."

That boyfriend molested a nine year-old in Henry County in 2006. Police arrested him after Cindy's disappearance for failing to register. He told police he hadn't seen Cindy in four days.

Police say they checked a half dozen addresses for Cindy and her bike and still aren't sure if she left on her own free will.

Her family says she's not answering her cell phone, and they're fearing the worst.

Cynthia is 5 ft. 4 in. tall and weighs 125 pounds.

http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=10865851

(http://wtol.images.worldnow.com/images/10865851_BG1.jpg)




Police say Cindy was reported missing Thursday evening

A 20-year-old woman is missing and your help is needed to find her. Family members have been working around the clock passing out flyers and trying to bring Cindy home safely. Police say Cindy was reported missing Thursday evening.Her mother talked to her around 2:00 that day but says Cindy never came home from riding her bike.

Cindy has MS and muscular dystrophy and is described as having the mentality of a 12-year-old. A family friend said she would do whatever anyone tells her.

The search is centered around Jamie Farr Park but extends to all parts of Toledo. Cindy was last seen riding her bicycle which is a blue and white Huffy mountain bike with plush teddy bears and artifical flowers affixed to the front.

Cindy's ex-boyfriend, Nathan Lang, has been arrested on outstanding warrants. He told police he hadn't seen her in four days but a neighbor says they were seen together Thursday. Lang is a sex offender.

Cindy is around 5'4", 125 pounds with long brown hair in a ponytail and hazel eyes. She was wearing a Friendly Center t-shirt with the word STAFF on the back. If you have any information, call 911.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=6953633

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/video?id=6955581

Article published August 07, 2009
Police, family members search for missing North Toledo woman

BLADE STAFF

Authorities Friday were searching for a 20-year-old woman who went missing Thursday when she did not return to her North Toledo home from a bicycle ride.

Cynthia Sumner, of North Erie Street, was last heard from about 2 p.m. Thursday when she told her mother on the phone that she was fine and on her way home, Toledo police said.

Police said Miss Sumner’s mother was worried because the missing woman has muscular dystrophy and stays in a certain area on her bike rides. Police and Miss Sumner’s father later searched the area but nothing was found, officers said.

"I just want my baby back," her mother, Mary, said.

Family members and police gathered Friday afternoon at the Jamie Farr Park in the 2100 block of North Summit Street in North Toledo to begin searching for Miss Sumner.

Miss Sumner, a 2007 graduate of Scott High School, is about 5 feet and 4 inches tall, weighs about 125 pounds. She has brown hair and hazel eyes.

She was reported wearing a Friendly Center shirt. She was riding a blue and white Huffy mountain bike with a red flower and teddy bear attached to the handlebars.

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090807/NEWS02/908079948



Cindy Sumner has physical and mental disabilities
By Laura Rice
Saturday, August 08, 2009 at 4:29 p.m.

TOLEDO, OH -- A 20-year-old developmentally disabled Toledo woman has been missing for over two days.

NBC4's Laura Rice met with Cindy Sumner's family and friends as they searched for her Saturday.

A couple dozen of Cindy's loved ones as they met at Jamie Farr Park where she was last seen, and then scoured Toledo.

One group stopped at a church where there was a rumor someone had spotted her and then at Cherry Street Mission where a homeless woman claimed to have seen Cindy.

But for now, the search continues.

"We're searching as many places as we can go. Hopefully we find her. She's never done this before. We just want her home," said Tina Rutkowski, Cindy's aunt.

All agree they could not just sit at home and do nothing.

"I'm just too nervous. I can't eat, sleep or nothing," said Timothy Sumner, Cindy's dad.

Everyone is convinced something is wrong. Because, they say, Cindy would not just run away.

"No, no, no," said Sumner. "She doesn't even know anything about the streets. She's never been out, she's always been around me."

The subject is hard for many to talk about because they are afraid of the worst.

"Anybody could tell her anything and she would believe them," said Rutkowski. "She is a very gullible person. She would believe anything anybody told her."

The group is hanging up posters and organizing larger search parties.

They are reaching out to the community for help.

"Any help that we can get it will be greatly appreciated," said Rutkowski. "The more eyes the better."

"She's a very sweet person. She loves everyone and she'd be thanking them if it was for her," said Lisa Mullins, Cindy's friend.

The group is trying to be positive and has one message for Cindy: come home.

"Cindy, you know we're friends and I miss you. And if you're watching this, contact the news or the police because we miss you and we just want you to come home safe," said Emily Chapman, Cindy's friend.

Cindy is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 120 pounds.

She has brown hair and hazel eyes.

She was last seen riding a green and white Huffy mountain bike near Jamie Farr Park.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestopper at (419) 255-1111.

http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=334717

The only Nathan Lang in the National Registry is a level 3 sex offender in MA. He was convicted of AGGRAVATED RAPE on 5/24/1989.

Holy cow - I live in Toledo and have not heard about this...however I haven't watched the news lately so I guess that's why.

The scary thing is with no one being arrested in Nevaehs case....well Monroe is very close to Toledo...hmmm.

