Volunteers search for missing Detroit toddler Bianca Jones
(CBS/AP) DETROIT - More than three dozen volunteers searched on Monday for a missing 2-year-old Detroit girl whose father claims she was taken during a carjacking.
"If it was my son or me missing I would want somebody looking for me," said 39-year-old Makibla Gideon, who joined the search for missing Bianca Jones.
She, along with others, canvassed an area near where Jones was last reported seen, while police continued to go over D'Andre Lane's version of how his car was taken during a robbery Friday morning with his daughter in the rear seat.
Lane, 32, was being held in nearby Oakland County on an outstanding warrant from an unrelated case. But Undersheriff Mike McCabe said Monday afternoon that Lane had been released.
Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee said Sunday investigators were questioning the truthfulness of Lane's story. Police also searched his home Monday morning, but declined to provide details.
No suspects have been identified related to the alleged carjacking.
Lane's lawyer said his client has been straightforward with police and will be so in the future.
"He is a loving father," Terry L. Johnson said Monday night.
"Contrary to media reports, Mr. Lane has fully cooperated and will continue to cooperate with police agencies to assure the safe return of his daughter, Bianca Jones," Johnson said.
Banika Jones, the girl's mother, said before the search began that she last saw her daughter Nov. 26, when family and friends celebrated her birthday. Jones said Lane had taken Bianca to see a movie, brought her back to her mother's house for the party and then the girl left with her father.
According to Michigan prison records, Lane was jailed for more than three years on drug and firearm possession charges stemming from a 2003 arrest and was paroled in 2007. He also served a more than four-year probation starting in 1996 after being convicted of assault with intent to commit armed robbery and a conspiracy charge.
Banika Jones said Lane has a good relationship with Bianca, who is described as 2 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing about 25 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
"He has unfettered access to her; welcome to come anytime," she said. "He's never been anything but loving and committed to her. I know he probably wants to see Bianca home as much as I do.
"We are looking for Bianca. We are trying to find her. We are going to bring Bianca home."
More on Crimesider
December 5, 2011 - Cops question father's story about missing Detroit toddler Bianca Jones