How insane are we getting. The police did everything within their power and the limits of the law to find that missing little girl. For her father to file a lawsuit against the agency that put together a successful case for prosecution is nothing but an attempt to make a fast buck. What a shame.

I had at one time, respect for Jessica's father, but since he got in bed with the attorneys.

GREED.

You have to be kidding, the police did there up most to find this little girl.  Maybe if the father was home that night instead of leaving his parent duties to his older mother and father he would have heard the kidnapping.

I think Mark Lunsford was the one that was negligent. Where was he when his daughter was taken. He was shacked up with his girlfriend.  Maybe if he had been home he would have heard Jessica being taken from their home.

I think now that it is over Mark is not in the paper any more and is doing this to be back in the papers again. Where was he when this happened? He was not even home he was with a girl friend. Maybe if he was home where he should have been, who knows...........but it is not the fault of the sheiffs dept.

The true Mark is finally showing his colors.  I wish one reporter would ask Mark, how he pays his bills?  What is his job?  Where are the financial records on his foundation.  I would not give a dime to him and more than just me feel this way.  

That's ridiculous.  Mark Lunsford should take a good hard look in the mirror and realize there's one person who was not there to save his daughter when that sicko took her away and killed her.  Her father.   The Sheriff went out of his way to make the case visible in the media where so many similar cases get lost.  The sheriff's office investigated the case successfully---  found Jessica's body, and arrested the person responsible for her death.  Mark Lunsford's failures as a father, and the sexual predator's failures as a human being are responsible for her death.  Not law enforcement.  This is an attempt to grab money... I knew when I saw that man that this was his true lowlife character.  He's proved that now, and will end up making a fool of himself in court instead of directing his efforts towards protecting other children as he has and should be doing.  

After all the public did for this man I think it is disgusting that he sees nothing but dollar signs. Is he also going to sue himself for not being home the night she was taken? If anyone was negligent it would be the reflection in his mirror!

If Lunsford was a better father, such as keeping decent hours and working for a living, maybe he would have been home when his daughter was taken from her home.  It is unfortunate that this happened, however, instead of trying to get rich, he should do all he can to continue bringing the forces together for better laws.  It's a shame that he is now trying to get rich by besmirching the very ones that helped him.

Mark Lunsford is way off base.  Where were Mark and his father when Jessica disappeared?  Who was watching the child? Or who really cared about the child.  And why didn't Jessica attempt to escape - or had she been previously molested or abused, so the kidnaping by Couy was just another day in her young life.

May be he should sue his parents for going to bed and not locking the door!!!!!!!!!Where was Jessica's Father at that time of night.??????

The reason I think there was negligence is because they should have searched the trailer where they eventually found her (the first time they went there) and they should have paid special attention due to a parolee living there and should have known he was there.  And why was he living there close to children. This has always bothered me as to why they did not do this.

I sure feel different about Mark Lunsford now. It seems like now the reporters aren't following him around keeping him in the limelight he has to do something about that. People are going to loose all respect for him. I hate to say what some of the other remarks have said above but "where was he the night Jessica dissapeared?"  That sheriff and his department put their "all" into that case and treated the Lunsfords like family. Is money going to bring her back? No but it might make his life a little easier. I've never heard what kind of a job does Mark have?

Cashing in on there kids deaths mark and john walsh thats ashame

What a sad day this is... To see Mark Lunsford now trying to cash in on his daughters murder. In the days after the kidnapping, Mark was praising law enforcement and their efforts, now that he wants money how his tune changes. This lawsuit will NOT bring back his precious Jessica. If Mark is so set on placing blame then he must first and foremost blame himself for not being there the night his daughter was kidnapped. Was his night out shacking up with his girlfriend worth the life of his daughter?? I hope the court throws this lawsuit out.

I can't believe this man, who worked so close with the sheriff's men and local searchers would now put a knife in their backs.  How can he expect others to be able to find his daughter when he himself walked by where she was being held. Look in the mirror pal, no amount of money will bring Jessica back or ease your guilt.  God Bless little Jessica and God help Mark, as it seems almighty greed has taken over his life.

This is just a ploy to get money.  While I may feel for his loss; he has none nothng, but capitalize on his daughter's death.  Where was he when she was taken????  He certainly wasn't where a responsible father should have been.  What are his funds drying up because of a lack of interviews and traveling all over promoting himself.  This man needs to get a job and stop capitalizing in his poor daughter's death.  Law enforcement did nothing wrong.  Mark Lunsford should be ashamed of himself.

The police are not allowed to search a home without a search warrant...this is why they were not able to search the mobile home. Not to mention that the lady living there did not tell authorities that Couey was staying there. This is not negligence on the police's behalf at all.They followed procedures within the limits of the law. They searched night and day to find this little girl and now you have a father who wants to get back in the limelight and score some money off his daughters murder. TRAGIC!! Mark Lundsford should be ashamed!!!

This man will never answer present at a MENSA meeting.  He is the epitome of an irate, outraged parent when something bad, in this case very bad, happens to the child blames everyone else but himself.  Where was Mr Parent of the Year the night his daughter was abducted?  He choose the neighborhood - did he never read the local police beat in the Citrus Chronical and see the amount of crime in his chosen area? Was he not aware of who his neighbors were?  If he was unaware of the activities in the general area, shame to him for being derilict in his duty as a parent. It is an awful thing to loose a child to such an animal as Couey, however, Mr Lunsford seems to have done very well with the talk circuit, publicity as a child advocate and drawing sympathy and concern for himself and his plight.  

HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN HOME WITH HIS DAUGHTER.  THE POLICE DID ALL IN THEIR POWER TO TRY AND FIND HIS DAUGHTER ALIVE.  HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PARENT FIRST; NOT LOOKING TO SHACK UP WITH  HIS GIRLFRIEND.  HIS PARENTS ARE ELDERLY AND HARDLY ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES; ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE ON MEDICATION.

Since day one it has been my opinion that had Mark Lunsford been home that night like he should have been instead of shacking up and if her grandparents would have been responsible and made sure the doors and windows were locked, Jessica would be alive today. It is  So guess where I put the blame.

Mark has not been in the lime light lately. His coffers are drying up. He needs to get a job (that is if he knows how to work) and stop living off the public. I wonder if the IRS is keeping tract of his income and how he is able to pay his bills.

People who know Mark , knows what Mark was doing that night and many other nights. He should have been home with his daughter. You think he would be grateful that he wasn't charged for leaving his daughter with a known child molester. Mark needs to realize that this is about Jesse, not him. I feel Mark is using Jesse's death for his own reconition. Why did he not fight for this law before Jesse died, There was plenty other kids out there that this was done to before Jesse. It was because he didn't have the peoples money.  MARK, you need to take a long hard look in the mirror and see what we see. LET JESSE R.I.P

I FEEL SORRY FOR SHERIFF DAWSY. IN MY OPINION HE DID EVERYTHING HE COULD AND STILL IS. HIS HEART WENT OUT FOR THE FAMILY AND I'M SURE THERE ISN'T A DAY GOES BY THAT HE DON'T THINK ABOUT THIS LITTLE GIRL BUT HE IS STILL THRIVING TO PUT SEX OFFENDERS WHERE THEY BELONG. WHAT ABOUT THE RIDE THIS WEEKEND FOR JESSICA THIS IS A MAN THAT TRULY CARES.

