Mom Of Welch Girl Missing Since 1999 Still Hopes For Her Return

Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible haven't been seen since 1999. When three women, who went missing about a decade ago, were found in a Cleveland home, it touched the heart of Lorene Bible.

Tuesday, May 7th 2013, 6:40 pm

By: Craig Day


Developments in Ohio are giving an Oklahoma mom renewed hope she'll one day be reunited with her missing daughter.

Teenagers Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible haven't been seen since 1999.

When three women, who went missing about a decade ago, were found in a Cleveland home, it touched the heart of Lorene Bible in a way few people can comprehend.

"Their nightmare has ended. The nightmare of their children being gone," Bible said.

12/30/2009 Related Story: Ten Years Later, Welch Girls Still Missing

Her nightmare has been ongoing since 1999. Her daughter, Lauria Bible, was staying the night with a friend, Ashley Freeman.

Freeman's parents were found shot to death in their burned home in Welch. The teenage girls haven't been seen since.

"They've dropped off the face of the Earth, there's nothing," Bible said.

Thirteen years and four months is a long time to go without knowing. The family held a 30th birthday party for Lauria in April.

"As time goes further and further, in your mind you think you're never going to know anything," Bible said.

5/7/2013 Related Story: Frantic 911 Call Leads To 3 Missing Women In Ohio

But she said the case in Cleveland, where three women were freed after each was held captive for about a decade, gives her hope she may one day see her daughter again.

"When you find out, after ten years, three girls have been found, then you want that to be your daughter," Bible said.

A neighbor heard screaming from the house in Cleveland, and helped one of the women call police.

Bible said the example of that neighbor stepping up should prompt everyone to be alert and to call authorities if something is suspicious.

"They could still be out there somewhere," she said.

As a mom who longs to see her daughter, or at the very least find out something about what happened to the girls, Bible can't help but hold on to hope that the outcome in Cleveland could happen to her, all these years later.

"'God, can you make this happen for me now? Is it my turn?'" Bible said.

A $50,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman being located. The OSBI number is 800-522-8017.

Craig Day

Craig Day anchors the 5, 6 & 10 o’clock newscasts at News On 6. He’s an Emmy and national Edward R. Murrow award winner, whose work has also been recognized with awards by several other journalism groups, including the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalism, Oklahoma Associated Press, and broadcasting associations in Louisiana and Texas, including reporter and story of the year when he worked in Shreveport, Louisiana.

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