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EquuSearch May Expand In Orlando

Posted: 11:59 pm EST November 29, 2008Updated: 10:10 am EST December 1, 2008

The group that attracted thousands of volunteers in the search for Caylee Anthony may form a permanent chapter in Orlando.

The Texas-based EquuSearch team has suspended its search for the remains of the toddler, but the group is back in Central Florida to find a missing fisherman in Brevard County.

EquuSearch moved in after Brevard County officials and the Coast Guard suspended their search for Shawn Waters on November 26. He disappeared from Merritt Island’s Manatee Cove two days earlier.

Team leader Tim Miller scanned through sonar images Saturday night in search of any signs of the father of three.

They did not find Waters, but they believe his body will surface in the next few days. He said Waters' family approached the volunteer group and more families with missing loved ones will now be able to approach the group as well.

Miller revealed EquuSearch could soon become a permanent fixture with the formation of a new chapter in Orlando. It's the organization's first branch outside its home base in Houston.

"Many people want to start branches in different states, but we just seen how everybody came together for Caylee," Miller said. "We’re just getting organized right now."

Miller said the new chapter will speed up response times for missing persons in Florida.

"Even when you find a body and you walk up to a family, hug ‘em and say 'We’re sorry, but we got ‘em located,' they can have that little bit of closure and go ahead and have that funeral and try to put their lives together," Miller said.

Local leader Bill Fitzgerald said the Orlando chapter has already attracted more than 250 members who can be called at a moment’s notice in search of missing people. They will have their first official meeting on Tuesday.

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