I guess Lunsford's been out of the news longer than he likes.

From day one I & many others blamed this misfit of a father, He was in a bar getting drunk while this angel was being raped & murdered by this pond scum, they should both rot in hades.

This is to Susan.  Couey was not registered at that address.  They had no idea he was staying there.  This is America, you dont get to just go in an search, you have to have probable cause and a warrant.  Sorry this has been bothering you but you could have found this information anywhere.  The police asks the crackheads and remember they did not tell.  They are law enforcement not Ms. Cleo.

iT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. He allowed some attorney to twist his thinking. I'm sure if you checked out this attorney you would find out "He is an ambulance chaser". In this case he is taking advantage of a pure man that has gone through hell and back. Mark, please let your daughter rest in peace.

Tom Collins

We feel that a slick lawyer has convinced him to sue for alot of money. Otherwise why would he give praise to all the people who helped him find the sick person who did this awful crime against poor Jessica 3 years ago & now sue? It has to be money. Will money ease your guil about not being home with your blessed Jessica, where you should have been? I hope they laugh him out of Citrus County & the area!!!! We don't need him here. We love our Sheriff & his department....

I feel that you all are laying the blame on Mark Lunsford, You should be ashamed
of yourselves. This man has lost a child that he will never get back,and He will always live with the guilt that he was not there.  I do blame the sheriff dept.
Why wasnt the house searched? when there is an amber alert posted that means all
surrounding areas should be searched!! knocking on a door and asking those scums if they saw the girl, what a joke!!!  Dont give me that crap that they needed a warrant to search, anytime a child is missing that automatically gives the right for them to do whatever needs to be done.   How is it this jerk moved the porch, dug a hole and burried this girl alive when all the police, people and reporters were right there on the street? where were all the eyes then??????? He didnt do this to her until things got heated up!!!why was the other people living in the house trying to get rid of bloody mattresses and clothes if they didnt know the girl was there? why were they not charged also??  NEGLIGENCE OF THE CITRUS COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT!!   I live in a double wide mobile home, let me tell  you they are hard to have privacy in!!  there is absolutely no way what so ever these people lived in this house and didnt know he had that girl in the house!! I dont beleive that anymore than i beleive there is a little green man on the moon!!And why did the sister purchase a bus ticket in her name to help him get out of town?  come on they were all guilty and the sheriff dept. dropped the ball!!!!!   WAKE UP PEOPLE, SEE IT FOR WHAT IT TRUELY IS!!!!!!

you love your sheriff so well, did you know he was from the carolinas? did you know he spent time in jail and is not allowed to be sheriff there, so he came to florida and WE HIRED HIM!!!   whos the stupid one now????   My understanding  is
he likes to slap his wife of then around???   do the research!!!!    your probably the same ones who think its cool to put obama in for president, a man who wont even honor our national anthem in public. refuses to place his hand on his heart, and refuses to say the words!! but i guess thats alright, lets put him in to run our country so we can cry more about how they keep taking everything away from us, so we are not really the land of the FREE!!!

Mark Lunsford certainly was not a model parent and probably could have made better choices regarding his daughter's care, however, she didn't deserve to die.  From the onset of the missing person investigation, members of the CCSO made grave mistakes.  The most serious mistake was not evaluating and processing the Lunsford residence as if a crime had occurred and not necessarily committed by a family member.  Instead of conducting a diligent search for Jessica, the CCSO assumed a family member was involved in her disappearance.  When this was ruled out, CCSO sought and received search support from the community.  The area was trampled and any evidence would have been contaminated.  Many assisted with the efforts and early on I realized  that they were only looking for a body.  The CCSO did not ask for identification or ask for the name of people searching nor take any general photographs of searchers.  The perpetrator could have been there but the investigators would never have known.  CCSO was negligent at the scene.  The Sheriff obviously has a large ego and should invest more time to effectively training his staff and deputies.  Before the body was found, Couey was identified as a person of interest, located in Georgia and subsequently interviewed.  Another failure, they trampled his constitutional rights.  Great training!  Not!

this is to brooke:   probable cause is when a child is missing and lives on that street.
it is up to the sheriff dept to know where the child predators and molesters are living.  they could do a check on every person on that street and when it comes back there is a relative of a sexual pred. living on the street that is enough probable cause.     It does not stop the sheriff dept to say they got a phone call that you had drugs or weapons in your vehicle, they pull you over and search because that gave them probable cause from an anonimous tip!!!  get over it!!  The sheriff dept does what they want when they want and how they want!!  

This is to Teresa Morgan.. Read the Constitution one of the admendments states that law enforcement can not illegally search  a citizens property without a warrant or probable cause. The sherriffs department had to follow the law. I am shocked to hear you defend Mark Lunsford. He is a father who is looking for monetary gain from his childs death. Answer me this..If the sheriffs department was negligent why did it ake 3 years for Mr. Lunsford to file suit? Why is it that the days following the kidnapping and murder did Mr. Lunsford continue to praise the efforts of law enforcement? If you research missing child cases you will find that Citrus County did very well in their investigation and finding the culprit. Remember Elizabeth Smart? 9 months with NOTHING. I am sure Sheriff Dawsy lives with this tragedy every day and now Mr. Lunsford adds to this misery by seeking MONEY!!!!! He needs money and he is now using the death of his daughter to gain it. Shame on him and shame on you for defending a man who should have been home that night and not out boozing it up and shacking up with his girlfriend!!

You all seem to think it is about the money! all of your comments pertain to cutting the father down and say he is living off us, and his limelight is over and he is greedy! what your not saying is,,,,,,,,If this was me that lost my child I would be doing the same thing he is doing right now,,,and maybe I wouldnt have waited as long as he did before i decided to sue.....   If you are not a parent that lost a child, you have no idea what its like, so stop condeming the man until you can honestly say you have walked in his shoes!!  as far as being a perfect or better parent then he was,,,,    No parent is perfect, we all make mistakes and if you think that is not true then you are lying to yourself...  If you have children how many times have you left them with a grandparent? a babysitter? a family friend??? why you were out partying it up at the bar??????   We have all done it, that doesnt make us a bad parent just because we went out!!    You people need to get over it and quit sucking up to the sheriff dept...   they messed up, they are human, but there were alot of things not done right,  it happens!!  but you need to lay off mark, he already lost his daughter and nothing is going to bring her back, stop making him out to be the rotten one. john couey is the rotten one!!

