Authorities plan next step in missing student search
From Jeff Flock
CNN
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Dru Sjodin in an undated family photo.
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GRAND FORKS, North Dakota (CNN) -- Authorities investigating the kidnapping of 22-year-old University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin said they will meet early Monday to chart their next move in the case.
Separately, Sjodin's family disputed a report that said the search for their daughter has been put on indefinite hold.
Allan Sjodin, the girl's father, told CNN Sunday that family members just needed to "rest and regroup" for a day, saying they will be back out searching Monday morning at 7 a.m. (8 a.m. ET) to check out a tip they received on the Finddru.com Web site.
The Web page was created to spur interest in the case and to put out information about Sjodin, who disappeared from a Grand Forks shopping mall in late November.
On Saturday, police and sheriff's deputies suspended their search for her but were still examining new leads, according to a Grand Forks Sheriff's Department deputy.
"As far as a massive search, nothing is going on in North Dakota," said Sgt. Gary Grove. "We've checked the areas that we're aware of in the vicinity of Grand Forks."
David Dusek, an attorney for Alphonso Rodriguez Jr., who has been arrested in connection with the abduction of Sjodin, said he will meet again with his client Monday and expects to decide by Tuesday whether to challenge the unsealing of the probable cause affidavit for Rodriguez' arrest.
The affidavit is believed to contain an explanation of some of the evidence against the convicted sex offender which authorities have said is "very strong."
Although police say they are confident Rodriguez, 50, kidnapped Sjodin, Grand Forks Police Capt. Mike Kirby told CNN: "You don't want to put blinders on."
According to Kirby, authorities will continue to investigate the more than 1,400 leads that have come in to police since Sjodin disappeared.
Sjodin was last seen November 22 when she left her job at a Victoria's Secret in Columbia Mall.
Rodriguez appeared Thursday at a bond hearing and chose not to attempt to post a $5 million bond for felony kidnapping. He is being held in isolation at the Grand Forks County Correctional Center.
Police are offering $140,000 for information leading to the student's recovery.
