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Virginia sheriff says case involving missing toddler, couple in local prison ‘extremely difficult’

GREENSBURG, Pa. — In early September, a Waynesboro, Virginia woman named Candi Jo Royer was reported missing. Several days later so was 3-year-old Khaleesi Cathriell.

“This is by far one of the worst cases I’ve seen since I’ve been in law enforcement,” said August County, Virginia Sheriff Donald Smith.

>>>RELATED: Virginia couple remains in Westmoreland prison as deputies believe toddler died in their care

Smith said Cathriell’s mother is now behind bars and told investigators she put the girl in Royer’s care last fall. Now, nobody’s seen the child since February.

Royer and Travis Brown are now both in the Westmoreland County prison, wanted for questioning in the girl’s disappearance. Authorities presume the toddler is dead.

“Normally when we get a missing child like this, we are an hour or two behind. This, we are months and months behind. It’s been extremely difficult,” Smith said.

Royer allegedly told friends the girl was back with family but when the sheriff learned that wasn’t true, deputies started looking for her. The US Marshals Service eventually tracked her and her boyfriend, Brown, to a motel in South Greensburg. Agents also found meth, a stolen car and stolen checks. The toddler was nowhere to be found.

“Currently, where we are in the investigation, investigators with three agencies are looking for the proper location to search for Khaleesi [Cuthriell’s] body,” Smith said.

Smith said this is now a recovery mission and they believe the girl died while in the couple’s care.

The community in Virginia has held several candlelight vigils for the missing girl.