(http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TO&Date=20090809&Category=NEWS16&ArtNo=908090357&Ref=AR&MaxW=200)

Article published August 09, 2009
Residents use flyers in search for woman

A 20-year-old Toledo woman with medical and cognitive disabilities remained missing Saturday as friends, family, and police continued to search for her.

Cindy Sumner, who has muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and learning disabilities, was reported missing Thursday afternoon after she failed to meet her mother at their North Erie Street home. Mary Sumner said her daughter was usually in contact with family but had stopped answering her cell phone at about 3 p.m. Thursday.

Ms. Sumner was last seen wearing jean shorts and a shirt that said "Friendly Center" on the front and "STAFF" on the back. The 5-foot, 4-inch woman was riding her blue and white Huffy mountain bike with a teddy bear and red flower attached to the handlebars.

She has brown hair, brown eyes, and weighs 125 pounds, her family said.

Community members circulated flyers throughout the North Toledo neighborhood and contacted area soup kitchens yesterday.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090809/NEWS16/908090357/-1/NEWS

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090808/NEWS16/908080374/0/BUSINESS
Article published August 08, 2009
Authorities ramp up search for 20-year-old

BLADE STAFF(http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TO&Date=20090808&Category=NEWS16&ArtNo=908080374&Ref=AR&MaxW=200)
Cindy Sumner

Cindy Sumner was the kind of woman who stayed in constant contact with her parents.

She was so reliable, in fact, that when she didn't arrive at her North Erie Street home Thursday afternoon and since has failed to answer her cell phone, her family and Toledo police became concerned.

Ms. Sumner, 20, who has muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cognitive disabilities, was the focus of an extensive search friday that lasted throughout the day. Friends and family canvassed the areas she frequented with flyers and police sought out leads to her possible whereabouts.

As of 9:15 p.m. friday night, she remained missing.

"I'm scared," Ms. Sumner's mother, Mary, said as she waited with others in Jamie Farr Park in the city's north end. "I want my girl home. I want my baby home."

Mrs. Sumner said she last spoke to her daughter at about 2 p.m. Thursday when the two discussed meeting at their home. Mrs. Sumner said she arrived at home shortly after, but her daughter never did.

Ms. Sumner was last seen wearing jean shorts and a shirt that said "Friendly Center" on the front and "STAFF" on the back. The 5-foot, 4-inch woman was riding her blue and white Huffy mountain bike with a teddy bear and red flower attached to the handlebars.

Ms. Sumner has brown hair, brown eyes, and weighs 125 pounds, her family said.

Police were notified about the missing woman on Thursday and began an investigation.

Friday, the search intensified although there was some indication she may have left voluntarily.

"She has some medical problems and she's a little bit learning disabled. She's not like your average 20-year-old walking away," Sgt. Tim Noble said. "…There's an ongoing investigation, but because of the circumstances, we're very concerned."

As part of the investigation, police questioned a 21-year-old man who family members said was Ms. Sumner's ex-boyfriend.

He was arrested on an unrelated warrant for failure to verify as a sexual offender.

Family members and friends gathered for much of the day at Jamie Farr Park on Summit Street because they said it was an area that Ms. Sumner frequented often on her bike.

Ms. Sumner's family said her bike was her primary mode of transportation.

A 2007 graduate of Scott High School, Ms. Sumner was a fan of television wrestling and a big fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, her mother said.

Mrs. Sumner added that she's fearful for her daughter, who she said had "the mind of a 12-year-old."

"She told me she was on her way home," a tearful Mrs. Sumner said. "I then kept calling and calling and calling [her cell phone], but only got voice mail."

-By Erica Blake

No mention of finding the bike yet either. I hope they are searching where the boyfriend lived.

Thanks for the updates.

Her parents need to contact the media. Her case might get more coverage than the average 20 year old missing person because of the fact that she has disabilities.

No updates in the local news that I can find...how sad.

Very sad.   The boyfriend lying about not seeing her for four days is not a good sign.     ::MonkeyNoNo::

N. Toledo woman remains missing
Posted: Aug 10, 2009 5:30 AM CDT Updated: Aug 10, 2009 1:00 PM CDT

NORTH TOLEDO (WTOL) - A local family is pleading with the public to help them find a missing woman. 20-year-old Cindy Sumner was last seen Thursday, August 6 riding her bike.

She suffers from muscular dystrophy and is developmentally disabled.

Police are investigating her disappearance and volunteer search parties are combing north and east Toledo. If you would like to help search for Cindy, call 419-469-2639.

http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=10875304

Family, friends keep looking for Sumner
Residents continue to search for lost local woman

Updated: Monday, 10 Aug 2009, 5:44 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 10 Aug 2009, 5:44 PM EDT

TOLEDO, Ohio - Family and friends of Cynthia Sumner were in East Toledo looking for any sign of her.

Police say they are getting a lot of calls from people saying they have seen her but so far none of those tips have panned out.

Cynthia family says she has physical and mental disabilities, and they are worried sick.

Sumner is 5' 4", about 125 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. If you've seen her, call Crime-Stopper at (419)255-1111.

