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(Courtesy Clint Dunn/AP Photo)
The remains of a teenage girl discovered near a Texas lake last month have been positively identified as missing teen Hailey Dunn, authorities confirmed today.
Investigators have confirmed the remains found near Lake J. B. Thomas in Snyder, Texas, in March belonged to the missing Colorado City, Texas, teen, Scurry County sheriff officials announced today at a news conference, according to ABC News affiliate KTXS in Abilene, Texas.
Dunn disappeared from her home in Colorado City in 2010, and had been listed as a missing person with the Colorado City Police Department ever since.
The teen’s scattered remains were discovered on March 16, 2013. The Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers and FBI investigators spent nearly four days gathering the remains and evidence that could lead to a conviction.
The remains were sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification for DNA analysis, according to a news release from the Scurry County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said today the investigation into the 13-year-old’s death continues and they have not identified the case as a homicide, nor have they ruled it out.
After Hailey Dunn‘s mother, Billie Jean Dunn, 35, reported Hailey missing, the investigation looked at Dunn and her live-in boyfriend, Shawn Adkins, 25. Both Dunn and Adkins failed lie detector tests, admitted to taking drugs the night before Hailey’s disappearance and had refused to cooperate with police.
Law enforcement officials have named Adkins as a “person of interest” in the case, but have not charged him. Both Adkins and Billie Jean Dunn have denied any involvement in the teen’s disappearance.
Hailey’s paternal grandmother, Connie Jones, said, “At least now we can get some closure.”
“We can bury her,” Jones said, according to The Associated Press. “She can go home to her maker. She can be at peace.”
ABC News’ Colleen Curry contributed to this report.
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Poor Girl1 with a mother like hers she never stood a chance..
Posted by: Maria | April 26, 2013, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm
This is not “more information” on this story, per your instructions above. However, the photo accompanying the story is very telling, as family photos often are. Notice the mother turned away from her child. Notice the boyfriend embracing the mother. Notice their smiles. Notice the sad expression on the child’s face and in her body language. She’s not welcome there and she knows it. Don’t know the statistics, but this is a classic dynamic among women who value having a man in their lives above all else.
Posted by: Lisanne | April 26, 2013, 9:44 pm 9:44 pm
These outstanding parent types deserve a suspended sentence; at the end of a rope, Texas style.
Posted by: cycnus001 | April 26, 2013, 11:51 pm 11:51 pm
Wow, Lisanne…you could tell all that from a single photograph, with absolutely no context? Yeah, there’s probably a pretty good reason why the FBI isn’t bombarding you with job offers.
Posted by: AmericaThePitiful | April 27, 2013, 1:22 am 1:22 am
Lisanne
When I saw the photo I was going to make the aame comment….until I read yours …I agree with that 100% and yes americathepitiful there are people out there that have that kind of insight…some people got it and some don’t…
Posted by: AvidT | April 27, 2013, 2:35 am 2:35 am
And I would like to add that If you look at other photos of Hailey (images) she looks outgoing ready for the world… but the photo with mom and boyfriend is not relaxed, forced, shy Hailey look like she is not apart of the group. THIS PHOTO COULD SOLVE THE CASE…. who took the picture…what is happening before the picture is taken……Hello somebody… Her grandfather died worrying about what happed to his granddaughter Please somebody don’t let his death be in vain.,,,,,
Posted by: AvidT | April 27, 2013, 2:45 am 2:45 am
That mother was not involved…don’t be stupid. If you believe that the mother was involved then you would have to believe that Casey Anthony didn’t kill her little baby. It’s obvious that anyone that could make a blank statement such as that, has never had any type of “human study analysis” or voice analysis…body language is what is used as well as the straight forward evidence is cases like this. This woman’s life was picked apart and everything become suspect. Her only mistake was bringing the idiot boyfriend into her life. But from all appearances, her “picker” is off. The live in boyfriend is the “blame”. Why not look at his actions on that date, and then tell me the mother is involved. Think before you speak or at least do some research….
