Created: 3/12/2009 11:59:21 AM 
SATSUMA, FL -- The father of Haleigh Cummings has married his teenaged girlfriend.
Ronald Cummings, 25, exchanged vows with 17-year-old Misty Croslin Thursday evening. Soon after, the newlyweds rushed to the airport for a flight to New York City where they'll appear on The Today Show on NBC Friday morning.
The small ceremony took place in the back yard of the home where Haleigh's great-grandmother lives in Welaka, which is about six miles south of where 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings disappeared last month.
Annette Sykes told First Coast News the couple got married because they are happy and love each other.
Sykes said they would be even happier if Haleigh came home.
The great-grandmother said once Haleigh returns, they will have a church wedding and Haleigh will be the flower girl.
The wedding came just four days after Cummings popped the question to Croslin at a Chili's restaurant in Palatka.
READ: HALEIGH'S FATHER PROPOSES
The buzz of the wedding is not the only activity surrounding the search for Haleigh Cummings.
Law enforcement officers combed a new area for any sign of the little girl, last seen on the night of February 9 after Misty Croslin put her to bed.
In Satsuma Thursday morning, about 100 officers from several law enforcement agencies fanned out in the woods located a couple miles from Haleigh's home.
Capt. Dick Schauland with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office says the search is in a new area but it's not the result of new information.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE IN SEARCH FOR HALEIGH
If you have any information to help investigators find Haleigh, call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS. You'll remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward. The reward in the case is now up to $35,000.
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