Alma High School teacher reacts to development in Morgan Nick case

ALMA, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — An Alma High School teacher reacts to the news that law enforcement has narrowed its investigation to a sole suspect in the Morgan Nick kidnapping case following DNA evidence found in the suspect’s truck.

A gravel parking lot sits empty where a lively baseball field once stood. It’s a solemn reminder of six-year-old Morgan Nick’s disappearance.

Less than half a mile down the back roads of this small town is Alma High School where Lisa Neihouse has taught for 41 years. She says she still remembers her thoughts exactly when the news hit.

“I remember, we just got out of school for the summer, and it came on the news that this child had been kidnapped at the ball field,” Neihouse said. “I thought, well, they’ll find out because it’s a small town and things like that do not happen here as far as the criminal element being behind them. And then as the days and the months and the years went by and I had my own child, it took on such a sadness.”

On Oct. 1, when police announced a breakthrough was made in the case, Neihouse says she had hopes that the news would be better, something that would give Morgan’s family some much-needed closure.

“It’s crazy for us to think about, but think about it from her mother’s perspective,” Neihouse said. “That is 30-plus years. She has gone to bed every single night for 30-plus years, not knowing where her daughter is, not knowing if her daughter is still alive or not alive.”

The Morgan Nick Foundation says they hope the bit of evidence uncovered will help Colleen Nick find peace.

“I know the science is always evolving and getting better and better, and we can look at something from long ago and find out a lot of information from it that impacts us now,” said Charlene Fite with the Morgan Nick Foundation. So, I hope that this brings a modicum of peace to Colleen and her family to at least have this bit of information.”

But the foundation is still pleading for any information that could help them find their lost loved one.

“If you know anything that can help give this family peace and closure and hope, whatever it is, I just pray that you fill in your hearts that and to contact the number that was given out in your to department,” said Paul Higgins with the Morgan Nick Foundation.

The foundation also shared that amidst the ongoing search for Morgan Nick, it will continue to provide help for lost and missing children in Northwest Arkansas.

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