By By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
Oct. 4, 2001
A human arm was found by a dog Wednesday in Newton County, one day after she also found a human head.
The Newton County Sheriff's Department has been searching for the rest of the remains since Tuesday. Mitchell and Lasonya Breland's dog, Sheba, brought an arm to their home on Lawrence Hazel Road about 6 p.m. Wednesday and a head about 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Breland said he had kept his dog tied up Wednesday so she would not interfere with the sheriff's department search near his home. But after searchers left around 6 p.m., the part pit bull-part chow was let go and she came back to the house with an arm.
Breland said he notified the sheriff's department again. He said the sheriff and Newton County Coroner Dale Stampley rushed back to the house, but it was too dark to resume searching.
The department planned to resume its search this morning.
Breland said the sheriff's department was using a dog in its search. He said he would let the department use Sheba's skills if they wanted.
Based on the condition of the head, Newton County Sheriff Jackie Knight said it did not appear that the person had been dead for long.
Knight said the head was sent to Hattiesburg for testing Wednesday, but would not elaborate. He said the tests should reveal the sex, age and race of the person.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.