Search for missing teen Sierra LaMar intensifies in California

facebook.com/help.find.sierra

Facebook.com/help.find.sierra image of missing teen Sierra LaMar.

Dozens of law enforcement officials are combing an area of Morgan Hill, Calif., Saturday as the search for missing 15-year-old Sierra LaMar continues.

Santa County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jose Cardoza said with deputies from nearby counties called in to help, about 90 personnel and several search dogs were combing a 12-mile radius of the community.

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LaMar, a 15-year-old Sobrato High School student, was last seen the morning of Friday, March 16. She had school that day, but never got on the bus.


The girl has been the subject of a major search over the last week, involving the FBI, helicopters, dogs, roadblocks and divers.

Cardoza said Saturday's search is the biggest mounted since Sierra was reported missing more than a week ago.

The day of LaMar's disappearance, her school's automated attendance system notified her mother, Marlene LaMar, that her daughter didn't show up for classes.

The next day, searchers found her cell phone along the side of the road near Palm and Dougherty Avenue, near her home in unincorporated Morgan Hill.

"The cellphone was intact, it wasn't broken," Sgt. Jose Cardoza said. "There's no evidence to lead to a crime after that."

Then on the Sunday after LaMar's disappearance, searchers found her black and pink Juicy brand purse near the intersection of Laguna and Santa Teresa in Morgan Hill, about two miles from her home, Cardoza said.

Inside the purse was a pair of pants, a shirt, a bra and a pair of underwear. The clothing was neatly folded inside the purse.

Steve LaMar, the girl's father, is a registered sex offender. But the Santa Clara County Sheriff's office said he was not a suspect in her disappearence.

"I understand the stigma associated with this in my background, and I assure everyone it is not connected in any way to my daughter’s disappearance," he said. "I ask that you please not shift the focus away from the investigation and from finding Sierra."

Hundreds of people in the communities of Morgan Hill and Fremont gathered Friday night for a candlelight vigil for LaMar.

Since the weekend LaMar went missing, the search team has been looking for clues that might point to a crime. But investigators have found no signs of foul play and no indication she ran away.

facebook.com/help.find.sierra

Facebook.com/help.find.sierra image of missing teen Sierra LaMar.

Police conducted consent searches of neighbors' homes and a three-mile search radius was set up around LaMar's home, police said. Neighbors have been cooperative.

The FBI eventually joined local authorities in the search. A roadblock was set up on Dougherty Avenue near the intersection of Palm Avenue. Agents stopped every driver to ask questions about LaMar's disappearance.

"I'm hoping that you know, you think of her as your own child," Marlene LaMar said. "You know, she's, she was such a lovable young lady."

Anyone with information about Sierra or her whereabouts is asked to contact Santa Clara County Communications at (408) 299-2311. During business hours, tipsters can call sheriff's investigators at (408) 808-4500 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431. They also set up an email address for tips at: tips@sheriff.sccgov.org.

The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.

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Discuss this post

Why does the mother refer to her daughter in past tense? I hope they find her soon but this doesn't look good.

  • 11 votes
Reply#1 - Sat Mar 24, 2012 11:11 PM EDT

If anyone reading this is a parent, get your kids off and away from facebook...It is the single favorite tool of child predators of every country

  • 11 votes
#1.1 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:26 AM EDT

Exactly, I wondered the same thing, why did the mother refer to her in the past tense, does she know something, she needs to be checked even more than the father at this point.

  • 5 votes
#1.2 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:43 AM EDT

i had to re-read that myself when she put the "was" in there. Yet given the circumstances, they found her daughters cell, and cloths neatly in her purse... man i couldnt handle that if it were one of my kids. Sad to say, with being honest, how many of these kids are found alive after anything even close to that? She maybe preparing for the worst. some people do that. i do hope they find this kid safe and all. but lets get real.

  • 1 vote
#1.3 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 2:38 AM EDT

Maybe she see's all the signs we see, and see's them for what they are...NOT GOOD. I can understand her wanting to expect the worst. She's mentally preparing for it. Holding on to all that hope, sure that she's going to come home, then doesn't could destroy a person's mind, body and soul.

  • 2 votes
#1.4 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:42 AM EDT

thought that myself when reading the article . . . a little off that the Mom would use that term.

