Missing baby's parents termed suspects

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- A lawyer for the parents of missing Missouri baby Lisa Irwin says police indicated they are suspects in her disappearance but police said they have no suspects.

Asked at a news conference whether police considered Lisa's parents -- Deborah Bradley, 25, and Jeremy Irwin, 29 -- to be suspects, lawyer John Picerno responded: "Absolutely. They've told them as much, Debbie in particular."

ABC News reported Picerno said he was "not at liberty" to elaborate.

The Kansas City Police Department denied Bradley and Irwin are suspects.

"We don't have any suspects," Capt. Steve Young said. "We still would like to speak to them again."

The Kansas City (Mo.) Star reported Picerno said the parents of Lisa, whose first birthday was Friday, will not participate in separate interviews requested by police.

Picerno said the parents already had spoken to police for about 30 hours on five different occasions about their daughter's Oct. 4 disappearance.

"This idea that they are not cooperating is just fantasy," Picerno said. "There's nothing more to be said."

Picerno said police could give him or co-counsel Joe Tacopina questions to relay to the parents and they would get answers.

"I don't think it works that way," Young said.

CNN reported Bradley said in an NBC interview last month that she was drunk the night Lisa disappeared and that she had last seen the baby about 4 hours earlier than initially reported.

Tacopina said Lisa's first birthday is a "very tough day" for the family.

"This is not a day of celebration right now," Tacopina said on "Good Morning America."

"Obviously, they're very hopeful. They believe that Lisa is still alive, but they're going to recognize this day and deal with this day very privately. This is not going to be something that they wish to share with anyone."

ABC News said dozens of supporters left birthday messages on Lisa's Facebook page.