This is to Tabitha?
key word  PROBABLE CAUSE!!   The child lived on that street, they had rights to search every house on that street looking for that little girl.   did it ever occur to you that maybe mr. lunsford said praises to the sheriff dept. when this happened because he was in shock?    have you ever lost a child?? do you know the numbness you get from that?   you do and say things without even knowing really what you said or who you spoke to, you attend a funeral, but you have no recollection of it?   you cant even remember who was there???    Probable cause is whatever the sheriff dept. wants to say it is.........   I was one of the ones on the street right after she was missing. i was there when the sheriff dept showed up, I wanted to start looking for her right away, the sheriff held the people of the community off from searching!!  we were not asked who we were, showed no id's to any of the officers, nothing was recorded on who was involved in the search or anything.   How do you know if the hundred of us walking through the yards, and around peoples houses, that Jessica wouldnt have heard us and made a noise to let us know she was in trouble?    If you were not there or never lost a child, you need to be quiet about it!! alot of stuff happened at the scene that was not handled correctly, and just because the man went out or was spending the night away does not make him a bad parent. shame on you for saying that!! he left his child with his parents whom he trusted very well,  Needless to say........I HOPE IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN YOU NEVER LEAVE THEM WITH ANYONE WHILE YOU GO OUT FOR AN EVENING....CAUSE IF YOU DO, THE NEXT STORY WILL BE WHAT A ROTTEN PARENT YOU ARE FOR NOT BEING THERE WITH YOUR CHILD 24/7

Teresa.. I have no reason to suck up to the sheriffs department. I live in Pinellas and they are in Citrus. Noone is saying that we are perfect parents BUT from what has been said Mark was known to leave his daughter alot while out. I am a parent and NO I do not leave my kids to party all night long. His big mistake was suing the very people who did their very best to find this child. Do you honestly think that the sheriffs deprtment did not want to find this child?  Go back and review the many many interviews Mr. Lunsford did. On almost all of them he praises the efforts of Sheirff Dawsey and the law enforcement. Why now did he change his mind?? My guess is a greedy lawyer got to him. It is a parents responsibilty to make sure their child is safe and to know who lives around them. I sure as heck know where the pedophiles live in accordance to my house. The police can patrol and only do so much BUT it is we as parents who need to be vigilant.  I do not fault Mr. Lunsford for his actions that night... I do fault him for his actions now that are motivated by GREED!!!! Just has you said Couey is the rotten one..not the sheriffs department. Mr. Lunsford needs to remember this.

True he should have been at home. But on the other hand at least he left his daughter with adults, unlike the Mcann family who were ignorant enough to leave their daughter alone.

Teresa,  You are grasping at straws. SHOCK?? Yes there is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Lunsford was in shock... But his praise continued for a couple of years. Would you still call that shock?? FYI,  A loss of a child is tragic and heartwrenching and do not assume that I have not experienced this. You do not know what my life has been.

OK, well it seems this forum has a lot of silly people.  I figure I might as well chime in.  So what if the guy was with his girlfriend.  So what if he was with 50 women having the time of his life.  So what if he was drinking.  So what if he was having the time of his life.  The point is, his daughter died by the hands of a sick man regardless of where he was at.  He did not leave her home alone and it's not normal to think that some sicko is going to come and take your kid and hurt her.  Hindsight is 20/20.  I think we are all smart enough to know that.  Had he known what to expect, he would have stayed home.  Things will happen and we cannot prevent certain things from happening 100% of the time.  Even if he happened to be home at the time, it doesn't mean that this couldn't have still happened.  It most likely would have.  And we have all left a door or window unlocked at sometime in our life.  Elizabeth Smart's parents were home when she was abducted.  That sick man still took her.  

If I run to the store and leave my 10 year old home for 30 minutes while I grab some groceries, granted I lock the door and she knows the rules, then if some sick man breaks in and takes her, it's nobody's fault but the sick man's.  And if the police fail to follow procedure, then shame on them too.  However, since we don't know the details of the lawsuit, we can't judge or assume.  And back to leaving my daughter home for 30 minutes.  Even if the door was left unlocked, it gives nobody the right to to open the door and take a child.  Regardless of where I'm at or what I am doing.

I don't know the details of the lawsuit, so I cannot comment on it.  There may be details in the lawsuit that we don't know about.  So, before we can judge, we have to have the details.  To comment on the lawsuit without the details is like talking out our rear end, which most of you have done.  Get the facts first.  And remember, her dad was not out committing a crime by spending time with his girlfriend.  Good grief.  Unlike many fathers these days, he spent quality time with Jessie and cared for her deeply.  Whether he was with his girlfriend or home with Jessie, he loved her just the same.  

wasn't cooey a registered sex offender?  How could the cops set up a comand center in front of cooeys trailer and not know cooey buried Jessica in his back yard while they were within 100 Feet?  Yes the cops could have saved Jessica  and failed in thier duties.  I hope Mark is awarded millions and millions of bucks.  That sheriff needs to look for work as a spokesman.  He seems to be good at that......  

Suing is not going to make Mark Lunsford a happier man and its certainly not going to bring his unfortunate little girl back.

This is to Teresa Morgan:

"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation." - Adolph Hitler (Mein Kampf)

He was speaking to people like you. living on the same street where a child was abducted doesn't give the police the right to search your house and belongings. Sad as it may be that curtailing our liberties would have saved this girl, the notion that liberties can be taken away at a seconds notice just because of an need to save a child threatens us all.

I think the police department is at fault for not monitoring a previous sex offender.

I agree the police could have done a better job and the father should have been home but just because you have children doesn't mean you stop your life completely. Whether he was home or not she still could've been taken. sickos like that guy are sneaky I'm sure. He would have gotten her sooner or later with the father home or not. I have a child myself and I don't condone what he is doing but the man has suffered a lot. leave the poor guy alone. I agree with the people who say don't judge until you have walked in their shoes. you might do the same thing yourself.  

HERE IS THE 4TH AMENDMENT

Amendment IV (the Fourth Amendment) to the United States Constitution is one of the provisions included in the Bill of Rights. The Amendment guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, and was originally designed as a response to the controversial writs of assistance (a type of general search warrant), which were a significant factor behind the American Revolution.[citation needed] Toward that end, the amendment specifies that judicially sanctioned search and arrest warrants must be supported by probable cause and be limited in scope according to specific information supplied by a person (usually a peace officer) who has sworn by it and is therefore accountable to the issuing court.

First if a child is missing that is not probable cause to kick in everyone's door on the street.  Sorry this is the real world.  Second they originally focused on Lunsford as a suspect because of what was reportedly found on his hard drive.  Third, Couey was registered as living someplace else so the police did not know who he was right away or that he was a sex offender.  By the time it was discovered he had skipped the state and was in Georgia where he was eventually arrested.

