FBI SEEKS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING KIDNAPPED CHILD

John E. Lewis, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Oklahoma, announced the FBI is asking for the public's assistance in locating Shawnda Marie Cheney, 10, who was kidnaped Friday night near her residence in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The FBI is also asking for the public's assistance in locating Presley Earl Hood, 56, Branson, Missouri, who is wanted for questioning regarding the disappearance of Shawnda.

According to Shawnda's mother, Tracy Weldon, last Friday night at approximately 7:30 p.m., Shawnda left her house, 4319 N. Jardot, #17, Stillwater, Oklahoma, and was headed to a friends house located within 100 yards of her residence with the intention of spending the night. She did not make it to the friends house.

Shawnda was wearing a light pink tee shirt with a rose on the front, faded blue jean shorts, blue tennis shoes, and had a black Old Navy purse. She is described as a white female, 4'1", 10 years-old, weighs approximately 70 pounds, and has blonde hair and hazel eyes.

Approximately three months ago, Shawnda befriended a 56 year-old male, Presley Earl Hood, at a birthday party he was attending for a relative of his in Stillwater. During the past three months, Hood was allowed by Shawnda's mother to take Shawnda with him to Branson for the weekend. On several occasions, Hood drove from Branson to pick up Shawnda at her house in Stillwater, and would take her to Branson. According to her mother, Hood was not allowed to take Shawnda this past weekend. No witnesses saw Hood in Stillwater or near her residence Friday night.

Hood is believed to be driving his 1991 white Buick Century with a blue top, Missouri license plate 027-RPG. Hood is employed at a motel in Branson. Hood called in sick this morning to his employer. Efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.

The kidnaping is being investigated by the FBI and Payne County Sheriff's Office.

Anyone with information regarding the location of Shawnda Marie Cheney or Presley Earl Hood should contact the Stillwater Resident Agency of the FBI at (405) 372-1645 or after business hours or any other time may contact the Oklahoma City Division of the FBI at (405) 290-7770 (24 hour number), or the Payne County Sheriff's Office at (405) 372-4522. You may remain anonymous.