New Search Underway For 2 Welch Girls Missing Since 1999

A new search for two Welch girls missing since 1999 began on Tuesday.

Crews began digging in Picher shortly after 9:00 a.m. near the area, suspect David Pennington once lived. Investigators say that they’re trying to find a cellar.

The family of Lauria Bible is watching the search just yards from where the team is digging, hopeful this is the time something turns up.

They're back searching in the town of Picher after getting a new lead in the case. Lauria's mother Lorene Bible is among those watching and praying this afternoon. She is recovering from a liver transplant which doctors expected her to take months to recover from but just three weeks later Lorene's out of the hospital.

She says being here is important and she's hopeful this time something is found.

"People say do you ever lose it and I say there are times I do but you know until I find Lauria and Ashley that's my passion is to find my child," said Lorene.

Investigators say the search will take some time and they’re not sure if it will finish all in one day.

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