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Mother called primary suspect

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published September 22, 2006

LEESBURG - For the first time in their nearly monthlong investigation, authorities on Thursday named a Leesburg mother who committed suicide as the primary suspect in the disappearance of her 2-year-old son.

Numerous factors had pointed to Melinda Duckett, 21, shortly after her son, Trenton Duckett, was reported missing Aug. 27.

Authorities began to focus on her after finding some of Trenton's toys, photographs and a sonogram photo in a trash bin in her apartment complex a day after he was reported missing. Duckett refused to take a polygraph test, apparently on the advice of her lawyer.

She killed herself with a shotgun at her grandparents' home in the Villages on Sept. 8 after taping a contentious interview with CNN talk show host Nancy Grace.

Leesburg police said Thursday they also learned that a threatening e-mail Melinda claimed her estranged husband, Joshua Duckett, sent to her was actually sent by Melinda Duckett to herself.

Despite days of searching in the Ocala National Forest and in Farles Lake based on tips they received, authorities have not found any trace of Trenton. The lake search ended Thursday.

Duckett told police she was watching movies with two male friends when she checked on Trenton in his room. She said she found him missing, and found a cut in his window screen. She told authorities Joshua Duckett may have been involved.

Joshua Duckett agreed to a lie detector test, and authorities said they were satisfied with his answers.

Duckett's grandparents, Bill and Nancy Eubank, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment Thursday.

[Last modified September 22, 2006, 01:23:24]