Though my heart aches for Mark, if he had been home with his precious daughter,
she would still be alive.  He obviously thought shacking up was more important.

I feel terrible for the Lumsford family however I think they are very wrong to file any law suits against anyone in law enforcement or the county.  The anger needs to be directed to the murderer period.........I'm afraid Marc Lumsford is so grief stricken he is no longer acting in a  responsible manor.  I was so proud of his work throughout this country in passing legislation on child preditors.  I can't believe that he would do this if he was in his right mind.  I am hopeful and pray that he will see that this is not the way to work to continue Jesse's legacy.

In reading everyone's comments I have to agree with most. Where was Mark Lundsford that night? Go to Guidestar.org and check out his non-profit. He's had a good ride on his daughter's tragedy. The money must be running out and this is his answer, pointing the finger at everyone else. I agree, now here's Mark Lundsford true colors.

He doesn't like the laws? The laws that he promoted and named after his daughter?

Mark ....get on with life. Quite trying to milk a tragedy.

My heart goes out to Mark Lunsford. It is sick how he lost his daughter. I do NOT blame the police or the FDLE. They did there best to find this little girl.  He is just upset about the fact he wasn't there for his daughter and is lashing out. We just need to hug him and say we are sorry for your loss but the blame belong on the sick pervert who took her and thank god everyday that he can never hurt another child. Just think of the punishment he is getting in jail. that should give you a great laugh. He is someone wife and getting molested everyday.

How insane is Mark Lundsford!!  It sounds to me like he has lost notariety and is running out of money.  Ask the Two Guys from Italy restaurant - they held a fund raiser and Mark was going to take them to court because they didn't get the money fast enough to him.  Shame on Mark trying to sensationalize his daughters life.  I think Mark is a fool and a gold digger.  Sheriff Dawsey - Please keep up the good work.  You have my 100% support.  I only wish I could do more to help you.  

MARK LUNSFORD AMAZED WINNER OF THE jack a** OF THE CENTURY AWARD!!  WHO REALLY IS DUMB AS HE APPEARS TO BE!!  HE DESERVES NO RESPECT

I was very saddened by the things I heard that happened to Jessica Lunsford.  I believe that her killer should be executed as soon as possible.  Someone like him, doesn't deserve to live.

However, Mark Lunsford's 15 minutes of fame should have ended 3 years ago.  I am so sick of seeing him on the news and hearing him speak.  I tend to hit the mute button whenever I see him on tv.

If he had loved his daughter so much, he should have been home with her to protect her, shouldn't he?  Instead he left home and left the front door unlocked for her killer to gain easy access to her.

If he wins this lawsuit, who will pay for it?  Taxpayers, that's who.  

You can blame anyone and everyone for what happened, but you know who really deserves a large part of the blame, don't you?

Your time has passed.  Sit down and shut up.  

I think we have every right to judge Lunsford.   He is suing the taxpayers of his county, the same people that volunteered and searched frantically for his daughter, who prayed for her to return and then cried when she didn't.   Sorry, I no longer have any respect for Mr Lun$ford.

IF ANYONE WAS NEGLIGENT LUNSFORD WAS BY NOT BEING HOME AND SEEING THAT THE DOOR WAS LOCKED FOR THE NIGHT.

Mark Lunsford is more to blame for Jessica's death than anyone else.  He's obviously looking for more free money. With Cooey on death row, Lunsford must be afraid he'll have to get a real job now.  He's a disgrace!

I've meet Mark a few times at bike rallys and had a gut fell that he was looking for $  sad. But last year I stopped going to his rallys.And where does the money go?

   The police went to the trailer and questioned John Couey and or his relatives when Jessica was still alive in John Couey's bedroom. He later killed her. The police could have saved her had they searched the trailer. If there is a little child involved the police should get warrants if necessary to conduct searches.

Mark what are you thinking? Why did you make all the positive comments about brotherhood, family? Is this the same man? Has the media and high ticketed lawyers
got to him?
We all sat and watched this unfold, and I remember my family dicussing the wrongs of the police dept. that should have been handled 3 years ago.
Did he forgive and now take it back? I think we all are cofused and I don't think
we know the entire story. Will we ever? This child suffered a death that was
unecessary and cruel. God rest her soul.

A law suit is it the answer? I wish he would think about it.
 

Why has it taken three years for Mark Lunsford to decide he needs money in his pocket. Where was he the night his daughter was taken? Maybe Mark and his ex-wife should not have left it up to his elderly parents to take care of Jessica. The Sheriff's Dept. and all of the volunteers did everything they could to find her.  Shame on you Mark for letting greed come before the memory of your daughter.

The police and the coriner have always denied Couey's account and have said they believe she died the night she was taken.  Couey doesn't seem the truthful type but I suppose we will see if this goes to court.

I BELIEVE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT DID EVERYTHING THAT THEY COULD, AND STOOD BEHIND MARK AND HIS FAMILY WHEN THINGS TURNED OUT FOR THE WORSE, AND NOW HE WANTS TO SEW THEM, I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A MONEY ISSUE INVOLVED AND IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU HOW MUCH PEOPLE APPRECIATE WHAT OTHERS TRY TO DO FOR YOU...DO YOU SEE A PATTERN GROWING HERE, ITS ALL ABOUT MONEY NOT ABOUT JESSIE!!!  HOW SAD THAT IS.  FIND A JOB AND KEEP YOURSELF OCCUPIED AND STOP DEPENDING ON FUNDS FROM PEOPLE THAT HELPED AND CARED FOR YOU DURING THE TIME OF YOUR LOSS. REMEMBER IS ABOUT JESSIE NOT YOU...............................................

No judge would issue warrants to search neighbors' homes based on a child missing without more evidence of complicity.  Once again this is the real world people.

 This lawsuit could be about several things, maybe lunsford thinks He is right, maybe it's about money, what I really think it is is a guilty conscience, but rather than blaming Himself for not being at home that horrible night, Lunsford is blaming everyone but God for His Daughters death and if by some chance Lunsford can get a jury to find any of the three named units guilty of negligance, He will then feel vindicated and He will be able to sleep again at night. Lunsford looks like hell, I think that He needs to get some professionial help to get over His grief.

Mark Lunsford had universal sympathy and a lot of support for his cause.  This lawsuit will eat up a lot of that goodwill.  Mark may even be forced to get a real job instead of living off the kindness of others.

It is a tradegy that Jessica was killed.  I blame her father, Mark, just as much! You do not raise your children by luck alone.  If you love them then you watch out for them.  You can't go to bars and leave your daughter in a house not locked and think everything is going to be okay, even if his parents were there.  He was not a responsible parent.  He is the one that should be charged with NEGLECT of his own daughter.  I understand he has other children by other women and he hasn't shown much responsibility for them either.  There is a few words for him that I won't repeat.  He has already had too much attention in the media.  

