Police Hire Psychics in Florida Teen's Cold Case

Police acknowledge the move is a break from practice. "Traditionally, FLPD does not consult anyone outside of law enforcement on ongoing criminal cases," the spokesman said. "However, in Sophie's case, our department is willing to try new and unique approaches for any chance at uncovering new information regarding her disappearance."

Kirsten Milhorn, Patrick Reeder's sister, called it "a misallocation of resources." Reeder said he would take any lead that works but would rather see the department raise the current $25,000 reward.

He also said the family has been pushed aside. "We tried so many times to get involved, and the detectives at Fort Lauderdale Police Department keep on shutting us down." A police spokesman responded: "We are sad to hear this feedback from the family."

Taborn defends the work. "Not everyone is going to be open to a psychic medium," she told CNN. "But what I have found is even if they're not, what else do you have to lose?"

Benjamin Radford, a research fellow with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, said psychics waste police resources and exploit grieving families, and that in his own investigations over 20 years the track record of psychics finding missing people is near zero. He added that most self-proclaimed psychics he has researched are sincere and genuinely want to help.