(http://media2.foxtoledo.com//photo/2009/08/10/New_Details_on_the_Sea85c9476a-7716-40f9-ae65-da0ed91619b00000_20090810161808_320_240.JPG)

http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/local/wupw_Family_friends_keep_looking_for_Sumner_08102009

There is video at the link.

hmmmm...this doesn't look good..that boyfriend lied about seeing her...what else is he lying about?

Finkbeiner meets with Mary Sumner
Mayor pledges resilience in search efforts

Updated: Monday, 10 Aug 2009, 10:26 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 10 Aug 2009, 10:26 PM EDT

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner was shaking hands with Mary Sumner for the first time.

This mother, along with friends and family, spoke with Finkbeiner across from Saint Louis Catholic Church in East Toledo, one of the last places Cindy Sumner was spotted.

"Hopefully we can still find Cindy or Cindy will make it back into her front door and everybody will be happy again," said Mayor Finkbeiner.

"It's great. I'm glad he's helping us - the more help the better," said Mary Sumner.

Twenty-year-old Cindy went missing back on Thursday, wearing a florescent green shirt that said "FRIENDLY Center" on the front, and "Staff" on the back.

Finding her is very important because Cindy has physical and mental disabilities.

Police and her family have searched near Jamie Farr Park in North Toledo and some areas on the east side.

Cindy's mother, Mary, doesn't think her daughter just ran away. She believes she may have gotten lost.

"Whoever has my daughter, tomorrow's her 21st birthday. Just let her go. Let her come home," Mary said. "She's my baby. I just want her home safe."

"We're back on the job and we're not going to surrender until we've done everything we possibly can," Finkbeiner said.

When the mayor says "we're back on the job" he's referring to the fact that over the past 24 hours Toledo Police have been busy with a fatal "officer-involved" shooting.

If you have any idea where Cindy might be call (419)255-1111.

http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/local/wupw_Finkbeiner_meets_with_Mary_Sumner_08102009

Praying that Cindy is home for her birthday.

Unfortunatly for Cindy, this has been the top news story for the past few days....and since the suspect that was shot & killed was wanted for murder in Detroit, it is probably going to be the top news story for awhile.

I also hope she is home for her 21st birthday.

Missing Toledo woman celebrates a birthday     
By Jennifer Taylor
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 8:49 a.m.

Tuesday is the 21st birthday of a developmentally disabled Toledo woman that's been missing since last week.  On Monday night the family of Cindy Sumner continued their search.  They say Cindy was spotted several times over the weekend in east Toledo.  Mayor Carty Finkbeiner came out to lend support to the family.  They all hope Cindy returns today so they can celebrate her birthday.

Cindy Sumner is 5 feet four inches tall and weighs about 120-pounds.  She has brown hair and hazel eyes.  If you know anything about this case call CrimeStopper at 419-255-1111.

The family has issued another news conference for Tuesday at 11 a.m. St. Louis Church.  The church is located at 6th and Euclid
http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=335583

Still no sign of Cindy Sumner
Family misses Cindy as she misses her birthday

Updated: Tuesday, 11 Aug 2009, 5:10 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 11 Aug 2009, 5:10 PM EDT

TOLEDO, Ohio - It's day five in the search for Cindy Sumner and today was especially difficult for family members.

Today is Cindy's 21st birthday. Her family even bought a cake for the occasion.

Family members were back in East Toledo today hoping to find a clue that can lead them to the missing woman.

"Its not like Cindy," said Mary Sumner, Cindy's mother. "She's normally on the North End riding her bike at Jamie Farr Park. In my gut I think someone coaxed here to come here. If they've got her, just bring her back home."

Sumner's family says trash collectors called 9-1-1 this morning, believing they saw the girl on Cherry Street. So far, though, no one has been able to catch up with her.

Cindy has both physical and mental disabilities which make it even more important that she is found soon.

http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/local/wupw_Still_no_sign_of_Cindy_Sumner_08112009

(http://media2.foxtoledo.com//photo/2009/08/11/Cindy_Sumner_Still_Misbe43b40b-44ed-4392-824e-c0f99187e8bd0000_20090811171002_640_480.JPG)

Heartbreaking!

Toledo police divisions join search for woman
Gang, vice, bike units look for North Toledoan

By ERICA BLAKE - BLADE STAFF WRITER
Article published August 13, 2009

It's been a week since Mary Sumner spoke to her daughter - a week during which Cindy Sumner should have celebrated her 21st birthday with her family, but instead is the subject of an extensive search.

Cindy Sumner, who has muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and learning disabilities, was reported missing Aug. 6 after she failed to meet her mother at their North Erie Street home.

Although she usually stayed in contact with family, the missing woman had stopped answering her cell phone about 3 p.m., her mother said.

Since then, family, friends, and police have searched places where she reportedly had been and were following up on tips as to where she might be.

"I've been here at the house, managing the phones. I've been hoping that it's Cindy," her mother said yesterday. "I'm just waiting for that one phone call."