    #1.5 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:01 AM EDT

    I wouldn't bother to scrutinize the Mom's words too closely. How many times per day do you read a story that has typo's, mis-quotes, and simply poor grammar? Unless I heard her say it I wouldn't give it any weight. And even if I did hear her say it, I cannot imagine how it feels to be in her shoes and have media in your face wanting a story.

    • 1 vote
    #1.6 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 10:23 AM EDT
    Reply

    Is she leaving possible breadcrumbs? Or could someone else be placing her items in specific locations to lead police away from the scene of the crime? I find it strange that her phone was found in one location, in good condition (judging by the description given) and that the next piece of evidence is found with her clothing neatly folded? Strange.

    None the less, I hope she is found safe and sound and that no harm has befallen her. If so, may the person responsible be found guilty in the court of law and punished to the fullest extent.

    • 3 votes
    Reply#2 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:07 AM EDT

    lol ummm serious, "leaving bread crumbs"? i will leave the only device they can possibly track me with, or i can call for help at the scene. ill put my undergarments in my purse, and toss them out the window here where we just turned. i wonder if her abductor was polite enough to turn his/her head while she did this.

    and nyny, im right there with you on the punishment to the fullest exstent. what do we bring for punishment? 3 hots and a cot boasting it up with some guy how you got in the joint for doing a defenceless 15 yr old, and yuck it up. and spend the rest of your life trying to weasle your a## out of prison with loopholes that do nothing but cost taxpayers even more $. start doing these people in right after conviction, save everyone $.

      #2.1 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 2:47 AM EDT

      She's not leaving these 'clues's behind, although, writing a text about her abductor for anyone who'd find it before the cell was taken would have been helpful.

      Whoever has her is disposing of all things belonging to this beautiful girl.

      I hate to say this, but I don't think she'll be coming home. Events that have taken place aren't good signs that her abductor is going to release her....but I hope I'm wron

      • 1 vote
      #2.2 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:43 AM EDT

      When I read this I agree I think its odd for the phone to be found and not damaged. What I really found after reading this was they didn't find socks, but she might have not brought any socks with her or she might not wear socks. I think they need to find out what her plans were on why she had extra pair of clothes.

        #2.3 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 10:29 AM EDT
        Reply

        I was thinking the very same thing Lynne, odd way to refer to your daughter in this situation. Hopefully she just mis-spoke given the unimaginable emotional state she must be in. I wish the very best for Sierra and her family.

        • 4 votes
        Reply#3 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:15 AM EDT

        What happened was someone did a snatch from a van and drove off. That's why the scent the dogs were tracking disappeared so quickly. Then the items that have been found were dropped off to spread confusion. The abductor and the girl are long gone and wont be found anywhere close (not within 50 miles). Better start looking much further away. But the chances are high that the girl was dead within 24 hours. Probably find her remains in about 6 months.

        • 1 vote
        Reply#4 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:23 AM EDT

        Thanks for your insight, Inspector. We are lucky to have your expertise and advise. What would we do without you?

          #4.1 - Tue Mar 27, 2012 10:44 PM EDT

          unfortunately the way these things work, someones dog will find her body 6 months from now.

            #4.2 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:20 AM EDT
            Reply

            Am I the only one who finds it strange that there was clothes found in her purse? Thats not stuff we carry on a normal day in our purses...unless we plan to be gone for a night or weekend. I know the article says the police dont feel she did run away but I'm hoping for everyones sake this is the case and she comes home safe and sound.

            • 6 votes
            Reply#5 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:33 AM EDT

            Not if she met someone on face book, who she though was another local teen who had Justin Bieber tickets (or whoever is the flavor of the week)...when she met her abducter and tried to call police, that is when the cellphone got tossed...the purse with clothes probably after (what ever happen), getting rid of evidence...it isn't to late for hope...but it doesn't look good

            • 4 votes
            #5.1 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 1:02 AM EDT

            But the guy online was sooooo cute.....

            It's so obvious she was planning to meet someone. She brought fresh panties with her.

              #5.2 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 8:25 AM EDT
              Reply

              Do a comb-through finger print examination for the cell phone and the purse and the clothing.

              How far from her home to the school bus stop? Interview the school bus driveron that day and the students on the same route and on the same schedule on that day.

              When she walked from home to the school bus stop, how many homes did she pass from her home to the bus stop? Re-examine and re-interview the homes/residents. Ask if there was any new vehicle parking somewhere near the bus stop or if there was non-resident waiting somewhere during that time.

              Check her phone records.

              Check her social media accounts if she had any.

