Law enforcement revisits Asha Degree’s disappearance on 15th anniversary

On the 15th anniversary of the disappearance of Asha Degree, 9, the Charlotte Division of the FBI is offering a reward up to $25,000 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for her disappearance.

FBI spokeswoman Shelley Lynch said that FBI agents, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office investigators, and State Bureau of Investigation agents are re-examining the case, re-interviewing witnesses and following new leads to determine what happened to Asha.

In addition to the FBI’s reward, a community group is offering an $20,000.

Asha has been missing from her Shelby home since Feb. 14, 2000. Family members last saw her asleep in her bedroom about 2:30 a.m.

At 4 a.m., drivers saw her walking along N.C. 18 in Cleveland County. Her parents reported her missing at 6:30 a.m.

More than a year later, her book bag was discovered buried along N.C. 18 in Burke County.

Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman and Lynch are expected to meet with Charlotte-area reporters Monday morning before they canvass the N.C.  18 area to distribute missing posters featuring Asha.

Meanwhile, a billboard image of Asha will be displayed at the following locations in the Charlotte area: Carowinds/Interstate 77, I-85/McAdenville, I-77 at Tyvola Road, I-77 at West W.T. Harris Boulevard and I-85 at Statesville Avenue.

This story was originally published February 9, 2015 at 8:12 AM with the headline "Law enforcement revisits Asha Degree’s disappearance on 15th anniversary."