The missing woman was last seen wearing jean shorts and a shirt that said "Friendly Center" on the front and "STAFF" on the back. The 5-foot, 4-inch woman was riding her blue and white Huffy mountain bike with a teddy bear and red flower attached to the handlebars.

She has brown hair and brown eyes and weighs 125 pounds, her family said.

Detective Vince Mauro, who investigates missing persons, said the department has followed up on tips throughout the past week. He said officers from several divisions, including the bike patrol, vice squad, and the gang task force have been involved in the search.

"We follow up on any lead. There's a lot going on," he said of the investigation. But he added that Ms. Sumner should not be afraid to come home if she left voluntarily.

"She hasn't committed a crime. She's not in trouble," he said. "Her family and the entire police department are just worried about her."

Ms. Sumner said she jumps every time she hears another tip come in on where her daughter might be. She said the young woman is not a runaway and pleaded with anyone who might have information to come forward.

She said she had cake and balloons ready Aug. 5 for her daughter, symbols of a celebration that didn't have a happy ending.

"I just looked at those balloons and cried. I kept saying, 'Come on, baby. Come home to mama. Come home to mama. Let's celebrate,'•" she said.

Anyone with information about the missing woman is asked to call the Toledo police detective bureau at 419-245-3142 or Crime Stopper at 419-255-1111.

http://bit.ly/2o79Fr

Search continues for missing Toledo woman
Cindy Sumner last seen August 6

Updated: Thursday, 13 Aug 2009, 10:13 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 13 Aug 2009, 10:12 PM EDT

TOLEDO, Ohio - Family, friends, and police are still searching for a missing North Toledo woman. Missing posters hang on the Erie Street home where Cindy Sumner was supposed to meet her mother Thursday afternoon, August 6. That never happened, and now her mom just wants her to come home.

"I'm getting tired of these head games. I want to hear something positive, like we've got her instead of we've seen her here, we've seen her there," said Cindy’s mother, Mary Sumner.  "My heart is telling me she's still in Toledo. She's sill in Toledo somewhere."

Mary says many reported sightings of Cindy have come in to police, but most of them have turned out to be dead ends.

Cindy was last seen riding her blue and white Huffy bicycle in her North Toledo neighborhood. Her bike was very recognizable with a teddy bear and red flower tied to the handle bars. She has M-S and muscular dystrophy, along with learning disabilities and her mother says she has the mental capacity of a 12 year-old. Since she's been gone she's missed her 21st birthday.

“We want to celebrate her birthday,” said her mother. “Her cake is already frozen and we're waiting for her to come home so she can cut that first slice of cake."

The day Cindy disappeared she was wearing a fluorescent green shirt that said Friendly Center on the front, and Staff on the back. She is 5-foot-4, about 125 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

If you have any information on where Cindy may be you are asked to call Crimestopper at 419-255-1111, or call 9-1-1 if you see her.

http://bit.ly/XneBY

http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=337113
Toledo woman missing for more than a week     
 By Jennifer Taylor
Friday, August 14, 2009 at 7:52 a.m.

Toledo Police have stepped-up the search for a missing disabled Toledo woman.  Cindy Sumner was last seen riding her bike in north Toledo more than a week ago.  The 21-year old suffers from muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and learning disabilities.

There have been several alleged sightings of Cindy on the east side of town but so far she has not been found.

If you know the whereabouts of Cindy Sumner call CrimeStopper at 419-255-1-1-1-1.
************************************************************
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090813/NEWS02/908130356/0/NEWS24
Toledo police step up search for woman
Gang, vice, bike units look for North Toledoan

(http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TO&Date=20090813&Category=NEWS02&ArtNo=908130356&Ref=AR&MaxW=200)
Sumner

It's been a week since Mary Sumner spoke to her daughter - a week during which Cindy Sumner should have celebrated her 21st birthday with her family, but instead is the subject of an extensive search
<snip>
By ERICA BLAKE
BLADE STAFF WRITER

This is so terrible..

Where is just one witness who may have seen something that will give investigators a lead that they can follow ?? are people blind in 2009 ??

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=6971215
The search for Cindy Sumner continues
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
 The search for Cindy Sumner continues. The disabled 21-year-old has been missing for twelve days. She even missed her 21st birthday. Cindy Sumner's mother, Mary, remains hopeful her daughter is alive and coming home. "In my gut as a mother I feel that she is here in Lucas County but where I don't know. It's just a mother's instinct I guess."

Cindy may be 21, but she suffers from both muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis - meaning she has the mentality of a 12-year-old. Cindy's mother says she last talked to her daughter while she was riding her bike at Jamie Farr Park.

Mary says she is in daily contact with Toledo police In fact, they called during our interview asking about Cindy's MySpace account. We searched and found she had logged in August 9th three days after her mother last saw her.   (See Bolded Red Notation Below)

 Sumner says she has confidence in Toledo police but also wants the community to keep looking for her little girl.

We spoke with a detective handling the case. He says they have confirmed Cindy did not log into her account, it was a relative. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Cindy Sumner call Toledo police at 419-245-3142.

Vigil for missing, disabled Toledo woman     

By Amulya Raghuveer
Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.

