http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/19601324/detail.htmlInvestigators Dig Deeper Into Kennedy's Life POSTED: Friday, May 29, 2009
Monroe detectives have remained tight-lipped about the investigation. However, the only concrete evidence they have released is that two men are both being considered a person of interest in the case of a missing 5-year-old Monroe girl.
Nevaeh Buchanan was last seen at the Charlotte Arms apartment complex in Monroe Sunday evening.
Police believe she was abducted and is in extreme danger.
The first man to be detained was
George Kennedy. Police and family members have said Kennedy, 39, and the girl's mother Jennifer Buchanan have been dating.
But Jennifer Buchanan denies that they dated and insists they have been friends for several years. She said she knew he had a criminal record and is on the sex offender list.
Rescue 4 obtained Kennedy's criminal record.
In 2002, Kennedy was sentenced to 15 years in prison for home invasion and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
He was released in 2007 and remains on parole until July 2009.
Police said Kennedy is being detained because he allegedly violated the terms of his parole by having a relationship with a woman who has a child under the age of 17.
Local 4 talked with Kennedy's father, who said he would be devastated if he ever found out that his son had something to do with the missing girl.
"I didn't raise him like that," Jake Kennedy said.
Video Interview:Kennedy's Father Speaks To Local 4
Arena said investigators have seized "a number of pieces" of potential evidence and sent them to a crime lab since the girls' disappearance. He would not say what the pieces were or who has been questioned in connection with the case.
However, Local 4 has learned after searching Kennedy's motel and car, detectives found a knife and some articles of clothing that had human blood on it.
Officials would not comment on the evidence Friday. It has been sent to the MSP crime lab and could take several days to test the DNA.
The second man who is being called a person of interest is Roy Lee Smith. He is the owner of the minivan Kennedy has been driving. The minivan is where the bloody knife was found.
Smith is also a convicted sex offender.
Pictures of a young girl that resembled Nevaeh Buchanan were also found in Kennedy's room.
Investigators told Local 4 a letter they found that Jennifer Buchanan sent to Kennedy has raised some questions. However, they would not provide any further details.
Investigators visited Kennedy's ex-wife's home in Maybe.
"He (Kennedy) prays on the fatherless. If he sees that your vulnerable that's what he's going to do," said Kennedy's former neighbor.
Investigators have stressed they are looking in all directions and are not concentrating solely on the one person of interest.