The investigation around a central Florida mother who disappeared after a television show appearance has taken another turn as the father of the prime suspect in the case was arrested on warrant earlier this week.
Deputies arrested Dale W. Smith, 64, the father of Dale Smith Jr., the only named suspect in the case of missing Michelle Parker, on charges of possession of cannabis and selling and manufacturing a controlled substance, MyFoxOrlando.com reports.
Smith Sr. was released on bond.
Parker, 33, was last seen on Nov. 17, the same day an episode of "The People's Court" aired in which Parker and ex-fiance Smith Jr., 40, argued over who was responsible for the cost of a missing $5,000 engagement ring.
On the show, Parker described a tumultuous relationship with Smith that at times she said became violent. "He gets pretty malicious and vindictive," she told the courtroom, "and he's a mean person, especially when he's been drinking."
"He shouldn't have put his hands on me and he shouldn't have put his hands on me prior. He shouldn't have left me three or four times over the past year and a half that we've been together," she said.
Authorities say Smith Jr. is their only suspect in this case, though he has not been charged in Parker's disappearance.
Parker's car was found abandoned the day after she disappeared, and her family thought she was the victim of a carjacking.
Smith Jr. currently has custody of the couple's twins.
She was last seen wearing jeans, a Florida Gators hooded sweatshirt and a silver cross necklace. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is being urged to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.
Click here to read more on the story at MyFoxOrlando.com
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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