The attorney for Sandy and Casey Parsons says his clients feel more comfortable talking with federal investigators following early interviews into the disappearance of their missing adopted daughter, Erica Parsons.
Erica, 15, has not been seen in nearly two years, but was reported missing July 30 by her adoptive brother, Jamie.
The Parsonses have said they let Erica stay with her biological grandmother, Irene “Nan” Goodman, who they say lives in Asheville.
Rowan investigators say Goodman does not exist, and relatives say Erica’s real paternal grandmother died years ago.
Agents with the FBI and the State Bureau of Investigations have been assisting the Rowan Sheriff’s Office.
“The way I would put it, the FBI is treating it as more of a missing persons investigation than trying to pin a crime on them,” said Carlyle Sherrill, the couple’s attorney.
Sandy and Casey Parsons were interviewed early on by investigators with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, who have said the two were uncooperative.
Sherrill has said he believed his clients have provided information that they believed was true. He said they were not being untruthful on purpose.
The attorney said last week the key to this investigation lies with Erica’s biological mother, Carolyn Parsons.
Carolyn Parsons has not returned multiple requests for interviews made by the Post, but has spoken with other media outlets. She has said the two people with the answers to everyone’s questions are Casey and Sandy Parsons.
Sherrill said he saw Carolyn Parsons at the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, but was not aware of the nature of her visit.
A spokesman with the Rowan Sheriff’s Office said no details would be released regarding meetings or interviews the agency, FBI and SBI conduct as they investigate.
Sherrill said the day Sandy was interviewed by an FBI agent for four hours, it was done without local authorities at Sandy’s request.
The attorney also said Sandy received a phone call early in the investigation from a family member who hinted at a homicide investigation.
The family member told Sandy the Rowan detectives said they were investigating a homicide. Rowan investigators have not called the investigation a homicide, but have maintained their focus is on finding Erica.
Sandy and Casey Parsons have not been charged in the disappearance of Erica Parsons.
Sherrill said he believes the seed was planted by the Parsonses son, Jamie, as to a possible murder investigation.
“I’m sure the questioning was leading to a homicide because of what they were told by Jamie,” Sherrill said.
He said during an interview with FBI authorities, the agent reminded Casey she could be charged for lying to investigators. Sherrill said his client told federal investigators what she and her husband had been saying, which was they let Erica stay with her grandmother.
“I explained to investigators this is what she thought to be true,” Sherrill said.
Additionally, Sherrill said that particular interview was paused and continued later in his office. Casey again spoke with federal investigators just two weeks ago, Sherrill said.
Local authorities attempted to question the Parsonses while investigators searched the couple’s Miller Chapel Road home in August. Casey became sick and was taken to the hospital where she later had emergency surgery.
The couple moved to Fayetteville a few weeks ago, but have been reportedly seen at their Salisbury home as recently as Monday.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253. Twitter: twitter.com/salpostpotts Facebook: www.facebook.com/Shavonne.SalisburyPost.