Unreal that everyone on this forum is bashing Mark Lumsford for not being home the night his daughter was kidnapped from their home. Although I do not necessarily know whether I agree or disagree with him suing the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, I definitely do not agree with the tactics by those on this forum to make this man feel worse then I'm sure any of you feel about his daughter's death. I agree with a previous statement of hindsight is 20/20 but even if he was home, there is still a chance that this nightmare would still have unfolded.

My prayers to the Lumsford family for strength to keep Jessica's memory alive.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT MARK LUNSFORD WAS OR WASN'T DOING THE NIGHT JESSICA WAS ABDUCTED.  WHAT DOES MATTER, IS THAT THE SHERIFFS OFFICE DID "NOT" DO THEIR JOB.  IF THEY HAD BROUGHT IN THE TRACKING DOGS THE FIRST THING, INSTEAD OF LETTING EVERY FOOL IN THE AREA TRAMPLE ALL OVER THE PLACE.  THEN, MAYBE THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND JESSY BEFORE THAT MONSTER BURIED HER ALIVE----DAYS LATTER.  COME ON, NO ONE SAW COUEY DIGGING A HOLE, INCLUDING HIS "WONDERFUL" HOUSE MATES.  WHERE WERE THE DEPUTIES?  GUESS THEY WEREN'T THINKING ANYTHING COULD BE GOING ON AT THE DRUGGIES TRAILER ACROSS THE ROAD.  OH, FYI, DAWSEY IS FROM NEW YORK, LISTEN TO THE ACCENT!

The death of Jessica was horrific and she did not deserve to die.   This Government need to crack down on the Attorney's in the USA because they are bleeding the tax payer dry, with all these law suits.    People are having to spend money to defend themselves when all they tried to do was help someone.   I can only repeat some of the things already said, Mark Lunsford thought the citrus county police were the best thing since sliced bread, that they could not have done more to try and find little jessica, but then the Attorney's arrive with the big dollar numbers and all that goes out the window.   Jessica's mother is also suing yet she never even saw Jessica for years.   Mark Lunsford thought he was some kind of celebrity, thought he could be a policitian - come on - he is no John Walsh.   Having lost a child I would have thought he would want Jessica to now rest in peace not drag her through the court system yet again - all for money and stardom.  What a shame. God bless you Jessica you deserve better.

The police should have did that, they should have done that....
Mark should have been home, doors should have been...
Ok maybe some mistakes were made, but not intentionally.
It's all so  drainning. I do not think that police have any blame
here. Don,t think it is Marks fault or the grand parrents.
Come on , we all know  where all the blame must fall.
   yes Mark should move on and heal his heart.
Why a law suit? Well i do not know what Mark is thinking.
I just thank God and count my blessings that nothing like this never happened to one of my children. We all should do that instead of
giving life to this topic of blogging.

The Sherriff's Dept and Citrus Cty  went over and above their line of duty to comfort the Lumsford Family.   Originally from Out of State and  I was so impressed with the Community, Sherriff's Dept and Officials coming to Mark's aid with such devotion.  I remember the Sherriff losing sleep over this case for days and certainly showed the pain he was going through in trying to find Jessica.   How the whole Community showed love and kindness at the funeral.  Even I cried watching it all take place on TV.   We all felt Mark's pain but the Sherriff felt it most and wore it on his face for days, weeks  and at the funeral.    I'm sorry to say,  I feel Mark is a back stabber and can't be trusted, after all the love & kindness showed to him in honor of his daugter from the whole Citrus County Community, is now all lost.   The real Mark has woke up and showing his true colors.    Shame on him.

To Mark Lunsford's lawyers - are you needing more money?  It's people like you that people have gotten sue happy!  There is no basis for this issue.  You are nothing more than a money monger and looking to make a name for yourself.  I hope it backfires and you lose your credibility.  Just go back under the rock where you came from.

To Mark Lunsford - You are truly a slimball trying to gain money from your daughters death.  If you wern't shacking up with your girlfriend, you would have been home for your daughter who truly needed your help.  You think you are such a big deal riding around on your motorcycle.  I've seen you on the road and you should see how stupid you look.  When was the last time that you did 8 hours of work for 8 hours of pay.  I hope that you aren't skimming from the foundation to pay your monthly bills.  All I can say again, you are a slimeball and why don't you just leave Citrus County.  We don't want your kind here.  You are a disgrace to the county and the sheriff's department.  

To TERESA MORGAN:  I didn't even read all your posts but it's clear you don't know what you are talking about.  In what world can the police kick in every door on the street to look for a missing child?  (hey, I'm a cop myself it would be nice sometimes if we could just do what we want and disregard the constitution -- especially to save the life of a child).  Get ur facts straight before you start preachin'.

To Tammy -- do you really leave your 10 year old child home alone for 30 minutes or so, so you can go to the store??  scary -- shame on you.

But on Lunsford -- I think he is suffering from DENIAL -- of his part in all of this -- what happened could have been less likely if he had been home -- he may have been able to prevent it -- he may have locked a door -- he may have been the extra set of eyes and ears to stop the horrific tradgedy -- we won't ever know that.

But, unfortunately -- a child died at the hands of a monster -- they debate -- even now -- exactly when Jessica was killed -- but, forensically John Couey was found to be guilty of the actual slaying of this young girl.

Accordingly to Black's Law Dictionary the correct definition of "Contributory Negligence" is:

"The act or omission amounting to want of ordinary care on the part of complaining party, which concurring with defendant's negligence, is proximate cause of injury."

I don't see from this definition -- how Lunsford can blame the Citrus County Sheriff's Office from not protecting his daughter -- when he didn't make sure she was protected himself.  If Jessica had been his priority -- this whole thing might never have happened.

His claim would have more merit (because I see none right now), if he had done the "right" things -- stayed home, been there, checked for sexual predators, etc. -- that what he actually did.

And, I do think he has been out of the limelight -- and the money may have dried up -- but, get a job -- please stop getting a paycheck off your daugther's death -- do you think she is proud of that??

Two tradgedies now come from this -- Jessica's death and the damage the a worthy cause of Jessica's Law that Mark Lunsford's greed/misguided/shameful indignance for the entire Law Enforcement that searched, found, and arrested the person who was the killer.

And about searching the home -- without a proper search warrant -- they may have found something sooner -- but, no one but Couey probably will ever know that -- but, he could have walked on a technicality -- and how much more horrible would that have been for all -- especially if she was already dead on the first day -- to walk with no punishment would have been the ultimate worst case scenario for this piece of evil.

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office may have made mistakes -- but, Lunsford is not blameless -- yes, he lost a child -- but the killer of that child now sits on death row -- how does he think that happened?  a miracle, maybe??

He should be thanking them -- and be happy that his daughter's murder was solved.

Jessica -- I do hope you RIP.

