How He Found The Infant

By Jessica Taloney Reporter

The father of the duck hunter who found four month old Danny Luong's body says the infant was hidden in tall grass about twelve feet from the water. How He Found The Infant

Published: Mon, January 14, 2008 - 9:53 pm

Jessica Taloney

A sixth full day of searching ended Monday night with no sign of the bodies of two small children still believed to be somewhere in the water west of Dauphin Island.
Exactly one week to the day after investigators believe Lam Luong, 37, threw his four young kids off the Dauphin Island Bridge, search crews continued looking for Lindsey, 1, and Hannah, 2.
News Five's Jessica Taloney spoke with the father of the duck hunter who discovered the body of the youngest victim, 4-month-old Danny Luong.
"It wasn't nothing he meant to happen," said Steve Sprinkle, who's son, J.J., discovered Danny's body. "Alot of people have been praying that they'd find the children, and I think that was prayers being answered," said Sprinkle.
Sprinkle says the infant was found in a marshy area about 12 feet from the water. He said his son may have passed the body at least once before he actually saw it.
"Before daylight he walked right by the child, and it was dark," said Sprinkle. "After daylight they moved down the beach to hunt further west. When he did he almost stepped right on top of the child. That's how he found the child," he said.
A second body was found Sunday morning by Semmes Volunteer Fire and Rescue Crews about three miles west of where Danny was found. Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran said the body was identified as 3 year old Ryan Phan. Mickey Dearman tells News Five that he and two other searchers were riding jet skies when they discovered Ryan's body. Local outdoorsmen helped the searchers identify their location, so other crews could assist in recovering the body.
Monday, crews began to focus more of their attention on the areas near where Ryan and Danny were found. They're relying heavily on shallow water boats, dogs, and land searchers.
The children's uncle tells News Five their family has lost hope that Lindsey and Hannah will be found alive. He says they are not waiting for the sheriff's chaplain to knock on their door with word that the sisters' bodies have been found.
The children's father is being held in the Mobile Metro Jail on four counts of capital murder. Lam Luong will appear in court at 9:00 a.m Tuesday for a bond hearing.