Aurora – Scientists who specialize in finding buried bodies began searching the backyard of Aarone Thompson’s home Sunday in an effort to find the missing 6-year-old.
The team of volunteer scientists from NecroSearch International used ground-penetrating radar to look for changes in the soil similar to disturbances made when a grave is dug.
The search came after cadaver dogs had combed the property and dog handlers advised detectives to have NecroSearch put a “second pair of eyes” on the house, Aurora police Sgt. Rudy Herrera said.
Herrera did not elaborate about whether the cadaver dogs detected signs of a body.
Jim Reed, a geologist with the Fort Collins nonprofit, said NecroSearch may not always find a body but can rule property out as a crime scene.
Aaroné was reported missing by her father, Aaron Thompson, on Nov. 14. Thompson told police she ran away.
But the search for Aaroné was called off Friday, and a criminal investigation is focused on the home. Police say Aaron Thompson and his girlfriend, Shelley Lowe, are “persons of interest.”
Aurora interim Police Chief Terry Jones has said Aaroné is a homicide victim and might have been dead for a year and a half.
Seven other children, ages 8 to 15, were removed from the home and placed in foster care.
Herrera said the children are “doing great.”
Family spokesman Sam Riddle said Sunday that police are on a fishing expedition and should continue to search for Aarone as if she is missing.
“Isn’t it interesting that this is a police chief who said this little girl was killed, yet he has not been about to produce one bit of evidence to support that claim?” Riddle asked.
Riddle said if the chief is right, he wishes him luck.
“All we want to know is what happened to Aarone,” he said.
The Rev. Acen Phillips of Mount Gilead Baptist Church said Aaroné’s family was in church this morning.
“We want them to know that they are not alone in this,” he said.
Phillips urged the entire religious community to rally around the family “even if you have concerns about the child being killed.”
“There is still a chance that she is missing and could be found alive, and we are praying for that,” he said.
Staff writer George Merritt contributed to this report.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-820-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