Cheryl

Mark Lunsford looks like an ignorant man and he acts  like one. I didn't trust him from day one. And this guy concidered himself for running for public office. What a joke ! Get a life and get a job. Stop leaving off of peoples sympathy!!

Shame on you Mark Lun$ford ! ! ! ! !  The volunteers that spent hours and hours of hunting, searching, consoling you, helping you in any way they could will be sad to know their taxes are going to be used to fight you in a law suit that hopefully will be thrown out of court right away. What a weird way to show your appreciation ! ! !
Get a haircut so you can get a job to take care of yourself. The freebies are over....

I must say that I am not shocked at all over Mark Lunsford's behavior. As a Citrus County resident, I have seen first hand how this man has relished in the "celebrity" the death of his daughter has made of him. Who is truly responsible for this besides the obvious John Couey?? My opinion, Lunsford himself. Why wasn't he at home the night of his daughters kidnapping?? Maybe because he was out partying and drinking it up until 5 am, leaving his daughter in the care of his parents. Anyone who has lived here long enough knows that Mark Lunsford is a drinking, drug abusing low life. It is disgusting that he is suing the County over this. Just another way to suck more money out of the people of this county. What's the matter Mark? Funds running low from the foundation you set up so you don't have to work a real job like the rest of us???

I TOLD A FRIEND YEARS AGO THAT THIS MAN WOULD DO ANYTHING TO KEEP HIS FACE IN FRONT OF A CAMERA AND HIS NAME IN THE PAPERS. HE IS PROVING ME RIGHT. HE HAS BEEN LIVING OFF THE GOOD WILL OF OTHERS FOR TOO LONG, NEW MOTORCYCLE, MONEY, TRIPS AROUND THE U.S. PAID FOR BY OTHERS, AND NO TELLING WHAT ELSE. NOW HE HAS GONE TOO FAR. IF HE GOES THROUGH WITH THIS LAWSUIT, HE SHOULD LOSE, HE AND HIS LAWYER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE LEGAL FEES(WISHFUL THINKING), AND HE SHOULD SPEND SOME TIME IN JAIL(AGAIN WISHFUL THINKING).

When I heard this story tonight my first thought was that Mark Lunsford needs to do some real deep soul searching and ask himself what part did HE have in his daughter's abduction.  He needs to place blame where it belongs and it normally starts with the parent(s) or parent.  He is yet another self absorbed "person" not parent in our society that chose to put his pleasures above being a responsible father and failed to accept parenting RESPONSIBILITY.   Jessica paid the ultimate price with her life and was dealt a bad hand by many adults in her short life.   She was in innocent child who depended on the adults around her to keep her safe and secure and they failed her miserably.

Had Mark been at home would the abduction ever taken place?  If he had been at home would he have heard the intruder?  How much time did John Couey have with Jessica before he decided to come home?  And now he wants to sue the Sheriff's dept for negligence?  It's not the sheriff's department’s fault that he chose to lay up somewhere until dawn instead of being home with his daughter.

During all of the tv coverage the sheriff showed more anguish than Mark did and it was obvious that he enjoyed the camera attention.

His action to sue tells me that my first impression of him was accurate.  If he wants to be a respectable spokesperson for Jessica then he needs to act like one and be a contributor to society not a burden.  I wouldn't donate a dime due to lack of respect for him and I would have to doubt if the "fund" is actually receiving the money.  Is the "fund" supporting Mark and his partying?

He will have accountability one day.

Further research using Black's Law Dictionary states the definition of "Criminal Negligence" as:

"Criminal negligence which will render killing a person manslaughter is the omission on the part of the person to do some act which an ordinarily careful and prudent man would do under like circumstances, or the doing of some act which an ordinarily careful, prudent man under like circumstances would not do by reason of which another person is endangered in life or bodily safety; the word 'ordinary' being synonymous with 'reasonable' in this connection."

How many people do you know regularly leave their young child with the elderly grandparents so they can go party with their girlfriend?

He's lucky the Citrus County Sheriff's Office didn't find something like this to charge him with ...

Of course, sometimes, even years after the incident, when you hit the bee's nest, you get stung.

Mark, can you hold this flower?

I think what Mark is doing in the name of Jessie's Law is great exspecially to protect the rest of the children out there,  BUT THE BAD THING IS,  MARK DIDN'T DO IT FOR JESSIE, MARK DID IT FOR MARK. BOY, IT REALLY MADE THE CASH FLOW! Mark, us that know you,and you know we do, know what you are doing and you need to stop. I have a son on a ventalator. He can go to sleep to nite and not wake up tomarrow. So should I go out and find someone to sue. Come on- get real. You know how lucky you are that they found Jessie,s killer, they never found Jenifer Odems killer. Those parents have no closure, the same with the Ramsey girl, and plenty others. I tell my kids all the time and now I will tell you, " START TAKING RESPONSIBILTY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS." I thank god that Jessie isn't seeing what you are doing, but then again, she never did cause you weren't home that much. I feel bad that you lost your child but you are not the only one and quit making a circus out of this. You are losing respect that the people who don't know you have for you, so quit while your ahead, for Jessie

yes I believe the Authorities were negligent , if i remember correctly the Authorities never checked  inside Coey's house.

Mark I know that you are the one who lost the child, But remember"IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD," you have to take the responsibality that "YOU" did not know your neighbour. When you have children and new neighbours move in your area it is your job to make sure that you know your neighbour.  the police dept can't be there for us 24,7. NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE PAY THEM. I know I am a single mother of 3.

What we all forget is what a sicko man this is with child porn on his computer and now that the sheriff and others let him off. So now that he is walking around free like Mark Foley he can do what he wants. Not to mention that this entire story sounds like a John Walsh he said the same thing on CNN Larry king that the police botched his case. Now look at all the money they have the both of them. Now he is suppose to be getting $ 500.00 a week pay from the JML foundation, and the IRS will not allow the foundation to pay for legal fees where is he getting all this money. If you really want a true fact about these guys look at a blog I saw. Even Lunsford had a my space page with Gun in hand on his page. Really something for our children to see. Not to mention that Walsh admitted to having a SEX ADDICTION FOR WOMEN ON CNN and LUNSFORD ADMITTED TO LOOKING AT PORN ON THE NET. I would ask all is this people we want around our children? See the blog I just read. johnwalshournewgod.blogspot.com

The old saying goes SHERIFF NO GOOD DEED GOES UN-PUNISHED!!!! NOW YOU LET HIM GO WITH THAT CHILD PORN AND SEE WHAT YOU GET BACK?

This is absolutely absurd that this parent is trying to sue a policed department.  This is only going to complicate matters even worse.  It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure the safety of their children, which is apparent this father failed to do.  He is a failure as a father and is certainly not a daddy a child depends on for their safety.  He is just trying to compensate for his own neglects and weakness to provide adequate protection for his child.

So who else is there to blame for your own actions? Mr. Lunsford - stand-up and take responsibly for your own actions and responsibilities for once in your life.  This is not the police departments fault or negligence!

