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Whitton arrested
Published July 13, 2007
Law enforcement personnel descended on the Jackson County home of Barry Whitton Thursday as an almost three-week long search for his wife, Kimberly Whitton and her daughter, Haleigh Culwell, intensified.
"Barry Whitton was arrested on federal charges," FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Charles Regan said at an 11 a.m. press conference at Northeast Alabama Community College. "He will be taken to Birmingham for processing."
Neither Regan nor Paul E. Daymond a media and public relations coordinator with the FBI would comment on what charges Whitton will face though they made it clear his arrest was not related to the disappearance of his wife and stepdaughter. A person close to the investigation said he was taken into custody on weapons violations.
Officers from various local, state and national law enforcement agencies began their day early. After a 5:00 a.m. briefing at the Jackson County Courthouse they arrived at the Whitton home off County Road 38 near Macedonia around 7 a.m.
"Over 70 law enforcement officers began a search in the Section area of Jackson County early this morning in connection with the disappearance of Kim Whitton and her 11 year-old daughter, Haleigh Culwell," Jackson County District Attorney Charlie Rhodes said. "The search is being conducted in the area of the last known communication with Kim Whitton. The Federal Bureau of Investigation joined with other state and local agencies in the search that could last several days."
"We ask that the citizens and media be patient and allow us to complete this investigation," Jackson County Sheriff Dennis Miller said at the press conference. He described the people involved in helping his department as "the very best at what they do."
Miller said the real search was just getting underway.
Law enforcement personnel apparently kept the Whitton property under surveillance overnight Wednesday until a search warrant was executed Thursday. An Alabama State Trooper helicopter equipped with an infrared sensor system may have been used to determine Whitton's whereabouts on the property before law enforcement personnel made entry, according to a source.
Rhodes said the search is focusing on the home and surrounding property of Barry Whitton. The Whitton property contains approximately 40 acres of mostly hilly farm and timberland.
The badly beaten body of Whitton's previous wife, Michelle Townsend Whitton, was found near the property in a shallow grave in neighboring DeKalb County just over nine years ago. Her death, ruled as a homicide, remains unsolved. She had gone missing in December of 1997.
Rhodes said at least 11 local law enforcement agencies are involved in the current investigation.
"Jackson County Sheriff Dennis Miller and I are grateful for the assistance of the many agencies involved in executing this search warrant in an effort to find evidence concerning the disappearance of Kim Whitton and her daughter, Haleigh Culwell," he said. "Sheriff Miller and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department contacted these other agencies and they have responded with manpower and resources."
The FBI, according to Regan, had an evidence response team, a rapid response team, a mobile lab and special photography team at the scene. He said eight more evidence response teams were on standby in Knoxville, Tenn. and Atlanta, Ga. to join the investigation if needed. The agency also brought in a canine unit and a dive team.
"We are here to help execute the search warrant on the property. We will be here as long as necessary to complete the search," Regan said, "and we will assist in any way possible."
Whitton, 36, and Culwell, 11, were last seen on June 21, 2007. They were reported missing on June 28 by Mrs. Whitton's co-workers at Cloverdale Manor Nursing Home in Scottsboro.
Barry Whitton has been interviewed by Jackson County Sheriff Department investigators on at least three separate occasions since the missing person's report was filed. He reportedly said Mrs. Whitton left him and took Haleigh with her.
Investigators have not been able to determine what type vehicle Mrs. Whitton and Culwell allegedly left in or what type clothing each was wearing when they left home.
Mrs. Whitton is 5'9 inches tall and weighs 270 lbs. She has brown hair and brown eyes.
Culwell is 5'2 and 110 lbs. She has blonde to strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes.
Both Mrs. Whitton and Culwell are listed as missing on the Alabama Public Safety Community Information Center. They are described as endangered. Ms. Culwell is also listed on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website at www.missingkids.com.
A local tip line open 24 hours a day has been established. Anyone with any information regarding the case is urged to call 256-574-9344.
"While the various law enforcement agencies are conducting their investigation, we are asking for the public's help in determining what has happened to Kim and Haleigh. There is a tip line that has been set up for the public to call and provide any information concerning the disappearance," Rhodes said.
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