Why Harrington’s disappearance is making national headlines

While the murders of Heidi Childs and David Meltzer and the disappearance of Morgan Harrington remain unsolved.  One case is in the national media spotlight while the other is not.

Dan and Gil Harrington haven’t been at a loss for words since their daughter went missing.
   
The parents have done all they could to keep Morgan’s picture in the headlines, pleading for someone to bring her home.

“To the person who has taken Morgan from us, please just let her go.  She has so much more to live and so much more to give.  Please let her come back to her family.  We need her,“ Gil Harrington said at a Wednesday press conference.
   
From local media to national networks each interview is an opportunity for hope.

We just recently learned they’re scheduled to appear on the Dr. Phil show. 

So what makes this case worthy of the national spotlight and why has it grown national legs in just days?“
   
Yvonnes Chen is an Assistant Professor of Public Relations at Virginia Tech.
   
She says from a media standpoint there’s a huge difference between Morgan’s disappearance and the murder of Heidi Childs and David Meltzer.

“I think there’s hope of finding Morgan and I think that’s one of the biggest differences I can think of,” explained Chen. 

We asked the Montgomery County Sheriff the same question and he agrees.
   
Perhaps the biggest reason this Morgan’s disappearance is so well know has more to do with the Harringtons.

“I think parents basically become advocates of their child’s life,” Chen said.  “Them being fore front, them really wanting to find Morgan, I think again really facilitated this idea that it’s going to be in the media.”
   
Last week the Harringtons hired a public relations firm from Washington D.C.
   
They can give the family media contacts they otherwise wouldn’t have access to.