Come on, the guy is trying to make sense out of a horrible situation and looking for something/someone to blame.  The horrible way in which his daughter died at the hands of this criminal only make his loss more painful.  
Instead of coming down on the guy, lets seek to understand his level of pain.  He is clearly looking and searching for some way to take action and he doesn't know how.  He probably does blame himself and I am sure the ramifications of that will live on in his life long after the attention, court actions, etc all fade away.  
I think that if you believe this is about money you are mistaken.  I think this is about doing something and trying, in vain, to come to peace around what happened.  I don't believe this will help him, but my belief is others are hoping it will.  
Remember, he couldn't do this on his own, there are attorneys and other advisers that may be guiding him.

I kept up with this case and had nothing but support for Mr. Lunsford but I have since changed my mind.
My heart goes out for his loss and our loss of Jessica.
What those LE officers go through each night now knowing how close she was and that they did not find her... I am sure this stays in a pocket in their minds.
Everyone suffered, not just the family and for them to turn around and grub for dough makes me sick.
Emotions are high I am sure but to bite the hands that were out there helping amazes me.
Shame on the Lunsfords. This is not to change laws or put a light on child predators, this is a way for them to cash in. Shame on them.
He has not done much to profit and I suppose he feels it is his due for being out there trying to make change with no income but he should have set something up to bring in income.. not slap the LE agency in the face that looked so very devastated by the loss of Jessica and hurt right there along with him.

YOu can all say what you want, I dont care. I was on the street when this happened. I seen alot happen that shouldnt have happened the way it did.Everyone
is entitled to their opinion, so it goes.........  If you are a parent, you can't honestly
say you have never left your child with a sitter. If you say you are with your kids constantly then i beg to differ with you...... does that mean you attend school with them to? Your children never stayed with grandparents?    IN my opinion it does not
make you a bad parent because somthing tragic happened and you were not there.
maybe the sheriff dept. was not to blame, maybe they were, that is up to the judge to decide.  there are factors in the lawsuit that we do not know,   as to the one who says they are a cop. well let me tell you, I have been held up in traffic more than once due to the fact of vehicle searches for a missing escapee from jail, who was not known to be dangerous. they checked every vehicle coming and going for miles, dont give me the crap that they cant search without a warrant. They did not have a warrant looking for this guy when they opened the back of a box truck to look inside.  give me a break!!!!   looking for a missing child is probable cause to search door to door.   and if anyone thinks that is taking our rights away, you better start looking around, seems to me they have been doing that for years already!!
I would rather give money to MR. Lunsford to help change laws and put up parks in his daughters memory then give my money to illegal aliens, who can take our social security!!   WAKE UP AMERICA!!,  OH Yeah, and lets put Obama in for the president so the rest of the foreigners can get OUR MONEY to blow us up some more!!!!!
Good Grief, Talk about being stupid!!!!

I can't believe so many of you are blaming Mark because he wasn't home that night.  That's ridiculous!  Doesn't matter whether he was with a girlfriend or working the nightshift someplace....it would have eventually happened.  This man was watching Jessie for who knows how long!  So there is no one to blame for this tragedy but that sicko John Couey!  
 I do think that the sheriffs office should have brought tracking dogs there immediately!  They would have found her very soon.  And it does bother me that he was able to dig a hole in the yard and no one even notice that.  The detectives were all over that area and never even noticed that!    I don't actually think they did anything wrong but I think they could have done more.  But, that happens in every case.  
 But it's not Mark's fault in any way at all!  I can't imagine what he has gone through these past 3 years and if you haven't lost a child to rape and being buried alive after suffering for 3 days in the hands of a sicko...then you shouldn't even point a finger toward him.  Think about it.

Teresa,
  I totally agree with you!!  Even the Obama Thing!  They can search anything they want if they have probable cause, which is a missing child!  I have been stopped in my car as well....because a child was missing.
 It is no different than being at a Walmart store and a code adam goes through the intercom.....they will lock all doors and no one is able to leave until they see that you do not have that child!  
 I've left my children with their grandparents many many times....who hasn't?  Come on people...geez

 I will take this oppurtunity to correct a mistake I made. as I am women enough to admit when I may be wrong!!   I was told by someone else that the sheriff lived in the carolinas before and beat his ex and went to jail, then couldnt become a sheriff there, so he moved to florida. I ADMIT I DID NOT DO THE RESEARCH ON HIM, SO I SHOULD NOT HAVE POSTED THAT.  I retract that statement.  It just goes to show, I like everyone else  should know the facts before you run your mouth!! It can cause alot of unnecessary grief to all involved if you dont know.........
including the running off about Mark not being a good parent because he wasnt there..  Mr. Couey worked at the school,,,, He was doing the roofing at many schools in citrus county!   So does that mean we shouldnt send our children to school even though the law says we have to?  we may not be good parents if they attend school without us!   There are alot of factors involved that we wont even know until the suit comes out in public.   I am not responding to anymore of this, as I have a life and other things to do, just remember there is alot not known yet, dont make a person a bad parent just because he wasnt home!!

What happened to Jessica Lundsford= Tragic beyond words.
What Mark Lundsford is doing now = Pathetic beyond belief.

How dare you all call Mark Lunsford greedy? I hope he wins this lawsuit, and it leads to procedural changes within the sheriff's department as to how they handle missing child cases. Common sense would have told you to take a hard, close look at the immediate family, friends, and neighbors. They are the closest and have an easier opportunity to abduct a child. Not to mention that statistically, most abductions are done by 1) non-custodial parent, 2) another relative, 3) friend/neighbor. They should have run a check on Couey's name, they would have seen that he is a registered sex offender, and perhaps they would have saved Jessica. Remember, he kept her for a few days before he murdered her. If the sherrif's department had been more thorough, she may be alive today.

Okay as I am reading all these I am thinking how ridiculous some of it is.  First of all, Mark Lunsford left his daughter with two grown adults--her grandparents.  He didn't leave her alone or with some young kid or stranger--give me a break--how much more responsible could he have been?  Also, by all accounts, he was a loving and supportive father who loved his daughter and she was well adjusted, happy, provided for, and loved.  I admire him for taking care of his daughter and raising and supporting her when so many men, and women, would just have gotten rid of the responsibility or been a horrible parent--shame on you for coming down on this man.  I was wondering, when this all happened, why Mark wasn't more upset with the investigation and why he was praising them so much.  It DOES seem they could have done a ton more at the beginning stages.  This girl was murdered practically in his backyard--I would have been very upset with how everything was investigated.  I think he was probably not given the right guidance at the time it happened, and now that he was time to get his head cleared and see things and deal with things, he is realizing alot of truth and questions.  Also, remember that Mark has done a ton for children and families who have gone through this.  He has worked endlessly so others don't have to live through this.  

