Bones found in orange grove; may be those of missing mother and daughter (Winter Haven, Florida)

Thanks to a tip, investigators believe they have found the remains of a missing mother and her 3-year-old daughter. Note that the woman went "missing" last year after trying (apparently with some difficulty) to get her child back from the girl's dad, LESTER ROSS. We know it's not a murder-suicide on the mother's part, as the bodies were found in a shallow grave. So who is the next suspect on the list, knowing what we know about controlling (abusive) fathers who don't like to "share" children with their mothers?

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/dec/22/bones-found-in-winter-haven-orange-grove/news-breaking/

Bones found in Winter Haven orange grove

Published: December 22, 2010

Investigators have found bones in an orange grove in Winter Haven after receiving a tip on a year-old case of a missing mother and daughter.

Authorities say the case involving the disappearance of 29-year-old Ronkeya Holmes and 3-year-old Masaraha Ross heated up about two weeks ago and a recent tip lead investigators to the grove at the intersection of Dundee and Sage roads.

Detectives and crime scene technicians have been searching the area all morning, said Winter Haven police chief Gary Hester. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Polk County Sheriff's Office are also involved in the search.

Winter Haven police chief Gary Hester said the remains have not been identified and they don't yet know whether they belong to one more individuals.

He did say investigators "highly suspect" they belong to the missing mother and daughter.

The skeletal remains were found in a shallow grave, Hester said.

Holmes and Ross, who are from Georgia, were last seen in late 2009. Officials say that before their disappearance, Holmes had been trying to get the child back from the girl's father, Lester Ross, after allowing the toddler to stay with him.

Ross reportedly told police he last heard from the two when he turned Marsaraha over to Holmes at a Haines City Wal-Mart.