Search crews are now using an unmanned aircraft to help find a 23-year-old woman who went missing in Plano. Crews say using the aircraft is much more effective than walking.
"It would take a lot of resources to cover [the search area], and we can cover it in a short amount of time," said Gene Robinson, who pilots the aircraft from the ground.
Crews are looking from every angle they possibly can to find Christina Morris, who disappeared 12 days ago.
The Federal Aviation Administration gave clearance for the search team to use the unmanned aircraft. They are allowed to fly it up to 400 feet, traveling over woods and open fields. But they only have clearance for four days.
Robinson said this operation cost about $95 per hour, about 10-times less than a manned aircraft. The drone will go up several times during the day, flying 15 minute missions. On board is a high-resolution camera, taking 100 to 200 photos as it covers a square mile in about 10 minutes.
"The images will be scanned, and we see if we see anything that shouldn't belong in the pictures," Robinson said.
So far, they have found no evidence of Morris. Plano police have no clues as to where she might be located and no suspects identified. Surveillance video captured her on camera walking to her car at The Shops at Legacy the night she disappeared.
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Crews searched three days in an open area about six miles northeast of the shopping center.
"I don't want her to be out in the field," said Jonni McElroy, Morris' mother. "I believe she's not outside."
Her family believes she is being held hostage and is still alive, but they're growing impatient as they wait for somebody to come forward with answers.
"I'm begging. I'm a desperate mom right now," said McElroy. "I'm getting really mad. The anger is starting to take over."
