Misty’s Brother Tells Police No One Was Home

PALATKA -- A published report says Hank Croslin, Jr. told authorities no one was home when he went to Haleigh Cummings' house, just hours before the girl was reported missing.

According to the Palatka Daily News, Croslin, Jr. made the claim during questioning last week at the Putnam County Jail.

His statement contradicts his sister's story.

Misty Cummings said she was babysitting Haleigh that night. She said she went to sleep, but when she woke up, Haleigh was gone.

Croslin, Jr. told investigators he went to the house about 10 p.m. at the request of Ronald Cummings, Haleigh's father.

He said he had been trying to reach Misty by telephone for two hours, but his calls went unanswered.

So Croslin, Jr. went to the house, but no one was home.

In-Laws Say Haleigh's Dad Put Dead Rat In Mailbox

SATSUMA, Fla. -- The father of a missing Putnam County girl is having more trouble with his in-laws.

Ronald Cummings, father of 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings, stuffed a dead rat into his new father-in-law's mailbox, Hank Croslin told the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

Croslin filed the report Wednesday, saying that a neighbor saw Cummings put the rodent in his mailbox at about midnight Tuesday.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is investigating the claim.

This latest scuffle comes just days after Cummings was booked into the Putnam County Jail on charges that he beat up Hank Croslin and his wife Misty Croslin's brother at the couple's home.

During that incident, the Croslins said Misty called them in the middle of the night asking them to pick her up because she didn't want to live with Cummings anymore -- so they went to get their daughter. The family was finally able to drive away and dialed 911 for help. Deputies eventually spoke with Cummings.

Haleigh Cummings, 5, was reported missing from her home in Satsuma in February, and no trace of the girl has been found. A $35,000 reward remains available for her return.

The Department of Children and Families closed an abuse investigation into Ronald Cummings last month and found no evidence against him in his daughter's disappearance.

Cummings proposed to Croslin in a Palatka Chili's on March 8 and the two wed shortly after.

Previous Stories:
August 6, 2009: Haleigh Cummings' Father Bonds Out Of Jail
July 16, 2009: Father Of Haleigh Cummings Cleared In DCF Inquiry
June 26, 2009: Investigators Search Haleigh's Family Property
June 9, 2009: Haleigh Cummings Search Headquarters Shut Down
June 5, 2009: Officials Insist Haleigh Case Isn't Cold