PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla.,None — The father of missing Haleigh Cummings and his ex-wife, Misty Croslin, were both busted in a drug sting Wednesday night.
Misty Croslin, Haleigh's father Ron Cummings, Misty's brother Hank Croslin, Jr. and Hope Sykes are all in jail after being charged with trafficking prescription drugs. Orlando resident Donna Broch was also arrested in connection with the others.
Investigators said they had been watching them for a while.
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For about one month, undercover detectives bought from the group on several occasions.
Ronald Cummings is being held in Flagler County after being transferred from the jail in Putnam County. He was transferred for his safety because his status was so-high profile due to the Haleigh Cummings case.
Jim Batchelor lives just two homes from the one Haleigh Cummings used to live in. In the past year, he says, not a day goes by without him thinking about her.
"All of us are hoping. Everyone who knew all of them. We're hoping. Something will happen," he said.
Croslin appeared before a judge Thursday morning in St. John's County. The judge told her she's facing six counts of drug trafficking, five in Putnam County and one in St. John's County. Her bond was set at $950,000. Her ex-husband and Haleigh's dad, Ronald Cummings, is being held on $500,000 bond.
Misty Croslin has had great difficulty staying out of the spotlight since her former step-daughter, Haleigh Cummings, vanished in February, 2009.
The arrests are arguably the most serious development for Misty Croslin and Ronald Cummings since then 5-year-old Haleigh disappeared. Croslin is the last known person to have seen Haleigh and said the little girl was asleep inside their Satsuma trailer at the time.
Putnam sheriff's deputies said undercover detectives bought a large amount of oxycodone and hydrocodone from the group during a month-long operation. They were arrested near St. Augustine.
"This arrest? It put a pretty black mark on them," Batchelor said.
Detectives believe the disappearance and drug cases will eventually cross and more will come to light about what happened to Haleigh.
"I hope they'll squeeze her until the truth comes out. If she knows anything I hope they get it out of her, because that little angel don't deserve it," Batchelor said.
One neighbor was glad they arrested Ronald and Misty.
"I was happy. Elated. I saw they were arrested," an unidentified neighbor said.
But that neighbor wished the news was about Haleigh instead.
"It's so sad. She was just a precious little girl," the neighbor said.
Authorities said most of the drug buys happened in or around St. Augustine.
Previous Stories: December 31, 2009: Haleigh's Dad, Ex-Stepmom Have Run-Ins With Law December 11, 2009: Family Holds Vigil For Haleigh Cummings October 21, 2009: Haleigh's Former Stepmom Has Purse Snatched October 14, 2009: Attorney For Haleigh's Stepmom Quits Case October 12, 2009: Haleigh's Father's Lawyer Makes TV Appearance October 9, 2009: Haleigh's Stepmom Makes TV Appearance October 9, 2009: Haleigh's Stepmom In N.Y.C. For TV Interview October 8, 2009: Haleigh's Stepmom Involved In Alleged Road Rage Incident October 7, 2009: Haleigh Cummings' Dad Confirms Divorce Plans October 6, 2009: Haleigh Cummings' Dad May File For Divorce
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