Hailey Dunn...

It's hard to believe it's been nearly two years since Colorado City teen Hailey Dunn was reported missing. It's even harder to believe there hasn't been a single credible development in the case in well more than a year.

Now, before anyone jumps up in arms in regards to this column, understand ... I'm not going to launch into some diatribe about how effective law enforcement has been in the case. I'm also not going to delve into all of the finger pointing and name calling that has ensued since the young girl disappeared.

No, what rests quite heavily on my mind — especially during this time of the year — is the fate Dunn has likely met and what it means to her family and friends.

If you've never had a loved one ripped out of your life without warning, count yourself among the blessed. It leaves you feeling isolated, violated and trying to cope with a sense of anger you've most likely never experienced before.

The reason I know this is because my daughter, who is set to turn 13 years old in less than a week, was torn out of my life for approximately a month when she was about 6 years old.

Granted, my experience isn't nearly as harrowing as the Dunn case. Her mother, who I had been estranged from for some time, had decided to run away with my Hayley Bird, taking her to Midland for about a month.

The tough part to handle, however, was the vast darkness of the unknown. I had no idea where my daughter was, who she was with — other than her mother, who was known to have some rather unsavory friends — or even if she was OK. For 30 days and nights, my daughter, who had been the biggest part of my life everyday since she was born, was gone.

It was, without a doubt, the most trying experience in my life.

I immediately ran through all of the normal channels and reported my daughter missing to law enforcement. Unfortunately, because she was believed to be with her mother, their hands were all but tied. I hired an attorney and filed the necessary legal papers to take action, but there were no guarantees. There wasn't any way to know, for sure, if I'd see my little girl again.

In the days that followed, I tried my best to bear the weight of it all, but it was more than I could handle.

Days ran into nights, nights ran into days ... I missed time from work and withdrew from my friends and family. After all, what can you really say to someone who has never felt that sort of pain or loss?

I can remember sitting in my house at night with every single light in the house on. Sometimes I would sit in my daughter's room and just look around helplessly. After a week with no word, no contact with my daughter, my mind began to turn in on itself, the darkness quickly closing in.

Since the day my daughter was born, she had been the cornerstone of my life. I chose her name — Hayley — because in Gaelic it means “hero.” And that's exactly what she's been, my hero, giving me the strength to do more than I ever thought possible, both as a single dad and as a man.

However, with that stripped away, I was lost in a way I hadn't felt in many years. In short, that 30 days nearly killed me.

Luckily, I played my cards right and went through the court systems. It was a frightening prospect, with stories of loss and trepidation abounding, however, the truth shined through in the end. I won custody of my daughter and the very next day she was in my arms once again.

I'll never forget that moment when I saw her again. The light in her eyes wiped away all the hurt I'd endured during that month. All of those sleepless night and zombie-like days were washed away with just one hug, one kiss on the cheek.

And it's that moment that pains me so much in the Hailey Dunn case. I can't help but think Dunn's friends and family might never get to experience that feeling, that sense of relief. It breaks my heart to think they will endure that sense of loss, that empty place in their hearts, for the rest of their lives.

My story had a happy ending. My daughter has grown so much since that time, and we only speak of it briefly, from time to time. I doubt she has any idea how much pain I endured, or the darkness I was forced to overcome. In all honesty, I hope she never has to know. Ever.

My daughter went with me to Colorado City on a couple of occasions, helping to search the fields and other structures for clues to Hailey Dunn's disappearance. She wanted more than anything to help the teenage girl, even though she'd never met her.

Help us remember Dunn this holiday season. Light a candle, hang up some missing person flyers or just hug the ones you love a little bit tighter. It's up to us to make sure she isn't forgotten.

Note — Hailey Dunn has light brown hair, green eyes, stands 5 feet and weighs approximately 115 pounds. According to information provided by Hope for Hailey, a non-profit group currently assisting in the search, the girl has a scar on the right side of her forehead and right side of her lip. She was last seen wearing dark blue sweat pants, a light-colored T-shirt and flip-flops.

Anyone with information concerning the girl's whereabouts or circumstances concerning her disappearance are asked to call authorities at 325-728-5294 or 325-728-3161. A reward is being offered for information in the case.