Investigators Search Another Site In Missing Mom, Daughter Case
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Investigators are looking at another scene in the search for a missing 8-year old and her mother who haven't been seen in more than a week.
A source close to the investigation said a tip led police to search a remote lake just beyond a brush near Northwest 127th Avenue and 25th Street.
Police have cordoned off the area in the event they make the grisly discovery they are expecting.
Miami-Dade Police officers from the department's underwater recovery team spent Tuesday searching the remote lake west of Dolphin Mall.
So far, the slow and careful search turned up nothing.
Police have been searching for Liliana Moreno and her 8-year-old daughter Daniela since last week Monday.
Detectives do suspect foul play and are searching for the pair, expecting to find them deceased.
In addition to bodies of water, police have also scoured the Everglades, searching through brush and sawgrass in the event they were buried.
Police have not named any suspects, but they spent hours questioning Daniela's father Gustavo Castano who was the last person to see them. They say he later attempted suicide near the area where he told detectives he dropped the pair off.
Despite that their loved ones are still holding onto hope.
Daniela's uncle, Eduardo Moreno, keeps the bright-eyed little girl's honor roll medal near him at all times. He hopes she will soon get to wear it.
"I think that she's close to me, more close, and I hope that she comes back and I give her this," said Eduardo.
He and his sister flew in from Colombia to help in the search. They say they are holding onto faith they will see them alive.
"I can feel that continue alive. I can feel in my heart. I feel in my mind," said Eduardo.
Eduardo says no one wants them back more than he and his sister. And he promises to never give up on Liliana, or little Daniela.
"I want to see again my niece, because she's a little girl. She needs live more. She needs learn more," said Eduardo.
Organizers at Daniela's school held a public vigil for them both at 7 p.m.
Dozens gathered at the Our Lady of Guadelupe Church in Doral. They prayed the rosary and asked for a miracle.
"Tonight we come to pray for my sister and my niece and we hope they come back soon," said Eduardo.
Eduardo said the family maintains hope that Liliana and Daniela – missing for more than a week – are still alive.
Michelle Lapiana doesn't know the pair but was so moved by their story that she wanted to join Tuesday's vigil.
"Nobody just disappears from this earth without a trace," Lapiana said.
Katie Gonzalez has kids that attend the same school as Daniella – John I Smith Elementary. She wants her kids to be aware of what's happening.
"God is keeping them safe and we continue to pray and hope for the best," Gonzalez said.
The case has taken many twists and turns over the past week and Liliana and Daniella's family is urging anyone who knows where they are or what became of them to come forward.
"We can't sleep at night," said Aislinn Dias. "We can't continue like this. We need help from the public."
