Search for N.C. Mom Continues

Dec. 20, 2008— -- In the nearly four months since a young North Carolina mother of two disappeared, her family has had one focus -- to bring home the daughter they fear is no longer alive.

Kelly Currin Morris, 28, was last seen on the night of Sept. 3, but she wasn't reported missing until the next day, when emergency workers responded to a blaze that destroyed the house she shared with her husband and two young daughters. The house was empty at the time.

Police have named her husband of about six years, William "Scott" Morris, a person of interest in the case.

Juanita Currin, Kelly Morris' stepmother, said she and her husband's greatest wish is "to find her and be able to lay her to rest. For her children to be able to know the truth."

And, she said, "for justice to be served."

According to search warrants, Scott Morris, 34, told police that he last saw his wife around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 3, when she left the house to search for a dog that had gotten loose.

Scott Morris told police that he took a shower and went to bed in a room separate from his wife's because he didn't want her to wake him up when she returned. But, according to the warrants, family and friends told police that the two, who had been having marital problems, had been sleeping separately before that night.

Pat Currin, Kelly Morris' father, said everyone knew the two were having problems -- his daughter even moved back home with her daughters for a few weeks last summer -- but that he never thought anything like this would happen.

But Juanita Currin stopped short of blaming Scott Morris for the disappearance, saying she preferred not to comment when asked if she thought he was responsible.

Scott Morris could not be reached for comment and messages left at a number for his parents' home -- where the search warrants indicated he was living -- were not returned. A number for his towing service was disconnected.