Police on Saturday completed their search of the home of 7-year-old Aaroné Thompson and turned the house back over to the family, authorities say.
“At this time we have thoroughly searched the house for evidence,” Aurora police spokesman Rudy Herrera said Saturday. “We did release the house.”
Aaron Thompson, the girl’s father, and his girlfriend Shelley Lowe, planned to return to the house, 16551 E. Kepner Place, Saturday to retrieve their possessions, said the Rev. Acen Phillips, who has been acting as a counselor and spokesman for the family.
The couple has been living in a hotel and recently found an apartment where they will live until they can be reunited with their children and find a larger home, Phillips said.
Seven children who lived with the couple and a newborn baby were taken from the couple by court order and are living in foster homes.
Initially, police and volunteers searched fields near the Aurora house for Aaroné after her father reported the girl missing Nov. 14. The search shifted to the home after a person described as close to the family told police the girl was dead.
Thompson and Lowe left the house while police searched for evidence in the disappearance. Their rental contract ran until the end of November, Phillips said.
Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said Friday that the search has uncovered useful information, but did not specify what that was. Police were seen digging in the backyard and using search dogs.
Phillips said he hopes the family and police can mend their differences and work together to find Aaroné. The two sides have been trading criticisms over the investigation.
Thompson and Lowe said police should continue searching for the girl.
Oates said Friday it was “morally reprehensible” that they spoke to media Thursday instead of with police.
“They need to build bridges,” Phillips said.
But he added that the couple does not intend to speak with police in the near future.
“That’s not on the agenda right now,” Phillips said.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
