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Last updated on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
(LOGANSPORT) - Howard County prosecutors said Travis Funke confessed to killing his girlfriend Kelly Armstrong, but as part of a plea agreement, they’re recommending his family get custody of Armstrong and Funke’s child.
"I'm extremely upset," said David Armstrong, Kelly Armstrong's father. "This is not over by a long chance. This is not over until she's found."
For almost a year, the family's search has taken them to rural areas in Howard County and to snow-covered landfills, but there is still no sign of the mother of four.
"I was thinking, 'OK, well we're finally going to have some closure, at least I can lay my daughter to rest,'" David Armstrong said. "I could put a headstone, plant some flowers, you know, I could go visit her. But... they didn't find anything."
''I'm led to believe Kelly is in water," he continued. "Travis doesn't want her found, because that puts somebody else on the table. He had to have help to get rid of her body. He did not put her in that dumpster."
Kelly Armstrong's family said they're upset about the terms of the plea agreement. Kelly Armstrong and Funke have a 2-year-old-son, and the deal recommends the child go to Funke's family.
Even though the prosecutor has recommended the child go with Funke's family, state officials said much more will go into the final decision.
"It doesn't matter whether it's from the father's side or the mother's side, we try and make the best recommendation based on what we have determined for that child," said John Ryan, the Indiana Department of Child Services chief of staff.
"I never get to see Kelly again, so why should he get to see his son?" David Armstrong said. "He took a life, he needs to give something up. I'm never going to see Kelly again, but I need to be able to speak to her, I need to be able to go visit her."
Ultimately, a judge will make the decision on whether to accept the plea deal. A hearing is set for Aug. 7. If the deal is accepted, Funke will serve 35 years in prison.
"No, that's not enough," David Armstrong said. "He took a life, he needs to give his. He needs to spend the rest of his life, he needs to die in prison."
The 2-year-old is currently in foster care.
"Where is Dylan going to get the counseling he's going to need later on in life, because the Funke family has covered for this, and covered for this and covered for this? They know what happened," said David Armstrong.
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