Posted by: cici | April 27, 2013, 9:40 am 9:40 am
The picture that is talked about so much can be viewed from many different directions. But, the young lady had voiced concerns about the “boyfriend” of the mother. She was quite uncomfortable being around the “idiot, killer, child molester” whatever you would like to refer him as. Reread the story and all the details of the case, and the concerns the “child” had. If you could get the “boyfriend” of the mother to talk, talk a lie detector, etc., you might find you straight forward answer …….his actions made him “suspect” above everyone else…then and now. If you chose to “rant, talk, bs, comment” without any knowledge, then the ignorance that the same jury used to “not convict Casey Anthony” is ramblng in your head.
Posted by: cici | April 27, 2013, 9:47 am 9:47 am
This is beyond sad. Poor girl brought up this way. So much divorce and non-family like existence. Doesn’t work.
Posted by: A&K | April 27, 2013, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
Your absolutely right…however, she lived the same way most of american teens live now. We have lost tradition in our society when it comes to family. However, this one single case seems to be singled out on this mother. Most of america nows has single mothers, raising children. From the reports I have read, the only thing this mother done (wrong) was she didn’t date the right person. Wait it out and watch, this boyfriend, grown man(idiot) will be charged with the murder of this child. The cell phone reports put in the area where her remains were found. Our society has allowed to become media dirt bags, such in the case with Casey Anthony….where the jury spent more time trying hire a publist for book deals and movies…instead of trying the case. If I remember clearly, one jurer wanted to hurry up that weekend to attend a FAMILY REUNION. So now, that good mother is walking free to do it all over again. So people attack a mother (as in the case) and blame her for something that she didn’t do???? Your right..so sad, take a look around you and look at all the disfunctional families and marriges, teens, boyfriends..educate yourself and then ask yourself the same question…again. Does “honeybooboo” ring any bells? Is that the american family, cause if it is….god help us all.
Posted by: cici | April 27, 2013, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
I hope it was over quickly and she did not suffer, just a innocent girl, take care of her god and hold her tight.
Posted by: nate | April 27, 2013, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
Don’t you understand? Lisanne is imparting her divine wisdom upon you and what do you meet her with? Chastity? Blasphemer! lol People like Lisanne are what make people hate Americans…
Posted by: P5ychoRaz | April 27, 2013, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
It’s a sad day whenever you are not safe in your own home. The live in was probably a creep that molested her…mom got ticked…end of story.
Posted by: Lesli | April 27, 2013, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
If the mother and her boyfriend not cooperating and failing lie-detectors isn’t enough to raise flags, I don’t know what is. They both need to be held in custody until answers are found. Too many children end up like this and parents getting away with it. Examples need to be made of these people to show that America is tired of these kinds of crimes.
Posted by: Ken | April 27, 2013, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
They both should be arrested!!!!!
Posted by: cynthia | April 27, 2013, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
Um…………..Boom!!! Does not take a ‘Rocket Scientist’ to notice that there is a HUGE W-R-O-N-G in that whole photo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She does not look like your typical Cheerleader to me !!!!!!!!!!! She was petrified !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Tamyra | April 27, 2013, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
The child does look sad… I don’t know anything on this case but I will start reading up on it. I’m so sorry for this child… may she rest in peace.
Posted by: Lis | April 27, 2013, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
The mother might not have been around when it happened, but she had prior knowledge that her young teenage daughter had reservations about this so-called (10 years younger) boyfriend that she had taken up with. Even if she did not give this perverted (at the time) Pedophile in the making, permission to take advantage of her daughter verbally, what precautions did she take to prevent this from happening. Doing drugs period is not a great thing, but doing drugs with her live in boyfriend in the same house where her teenage daughter resided is definitely not great parenting. Not co-operating with the police in the case of your missing child has to be one of the most tale, tale signs of some sort of guilt & then failing the lie detector test has to fall into the; “WTF” category. If this had been any decent parent (male or female) they would have given their heart to find out what had happened to their child. If anyone of them had suspected that she had run away, then they would not have been so uncooperative, they would have given up whatever information that they could to help bring their baby girl back home safe. The two of them acted as if they knew she was gone & never coming back, alive that is. After Billie Jean Dunn, 35, reported her daughter missing, the report states tha the investigators looked at Dunn and her live-in boyfriend, Shawn Adkins, 25. Both Dunn and Adkins failed lie detector tests, admitted to taking drugs the night before Hailey’s disappearance & they both refused to cooperate with police. What kind of mess is that? Those of you who continue not to want to blame this mother for her daughters untimely demise need to really wake up & smell the coffee, because there is a strong pot on the stove brewing.
