Parsons attorney: Despite leaving home, family not giving up hope

By Kathryn Burcham

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. —The adoptive parents of a missing 15-year-old Rowan County teen, Erica Parsons, are now living in a new city.

The Parsons spent a second day packing up a U-Haul with the rest of their items in their home.

Channel 9 reporter Kathryn Burcham asked the family’s attorney what that means if Erica returns.

That is the question viewers have been asking since Channel 9 first reported about the Parsons moving.

But attorney Carlyle Sherrill told Channel 9 just because his clients have left the house, doesn’t mean they have given up hope.

In the early morning hours, Sandy Parsons silently sat on the front porch of the home he has lived in for nearly three years -- the home where he is celebrated birthdays, seen a daughter get married and another daughter disappear.

Just over four weeks after his adopted daughter Erica was reported missing, Sandy packed up his home, even the doormat, and left for good.

“You don’t come home to a house, you come home to a family, and that’s what this is, family,” Sherrill said.

The Parsons’ attorney said they moved to Fayetteville to get away from the media attention and to be closer to their oldest son, Sandy Jr., who is stationed at Fort Bragg with his wife.

“It has something to do with their son, who is in the Army,” Sherrill said.

But he said that doesn’t mean Casey and Sandy have forgotten about the search for Erica.

He said their pleas on national television for her to just call, to come home, remain just as strong even if they have left Erica’s last known residence.

“All the signs say call the Sheriff’s Office, call the FBI, let them know, they will put her in touch with us,” Sherrill said.

The Sheriff’s Office said they continue to receive hundreds of tips in the investigation, but Sherrill said the FBI has not scheduled any new interviews with the Parsons.

Earlier this month, federal, state and local investigators were moving boxes out of the home.

TIMELINE: Erica Parsons case

Chopper 9 flew over the property as they executed search warrants. According to the warrants, investigators took drywall with red stains, carpet, knives and JonBenet Ramsey magazines from the home.

A few days later, investigators also took several items from a shed on Sandy’s father’s property.

Another vigil is planned Sunday for Erica. The vigil will be held at the Rowan County courthouse at 7 p.m.

Organizers are asking people to bring their own candles.