Family of missing Oklahoma teenager desperate for clues
By Jennifer Palmer, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Charges of endangering others while eluding a police officer were filed against
That evening, Nipp, driving a 2012 Honda Accord that wasn't his, sped away from two
A witness also described seeing a car leave a home about 9 that night, with Haynes in the front seat, Miller in the back seat and driven by a man matching Nipp's description.
Nipp appeared in court Thursday on the eluding charge, which was filed in January, and waived his preliminary hearing. His next hearing is scheduled for
Miller and Haynes are considered endangered, said
"We have not found any evidence that indicates they are lost, so foul play is highly suspected," he said.
Other agencies assisting with the investigation into Miller and Haynes' disappearance include the
What happened
The events of
As the car traveled down
The next morning, on
Graham told the highway patrol and her insurance company that she loaned her car to Nipp and that he returned it 15 to 30 minutes before the police chase. But some of her neighbors, who were outside at that time, said it wasn't true and the car didn't arrive back at that time.
Graham said she went to sleep after Nipp returned her car and woke up the next morning to find it missing. But cellphone records reveal calls and text messages between her phone and Nipp's mother and aunt throughout the night and into the early morning hours of
The content of those messages hasn't been revealed.
In the days following, Miller and Haynes were reported missing. Family members have been told Miller called 911 shortly after midnight, didn't say anything and hung up. Telephone records show the couple also made several calls to friends wanting a ride, and Haynes reportedly told some friends he had broken an ankle and was coughing up blood.
In August, the Accord was discovered with several thousand dollars of damage, Hampton said. That's when his agency began investigating.
The car owner, Graham, 32, of
Records reveal
Court records reveal Nipp has a history of criminal charges and drug abuse.
He has been convicted of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia from a 2010 case and driving under the influence of drugs in 2011. The judge allowed him to enter a delayed sentencing program for young adults. A substance abuse evaluation detailed in the file reveals he began smoking marijuana at 9 or 10 years old and by 15, considered himself a "pot head."
He said he began attending substance abuse meetings after his convictions and "changed his way of living." He was recommended for inpatient treatment but failed to show up.
The assessment, under "attitudes," states: "Nipp appears to be supportive of crime in general, and appears supportive of an unconventional lifestyle."
On
Haynes, too, had drug problems, court records show. In 2011, he was charged with endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine after he was caught with lithium batteries, pseudoephedrine pills, digital scales and hydrogen peroxide.
He also was allowed into a delayed sentencing program for young adults. In his assessment, he reported using marijuana, methamphetamine and alcohol. He obtained his GED while incarcerated.
In April, a probation and parole officer filed a violation report, recommending Haynes be returned to court. "Haynes continuously associates with persons having criminal histories and his behavior has not progressed any since being placed on probation," the officer wrote. On
Family response
Miller's cellphone hasn't been used since the night of the pursuit, and her cousin,
She has also logged many hours searching rural areas in
Miller's 18th birthday is coming up in April, and her family is preparing to mark another milestone without her.
"It's been the worst eight months of my life," Fielder said. "I don't understand how families go years and years and years without knowing. This family is being torn apart."
close
___
(c)2014 The Oklahoman
Visit The Oklahoman at www.newsok.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 1042 |
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Eric Heyl column
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News