Expert: Dick Rogers - 10/19/2010

Question
I am a novelist working a manuscript involving a missing child. My main character, Amy, gave a child up for adoption 7 years prior and now this child is missing. The adoptive mom has reason to suspect Amy. I am only writing from Amy's POV (point of view) so I just need to know what she should expect. To clarify, there is no evidence pointing to Amy - just the mother's feelings. The missing girl lives in a suburban town. Amy lives a couple of suburban towns over (about 30-45 min. away).
1. How long after the police are notified about the missing child would they seek out Amy?
2. Would they most likely show up at her house to ask her questions informally? Also, who would ask her questions - detectives, FBI?
3. If they wanted to ask her more questions after that initial meeting would they most likely ask her to come down to the station or show up at her house again?
Any insight will be helpful. Thank you!
Amber

Answer
Amber, you have given me a shell of your story, however, I can give you a few insights.  First, from what you have told me, there is nothing to connect Amy to the child's disappearance.  In that it is a child, there would be a rather complete initial search and much info would be gathered regarding possible leads.  From this, there would be an initial contact with Amy.  There would be a request to search Amy's home for evidence of her having the child there and there would be the usual questions dealing with her current situation and whether or not she had anything to do with the child's disappearance.  The detectives (they would be local sheriff or police, the FBI wouldn't be involved unless there is interstate flight, etc) would check out why the adoptive mom feels Amy is involved and if these are substantial reasons, the detectives may seek search warrants for other locations that Amy has control or connections with. They would return as often as necessary to question Amy as details develop in the case.  Hope this helps.