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Latest from LivingstonParishNews.com
Family members and law enforcement continued to search for Barbara Blount on Friday, a week after her mysterious disappearance.
Sheriff's detectives say she was apparently taken from her rural home on La. 1036 by force, probably between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. May 2.
The woods around Barbara Blount's home were searched the first few days after the disappearance, but since then, detectives have moved on, Sheriff's spokesman Perry Rushing said Friday.
"The woods are no longer our primary area of interest," Rushing said Friday. "The investigation has shifted to another location."
Family members say a door into the missing woman's home was left open, but there were no signs of a forced entry. Money and a gun were still in the house and a cordless phone was found on the ground in the carport, relatives say.
Barbara Blount's car, a silver 2006 Toyota Camry, was found very near her home, pulled off on a logging road, but still visible from the highway, Rushing said.
Columbus Blount, a relative who also lives in Holden, said the Camry had veered somewhat to the right, toward the woods, before stopping.
Barbara Blount's car keys were found lying on the ground, away from the car, near La. 1036, Columbus Blount said.
Family members keep speculating over the few clues they have about Blount's disappearance, but it's all guesswork, because they have nothing substantial to go on, Columbus said.
"We don't know why her keys were left on the ground like that," Columbus said. "You read about these things happening in other places, but when it all comes out, it's always the opposite of what you thought."
Blount's daughter, Christie, said law enforcement has been active, seeking the help of family members to look through Barbara Blount's home and try to point out anything that looks out of place, unusual in any way.
Family members have been finger printed, Christie said, apparently to help find fingerprints of somebody who didn't belong in the house.
Family members said they were not sure whether the Federal Bureau of Investigation was on the case.
Rushing declined to comment on FBI involvement, but said the Sheriff's Office is "using every resource that can contribute to the investigation, including the State Police."
Rushing also said that the Sheriff's Office welcomes any information that might be relevant to the case.
"We are following leads and if anybody has any information, this would be the best time to come forward," Rushing said.
"The family would be very grateful for anyone who knows anything, no matter how trivial, to come forward," Christie said.
The area of La. 1036 around Blount's home is not busy. The home is in a sparsely settled area of Livingston Parish, near the St. Helena Parish border, Columbus said.
Barbara Blount is 58 years old, 5'7" tall, wears glasses and has dark brown hair and hazel eyes, Rushing said.
She has a large family in the Holden area, including her grown son and daughter.
Barbara Blount attends services at Magnolia Baptist Church three times a week and serves on church committees, Christie said.
The search will continue, no matter how long it takes to find the truth, Christie said.
Christie, who is taking care of her mother's dog, said she is praying along with hundreds of other friends and family members who still hope that they will soon get good news.
Anyone who would prefer to give information anonymously can call Crime Stoppers at 344-STOP. Information can also be called in to the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office at 686-2241, ext. 351, or 443-7681
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