Police search New Madrid Co. field for missing woman

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Authorities were out in full force Monday and Tuesday investigating rumors a Tallapoosa, Mo., field might be the location of a 35-year-old Risco woman missing since Jan. 25. But earth-moving efforts turned up nothing but ground, said New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens.

Stevens said the rumors Teresa Lynn Butler might be found there came from more than one person.

"We felt we needed to substantiate it. It was too serious of a case," Stevens said.

Dale Butler reported his wife, Teresa, missing about 10 a.m. Jan. 25 when he returned from work at a steel mill in Blytheville, Ark.

He reportedly told authorities that his two children, ages 2 and 4, were alone in the family home on County Road 241, also known as Eight Ditch Road, just off Highway 62 on the outskirts of Risco.