Investigator: ‘I don’t feel good about (missing Georgia woman’s) chances’

The lead investigator into the disappearance of a west Georgia woman is not optimistic about the situation.

“I don’t feel good about her chances at this point,” Heather Mecillas of the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office told Channel 2 Action News, “simply because no contact with her children, no contact with her mother."

Mecillas’ comments about Jessica Victoria Earl, 31, came a day after a key figure in the case surrendered, saying a snake bit him, according to the sheriff.

Jeffery Seth Odom, 36, was taken into custody without incident after an anonymous caller said he wanted to turn himself in, officials said.

He was arrested on two bench warrants for failure to appear on felonies and a new charge of theft by receiving for a stolen vehicle, Mecillas said.

Odom is a person of interest in the disappearance of Earl, who was last seen June 8 leaving a home on Little Circle near Tallapoosa after a dispute with him, officials said.

Sheriff’s officials have offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts.

MORE: Officials offer $1,000 reward for information on missing woman

Investigators said they tried to interview Odom after he surrendered, but he asked for a lawyer, Sheriff Eddie Mixon said.

“We are unable to get a statement from him at this time,” Mixon said.

Instead, he talked about a leg infection due to a snake bite.

“He was taken to Higgins Hospital and was medically cleared,” Mixon said.

Jessica Earl has been missing since June 8. (Credit: Haralson County Sheriff’s Office)

Paulding County sheriff’s officials joined the search for Earl on Thursday.

“We assisted Haralson County with the search for the missing female,” Sgt. Ashley Henson said. “They gave us specific areas to search, and some of our SWAT and K-9 personnel searched those areas.”