Family, others to search for missing mom

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 17, 2007

HUDSON

The family of Stefanie Francique, a 24-year-old mother missing for almost two weeks, is organizing a search at 8 a.m. today. Her stepmother, Janet Mears, said about 20 people are expected to help search the woods near the family's Colony Lakes Estates home, but more volunteers are needed. Anyone interested in participating should report to the neighborhood clubhouse wearing long sleeves, long pants and closed-toe shoes. Two community policing deputies from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office will be on hand to help . Mears said Francique said good night to her about11 p.m. Nov. 5 but was gone the next morning. She left behind her wallet and car, as well as h er 4-year-old daughter, Alyanna. The Sheriff's Office so far has found no evidence of a crime, but Francique's family believes she didn't disappear willingly. Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at (800) 854-2862, ext. 7462.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Man convicted again in abduction

It took a jury an hour to convict Robert Emery Conner of attempted first-degree murder and kidnapping in 2000. Thursday night, it took another jury just 25 minutes to do the same thing. Conner was arrested in 1999, accused of attacking 13-year-old Hudson Middle School student Carolina McDonald while she waited at a bus stop. Wearing panty hose over his face, authorities said, Conner tackled her and tried to strangle her, but was scared off by a loud muffler from an approaching car. Last year, a judge overturned his 2000 conviction and life sentence because of ineffective assistance of counsel. Conner, now 32, said his lawyer never told him he could get life for the kidnapping charge. He could get it again at his Jan. 4 sentencing.

LAND O'LAKES

Adoptions are iffy for rescued dogs

The 43 dogs seized from a house in Hudson this week are suffering from various maladies, and their chances for adoption are questionable, Pasco's animal services chief said Friday. Denise Hilton said the dogs have worms and flea infestations. Some are also anemic and malnourished. The dogs were discovered Wednesday at a home on Frost Drive in the Viva Villa subdivision, after authorities went there to investigate the death of one of the home's residents. Linda Lesack, 65, was the second person to die there in two weeks. Lois Lombardi, who was 65 and disabled, died Nov. 6. Her sister, Diane Lombardi, told authorities she got overwhelmed trying to care for Lois, who had cerebral palsy, but she didn't call animal control because she feared the dogs would be put down. The inside of the house was carpeted in the dogs' feces. The dogs will be given medicine and training before being considered for adoption.

Correction

A 1965 Chevy Impala Super Sport has been refurbished for use by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. The year of the car was incorrect in Friday's paper.

[Last modified November 17, 2007, 00:59:14]