Thursday 6PM Update: Attorney Tells Girl's Parents to Remain Silent; Authorities Call Move A "Distraction"

KCRG/Gazette/Courier Staff Reports

Misty and Dan Morrissey speak to the media near Meyers Lake where their daughter Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, and Elizabeth Collins, 8, disappeared last Friday, Tuesday, July 17, 2012, in Evansdale, Iowa. The girls' bikes were found Friday afternoon near a bike trail at the edge of the lake. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jul 19, 2012 at 6:10 PM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 11, 2012 at 12:18 PM CDT

EVANSDALE, Iowa - Law enforcement officials said Thursday they were aware of Misty and Dan Morrissey's criminal history the day the two girls were reported missing.

Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office Captain Rick Abben said "everyone was checked into. We did background checks on those people immediately..." after Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, and Elizabeth Collins, 8, were reported missing on Friday, July 13.

Tammy Brousseau, the missing girls' aunt, said Thursday an attorney told Misty and Dan Morrissey, who are married but separated, to quit talking to police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, refuse polygraph tests and quit talking to the media. "Our feeling on it is we are requesting everyone participate and assist us 100 percent. This makes it a distraction for us when people decide to do things other than cooperate 100 percent. However it is their choice," Captain Abben said.

The family has said that Dan Morrissey has been interrogated by law enforcement officials and accused of killing the children.
Abben said he couldn't comment when asked if Dan or Misty Morrissey were considered suspects in the case or if there past criminal convictions are relevant in disappearance. He also would not say if any search warrants had been issued. On Wednesday Abben said none had been issued.