Investigators have narrowed search area of Baby Kate

Searchers form a line along Modjeski Rd. in Grant Twp.

GRANT TWP. – Interlochen Public Radio has reported that investigators in the case of missing Katherine “Baby Kate” Phillips have narrowed down their search area for the remains of the child to within one square mile. In a recent story, the radio station made reference that the “lead detective in the case hopes plant evidence will continue to narrow the search area for police.” The lead detective in the case is Det. J.B. Wells of Ludington Police Department.

Katherine Phillips was 4-months-old when her father, Sean Phillips, took her following an argument with her mother, Ariel Courtland, in late June 2011. Baby Kate has not been seen since. In April 2012, Phillips was sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison for the unlawful imprisonment of the baby. Law enforcement immediately began a murder investigation after Sean Phillips’ sentencing.

Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, whose department has ultimate jurisdiction of the searches, said his department has not released any information about search details. Cole did say, however, that a late-June search in northern Mason County did help investigators to drastically reduce the search area. During that search, volunteers looked for a rare mix of plant materials that had been found on Sean Phillips’ shoes the day Baby Kate disappeared.