Have some respect for Mark and his family.  IT IS NOT HIS FAULT.    I do think any sex offender should have a sign posted in his or her yard stating "I (name)  AM A SEX OFFENDER"

The police department was in the very house where the girl was being held.  She was in the closet when the police were in the house.  They did not do a thorugh search when trying to find her. I think they should have been more dilegent with there search. Blaming the father because he went out is crazy.  He was an only father doing the best that he could, he is intitled to go out every once in a while, at least he didn't leave this girl by herself alone, he left her with supposedly capable people. I am not saying that it is totally the fault of the police department, the blame actually lies with the criminals behind it, but the department should have been doing the job they were hired on for.  There was probably cause to search the place. Either way, my god this was a little girl, even if there is protocol they should have still done everything to get her back.

I agree with one of the earlier posters....Brooke...Mr. Lundsford needs to be asked some very hard questions .....I can still remember the Sheriff's very real emotion and concern over the disappearance of Jessica Lundsford.  Our law enforcement officers need to be supported.....they are human beings and put their lives on the line everyday to protect us and our children....this is an outrage....to launch a lawsuit against them saying they were negligent is abominable and why after all this time leaves a lot of questions to the validity of such a case because it has none.

Mark Lunsford has made a career out of Jessie's murder, he has not worked since she was abduced and has been living off the Foundation set up in Jessie's name. Mark has been traveling all over the Country and accepting expensive gifts such as a Harley Davidson motorcycle.....profiting from his daughter's horrific murder. Mark has dollar signs in his eyes and has found a way never to work again, he's been living off the generosity of people horrified at what happened to his daughter.  I just hope the IRS takes a good look at his finances and how he has been spending Foundation money.  I also hope the Citrus County Sheriff's Office does not settle out of Court and makes Mark prove his ridiculous accusations.  I do not believe Mark can win that lawsuit and then will he pay his lawyers out of Foundation money?

In case you haven't noticed, the reason Mark hasn't "returned to work" is because spreading awareness and keeping Jessie's story alive IS his work now! Have we as a society become so cynical that we cannot believe someone is doing anything just for the greater good of their community? I'm curious, has anyone on here ever lost a child to a violent crime? I'm betting the answer will be a resounding NO. And as far as Cam's comments: no one is saying that these officers didn't feel emotion, that they aren't supported. Mistakes were made, and obviously the sheriff is not willing to step up and say "hey, we could have done that but we didn't, we'll be sure to do it in the future." But no, he is flat out denying that they were negligent. He is saying that the sheriff's department did everything in their power to find Jessie, when in all actuality they didn't. All Mark wants is someone to admit that they screwed up this one time. John Couey slipped through their net, and they need to be held responsible for that, period.

i think they did a great job, if anything he should sue coueys family or maybe jessie dad should have been home with his daughter instead of leaving her with her grandparents!!!

Mark has spent alot of time trying to prevent this tragedy from happening again. And he has done a great job...getting Jessie's Law passed as well.  I think he should get whatever he can from this.  He has lost a child!!  In probably the worst way possible!  I can't imagine what he thinks when he looks over at the place his daughter was bound and tortured for 3 days....so close to home.  And why was John Couey able to work at schools??  Who's fault is that?  It sure isn't Mark's.

I agree with what you had to say Brandi.

Does Mark work for a living or does he just siphon off donations from his adoring fans?  Maybe he's decided he needs money to buy his own double wide now that he's a big media star.  

What a loser he is to spit in the face of the people who helped him the most.  The police do not deserve this kind of treatment.

I agree with Joe in that the first response to a missing child should have been tracking dogs. (when prisoners escape the bloodhounds come out--not crowds of people mucking up the scent)  A bloodhound's testimony will hold up in court.  They waited after rains & many searchers to use dogs.  I wrote to the Tribune reporter way back after it happened & he said I brought up a good point, but I never heard any more about that.  I feel they messed  up right at the beginning.

The finger pointing needs to stop. The one and only person responsible for this is John Couey. This dad left his child with grandparents and the went out for the evening. So what!! The sheriffs department did what they could to find this little girl. To hold them liable is ludacris. It is a sad day when we see lawsuits being allowed against the very people who tried with blood, sweat and tears to save this child. Mark Lunsford is passing legislation to stop this from happening BUT he needs to take a long hard look at this lawsuit and realize he is hurting the very people who helped him find Jessica. Statistics will show you that most kidnapping/ murders take much longer than a month or two to solve. The Citrus County sheriff did all they could and solved this crime in a month. The outcome is not what any of us would have wanted BUT this lawsuit will not bring back his daughter. I have to question his motive.

We all can agree this was a horrific crime. However, can someone explain why the people living in the trailor were not held accountable for their actions? I saw a picture of the trailor and it was a very old,  very small and the closet Jessica was in had an accordian type door. Just the size of the trailor would have made it very difficult for any type of noises to go unheard. Coffey was the mad man but the people living inside that dump were accomplices as well.
As far as Lunsford suing, this does not put him in a favorable light. It looks exactly what it appears to be.
Anyway can some one post an answer to this question...

I have no idea Matty....that is one that I'll never understand.  Anyone knows that those people living there had to have heard that little girl.  That man was raping her and I can't imagine the pain she was suffering so I know someone heard something...even if she was gagged with something.  And for those people to be able to buy him a bus ticket out of there because they knew he had committed this crime, they were helping him get away with it.  Such a disgrace!

I just read that the father AND mother are suing. You know the mother who hasn't been around for the last 8 years........

Let's show him here in Citrus County that we won't donate a cent to his "lifestyle"-turn your skooters off and don't ride tomorrow. And don't whine about the lack of funds hurting Jessie's Place; they are totally independant of Mark Lunsford's fund-raising effort. Only part of this goes to Jessie's Place-they have their own fundraisers in place-which will probably hurt them now with people thinking he is involved. They even had to seek legal counsel to use her name for the future CAC. This whole mess sickens me; and all due to a tragic loss of a young life-wondering what whe is thinking right now????

I do think the sheriffs dept was negligent in their search for Jessica.  Too many mistakes were made & they focused on the family.  They should have searched the trailer.

Just think.....the only reason they found her was because he confessed.  Weeks later.  If he hadn't confessed....then what?

I'm not pretending to know what Mr. Lunsford feels or what he's going through; this was a tragic event that no one could foresee happening. I think the police did everything they could with what little information they had to go on.  I understand Mr. Lunsford's need to keep Jessica's memory alive, however, suing the police department and staying in the limelight isn't the way to do it.  I think its time for him to let go of the anger and move on.  This was about Jessica but somehow it has turned into being all about Mr. Lunsford.  When is it enough?  Let Jessica rest in peace!!

If Mr. Lunsford would have been a father to his daughter she would not have been taken out of her own house.  Our children are our responsibilty.  If anyone should be held accountable it should be Mr. Lunsford.  Why wasn't he charged with child neglet?