Delaware County Daily Times - Aug 19, 1999 Article

Katelyn cops comb river

Delaware County Daily Times (Primos - Upper Darby, PA) - Thursday, August 19, 1999

Author: SETH AGULNICKOf the Times Staff

Police divers searched the Elk River in Maryland yesterday for signs of an Upper Chichester toddler who hasn't been seen in eight days.

The dive teams concluded their search around mid-afternoon, but authorities gave no indication they were any closer to finding 20-month-old Katelyn Rivera-Helton.

Even as the water search was going on in Cecil County, investigators maintained that they have no specific reason to think Katelyn has been harmed.

""The search in that area is just investigators being thorough,'' said Upper Chichester Police Chief William Robinson. ""Nothing of significance developed as a result of that search.''

The little girl has been missing since Aug. 10, when police say her father snatched her from her babysitter's house. Robert N. Rivera turned himself in the next day, telling investigators he gave Katelyn to a couple he met at Longwood Gardens.

That story has not been corroborated, according to police, but investigators say they're still looking for that mystery couple based on a description provided by Rivera.

""We've tried to pursue this investigation on two fronts: as if she is in the care of another person, or as if that's not the case,'' said Delaware County District Attorney Patrick L. Meehan.

In explaining yesterday's water search, Meehan said, ""There's no specific information that would lead us to conclude Katelyn isn't alive ... but we've got to look at every possible eventuality.''

Katelyn's mother, Jennifer Helton, said yesterday she was ""somewhat relieved'' that the search of the river and its nearby woods appeared over.

""I don't want to believe he would hurt her. I want to believe he loves her and wouldn't hurt her,'' Helton said.

The search has centered around the Elk River since investigators confirmed that Rivera was in that area the night he allegedly kidnapped Katelyn.

The two were last seen together around 7:30 p.m. that night at a gas station in Chadds Ford. Rivera is believed to have visited friends in Cecil County -- without his daughter -- about 2 1 hours later, authorities said.

Searchers have used bloodhounds to comb the woods near the home of those friends, and authorities also dragged the Elk River. The effort continued yesterday with the addition of divers.

Officials from the FBI, which is coordinating the two-state investigation, declined to comment on the search except to say all ""logical'' leads were being followed.

Rivera's attorney said yesterday that his client has not wavered from his original story that he gave Katelyn away and disputed the police contention that Rivera's version of events hasn't been corroborated.

""What the police have been told is what I've been told,'' said Albert M. Greto of the public defender's office. ""He loves this child and he has never in the past -- nor is there any indication he ever would -- harm her in any way.''

Rivera, 33, of Upper Chichester, is in jail on $100,000 cash bail, awaiting a hearing on charges of kidnapping and assault. Police say he assaulted Helton, his estranged girlfiend, just minutes before taking the baby.

The alleged assault and kidnapping happened the same day Rivera waived a hearing on charges that he assaulted Helton July 30. A protection from abuse order signed Aug. 5 requires Rivera to stay away from Helton and only allows him to visit his daughter while supervised.

Helton, 26, said she's making fliers and trying to organize a beef 'n beer to raise money for a reward.

""This is kind of keeping me busy,'' she said, adding, ""I'll do anything at this point.''