Exclusive: Haleigh Tossed into “Black Bag!”
By Art Harris, The Bald Truth, (c) www.artharris.com, all rights reserved
It’s the same story The Bald Truth reported weeks ago from sources close to the case— Misty Croslin telling investigators she held Haleigh Cummings’ little brother tight, cringing under the sheets as the five year girl old screamed in the next room, allegedly carted off by an angry Tennessee cousin. That was the last night she saw Haleigh alive.
“She says she saw Joe Overstreet come to the trailer looking for a gun, and when he couldn’t find it, turned on Misty, roughed her up, groped her sexually, then grabbed Haleigh and tossed her into a black bag,” her attorney, Robert Fields tells The Bald Truth in an exclusive interview Tuesday.
“She was scared and dove under the covers with Ronald, Jr to hide,” he said.
Fields also tells us that Misty recalls Overstreet take Haleigh from Ronald Cummings trailer in “some kind of black bag. She’s not sure if it was a garbage bag, or a suitcase. She just peaked from under the covers and saw that much.”
The next thing she heard was “a door slamming” that sounded like the van her brother, Tommy, drove, he says.
Overstreet has denied any involvement, and has not been charged in the case of the missing child.
Tommy’s lawyer, James Werter told The Bald Truth Tuesday that Tommy Croslin was with Overstreet the night he went to the trailer, but had no involvement, in taking Haleigh, just tagged along in the van as Joe drove her down a dirt road to the St. John’s River, where his grandmother reports she was tied to a cinder block with a yellow rope and tossed.
Sources say Tommy Croslin he told law enforcement he watched Cousin Joe take the little girl to the end of the dock. He didn’t see her actually go in the water, according to Werter. Tommy claims he was high on Xanax and sat in the van with “his head in his hands,” private investigator Steve Brown told me.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department issued a release that said it would not comment on any aspect of the investigation and refused to confirm Fields’ account.
Fields tells The Bald Truth Misty told this story to detectives within days after she was arrested and charged with eight counts of drug trafficking. “She waived her right to call me and spoke directly to detectives,” he said.
Croslin plead no contest to her eighth count of trafficking today in St. John’s County, where she was busted with confidante Donna Brock earlier this year.
She could receive up to 240 years if she’s not recognized as a youthful offender and the maximum minimums of 30 years are applied.
No one has been charged with what police are calling the murder of Haleigh Cummings, but Lt. Johnny Greenwood tells us the investigation is still very active.
August 17th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Didn't in a recent phone visit with her father, that she said everyone was bringing up Joe's name so she told them it was Joe?
Did Lindsey say that Tommy was high on drugs that night?
If it WAS Joe why didn't Ron go after him?
I just don't believe it went down this way.
August 18th, 2010 at 12:10 am
WA:
Good points. You have a good memory; indeed she suggested to her father that detectives put the Joe did it theory in her head at one point. It was Tommy who told his private investigator Steve Brown he was high on Xanax and nodding off. Sources tell me detectives have had real trouble getting any solid recollections from the Satsuma underbelly where druggies, if not dumber than rocks, make investigators feel like they are interviewing one.–art
August 17th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
First time I've heard of a black bag.. How many more wild goose tales we will hear before her sentencing? If Haleigh was screaming while this was going on, why didn't Jr. hear anything? He was only three, granted, but at that age he would be able to demonstrate a scream to a child psychologist, and we've heard nothing about it….If this did happen, and Misty was so scared, why didn't she call Ron to come protect her and his children? All of this supposedly went on, yet Misty waits until Ron gets home to tell him Haleigh is missing…She didn't say on the 911 call, "two men came in my home and took my boyfriends daughter"…It is making less and less sense, Art, and I am not buying it…It's all one big coverup….IMO
August 18th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Gainsville paper states that Haleigh was screaming and crying and fighting off Joe for 5 to 6 minutes. So all that time, little Ron just layed there quietly.And what was Tommy doing? No one could call 911 because they are afraid of Joe even after he leaves the house. I think Misty killed Haliegh and Tommy covered it up. And I think that's what LE thinks too.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
When is Donna Brock's trial coming up, Art? Do you think she will shed light on Misty's involvement with Haleigh's disappearance? I know Ron put a stop to her talking to Donna.. That is strange to me..Why would Ron care what she and Donna talked about, unless Misty knows things about Ron that he doesn't want uncovered?
