Reversal: Internet Picture is Not Tionda Bradley

WBBM Reporting

CHICAGO (WBBM) ― The FBI has been in touch with a California couple who say a picture on the Internet is actually their daughter, not missing Chicago girl Tionda Bradley.

A private detective who's worked on the case says that the latest development may be disappointing for the Bradley family, but it's good for the investigation.

"It stops the resources from going after and spending money and resources and manpower going after a false lead," said private detective James Miller.

Earlier this week, a Houston forensic artist sparked controversy saying, she was certain a mysterious Internet picture is Tionda Bradley, a South Side girl that disappeared from her home in 2001 with her younger sister.

But in a phone interview from Chula Vista, Calif., Jeff Smith told CBS 2 the girl in the Internet picture is his daughter and he was sorry if the picture raised the hopes of the Bradley family.

"I hate to have the family suffer like this, it is very disheartening," Smith said. "It's a very cruel thing to do to someone missing a child."

"It gave the family false hope, but it did bring national awareness to the case," Miller said.

On Monday, California FBI agents will be checking birth certificates, school records and perhaps DNA to verify the identity of the woman pictured on the Internet.

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