TOLEDO -- Friends and family will hold a vigil for a missing Toledo woman Thursday evening.

Cindy Sumner, 21, was reported missing two weeks ago after she called her mother and told her she was on her way home from a bike ride.

A candlelight vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Salem Church on Huron St.

Sumner suffers from muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and learning disabilities.

According to reports, the developmentally disabled woman has been spotted several times since she was reported missing on Friday, Aug. 7 . The sightings have all been in East Toledo.

Sumner, who turned 21 on Aug. 11, is 5'4" tall and weighs 120 lbs.  She has brown hair and hazel eyes.

If you have any information regarding Sumner's disappearance you are asked to call Toledo Police Crime Stopper at 419-255-1111.

http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=339744
 

I hope they find her soon.

I do not trust eye witness reports but in this case I hope they are correct..

http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/story.aspx?id=347328
Still no sign of missing Toledo woman      
By Amulya Raghuveer
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 at 9:58 a.m.

TOLEDO -- Toledo Police and family members of Cindy Sumner, 21, continue to search for the disabled North Toledo woman.

Sumner was last seen Aug. 6 riding her bike near Jamie Farr Park.

There have been several unconfirmed sightings of the mentally disable woman in East Toledo.

If you know of Cindy's whereabouts or have any information regarding her disappearance you are asked to contact Toledo Police Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111.
   
   

Article published September 17, 2009
Decomposed body of woman found in North Toledo warehouse

The decomposed body of a woman was found Thursday in the basement of a vacant warehouse in North Toledo near the corner of Utica and Elm streets, and the police chief said it was an apparent homicide.

The location where the woman's body was found was not far from where Cindy Sumner, 21, was reported missing on Aug. 6. Miss Sumner, who has muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and learning disabilities, failed to meet her mother at their North Erie Street home that day.

Police Chief Mike Navarre said the death was "an apparent homicide." A news conference was called for Thursday afternoon.

Chief Navarre said a determination of whether the body is that of Miss Sumner or someone else would be "made as soon as possible". A Lucas County coroner's investigator described the body as badly decomposed and said an autospy would be conducted on Friday.

So far this year, there have been 19 slayings in the city of Toledo, including the body found in the warehouse and another that was reported Thursday morning.

Toledo reported 20 homicides in 2008.

Miss Sumner's family has offered $1,000 for information about her location.
Although she usually stayed in contact with family, the missing woman had stopped answering her cell phone about 3 p.m. on the day she went missing, her mother, Mary, has said.

Since then, family, friends, and police searched places where she reportedly had been and were following up on tips as to where she might be.

Miss Sumner was last seen wearing jean shorts and a shirt that said "Friendly Center" on the front and "STAFF" on the back. The 5-foot, 4-inch woman was riding her blue and white Huffy mountain bike with a teddy bear and red flower attached to the handlebars.

A week after her disappearance, Detective Vince Mauro, who investigates missing persons, said the department was still following up on tips. He said then that officers from several divisions, including the bike patrol, vice squad, and the gang task force were involved in the search.

Mrs. Sumner also said that the young woman was not a runaway and pleaded with anyone who might have information to come forward.
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090917/NEWS02/909179964

Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 3:06 p.m.

Toledo Police have called a news conference for a body discovered on Elm Street.

Around 1:30 p.m. Thursday authorities responded to a vacant warehouse, inside the body of a female found in the basement.

Authorities have not said, officially, if this is the body of 21-year old Cindy Sumner.

NBC 24 News has learned the Sumner family has been notified.

Cindy Sumner disappeared back on August, 6th.  She was last seen riding her bike in Jamie Farr Park.

Look for more on this developing story tonight on NBC 24 News at 6 and 7 o'clock.
http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=351451

Heart Breaking when somebody mentally unable or to young to defend themselves is murdered.

Yes indeed  ::MonkeyNoNo::

Wow - how sad!  I was at my mom's and the neighbor came over and told me about this   ::MonkeyWaa:: 

I missed the local news at 6 but will watch the 11pm news for any updates.

Article published September 17, 2009
Body found in Toledo warehouse has similarities to missing woman, police chief says


Cindy Sumner has been missing since Aug. 6 and police have notified the family to determine if a body found Thursday is her.



The decomposed body of a woman found Thursday in North Toledo has similarities to that of a 21-year-old woman who was last seen in the nearby neighborhood six weeks ago, Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre said at an afternoon news conference.

The chief would not go as far as to confirm the body found in the basement of a vacant warehouse in North Toledo near the corner of Utica and Elm streets was that of Cindy Sumner.

But he said the woman's family has been notified about the discovery and he hoped to have a positive identification by Friday morning.

Miss Sumner, 21, who has muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and learning disabilities, was reported missing on Aug. 6 after she failed to meet her mother at their North Erie Street home that day.

The police chief had said earlier Thursday that evidence found at the scene indicated that the death was "an apparent homicide."

A Lucas County coroner's investigator described the body as badly decomposed and said an autopsy would be conducted on Friday.

The body of the woman was the second body found by police on Thursday.

