Paige M. Fleming Found Hungry and Wet
Mar 11, 2006, 08:00
Update By Amanda Goodman
LEETON, Mo -- Paige Mariah Fleming, 20, 218 SE 2 Highway in Leeton, Mo, was reported missing by her stepmother Diana Fleming at about 7:47 p.m. March 7. Paige was found by Johnson County and Henry County deputies on March 9 walking along Highway 13 in the Shawnee Mound school area in the rain with her dog, Sara. Reports state Paige was found hungry, wet, dirty and muddy. "I'm okay," she stated when deputies asked if she was okay.
According to sheriff reports, Diana punished Paige for some confidential matters by requiring her to walk laps in the front yard of their home. Diana reported that she saw Paige walk outside so she thought she completed the laps and came back in afterwards. According to reports, Diana noticed Paige missing at dinner when all of the six other children were at the table and informed her that Paige was last seen going out the back door. After not finding Paige on the property, Diana called the Johnson County Sheriff's Department.
Paige, adopted by the Flemings, spent most of her time at the home unless she was working at The Sheltered Workshop in Warrensburg. Paige has the mental capacity of a 12- or 13-year old. Fleming notified employees of the Sheltered Workshop as well as several friends and family members. There was no sign of Paige anywhere.
When Sheriff Charles Heiss visited the residence, he spoke with both parents Diana and David. He received as much information as possible and ordered the department to begin their search.
When investigating the home, Heiss discovered that Paige had a diary entry that stated she was mad and wanted to leave the home. They also noticed that there was a phone in the restroom. Diana stated that Paige always leaves the phone where she last used it. It was determined that Paige made phone calls before leaving. The Sheriff then checked the phone's caller ID with help from Sprint law enforcement assistance division. Heiss found several numbers on the caller ID but Sprint could not assist due to the amount of calls made since the incident.
According to reports Paige has a boyfriend, Nicki Irwin of Holden. Reports also state that Paige has several other male friends. All these men were contacted with only one lead by co-worker and friend Aaron Poslushy of Knob Noster. Poslushy stated that he spoke with Paige before she left and she told him that she wanted to leave and find a ride to Knob Noster. She hung up the phone and that was the last he heard from her.
Paige had not eaten since Tuesday March 7, nearly two days. She supposedly slept in unknown fields in the Windsor and/or Leeton areas.
Paige told police that her boyfriend, Irwin, picked her up while she was walking laps in her front yard. She then stated to deputies that they drove to the Holden area where Irwin lives. According to repots, Paige first stated she and Nicki got into a fight and Nicki pushed her out of the truck into the field in which she slept. According to Sgt. Hanes, the statement from Paige is not true.
Further reports are still under investigation and will be posted when accessible.
