Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 13, 1992 TAG: 9203130425
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Authorities emphasized that the disappearance of Scottie Wimmer was in no way linked to a man who recently has been following schoolchildren in Southwest Roanoke.
Scottie, a kindergarten student at Virginia Heights Elementary School, rode the bus to Wasena Avenue and Maiden Lane after leaving the school about 3:20 p.m.
School officials learned that the child was missing when he did not show up at his baby sitter's house with another child who was supposed to accompany him there.
Police were contacted about the missing child about 5:30 p.m., school officials said.
About 14 city police officers were going door-to-door late Thursday showing pictures of Scottie to residents. Several Virginia Heights teachers and their husbands joined the search.
The school's secretary and Principal Roger Magerkurth were answering phones at the school well after 10 p.m. "I'm planning to stay here a while," Magerkurth said. "I want to find that boy."
Roanoke Police Lt. Doug Allen said a K-9 unit from Roanoke County had been brought in to assist with the search.
The dog was being kept in a car until the officers finished making their rounds. Its handler was worried that too many human scents might detract from the dog's tracking ability.
Assistant School Superintendent Richard Kelley, who also was at the school, said at least five school system security officers were assisting in the search.
Police also were showing a photograph of the youngster to merchants on Grandin Road.
by CNB