August 17th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Hi Art. In my opinion, this is it, i think details are missing but this is the general truth of what happened that night. It sounds scattered and short on specific details and i hope now LE can get those details. I would like to know things like was Joe with TC or was TC already there?. What time was it?. Did he storm the house in a rage or was it a robbery gone bad? Why didn't TC or MC try to protect Haleigh? Why didn't MC or even TC call for help? Who propped open the back door and when? If what she says is true she should be able to answer these questions and more. Everyone in that family believes Joe is capable of doing this and i believe them. I have thought for a long time he was involved somehow. Misty's whole life is on the line and she's still saying this is what happened. It's beyond any love or dedication to Ronald. I hope LE can get the whole truth whether this is it or not. With her statements it puts more pressure on Joe, maybe he will talk to defend himself and more will come out. Flora said Joe failed a poly, i think that's news to us all.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
OMFG,is misty for real?With junior being 3 at the time he would have loved to tell that story(if it was the truth!!!!)this whopper surley would traumitize any child over 1yrs old,no wait,i'm sure the next version will be he slept right thru it,he loved his sissy so much you could'nt have shut that little boy up with a whippen with a stick,or did joe threaten him with a gun to his head too,misty is the biggest dumb arse liar i have ever heard of in my 54 years of life.no sympathy whatsoever from this camp,MISTY IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS,rest in peace haleigh darlin,none of those ARSEHOLES(WHOEVER DID THIS OR PARTICIPATED)can ever hurt you again,we will love you in Indiana 4-ever and never 4-get you either……thanks for letting me vent art,this is so freaking sad ,my heart bleeds for that sweet little darlin everyday.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
Continued…i am surprised to hear Joe took a poly if it's true. Not surprised if he took one and failed. If so it must have been very recent or Flo would have talked about it before. I think Flora would know something like that if it did occur. Looking forward to friday's JVM show!
August 18th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I don't think LE is informing Flo if Joe took a poly and if he passed. So if she heard anything, it could just be another lie told to her by the Croslins trying to protect themselves.
August 18th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
nance, i was thinking more along the lines of Joe's parents or close relatives knowing he took a poly, i would think he would tell them about it, but i agree that 1. LE isn't going to directly give Flo a call to fill her in and 2. Even if Joe did take a poly, they don't usually give the results out freely unless it is part of a bigger plan. Since Joe's family and Flora are all in Nashville, that kind of info (him being tested) might get around the family and back to Flora. So far i haven't seen any verification he even took one except for what Flora said, that's why i said "if it's true". Seems like sometimes in this case things are said once and never brought up again.
August 18th, 2010 at 2:49 am
I recall Misty accusing Joe just a day or two after it happened, back when her and Ron were walking around arms around each other and he had that big bandage on the back of his neck. I'm sure that wasn't forgotten by LE. If i remember right, and there is a clip of it out there somewhere, it was Ron who said no to that idea. I of course don't know what Misty had told Ronald about Joe. If Misty can't give more details than it's just not enough. I recall her saying that to Hank about LE giving her the idea it was Joe but i thought at the time it was her way of not having to give Hank the answers he was looking for. Thank you Art for letting everyone express our opinions and POV's because we don't all agree on who was there and who did what but you post all points of view. Misty is about out of time, maybe it's a last ditch effort from Fields to help his client. I can't imagine trying to interview any of them, but i don't believe their memories are so fried nobody can recall exactly what happened. At this rate we may never really know.
August 19th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
when ronald walked in the court room on some tv coverage i was watching i got a good look where that big band-aid had been ,the scar looks like one i still have on my leg from my childhood(a LONG time ago lol)mines from a nasty infected boil,could have been an infected pimple too ,you can see some pretty deep poc marks on his face if you look close enough in his pictures,just my own opinion though,who really knows with any of that bunch.
