wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |New FBI push to find Asha Degree, missing for 12 years

New FBI push to find Asha Degree, missing for 12 years

Posted: Updated:
By Chris Dyches - email

  • Most Read StoriesMost Read

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 10:32 AM EDT2012-05-23 14:32:55 GMT
    After getting a call from his elderly neighbor about a "small" snake in his yard, Heathwood resident Andrew Philson took a look around when he got home and was surprised to see a 15-20 foot long intruder
    Andrew Philson and his 3-year-old son will sleep a little on edge knowing that the alleged 15 to 20 foot long snake spotted in their backyard on Tuesday has remained elusive.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 3:17 PM EDT2012-05-23 19:17:53 GMT
    (Source: TheTandD.com)
    An Orangeburg Department of Public Safety officer is doing better after being hospitalized when he was hit head-on by a man who was driving naked last Friday.ODPS Spokesperson Capt. Mike Adams says Officer
    An Orangeburg Department of Public Safety officer is recovering after his patrol car was hit head-on by a man who was driving naked and drunk last Friday, according to the Highway Patrol.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 5:37 PM EDT2012-05-23 21:37:01 GMT
    These two unidentified people were taken into custody near Main Street. (Source: Jen Ashley)
    COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – Police officers are on the scene of bank robbery in downtown Columbia.  Deputy Chief Ruben Santiago tells WIS News 10 the robbery happened around 1:45 at the Palmetto Citizens Credit
    Several people are in custody after a credit union was robbed in downtown Columbia Wednesday afternoon.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 6:21 PM EDT2012-05-23 22:21:37 GMT
    It's the talk of at least one part of Columbia and it all started Tuesday with a phone call from a concerned neighbor. Heathwood resident Andrew Philson got a call about a snake in his backyard and thought
    It's the talk of at least one part of Columbia and it all started Tuesday with a phone call from a concerned neighbor.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 11:42 AM EDT2012-05-23 15:42:54 GMT
    Tornadoes in Kansas certainly are no rarity and one during a special day like a wedding can be devastating. But for one central Kansas couple, a tornado last Saturday is one they will never forget and
    Tornadoes in Kansas certainly are no rarity and one during a special day like a wedding can be devastating. But for one central Kansas couple, a tornado last Saturday is one they will never forget and they've got the pictures to prove it.

  • Thursday, May 24 2012 8:03 AM EDT2012-05-24 12:03:19 GMT
    A coach at Ridgeview High School has been arrested and accused of carrying on an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old female student.According to the Richland County Sheriff's Department, 45-year-old
    A coach at Ridge View High School has been arrested and accused of carrying on an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old female student.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 5:52 PM EDT2012-05-23 21:52:41 GMT
    A drug investigation lasting several months in Kershaw County wrapped up with 14 arrests. The Kershaw County Sheriff's Office said after undercover narcotics officers bought drugs from suspected dealers
    A drug investigation lasting several months in Kershaw County wrapped up with 14 arrests.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 12:24 PM EDT2012-05-23 16:24:05 GMT
    The South Carolina Department of Social Services has custody of an infant that was delivered at a midlands hospital Monday.DSS officials said a mother delivered the child at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital
    The South Carolina Department of Social Services has custody of an infant that was delivered at a midlands hospital Monday.

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Federal investigators are working to bring new attention to the case of a missing girl, 12 years after she disappeared.

On February 14, 2000, 9-year-old Asha Degree left her home in Shelby, NC in the middle of the night and never came back. 

Asha's family last saw her asleep in her bedroom around 2:30 am.  An hour and a half later, she was seen by drivers walking along North Carolina Highway 18 in Shelby.

Her parents reported her missing by 6:30 am.  More than a year later, Asha's book bag was discovered buried along NC 18 in Burke County. 

The Charlotte Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigations announced on Tuesday that it is planning a multi-platform media campaign, using media publicity, digital billboards, online promotion, and the use of social media in the search for new tips to find Asha.

Asha's parents, Iquilla and Harold Degree spoke with WBTV Tuesday.  Valentine's Day is actually their wedding anniversary.  They've been married 24 years, but despite hitting that milestone, they aren't celebrating.

"We celebrate every other day of the year besides this day," said Iquilla. "This day is all about her."

Iquilla said even after 12 years, she never gives up hope of seeing her daughter alive.

"We don't believe she's dead. We're looking for a person, ok? There's other people looking for remains, but we're looking for a person," she said.

A photo of Asha as a 9-year-old child and an age-progressed photo of what she would look like at the age of 19 will be featured on digital billboards across the Charlotte area. The picture will also be sent out on various FBI social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter.

The FBI is investigating Asha's disappearance in partnership with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. 

Additionally, the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit will be reviewing Asha's case in the near future. 

Sheriff Alan Norman has a daughter who's about the same age as Asha, who is 21 this year.

"It's extremely important for me to see that that family has closure," said Norman. "I cannot imagine what this family has been through for the past twelve years."

Anyone with information regarding this case should call FBI Charlotte at 704-672-6100 or the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office at 704-484-4787. 

Copyright 2012 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Photos: Asha Degree

Updated:

Investigators search for Asha Degree for 12 years See photos