Erica Parsons' biological family: 'There is no Nan'

By Catherine Bilkey

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. —Eyewitness News spoke with Erica Parsons' biological family Saturday about the missing teen and claims that she's with her grandmother.

Erica's disappearance remains a mystery.

Adoptive mother Casey Parsons told Dr. Phil she believes Erica is with Irene "Nan" Goodman, her biological grandmother. She said there is an Irene Goodman and that "she is Erica's grandmother."

Eyewitness News sat down with the Goodmans. They told Channel 9 that Erica Parsons is a member of their family, Billy Goodman's daughter. Eyewitness News asked them about the story adoptive parents Sandy and Casey Parsons gave Dr. Phil.

"There is no 'Nan,'" biological cousin Christina Goodman said.

Eyewitness News reported weeks ago that investigators say they couldn't find an Irene Goodman related to Erica Parsons. The Goodmans said that's because her name is Chloe, and she's been dead since 2005.

"My grandmother's real name is Chloe, and this is her," Christina Goodman said, holding up a picture. "We don't have any idea who 'Nan' is."

Eyewitness News asked if there's an Irene in the family.

"Not that we're aware of," Christina Goodman said. "No one has ever known an Irene in the family."

I asked them if any other Goodmans could possibly be taking care of Erica right now.

"If she was with one of us, we would say so," Christina Goodman said. "We wouldn't keep her for two years and let everyone worry about her."

They said Erica's father Billy knew Erica had been adopted and couldn't care for her since he was in and out of prison. But tonight, the family members are saying they can take care of Erica. They just want her to come home.

"I wish I could have had her," biological Aunt Teresa Goodman said. "It would have been different."