December 16th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
approve
August 18th, 2010 at 4:29 am
I still think Ronald had something to do with this. You know how they say there is some truth in the lies being told. What if it was Ronald that ruffed up Misty cause of her long weekend out. Haleigh did something that upset Ronald and he hit her too and she died. He carries her away in a black bag and dumps her body in the St. John River. Throws the bag in a dumpster.
Now if Joe did it I agree that her brother would by now have said something. I also think if Misty would have told Ronald that Joe took Haleigh. Ronald would have been in his car looking for Joe and Joe would be dead. But if you remember on the 911 call he said Why did you let my child get stole *itch. That was all part of their story to cover it up. I think Misty is scared for her life. I don't think she will ever tell us Ronald did it because she knows he will kill her.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Cherry:
That theory certainly dovetails with his threats to kill whoever did it (ie whoever might be able to rat him out), the headless rat in Tommy's mailbox, and other thug behaviour…but there would have to be mass revolt in the ranks, if true, with TC and MC rising up to flip flop yet again and FINALLY tell the truth, if it is…How do you think that would play with LE after all the other stories they've told? Right, another prosecutor's nightmare and defense lawyer's dream. Art
August 18th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
I agree with everything Cherrlog, but the theory Ronald is involved. Indirectly? Possible. Not directly. JMO
August 18th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Totally don't agree with your view. Misty wasn't scarred when she was drug running and didn't have a problem calling 911 when someone took her purse. She has nothing to fear from anyone person, her only fear is that the truth come out. Whether Misty killed Haliegh and Tommy helped her discard the baby or if Joe is involved and Misty layed on the bed for 5-6 minutes listening to a baby get tortured, is all the same to me. There is no possible excuse to not protect Haliegh and not to call 911. I hope she gets life on the drug charges because she will never tell the truth about her part in poor little Halieghs death.
August 18th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
I have been following this case since day 1.
I don't understand why the truth can't be told.
All 3 of them know something. Yet nobody breaks.
I believe NOTHING out of Misty's mouth. NOTHING.
So her pointing the finger is not news for me. Its a lie. Some truth in there, but why not tell it all?? Was she so high she can't remember??
Did she kill Haleigh and called Joe & Tommy over?? If so, why haven't they ratted her out??
I think we all know Haleigh is gone, but to be able to bring some closure to her family would be awesome…..
August 18th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I'll believe the first one that can pass a lie detector test with flying colors! Good thing LE is now informing Flo that Joe flunked a lie detector test. Flo only knows what the Croslins are feeding her. The Overstreets aren't speaking to Flo.
September 7th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Where did you get the information that LE informed Flo that Joe flunked a lie detector test?
=========================
123–
If you can find that report, i will eat my hat. I don’t recall EVER REPORTING LE told Flo anything. She may have been quoted saying they talked to her, but i dont remember it. they don’t share info with any of the croslin’s I know of…that’s not how you handle information if you are a detective zeroed in on a family of high interest individuals.
So pls give me the date and story you read it in.
Maybe it was another site. Art
August 18th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
What about Grandma Flo?? How credible is she??
August 19th, 2010 at 2:32 am
Bold–
Flo seems pretty credible, or at least reports what she says she is told, but her grandkids, or at least Chelsea, dispute her accounts, including who raised Misty…Chelsea says Misty spent most of her time living with them, not Flo…Art
August 19th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Nice seeing you on NG last night Art. …..I have been following this case since day 1. This is the conclusion I have come to after last nights show. And IMO this is the only thing that could of happened:
Misty was strung out and very tired that Monday night. The 5 year old wouldn't settle down so Misty smacked her. She died from the smack. At that point Misty called her brother to come over.
Her brother took the body and dumped it. There was NO Joe. Misty can't admit anything, murder in Florida is the death penalty. Tommy can't say anything because he participated in it. That is why nobody is talking. They would rather be in on drug charges than on murder charges. I am so convinced on this theory!
It is easier at this point to point the finger at Joe. They have nothing else.
Murder or Drug charges. Or blame someone else.
