Destiny's family begs for more volunteers

The search effort to find missing 5-year-old Destiny Norton moves forward, but it's the volunteers who are also missing.

Police and FBI agents revisited Destiny's neighborhood Thursday, looking for new clues in the disappearance of the little girl with the sparkling eyes, mischievous smile and silver-capped teeth. The Deseret Morning News has learned convicted sex offenders, including some on parole, are still being questioned about Destiny.

A startling drop in the number of volunteer searchers Thursday prompted family and friends of the little girl to issue a tearful plea.

"Maybe people are just getting discouraged . . . we're hoping that people will come out and help us look for her," Destiny's mother, Rachael Norton, said, sobbing. "We love our daughter very much, and we want her to come home."

As of 8 a.m. Thursday, only 21 people had shown up to look for Destiny. By noon, there were less than 100 volunteers. After the family pleaded for help during a midday news conference, hundreds came. By the end of the day, search organizers estimated more than 700 had shown up.

"We need it every day until she's found," said Destiny's uncle, Peter Brooks.

More than 400 people showed up Tuesday to search and 600 on Wednesday. By comparison, an estimated 1,200 volunteers a day searched for Elizabeth Smart and Lori Hacking.

"We need thousands," search coordinator Shane Siwik said. "Police believe Destiny is still alive."

Some speculate that because the Nortons aren't as wealthy and many of their friends and family have tattoos, piercings and are seen regularly smoking cigarettes, she isn't receiving the same type of attention as other missing children.

"Nearly every person that I have talked with has said the same thing, it's a class issue," volunteer searcher Jana Benzon said. "A child is a child is a child. I'm very frustrated in a state where we spout 'children are everything' that this girl is not receiving as much attention as those who come from more mainstream families. . . . Why aren't people coming in droves to help?"

Most of the people who live in the Norton home grew up on the streets. Her parents, Rick and Rachael Norton, recently converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Family members said Rick Norton was baptized into the church the day before Destiny disappeared.

Brooks said he hoped the appearance of the family and friends isn't keeping people from searching.