Insurance settlement may finance search for girl

A private investigator may become the next party to take up the search for Everlyse Cabrera, who was 2 years old when she disappeared while in foster care.

Everlyse was reported missing on June 10, 2006. Foster parents Vilma and Manuel Carrascal told police the girl let herself out of the house and wandered away sometime between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Everlyse has yet to be found.

Funds for a private search could be made available from a $300,000 settlement paid by a company that insured the foster parents, Manuel and Vilma Carrascal. On Oct. 5, the settlement from United National Insurance Company was deposited with the U.S. District Court clerk's office.

Dara Goldsmith, an attorney acting as Everlyse's court-appointed guardian, said last week that she plans to file a motion in federal court seeking a release of funds to hire a private investigator.

The North Las Vegas police investigation into the girl's disappearance has been stymied by a lack of credible leads and a lack of cooperation from the Carrascals, who refused to meet with investigators after their initial interview.

During depositions for the civil lawsuit, the Carrascals asserted their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

As part of the settlement, the Carrascals have been dropped from a civil lawsuit brought by the missing girl's parents, Ernesto Cabrera and Marlena Olivas. The Carrascals' adult son, Melvin Balane, remains part of the lawsuit.

The federal court lawsuit originally named eight individuals and Clark County Family Services as defendants. It alleges that the county put Everlyse in jeopardy by placing her with foster parents who were poorly screened, trained and supervised.

Cabrera's parents are represented by the law firm of Mills & Mills. Goldsmith and firm attorneys are working to resolve perceived conflict of interest issues that could arise as the firm represents both the parents and the missing girl.

Goldsmith originally was named guardian and attorney for Everlyse by U.S. District Judge Lawrence Leavitt. On review, U.S. District Judge James Mahan reversed a portion of Leavitt's order and allowed Mills & Mills to remain attorneys for Everlyse.

"We all want the same result -- for no other child to be lost or injured while in the foster care system," Goldsmith said.

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