Watch CBS News

Authorities To Resume Search For Missing Baby's Remains

LUDINGTON (WWJ/AP) - Officials say they've interviewed several witnesses this week in the investigation into the 2011 disappearance of a West Michigan baby.

Sean Phillips was last year convicted of unlawful imprisonment in the case and sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison. Police are treating his daughter Katherine's disappearance as a homicide. She was last seen when she was 4 1/2 months old.

WOOD-TV reports  the interviews Tuesday were at the request of Mason County prosecutors. Details weren't released.

Katherine lived with her mother, Ariel Courtland, in Ludington, about 80 miles northwest of Grand Rapids..

According to Courtland, Phillips told her that Katherine is still alive – but extensive searches haven't turned up the girl. Police did, however, find her clothing in Phillips' shorts pocket.

Police have said they plan to resume the search for Katherine's remains June 28-29. And investigators think that botanical evidence found on Sean Phillips' shoes could lead them to the body.

In September, Courtland filed papers in an effort to marry Phillips so she could visit him to seek answers about their child's disappearance.

Anyone with information about what happened to Katherine is asked to contact Mason-Oceana 911 at 231-869-5858.

Authorities are also requesting that anyone who has documented the flora in the area surrounding Ludington contact Detective Wells at the Ludington Police Department at 231-843-3425.

Catch up on this story -

TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.