More here  http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090917/NEWS02/909179964

Article published September 18, 2009
TOLEDO HOMICIDES
Officers find two bodies on same day
Hollywood Avenue victim shot; other person may be missing woman
 
By TOM HENRY
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledo's murder total jumped to 19 Thursday — just one death shy of what it was for all of last year — with the discovery of a man shot in central Toledo and a woman's body that was found in an abandoned warehouse.

Toledo police first located 34-year-old Victor Johnson's bullet-riddled body in the backyard of an Old West End residence at 2413 Hollywood Ave.

He was yet another person gunned down in darkness for reasons that aren't clear, someone who was presumed to have been shot hours earlier. His body was found at 10:17 a.m.

A little more than an hour later, police discovered a second body.

This time, it was that of a badly decomposed female, discovered at 11:30 a.m. in a dank, musty basement of an abandoned North Toledo warehouse at 1510 Elm St. The body was discovered in about two feet of water.

Authorities expect to learn today if the body was that of Cindy Sumner, a 21-year-old with muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and learning disabilities who was reported missing on Aug. 6. Dental records are being used to help make an identification.

The two events, stunning as they are on their own, seemed to take on extra meaning and raise more questions for the community at large.

Some may be trying to make sense of two homicide investigations beginning the same day — a rare occurrence in Toledo. With less than three-quarters of 2009 gone, the two slayings documented yesterday brought the city's homicide total close to what it was for 2008.

Still, records show that is 16 fewer than the 35 homicides Toledo had in 2006, a figure well behind what Cleveland, Columbus, andCincinnati experience in a typical year.

So what are people to make of the two latest homicides, given the economic downturn that led to massive police layoffs earlier this year? Are times getting worse or better?

“I think our officers have done an admirable job since May 1, when we first got hit with these layoffs,” Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre said.

Seventy-five officers were laid off. Sixty have since returned to work as a result of state and federal grants.

“But that does take its toll on the morale of the officers,” Chief Navarre said. “The fact that crime is down and that our response time has not suffered, I think speaks volumes to the quality of the men and women of the police department and the job they have done.”

In North Toledo, three detectives were led to the body yesterday that may be Miss Sumner.

Police went to the Elm Street address yesterday after Detective Vince Mauro, who had been leading the investigation into Miss Sumner's disappearance, was tipped off by a woman who claimed to know
Miss Sumner. The tipster is not considered a suspect, Chief Navarre said.

The police chief said the condition of the body led authorities to believe she had been slain, but he would not elaborate.

He declined to talk about any weapons that might have been found at the scene.

“The body was badly decomposed and probably had been there for several weeks,” Chief Navarre said.

The tip came from a woman who said she knew someone named “Sissy” who liked to congregate with her and others inside the warehouse. She told police she believed that woman was Miss Sumner.
Autopsy scheduled


An autopsy is scheduled for this morning to help determine the cause of death.

Ms. Sumner has been the focus of an extensive search since she disappeared.

Friends and family have canvassed the places she frequented and passed out flyers.

Her family offered a $1,000 reward for any information about her.

Toledo detectives, Chief Navarre, and Mayor Carty Finkbeiner visited her family members after the body was found.

“We emphasized that we have not identified the body. At this point we can't tell you it is Cindy or it is not Cindy,” Chief Navarre told reporters at an afternoon news conference.

Chief Navarre said the detectives found an easy access in the rear of the tan, six-story brick building at Elm and Utica streets. “It appears there have been homeless people living in the building,” he said.

The detective also found a smoldering fire on the second floor and called for firefighters. The chief said the fire was not believed to be related to the body.

A sign on the warehouse reads Premier Bedding, and the multistory building's windows are smashed.

Devin Bennett, 23, said the warehouse has been abandoned for as long as he could remember. He used to live in the neighborhood and returned yesterday to visit his grandmother. He said he knew Miss Sumner from Salem Lutheran Church, where they were both active.

“I'm hoping she's living somewhere and doing well,” he said.

Later in the day, family members gathered around the front porch of the North Erie Street home that Miss Sumner shared with her parents.


The badly decomposed body of a female was found yesterday in the basement of an abandoned building on Elm Street. Authorities expect to learn today if the body was that of Cindy Sumner.

An aunt, Tina Rutkowski, said they had hoped she was still alive but were now braced for the worst as they waited for the coroner to identify the body.

“My brother is not doing so well. He has muscular dystrophy, too, and she was his only child,” Ms. Rutkowski said, fighting back tears. “As long as they find out who did it.”

A neighbor, Demeshia Walker, 27, claimed to have seen drug addicts and scavengers in the building. Sometimes she hears breaking glass and screaming inside, she said. She said the police tell her it's only kids, but she knows better.

“This building, we've been seeing nothing but grown-ups coming out of the building through a steel gate,” she said. “You mostly see men going in there. You rarely see a woman.”

Another neighbor, Dave Bethany, 24, said that graffiti artists from outside the neighborhood also sneak inside the warehouse to paint, sticking around for two or three hours at a time.

“At least once or twice a week they come and park there and go in,” Mr. Bethany said. “No one from the neighborhood ever goes in there.”

