Problem
The Town Police Department (in Florida) found the body of a small, female child. The media speculated the child may be Hailey Spruce, a child who was abducted six months ago and the daughter of a prominent city official. There was a tremendous amount of evidence found at the scene, although the body was significantly decayed.
If this is indeed Hailey Spruce, the Police identified 12-year-old Mohammad Okbar as a possible suspect. He is a Muslim youth who was seen speaking to Hailey at school on the morning of her disappearance. He lives six blocks from the crime scene. He and his family moved from Iran 3 years prior and have applied for citizenship to the United States; however, their citizenship has not yet been approved. Information pertaining to this suspect has yet to officially be released to the news and would be an important lead for any reporter.
I have just received a call from the lead Detective on the case and it has been confirmed that the victim has been positively identified as five-year-old Hailey Spruce. The Medical Examiner's report showed signs of sexual trauma and listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head. Furthermore, she has several abrasions and bruising on her hands, forearms, and knees. Trace evidence was recovered from under her fingernails, and fluid samples have been sent to the crime lab for testing. Detectives have just brought in their prime suspect and are currently questioning him about the case, once again. The suspect denies any involvement with Hailey's death and states that she was a friend to him. He further relates that when he spoke to her that morning, she had been crying. When he asked her what was wrong, she said that her father (the mayor) was mad at her about something and showed him bruises on her upper arm that she said were from him grabbing her that morning. He said when he asked her why her father was mad, she said "he told me not to tell, it's a secret." He said he didn't press any further and went to class, but that had not been the first time he had seen her with bruises on her arms.
Task
• Write a Newspaper Media Release.
• Write a speech to be given as a verbal statement in a televised press conference.
• Research one or two local agencies and devise two to three policy items relating to the release of public information.