Somer's Mom: I'd Love to Aid Shaniya's Dad

(CBS)  Somer Thompson's mother says she'd "love" to speak to Shaniya Davis's father, to help him in any way she can, and commiserate.

Somer, 7, vanished exactly a month ago as she was walking from her school to her home in Orange Park, near Jacksonville. Two days later, her body was found in a Georgia landfill. No one's been arrested and despite an intense investigation. Authorities say they've received 4,200 leads and questioned 161 sex offenders who live in the surrounding area. A $45,000 reward is being offered.

The body of Shaniya, a Fayetteville, N.C. five-year-old, was found Monday, days after her mother reported her kidnapped. Police say surveillance tape from an area hotel show 29-year-old Mario McNeill carrying Shaniya in a hallway. He's under arrest on abduction charges, and Shaniya's mother, Antionette Davis, 25, is being held on counts of human trafficking, felony child abuse involving prostitution and filing a false police report.

Shaniya's father, Bradley Lockhart, says Shaniya was conceived during a one-night stand with Antoinette. He raised Shaniya for four years, but gave Shaniya to Antoinette because, he says, she had a job, seemed more stable, and told him she wanted the role of being Shaniya's mom.

On "The Early Show" Thursday, Somer's mother, Diena Thompson, told co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez raising her other three children, including Somer's twin brother, with Somer's killer still on the loose has been "difficult, but I owe it to the other children, and Somer, to get up every day and just continue to go on. ... It's a roller coaster. and You can't get off of it no matter how much you scream and yell and holler. You can't get off. But we're muscling through it."

Diena admitted it's frustrating that the police probe hasn't led to a suspect, adding, "I fear for not only my safety, and my children's safety, but for every else's in my community's children's safety. There's a monster among us, and he needs to be brought to justice."

Diena's lawyer, Michael Freed, hinted at progress in the police probe, telling Rodriguez he's "optimistic," based on "the information (authorities have) provided (to him) that they have the person who did this under observation, maybe among other people. They're waiting for certain scientific evidence to come back from certain unique labs around the country. They're putting great resources in to this, and this is really the perfect time for anyone that knows who did this or for the person that did this to help heal the wound that he's caused, not only of this family and the community, but, in fact, the nation. So I think that's just a matter of time before this is resolved and justice is done."

Rodriguez then asked Diena if she's thought about reaching out to Lockhart, Davis' father, and Diena said she "actually would love to speak to Mr. Davis (Lockhart) and let him know that I know exactly what he's going through, and that I've got a shoulder for him to lean on, and I can't believe that a parent would ever be involved in hurting their own child (as authorities allege Antoinette Davis was)."

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For more on the Somer Thompson investigation, to sent tips to police, and get word on the $45,000 reward in the case, click here.

[GrandMom333]

So, why has Somer's mother or her 'boy' friends not taken polygraph exams? Or have they? Is't that standard proceedure. Wonder if they have refused to take them. Sorry, but this Mother knows more that she is telling.

[youpeople]

Are you for real? This mother knows more than she is telling? Is your heart made of stone? Compare this mother to Casey Anthony and Misty Croslin if you want to know what LIARS look like. Somer's mother is what honest to God grief looks like.

[valopinion]

The mother of Somer clearly enjoys the spotlight. She is trying to become a celebrity at the expense of her daughter. Disgusting.

[GrandMom333]

I agree, plus what about polygraphs for Mother and 'boy' friends?

[youpeople]

you are an idiot. I hope you never walk a mile in her shoes. Obviously this mother is taking advantage of the spotlight to keep her daughter's name at the forefront of people's minds in the hope that SOMEONE will come forward with the tip that breaks the case. For disgusting, look no further than your own comment.

[rrozsa]

I really admire a father who stepped up and raised the offspring from "a one-night stand". A lot of men would have turned their backs. And I admire his willingness to give the mother a second chance, even though it turns out she wasn't deserving of it. My prayers are with the family.

[youpeople]

Indeed.