BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
J.H. Smith
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B.L. McCoy
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MILLVILLE - Despite increased local publicity about the case, a 16-year-old Ross High School sophomore and her 35-year-old criminally charged boyfriend are still missing and presumed on the run.
Bessie Lou McCoy of Millville and James H. "Jay" Smith of Trenton disappeared Sept. 21.
Authorities say the couple hit the road apparently after Bessie's relatives told her authorities were preparing a criminal case against Mr. Smith, police say.
Investigators think Bessie left voluntarily with the man, but that has not eased her parents' anguish.
"There's not a day that goes by that we don't think about her and dream about her - and some of the dreams are bad. At this point, we don't know if she is alive or dead," said her father, Ed McCoy. "Heading into the holidays, things are getting rougher and rougher, not having her around."
Last month, Mr. Smith was indicted on seven charges stemming from his relationship with Bessie and his conduct with her sister: a felony count of corruption of a minor and six misdemeanor counts of contributing to the unruliness of a child. He also has been charged with two felony counts of nonsupport, after he fell about $30,000 behind in child-support payments from an earlier marriage.
"He can't take care of his own kids, but he wants my daughter," Mr. McCoy said.
Bessie's parents learned their daughter was intimately involved with Mr. Smith in February and took steps to keep them apart. But the relationship continued in secret - and included double dates with Mr. Smith's son and Bessie's younger sister, police say.
On Aug. 30, Mr. Smith's ex-wife called Bessie's parents and told them about the alleged double dates.
That's when Butler County Prosecutor's Investigator J.C. Kristanoff got involved.
As more time passes, concerns about Bessie are increasing, Mr. Kristanoff said in a recent interview.
"If this kid'll call me, I'll immediately get in the car and go get her," he said.
Investigators are seeking more widespread publicity because they think the couple has fled the state, said Butler County Sheriff's Youth Aid Sgt. Mike Thacker, who is working with Mr. Kristanoff on the case.
Police are urging anyone with information about Bessie or Mr. Smith to come forward. "Any information at all, no matter how seemingly trivial or insignificant, could help," Sgt. Thacker said. "No tip should go unreported."
Sgt. Thacker may be reached at (513) 887-3033.
