A somber ceremony at the courtyard of the Florida Capitol today as state officials, law enforcement officers and grieving relatives gathered to remember Florida’s missing children. Ellen-Beth Fullwood of North Port came to remember her six year old daughter Coralrose who was murdered one year ago. But she also went to Tallahassee to tell the governor it's time to pick up the pace and deal with a backlog of DNA testing. Fullwood believes DNA evidence found on her child could reveal the killer’s identity and she’s tired of waiting.
“They have DNA of the perpetrator. What they don’t have is the name. The backlog of DNA across the country... the FBI only processing 15% of what they’ve got since 2001… very well sitting in that backlog could be this person’s DNA that would have his name attached to it. And if they would just get to it, they may be able to solve her case. According to statistics, if they were to process that whole DNA, I believe the number was like over three thousand cases across the country could be solved like that. And I think it’s absolutely unconscionable that they’re that far behind on the DNA,” Fullwod said.
After meeting with Fullwood and other relatives of missing children, Governor Charlie Crist agreed the backlog is a problem.
“Well, we always can do better, there’s no question about that. And as it relates to DNA and how that can help us find some of the missing, as much as we possibly can. In these difficult budget times, that becomes more challenging but that’s always the priority… public safety is,” the governor said.
More than 50 thousand Florida children were reported missing last year but the vast majority were recovered safely. Amber Alerts aided in the rescue of seven children this year. You can sign up to receive Missing Child Alerts and Amber Alerts via personal computer, cell phone or text message by visiting www.missingchildrenalert.com.