Crews wrap up search for missing teen in state park

BATAVIA, Ohio - Search crews are wrapping up their day-long search at  East Fork State Park in Clermont County for 17-year-old Paige Johnson.

The Florence teenager has been missing since Sept. 23.

"Obviously we'd like to find Paige Johnson and if we don't find Paige, any other evidence, clothing, items that could have been used in a crime, certainly any of those things are things we would be interested in," said Cpt. Teal Nally of the Covington Police Department.

More than 100 searchers from 30 different police and fire agencies along with 17 dog teams, both search and cadaver, performed a ground search of the park which is estimated at around 4,800 acres.

The park is not closed to the public, but citizens are asked to avoid interfering with the search.

The searchers are focusing on paths located off major roadways.

"The terrain could be flat and open field to a rough wooded area. One minute you maybe on a flat terrain and the next you could be over an embankment so you have to be careful," said Lt. David Doyle of the Clermont County Sheriff's Department. "Safety is the priority here for the searchers."

Clermont County has set up a communication post and provided radios to the search groups so they can communicate.

The reason the search is focusing on the Clermont County park is because cell phone records indicate that the man last seen with Johnson was in that area the night she disappeared.

Court records state 22-year-old Jacob Bumpass of Taylor Mill is the last man to see Johnson.

Johnson was supposed to be dropped off at her sister's house around 1 a.m. the day she went missing.

The teen, who has a 2-year-old daughter, never made it to her sister's home.

Police said Bumpass told them he dropped off Johnson at 15th Street and Scott Boulevard, but search warrants filed by Covington police indicate otherwise.

An affidavit states Bumpass admitted to being with Johnson the night of Sept. 22 and gave her alcohol.

Officers later searched his Taylor Mill Home on Decoursey Pike to find what appeared to be blood and two latex gloves in the kitchen sink, according to the affidavit.

Cell phone records belonging to Bumpass show he was near Johnson's home at 1 a.m. and just after 4 a.m. at East Fork State Park in Batavia, Ohio.

Bumpass is being held at the Kenton County jail on a probation violation. He has not been charged in connection with Johnson's disappearance.

Covington police will re-group with the units to determine if they will continue searching tomorrow or another day.

CNN'S Nancy Grace will also do another segment on Paige Johnson Wednesday night at 8 p.m.

Johnson's friends have organized a candlelight vigil for Friday night. It will be held at Paint Yourself Silly on Decoursey Pike in Covington from 7-10 p.m.