Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Sandra Yi ReportingDozens of sheriff's deputies descended upon Tanner Park to check a tip of a shallow grave, fearing five-year old Destiny Norton might be buried there. Instead, they found the body of a dog.
Officers acted on one tip last night from an anonymous caller who said she saw a five-year old matching Destiny's description, walking through Tanner Park, alone.
Salt Lake County Sheriffs took the call seriously, sending nearly 50 officers to search the park.
Lt. Rod Norton, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "Experience dictates to us that sometimes anonymous calls aren't as innocent as they appear to be. So as good procedure, we'll do everything we can to rule it in or rule it out."
Investigators came across a bloodied blanket and a shallow grave. They dug up it up and found the remains of a dog.
Lt. Rod Norton, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "We've scoured the area with vehicle; we've scoured the area with foot. We're going to do a double scour again with canine just to make sure there's not a child in here."
The caller contacted police again with more information, but officers are confident Destiny is not at Tanner Park.
They are looking into tips and are taking them seriously. They still don't have a lot to go on, but they believe Destiny is still alive.
Robin Snyder: "I'm not going to comment on any theories. I am, however, going to say we are looking for a child that is alive, and we hope to bring her home to her parents safely."
But for Rachael Norton, having faith isn't always easy.
Rachael Norton, Destiny's Mother: "Getting tired, getting more worried as time goes by, but we're just trying to keep our hopes that we'll find her ok."
Norton last saw her daughter on Sunday night, around 8 o'clock. She believes Destiny went out the back door. Jeff Hansen, who lives in the home, showed us the backyard.
Jeff Hansen: "She would have gone out this door and played back here. It's a fenced area."
No one's seen Destiny since, and mystery still surrounds her disappearance.
Rachael Norton: "We are all baffled. We just don't know."
Police are also puzzled. Leads and nearly 100 tips have led nowhere.
Robin Snyder: "We're getting a lot of tips. Not any concrete ones unfortunately yet."
Rachael Norton says she and her husband passed lie detector tests. Today, they spent several hours with police, answering questions that could help in the investigation.
Rachael Norton: "Everywhere we have lived since she' s been born. Every person we've known since she's been born. Every person we've met in the neighborhood, just lots and lots and lots and lots of questions."
She hopes there will be answers soon.
Rachael Norton: "I have to keep a positive attitude, not just for her to come home, but I have to keep positive for the baby I'm getting ready to have."
Police again pleaded for the public's help. They urge people to check their garages and backyards. If you have any information, call Salt Lake City Police. There is a $15,000 reward in this case.
