Stockton Woman's Family Makes Emotional Plea For Her Return
STOCKTON (CBS13) - A local woman has been missing for a week. Officers haven't found here, but they've arrested a man who might be connected to her disappearance. Her family is holding out hope they'll see her again.
Police have been questioning Jason Gilley since Darlene Janice Carlson vanished. Now he's behind, but there's still no sign of Darlene.
"We love Dalene so much and we want her home," said Darlene's aunt Margaret Baker.
Dalene's family made a desperate plea for the 23-year-old's safe return during a press conference on Monday.
Investigators arrested 25-year-old Jason Gilley for kidnapping and holding Dalene against her will. They say Dalene knew Gilley for about a week, and willingly left Finnegan's Bar and Grill with him. A short time later, cameras at a nearby Food For Less captured the pair shopping.
Then Dalene vanished.
"At some point during the time they were together, it become a situation where she no longer wanted to be there," said Stockton Police Department spokesman Officer Pete Smith.
Police only know that from what Gilley told them during questioning. And they say he changed his story.
"I am his mother. My son is innocent and I don't want to be on camera," said Gilley's mother.
Neighbors tell us police came knocking earlier this week.
"The place was basically raided. It's sort of scary knowing that he's living right there," said Art Allen, a neighbor of Gilley.
Detectives say they searched Gilley's home and car, but there's still no evidence pointing to Dalene's whereabouts.
New to the area, Dalene was staying with her cousin and planned on going back to college, say relatives.
"She's a very quiet person, but once you get to know her she's bubbly and she just wouldn't hurt anybody," said Baker.
All her family can do is hold out hope that Dalene is alive.
"If you think we'd be upset with you, it doesn't matter what it is, Sweet Pea, we need you to contact us so you can come home because we miss you," said Baker.
Police continue to piece together the timeline of where she was and when she went missing.
They ask that anyone who might have seen her to give them a call.
