Sheriff Sorry for Missing Jaycee Case

911 caller warned of children living in Garrido's backyard
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 28, 2009 4:21 PM CDT
Sheriff Sorry for Missing Jaycee Case
Conta Costa County Sheriff Warren E. Rupf speaks at a news conference discussing contact the Sheriff's Office had with kidnap suspect Phillip Garrido in 2006 on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2009, in Martinez, Calif.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The Sheriff of Contra Costa County apologized to Jaycee Lee Dugard’s family today for not investigating the case earlier, the Los Angeles Times reports. Sheriff Warren Rupf said a 911 caller warned years ago that children were living in tents in Phillip Garrido's backyard. But a deputy responding to the call let Garrido off with a warning. "This is not an acceptable outcome," Rupf said.

"I cannot change the course of events," Rupf added, saying his department "accepted responsibility for having missed an earlier opportunity to rescue Jaycee. We are beating up ourselves over this."
(More Phillip Garrido stories.)

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