--snipped--

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090918/NEWS02/909189997

September 18, 2009 at 2:01 p.m.
Evidence found indicating body is that of Cindy Sumner

TOLEDO, OH -- Although a forensic determination has not  yet been made, evidence recovered at the crime scene leads police to believe a body recovered yesterday in a vacant warehouse is that of Cindy Sumner. Jewelry and clothing items found were similar to those belonging to Sumner.

Toledo police detectives met with the Sumner family today and informed them of their findings.
http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/story.aspx?id=351849

OMG.... I came here to see if there were any new leads in this case.... but not expecting to find THIS horrible news !!   ::MonkeyNoNo::

This is just terrible.. what in the blazes is wrong with our world lately ?!?!

This poor disabled woman .... her family must be beside themselves in grief.... I can't even wrap my mind around what could've possibly happened.. I am numb.

God Bless Cindy Sumner and her family.

Body confirmed as that of missing Cindy Sumner

 September 18, 2009 at 10:23 p.m.

It has been confirmed the body of the woman found in a North Toledo warehouse Thursday is that of missing 21 year old Cindy Sumner.

The family of the victim told NBC 24 News the coroner’s office identified the body by using dental records.   

Police are calling the death a homicide though no exact cause of death has been determined.

The disabled woman vanished about six weeks ago while riding her bike near Jaime Farr Park.
http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/story.aspx?id=352028

more details......

Body is confirmed as missing woman

Dr. Barnett said the cause of death has not been determined, but ruled out stabbing, shooting, or strangulation. "We're treating it as a homicide," she said. "It's a very suspicious death."

Police discovered the body Thursday morning in the basement of an abandoned warehouse at 1510 Elm St. while acting on a tip from a woman who said that someone named "Sissy" liked to congregate with her and others inside.

Dr. Barnett said the forensic examination was made difficult because the body had lain in water for some time, possibly as long as four or five weeks.
The body was clad in a yellow Pennzoil T-shirt and a bathing suit top. A necklace that family members since have identified as belonging to Miss Sumner also was on the body.

An uncle, Jim Lagrange, said earlier Friday that Miss Sumner's mother, Mary Sumner, gave the necklace to her daughter and that Mrs. Sumner also owned a similar T-shirt.

"It was a necklace that Mary herself had given to Cindy," Mr. Lagrange said.

The yellow shirt and bathing suit top are different from the clothing that Miss Sumner's family has said they last saw her in.

The day she disappeared, she wore jeans shorts and a shirt that said "Friendly Center" on the front and "STAFF" on the back.

Family and friends of Miss Sumner gathered inside North Toledo's Salem Lutheran Church during the late afternoon Friday to mourn the passing of an outgoing, beloved, and innocent young woman.

"Today we know that our best efforts to protect her didn't work," Pastor Mary Lou Baumgartner prayed during a tearful service that drew about 70 people.

Neighborhood resident Jill Lowry, 42, shared how painful it was to no longer see Miss Sumner riding around on her bike.

"I'm looking around and all I see is sad faces and tears," she told the church audience.

"Cindy had all the innocence of a child."

"It's a shame that somebody has to do this to a girl like Cindy who doesn't do anything wrong," another neighbor, Larry McKnight, said.

Outside the service, Lisa Mullins, 14, a best friend, recalled how she saw Miss Sumner the afternoon she disappeared.

She said Miss Sumner was in almost constant contact with her mother by cell phone, and she never knew of her to wander near the warehouse where police found her body.

"I'd never seen her go near that building," Lisa said.

Dr. Barnett said the Coroner's Office plans to perform an anthropological evaluation, which would examine the body's skeletal structure.
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090919/NEWS02/909190349/-1/RSS

how very sad....

Police offer reward in Sumner case
 
The Toledo Police Department released a statement Oct. 6 asking for help solving the murder of Cindy Sumner.

Sumner was reported missing on Aug. 6 by her family. On Sept. 17, her body was found in a warehouse at 1510 Elm Street.

The reported stated: “Cindy suffered from muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis as well having some cognitive disabilities. Cindy was known to frequently ride her bike. The bike is described as possibly a blue and white Huffy. The bike had a teddy bear and a red flower attached to the handle bars.”

The Toledo Police Department is offering an award of $5,000, in addition to any Crime Stopper award, to information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information should call Crime Stopper at (419) 255-1111.

http://www.toledofreepress.com/2009/10/06/police-offer-reward-in-sumner-case/

There is a potential lead in the murder of Cindy Sumner. Police filed a search warrant to seize a pair of tennis shoes worn by Elhadi Robbins. He's a 44-year-old sex offender who is in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio on probation violations. Cindy Sumner turned up missing in August. Her body was found last month in an abandoned warehouse on Elm Street. Police say a distinct shoe print was found near her body. Homeless people who spent time in and around the building say they had seen Robbins at the warehouse wearing a pair of white tennis shoes. However, at this time, police are not calling Robbins a suspect in Sumner's murder.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7058309

Suspect indicted in death of Sumner; woman's body was found in August
2/3/10

It has been six months of heartbreaking questions for members of Cindy Sumner's family.

