Tips Pour In, But Still No Sign Of Missing Girl

TACOMA - Seventy-one phone calls came in on a Tacoma Police Department tip line over several hours, and 33 law-enforcement officers went door to door yesterday, but police still have no leads on the whereabouts of missing 2-year-old Teekah Lewis.

Police spokesman Ed Baker said patrons at the New Frontier Entertainment Center at 4702 S. Center St. reported seeing the little girl, but so far no one has information as to how she disappeared.

Teekah was reported missing at 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Her mother, Theresa English, 27, said she had turned her head away for just a moment and then discovered her daughter was gone.

Police searched the area Saturday night and all day Sunday with helicopters and infrared equipment, bloodhounds and German shepherds, but found no clues in the girl's disappearance.

Yesterday, the investigation turned from a rescue search to a criminal investigation. About 35 police officers from Tacoma and the FBI joined forces to staff a tip line and continue searching, this time in the business districts, where among other things, they hoped surveillance cameras might have inadvertently recorded the abductor and child on film.

Police also are hoping some league bowlers may have brought video cameras Saturday to record the competition. Anyone who was at the bowling alley at that time is urged to contact the task force at 253-591-5649.

Teekah was at the bowling alley with her mother, her mother's boyfriend, her 10-month-old sister and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins when she disappeared, Baker said.

When her mother saw her, Teekah was playing near some arcade games. English said she looked away for a moment while one of her brothers bowled and turned around to find Teekah gone.

Police say they will interview all members of English's family who were at the bowling alley that night, as well as the relatives of the girl's biological father, who is incarcerated at McNeil Island.

Baker said there had been no custody dispute over the girl.

English said Teekah is half African American and half Native American, 3 feet tall and 35 pounds, with brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a green sweat shirt with a "Tweety Bird" design, white sweat pants and Nike "Air Jordan"-brand shoes. Her black hair was in ponytails and she was carrying a clear plastic purse with a fish design and shoulder strap.

Explorer Scouts were to join police in contacting residents of a nearby apartment complex last night.