Posted by: mssweetella | April 27, 2013, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
What I don’t get is what is a teen doing with a live in boyfriend of 25?
Posted by: Lyndsay Williams | April 27, 2013, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm
Scumbag parents raising a child in a disgusting activity..couple that with drugs and the case is clear.
Posted by: Alice | April 27, 2013, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm
Lyndsey!! Hello!! the boyfriend was the mothers!!
Posted by: WesTexan | April 27, 2013, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
I agree with Lisanne. That picture tells the entire story: Live in boyfriend smiling with arm around smiling mother, while the teen girl looks sad and lonely. I can hear the boyfriend saying, “You know, we could both be happier if that girl of yours was out of our lives – it would then be just you and me.” Both failed lie detector tests and both should face charges of first degree murder. Then one of them will crack open and begin talking!
Posted by: Angela | April 27, 2013, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
“She can go home to her maker. She can be at peace now.” Huh? Since when does God wait until humans find a body to bring a spirit home? It amazes me how people think when it comes to a death that involves injustice or otherwise. Haley went home to her maker the day she breathed her last breath. It was then she was at peace. It wasn’t recently when they found her remains. Finding them was more for closure for the people here on earth but Haley could care less. She’s been running and laughing with Jesus for three years. She wouldn’t come back to this planet if given the choice. And that’s the rock solid truth.
Posted by: Basha | April 27, 2013, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
Looks like Jason Vorhees is back.
Posted by: fridaythe13 | April 27, 2013, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
I do not know what the deal is with the daughters father, wether he is alive or whatnot. Assuming he is alive, what I will say is, my complete opinion of course, is that yes the girl does not look happy being there and I will go so far as to say..I will bet the mother and this putrid excuse of a leech boyfriend were living off daddy’s child support and they didn’t give a damn about that poor child. Holding that child hostage for daddy’s check every month and looks like spending it on, wait for it…booze and drugs. Sad our government just automatically hand these children over to the mothers.
Posted by: DrSmith | April 27, 2013, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm
90 % of America would fail a lie detector….do your math. 90% of America is doing drugs in homes and in the corporate offices…do the math. And maybe 10% isn’t…But just because you do drugs doesn’t mean you give your boyfriend-husband-live in an blank check to kill your child…..Watch this man get charged with murder…….It’s only a matter of time. read the facts….Do you also agree that Casey Anthony is innocent? And, if the picture was so perfect in telling the story..then why did Casey Anthony look like such a good person in all her pictures? We all know the story on that one! I use that case because it was so big, and so bad, and she was so guilty and caught on film, by her friends, by authorties…need I go on? And, to all the women out there that want to condemn this woman, you could in the same situation at any given moment. Woman are very vulneralbe with children….how do I know…I have a friend who is the head of the child sex unit in my state. Woman are sought out by the molesters and they are taken advantage over and over and over. One more note, the authorities are putting pressure on the mom and family..to trip the boyfriend. He will be charged with the murder of this child…..watch and see…it’s only a matter of time..enough said.
Posted by: cici | April 27, 2013, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm
Here are some scenerios I want everyone to think about,I would really like to see which one will be the right one.
1.She was at the wrong place at the wrong time and some one forced her in their car.Which explains her being around the hotel where there was no cameras.
2.Someone decided to “act” on their impulses to molest her and she was going to tell.This could of been going on for awhile and she got tired of it.This happens in America all the time,they just don’t get caught,they hope.
Remember there is a pair of coveralls not accounted for which a lie was told about them.I believe they are the clue.
3.Really don’t want to think of this one? She could of been with him and she wanted him to herself,maybe a crush? Thirteen year olds are impressionable.It has been done before.