Who would hurt the young woman who loved not only people but also teddy bears? Was she scared in her final minutes in a dark North Toledo warehouse? Why did she have to die?

Yesterday, family members were given some hope that they would one day learn the answers after a man was charged in Ms. Sumner's death.
(http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TO&Date=20100203&Category=NEWS02&ArtNo=2030357&Ref=H9&MaxW=200)
A Lucas County grand jury indicted Elhadi Robbins, 44, who is currently incarcerated in the Chillicothe Correctional Institution on unrelated charges. He is charged with two alternate counts of murder in Ms. Sumner's death.

"At least we know who [the suspect is]. We don't know why and that may be an answer that we never know," said Debbie Sumner, the victim's aunt. "This was a big question we've asked: Who did it?"

Police discovered Ms. Sumner's body on Sept. 17 in the basement of an abandoned warehouse at 1510 Elm St.
Authorities said at the time that they were acting on a tip from a woman who said that someone named "Sissy" liked to congregate with her and others inside the building.

The 21-year-old woman with muscular dystrophy and learning disabilities had been missing since Aug. 6.

Authorities believe that Ms. Sumner was killed shortly after her disappearance based on the condition of the body when she was discovered.

The Lucas County Coroner's Office ruled her death a homicide although the cause of death was undetermined.

The coroner's report indicated that she died as a result of "homicidal violence" and that she had sustained "blunt force trauma to the head."

Her bike, a blue and white Huffy mountain bike with a teddy bear and red flower attached to the handlebars, was found in the warehouse.

Detective Jay Gast, who investigated Ms. Sumner's murder, said yesterday that Robbins was an "acquaintance" of the victim. "As we went forward, we developed him as a suspect," he said.

The detective said that Robbins had been in custody since Aug. 19 on a failure to verify charge.

According to records filed in Toledo Municipal Court, detectives had requested a search warrant in October to acquire Robbins' shoes and a DNA sample while he was incarcerated at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio. Yesterday, Detective Gast confirmed that Robbins' shoes were found "to exhibit similar characteristics" as shoe prints found at the scene.

He added that direct and circumstantial evidence, including witness accounts, led to the charges against Robbins.

"By all accounts, [Robbins] had an infatuation and an attraction to the victim," the detective said.

Detective Gast said that Robbins was reportedly living in the warehouse during the summer of 2009. He said that although the abandoned building attracted several homeless people, Robbins appeared to be the only one still there in early August.

The building has since been boarded up by the city in response to a court order.

Robbins is currently incarcerated after being convicted of failure to notify as well as violations of both community control and parole.

Judge Ruth Ann Franks sentenced him Oct. 15 to four years in prison for the failure to verify charge consecutive to 11 months imposed for violating community control on a 2008 theft case.

The sentences were ordered consecutive to time ordered for violating parole on a 2007 case in which he was sentenced to time behind bars after pleading to one count of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented matter or performance.

The total stated prison term was nine years and two months, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Web site.

Debbie Sumner said yesterday that her family has had a difficult time adjusting to life without the young woman who everyone liked.

She said the young woman's parents, Timothy and Mary Sumner, have been devastated by the death of their daughter.

Debbie Sumner declined to comment yesterday about the suspect, saying only that his name was known to the family. She said for now, the family is hoping that yesterday's indictment will bring them "a step toward closure."

Last night, Rosemary Schumacher, Ms. Sumner's grandmother, said she believed her granddaughter's relationship with Robbins was a casual one.

She gave Detective Gast full credit for the break in the case. "I thought it would never be solved. It has been too long," she said.

The family recognizes that there is still more to endure, Mrs. Sumner added. And together they intend to see it through.

"We'll be [in court] as much as we have to if that's what it takes to get the sentence and to get justice so we get closure," she said. "We're ready and willing to do what we have to do."
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100203/NEWS02/2030357/0/RSS04

Hoping for justice for Cindy  ::MonkeyJustice::

Article published February 25, 2010
Man pleads not guilty of Cindy Sumner’s murder  :roll:

The man charged in the death of a disabled woman found in an abandoned North Toledo warehouse was arraigned in Lucas County Common Pleas Court Thursday.

Elhadi Robbins, 44, who is currently incarcerated in Chillicothe Correctional Institution on unrelated charges, pleaded not guilty to two alternate counts of murder. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Acting on a tip, police discovered Ms. Sumner’s body on Sept. 17 in the basement of an abandoned North Toledo warehouse at 1510 Elm St. while acting on a tip from a woman who said that someone named "Sissy" liked to congregate with her and others inside. The 21-year-old woman with muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and learning disabilities had been missing since Aug. 6.

The Lucas County Coroner’s Office ruled her death a homicide.

Robbins is currently incarcerated after being convicted of theft and failure to verify. He had previously been convicted of sex offenses in 2007 when he entered a plea to a charge of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material.

He is serving a total of nine years and two months in prison.

Visiting Judge Ronald Bowman set a May 3 trial date.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100225/NEWS02/100229769/-1/NEWS