By MIKE ALLEN
THE ROANOKE TIMES

   An aunt and uncle of a missing Henry County girl were appointed as her legal guardians Friday by a Henry County circuit court judge.

    Ruby and Chris Young will be able to take care of Jennifer Short's immediate needs if and when the 9-year-old is found, the couple's attorney said.

    Jennifer has been missing since Aug. 15, when her parents, Michael and Mary Short, were found shot to death in their home alongside U.S. 220 in Oak Level. Ruby Young is Mary Short's sister.

    Thursday, relatives of Michael Short expressed concern and confusion over the Youngs' petition. The Youngs' attorney, Ben Gardner of Martinsville, said Friday that the Youngs are not trying to take permanent custody of Jennifer. Instead, the petition was a necessary legal step for Ruby Young to become administrator of her sister's estate.

    Recent developments in the investigation show that it's a matter of urgency to have an administrator in place, Gardner said. The Henry County Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant Sept. 5 to go through the Shorts' mail, only to be denied access by the post office. As administrator, Young can give investigators access to Mary Short's mail.

    Carol Whitehead, another of Mary Short's sisters, echoed that taking permanent custody is not the Youngs' goal. "Why pursue that now?" Coverage of the petition by some media outlets distorted the family's intent, she said.

    Ruby Young often baby-sat Jennifer, and the Shorts sometimes looked after the Youngs' daughter, Whitehead said. Because Jennifer knew the Youngs well, it seemed logical for them to be the ones to tend to her when she's found, she said.

    Michael Short's relatives did not return calls seeking comment Friday.

    Thursday night, the Henry County Sheriff's Office released photographs of Mary Short as she looked about 10 years ago. Investigators are hoping the pictures will help lead them to the identity of a man who apparently had a dispute with her during that time.

    Former workers and managers at the now-closed Pluma textile plant in Martinsville have told investigators that a man came in looking for Short and had to be escorted from the property by force. The man, who drove a white truck, was also asked to leave the parking lot more than once, police said.

    Henry County Sheriff Frank Cassell has said that the man could have been Michael Short, though his physical description doesn't match. Despite several public requests for information, investigators still don't know who the man was.

    "He's considered a witness until we can prove otherwise," sheriff's Capt. Kimmy Nester said Thursday.

    The total reward from various funds for tips that help solve the case is now about $62,000, according to the sheriff's office.

    Jennifer Short is described as 4 feet 3 inches tall, 58 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call (276)638-8751 or (800)843-5678.

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