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Governor Shows His Support For Van Dam Family

2,000 People Volunteered For Searches So Far

POSTED: 1:31 pm PST February 20, 2002
UPDATED: 2:11 pm PST February 20, 2002

The search for Danielle van Dam entered its 19th day Wednesday, bolstered by supportive words from Gov. Gray Davis.

Danielle van Dam
MISSING
INFORMATION
DISCUSSION

Davis' statement read:

"Sharon and I want the van Dam family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult and painful time.

We are confident that San Diego area law enforcement officials are doing everything they can to find their little girl and bring her home safely.

We also hope that anyone with information regarding Danielle's whereabouts will call the police and offer their help. A small child is missing. A family is hurting and in need of everyone's support."

The parents of the 7-year-old Danielle van Dam spoke with the press Wednesday, once again urging the public to keep looking for the child.

Damon van Dam told reporters his family's protracted ordeal "could happen to anyone."

"We were just like everyone else out there watching this now," he said. "We were the exact same people you are. ... This is an awful, awful thing, and just everyone else needs to know that this can happen to you."

"I think everyone takes it for granted, their security," added his wife, Brenda. "I mean, you're in your home, you're in a safe neighborhood -- you feel safe."

As they have consistently done, the couple praised the public outpouring of sympathy and support for their plight, saying about 2,000 people have volunteered for searches.

A candlelight vigil for Danielle is set for Thursday night at St. Timothy Espiscopal Church in Rancho Penasquitos and a community forum will be held Friday night.

Meantime, San Diego Police Department crime lab workers returned to the van Dams' home Tuesday to do some follow-up evidentiary work at the scene of her presumed kidnapping nearly three weeks ago.

Investigators have collected more than 100 pieces of what they call "potential evidence" from the family's home, and from neighbor David A. Westerfield's home two doors down the street and from two vehicles he owns.

Officials have declined to describe those items, which are being scrutinized at the SDPD crime lab and at an FBI facility.

Police officials also disclosed this week that they were delving into previous area child-abduction cases to look for links to Danielle's disappearance.

Officials told 10News that they are looking into the death of another 7-year-old girl, Patricia Kuzara, who was abducted and murdered while she was walking near her Poway home in 1974.

Investigators said that they will use DNA from that case to see if their is any possible connection to Danielle's abduction.


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