Mother of Missing Welch Girl Recovering After Liver Transplant

The mother of one of two Welch girls who went missing 20 years ago is recovering after a liver transplant. 

Lorene Bible had feared she would die from stage four liver failure before getting answers about where her daughter Lauria could be found. Bible’s family said the liver was a "perfect match," and said they are very grateful. 

Bible's niece, Lisa, posted a picture of Lorene Thursday, giving a thumbs up and sharing that Lorene even went for a short walk in the morning. This is after getting the call to go to Oklahoma City on Sunday for the liver transplant.  

Lorene's family is asking for prayers for the liver donor's family; they said the donor was a young man who died after a brain injury.  

The family is also sharing other updates. Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman's picture is now on some billboards in Chetopa, Kansas, just across the state line.  

The family said there are plans in the works to put up billboards in other areas, too, hoping they will prompt credible tips about where the girls can be found.  

The family also shared that sometime in the next few weeks they will be excavating some areas in Picher again, to look for the girls' bodies. 

The OSBI said it will continue to do excavations in the area but said nothing is scheduled at the moment.  

If you have any information about the case, call 1-800-522-8017.