Wood's mom: Recent arrests overshadow search for Brittney

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The family of missing teen Brittany Wood is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to her rescue or recovery.

It’s been seven weeks since the mysterious disappearance of the 19-year-old mother.

Brittney’s mother, Chessie Wood, tells FOX10 the search efforts for her daughter have been overshadowed by recent sex abuse and incest arrests involving four family members.

“I believe something's wrong,” said Chessie Wood.  “My gut has told me that from day one. I do not believe my daughter would leave her child and her family behind period.”

Wood said she was shocked to learn of the sex arrests, which include her son and Brittney’s brother, 21-year-old Derek Wood.

“We're trying not to let it distract us off our focus period because Brittney is our number one goal here, but yes as a human being, yes it's a little distracting,” she said.

Chessie believes the sex abuse case is not related to her missing daughter. However, she says she believes the suicide of Donald Holland may have something to do with it.

“He picked her up at the end of my street,” said Wood. “They did go to Styx River. We know this by telephone pings. Later, her phone pings back in grand bay, once.”

FOX10 News has learned Holland was also a suspect in the family sex abuse case that had been ongoing for several months.

Authorities said two days after Wood vanished, Holland shot himself near his home in Marlow.

Chessie Wood said now she has more questions than answers.

“It seems every day a little piece unravels which is a good thing. The more unraveling we get to, maybe to the bottom we'll get.”

Anyone with information regarding Brittany’s disappearance is asked to contact the Mobile Police Department at (251) 208-7211 or the Klaas Kids Foundation at 855-733-5567 or (251) 348-1562.

Relatives hope to increase the reward money over time with help from donations, which can be dropped off at Wells Fargo Bank under “Reward Money for Brittney Wood.”