August 18th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
Hi Art. great NG show tonight, NG is back! I like her coverage b/c she spends most of the hour on this case. Not crazy about how she cuts you off at times but you hold you're own very well. Still love JVM too, she stays on cases just as NG does with her show. You are the eternal professional journalist Art. I was reading today from someone close to this case how when you wanted information, you insisted on three sources to verify the facts before you would do the story. I'm not kissing up, just stating the facts. Just taking a minute to thank you for all you do and have done for Haleigh, and all you will continue to do. You have a heart of gold. All who comment here have a special place in our hearts for Haleigh or we wouldn't be here, thanks for giving us a place to talk about it. Even when there is disagreement it stays mature and respectful, unlike so many other sites i have seen, Thank-You!
August 19th, 2010 at 2:27 am
Happy–I'm happy you're here. Thank you. Art
August 19th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
AMEN…you couldn't have said it any better about SOME other sites,been there done it and regretted it !!!!!!! i wish art would get his own show so i could hear him actually finish a sentence lol,my own opinion is jvm isn't so bad,but nancy treats everyone like shes better(smarter) than them.she acts like in some cases ,if it isn't what she thinks than she cuts the person off ,the part that upsets me is its always when the person(like art mark klass even leonard P) is giving us factual information,THAT I REALLY WANTED TO HEAR.she does it to mark klass ALOT,mark and art should get their own show that way we could get the facts without all the blah blah blah,just sayin my own opinion.GOD BLESS HALEIGH AND AYDEN.
October 5th, 2011 at 2:53 am
Just want to thank you and apologies for so late, but much appreciate your kind words…and all my readers. Let’s see if we can round them up for a return to Haleigh soon. Tx approve
August 19th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Nice seeing you on NG last night Art. Not sure how you can stand her though…..I have been following this case since day 1. This is the conclusion I have come to. And IMO this is the only thing that could of happened:
Misty was strung out and very tired that Monday night. The 5 year old wouldn't settle down so Misty smacked her. She died from the blow. At that point Misty called her brother to come over.
Her brother took the body and dumped it. There was NO Joe. Misty can't admit anything, murder in Florida is the death penalty. Tommy can't say anything because he participated in it. That is why nobody is talking. They would rather be in on drug charges than on murder charges. I am so convinced on this theory!
August 20th, 2010 at 1:45 am
I like it, one theory I'm nursing. tx
August 20th, 2010 at 9:30 am
That is the only one that makes sense.
I wish someone would bring it up one night on the show you are on.
ThXs Art
August 21st, 2010 at 5:42 am
Good theory BOLDONE3, I think you are right on! (or traded she was traded for drugs!) I just don't understand why they cannot charge these two! So what the system is telling us is that you can just kill somebody, opt to take multiple poly’s that result in 99% deception, (with no repercussions) & just get away with it because no one will fess up? The evidence is that the baby is gone!
August 20th, 2010 at 6:31 am
Has it been confirmed that Joe in fact did take a polygraph test?
August 20th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
teeteefoster– not by me. art
August 21st, 2010 at 1:39 pm
I believe he did, and flunked. But who knows if that is correct.
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:49 am
Hey Art,__Just read what you said, on NG show!! So, Nancy just threw it out the door, facts or no facts.__I truly feel that what Tommy said, is fact, and Misty also! I can see the scenario in my mind's eye. Very impressive reporting and have such great contacts, in this sad story!__But, I blame Ronald for most of this. His guns and not paying his drug dealers, is what took his Haleigh. Misty kept her silence, through everything, because of her brother Tommy and her love of Ronald! IMO__I'm sure she went through and still is, hell!! Poor young Haleigh, and poor young Misty! I think that Misty did the best that she could, under such horrific circumstances.__Hmm, wonder how many people, can keep such a secret, as long as this little girl did??
Luv ya, SpikedLemon
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
I flagged that comment, RE: Gainsville Paper, "and that Haleigh was screaming and crying for 5 to 6 minutes.
There is no date of the paper, and who says that Haleigh screamed etc
for 5 to 6 minutes! I have never read that or heard of that. So, I believe that both of the above, is not fact. She is not saying IMO. She is passing along her opinion, not facts. Her name is Nanc77.
Thank you!