Father of missing Lakeville sisters 'relieved' by warrant for ex-wife's arrest

David Rucki, the father of two missing sisters from Lakeville, said this morning he is "relieved" that a warrant was issued for the arrest of his ex-wife, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, in the disappearance of two of their five children.

But while Rucki added he was "very grateful" for the assistance of law enforcement and media attention, he expressed frustration at the length of time it has taken for there to be any substantive development involving the disappearance of his missing daughters.

As first reported by the Star Tribune, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was charged last week with three felony counts of deprivation of parental rights involving the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki.

"Part of me is relieved that this process is finally gotten to the point where we are going to have some accountability," said Rucki, "the other part of me is frustrated with how long this has taken."

Rucki said the initial investigation into the disappearance of his daughters was focused on him, which he believes was a critical mistake. "Everyone was looking at the wrong person," said Rucki, who added this mistaken focus allowed Grazzini-Ricki, "to do what she did" - a reference to her alleged involvement in the girls' disappearance.

An arrest warrant being issued, said Rucki, will limit Grazzini-Rucki's "ability to hide" and he added, "it puts reality into the situation to the people who have been harboring and helping [Grazzini-Rucki]."

Grazzini-Rucki's attorney, Michelle MacDonald, wrote in a text message this morning that she last spoke with Grazzini-Rucki, "before [MacDonald] knew" about the warrant. MacDonald told the Star Tribune yesterday that she did not "see why" Grazzini-Rucki would not just surrender herself to police.

Rucki said he had many "sleepless nights" in the last two years and commented on the physical toll the search for his daughters has taken on him.

"I'm pretty worn out when it come to this battle," said Rucki, who added "but I have to hang in for these girls, because there is no one is fighting for them, it is just me."

Picture source: Star Tribune