Mother of missing girl still hopeful

WELCH, Okla., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The mother of an Oklahoma girl who vanished 10 years ago at the age of 16 with her best friend hasn't given up hope her daughter will be found.

Lorene Bible said she is still hopeful she will learn the whereabouts of her daughter Lauria, who disappeared Dec. 30, 1999, along with fellow 16-year-old Ashley Freeman, the Tulsa (Okla.) World reported Monday.

"On the first year anniversary I said I didn't want to be here in 10 years," Bible said. "It's been a decade. I will keep getting the word out there. Hopefully there is a person out there that will call the authorities. I hope it triggers someone to talk."

Authorities said the teenage girls disappeared the same day Freeman's parents, Danny and Kathy, were found shot to death in their mobile home near Welch. The trailer had been set ablaze.

Lorene Bible said she suspects both of the girls are likely dead and blames investigators for not taking advantage of initial clues following the teens' disappearance.

"The investigation was botched from the beginning," Bible told the World.