This is a reality about this case and I like so many can only speculate but the one who done this is the only one who knows for sure what transpired that day.Since the public has been in the dark about this tragedy,I also believe that the person who did this will get caught.We don’t know all the curcumstances or evidence.I praise the person who found her and all who have been involved in finding her.And I would tell Ms. Dunn come clean and Shawn Atkins-tell the truth cause it will catch up to you sooner or later. I had a brother who was murdered and after two years of his body sitting in a shallow grave,the persons involved gave it up.It will haunt yuou.
Posted by: Mandy | April 27, 2013, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm
Mandy…you seem to have more sense than most of the people commenting….I suspect the mother has reviewed everything her head a million times. That child had told people that she was afraid of the live-in boyfriend. My daughter would make the same face, if I made her sit down and take with her dad and I. The comments about the picture is idiotic. I’m sure the mother feels guilty for everything now…but she’s not guilty. I say to everyone…..just watch..he will be charged with her death…He shall rot in a cell if someone doesn’t kill him first…
Posted by: cici | April 27, 2013, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
At first I had assumed that the boyfriend belong to the cheerleader and then I assumed that the mother was the teenager and maybe it was a little sister hanging out like a third wheel. Having read the story in full I’m now understanding that the mother and her boyfriend were not including the daughter in their happy coupling. Why is it that the step-daddy can’t keep his hands off the kiddies when mama is not around? I understand that mama might have felt lonely and latched on to him just so she had someone but she should have looked into his past a little more before exposing her child to him. That seems a bit neglectful. I think the mom and the boyfriend should both be responsible for her death regardless of who did the actual killing. A parent is responsible for the safefty of their children first before their sexual or chemical needs are met.
Posted by: Julie | April 27, 2013, 9:28 pm 9:28 pm
Sadly, if this were an African American cheerleader, this story wouldn’t have gone to print.
Posted by: lefthandshake | April 27, 2013, 10:39 pm 10:39 pm
I hope someone get convict.
Posted by: Alan | April 27, 2013, 11:42 pm 11:42 pm
This is so sad. Yes, I believe The boyfriend is guilty, But, I also believe the mother knew what he did and all of it. o therefore she is just as guilty as he is in my books. She should get the same punishment as he would get.
Posted by: Stephanie | April 27, 2013, 11:48 pm 11:48 pm
Another thing about Haley,s Mom, is Why did she lie to the police about Shawn Adkins whereabouts. She was protecting him. That is why she got arrested.
Posted by: Stephanie | April 27, 2013, 11:57 pm 11:57 pm
“Lefthandshake” Why are you bringing up black people for no reason? Shall we go back and say if Trayvon Martin was white it wouldn’t have made news? Because it wouldn’t have,all the black racists cried out racism becase a black boy was shot in self defense,if that was a white teen no one would have said a word.
Posted by: Bud | April 28, 2013, 1:07 am 1:07 am
Lie detector tests are a sham. There is a reason that lie detector results are not admissible in court.
Posted by: Dan | April 28, 2013, 1:51 am 1:51 am
The mother and the boyfriend were involved, just wait and see what happens. If you have not followed this story from the beginning then you will not understand it.. RIP Beautiful Hailey, nobody will ever harm you again..
Posted by: Texasgirl | April 28, 2013, 1:55 am 1:55 am
@Julie — race has nothing to do with it. This story was all over the news for months… because of the searching for Hailey –
Posted by: Texasgirl | April 28, 2013, 1:56 am 1:56 am
The mother and the boyfriend will turn on each other. I wonder which one will be the first to make a deal.
Posted by: kc | April 28, 2013, 9:16 am 9:16 am
Mom and boyfriend were also caught with devient images that included child porn. They had a homemade porno stored on the kids’ x-box. Oh, and mom is already shifting blame to boyfriend. Boyfriend better hurry and make the first deal if he wants to avoid the death penalty.
Posted by: okay | April 28, 2013, 9:24 am 9:24 am
My bet is on the mother and boyfriend. This is the Xmas picture? Look how close “mom” is to her f-buddy and how he is pulling her in, while that little girl is by herself. That is NOT how we have our xmas pics with our young daughter. Not to mention Haley’s grandmother being on TV saying that Haley hated Shawn & didn’t like the way he behaved towards her. I really hope the Police do their job and don’t dismiss the obvious. For the sake of yet another innocent child.
Posted by: Lance | April 28, 2013, 10:35 am 10:35 am
This exemplifies why legal authority must be left up to the individual states, and the State of Texas should authorize waterboarding.
Posted by: Mike | April 28, 2013, 11:26 am 11:26 am
I dont understand why Billie Dunn moved away I would have been out day and night looking for my child.I believe she knew Hailey would never come home. RIP precious Hailey Dunn.
Posted by: stephane | April 28, 2013, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm
Just having read the story and not heard anything about this case before now, I have to make a comment on the photo, also. If your child is missing, why would you give a photo where she obviously doesn’t look her best. The mom and boyfriend look happy, but the missing girl looks down. Why wouldn’t you give out a photo where the girl looks her best? This photo, to me, is very telling.
Posted by: BSG | April 28, 2013, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Ok I’m no Magnum PI, but this is how this story is going: The mother is probably a white trash drug addict and the boyfriend was probably molesting the girl. He took it to far that night and killed her. The mother helped him cover it up. Where is my paycheck?
Posted by: FEAR | April 28, 2013, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
Yes, I agree with Lisanne and Avidt. That was the same exact vibe I got from the photo. Some people do have that insight. If I knew nothing about the mother, the mother’s boyfriend and their relationship, I would want to speak with them because that photo (to me), says a lot. That’s how a crime scene investigator works. Forensics is more than just DNA. The FBI knows this, apparently, AMERICATHEPITIFUL, you don’t. A photo can’t speak, but it can say a lot. This is a very sad ending to this story for Hailey Dunn and her family and friends. May she rest in peace, and hopefully, the family will find peace.
Posted by: BlackBeauty | April 28, 2013, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm
How many times do we have to hear about these older moms with younger guys who rape and kill and beat their kids. Get some confidence and find somebody who doesn’t have an obsessive interest in your children. Maybe that young guy isn’t all about you? Maybe he’s trying to get close to your daughters? Any man that comes on the scene and is all about this ready made family should be a big red flag. Fostering relationships with step parents takes a lot of time, as it should. You should at least date somebody who is old enough to be the parent of the children you have.
Posted by: kamjosky | April 28, 2013, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
Lefthandshake, QUIT MAKING IT A RACE THING!! If Trayvon was white he wouldn’t have been on the news and his so called murderer wouldn’t be on trial. That is another story. Anyone trained in Criminal psychology, Investigative psychology, or General psychology knows that pictures are essential. That is why the phrase “Pictures are a 1,000 words” came about. However, do not believe everything you hear and half of what you see. Dating a younger man doesn’t necessarily mean the younger man will molest a child. Older men molest as well, but considering the circumstances he should definately be a suspect. Mom and boyfriend lying and withholding info is a flag. I am thinking the same as Fear; mom is covering up the boyfriends crime. Either way it is a sad situation and reminds me of the Ryan Burton kidnapping where something will pop up years after the discovery of her body. Basha you are right; she joined her maker years ago. She is happy and has forgiven I am sure. Cici, you have invested way too much into this and need to pull yourself away or it will consume you if it hasn’t already. Hopefully, you did not know her personally. All need to pray that something will come about soon.
Posted by: outsidelookingin | April 28, 2013, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
The third person in that photo sure looks left out.
Posted by: Ward Payne | April 28, 2013, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm
My first question is , Are we sure that this is a picture of Hailey , her Mom & Adkins? It plainly says that this picture was contributed to this story by Clint Dunn, Isn’t that Haileys Father? Why would he have a picture of Adkins and his ex wife with Hailey ? Maybe it isn’t even them but someone else with Hailey. I haven’t seen many pictures of Billy or Adkins , so could someone tell me if it is even them ?
Posted by: LadyKim | April 29, 2013, 10:29 am 10:29 am
Of course I know that it is Hailey in the picture :) God Love Her
Posted by: LadyKim | April 29, 2013, 10:31 am 10:31 am
Sorry, scratch that , I just noticed the caption for the picture . So I guess that is them :( Not sure what I think the picture . But Hailey does not look happy.
Posted by: LadyKim | April 29, 2013, 10:42 am 10:42 am