              If she didn't get into the school bus, she might meet with her kidnapper(s) during the time from walking from her house to the bus stop.

              Two miles from her home, her purse had found with her clothing. Is the school bus stop longer than two miles? How many homes in this two miles stretch? Do an re-interview and re-examine the homes and residents.

              If the school bus stop is shorter than two miles, it might mean she was kidnapped and she was inside a car and her clothing was removed.

              Examine the clothing if there is anything missing or any tear.

              Pray that she is still alive and well.

                Reply#6 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:47 AM EDT

                In a previous article, it was mentioned that the search dog lost her scent at the end of the driveway. Hence, we can easily conclude that she was either picked up or abducted by a vehicle. She never had the chance to even walk to the bus stop, which was several blocks away from her home.

                  #6.1 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 2:52 AM EDT
                  Reply

                  I find it very odd that the clothes were folded up in the purse as well as her cell phone discarded without any damage to it.

                  This is just speculation, but this almost sounds like a runaway case and not a kidnapping.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#7 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 1:24 AM EDT

                  Actually it is very common for girls to carry a change of clothes, especially if her taste in clothes was different than her parents...when she met her abductor, he/she tossed the cell phone so she couldn't call for help

                    #7.1 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 1:31 AM EDT

                    Quite possible, I suppose. I just find the whole thing odd.

                      #7.2 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 7:33 PM EDT
                      Reply

                      she has "property of ........" tatoed on her belly already and she will never see her family again ever.

                        Reply#8 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 1:30 AM EDT

                        Give me a break.................Lots of dumb speculation, and cheap talk. My only question is: the clothing in her purse.......had it just been warn, or was it fresh for use in travel. Hope all turns out well.

                          Reply#9 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 3:04 AM EDT

                          What about her school books? Was it ever mentioned if those were left behind in the house? If she wasn't planning to go to school, would she leave them behind? If the books are in the house, that would be one good indicator she ran away. From everything that has been in the press, it sure doesn't sound like she ran away. This looks more and more like an abduction but I pray to God that I am wrong and that she comes home safe. So sad to know people exist in this world that would do something like this.

                            Reply#10 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 3:18 AM EDT
                            Comment author avatarTim Cayavia Facebook

                            Please Help Find Sierra LaMar! We have 5 different style flyer to share on her page in the photo album titled, "Flyers For Sierra LaMar"

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#11 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:10 AM EDT

                            She's not leaving these 'clues's behind, although, writing a text about her abductor for anyone who'd find it before the cell was taken would have been helpful.

                            Whoever has her is disposing of all things belonging to this beautiful girl.

                            I hate to say this, but I don't think she'll be coming home. Events that have taken place aren't good signs that her abductor is going to release her....but I hope I'm wrong.

                              Reply#12 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:39 AM EDT

                              I'm white and only wondering. If this young lady was black and came from a poorer neighborhood, would this garner the same attention? Or would she just be labled another crackhead who took off with another of the same ilk.

                              I'm not a racist, although I live in SC, where everyone is presumed to be one. Sure the girl is pretty, but what if she was plain or just plain ugly and fat.

                              Methinks this could be a runaway, meeting her boyfriend and taking off. Or the abduction theory could easily be correct.

                              Wait for the facts, then make some kind of decision. No one knows the facts and until the facts are known leave the speculation alone.

                              jb

                                Reply#13 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:12 AM EDT

                                She was probably facing sexual advances from the father so she left. Then the person driving her away decided that she was too hot to simply transport.

                                  Reply#14 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:38 AM EDT

                                  Vaginas:

                                  Your parents are STILL abusing you, aren't they? You're going to be a sexual predator when (if) you grow up.

                                    #14.1 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 10:24 AM EDT
                                    Reply

                                      Reply#15 - Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:24 PM EDT

                                      what really happened,

                                      and is an on going problem -

                                      this is a race war, central americans against everybody.

                                      these are central american crime gangs, they kidnap children too.

                                      Carina Saunders, Ayla Reynolds, lisa irwin, and god only knows how many others.

                                      Jerry Perdomo is/was one of these criminals, as was Luis Ramirez.

                                      one of their hideouts/fronts is 'cleargreen' in los angeles. '1672 Pandora Ave'

                                      they killed their lawyers daughter, lily burk.

                                      they are in russia too ...

                                        Reply#16 - Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:05 PM EDT

                                        the real problem -

                                        search news9 DOT-COM + human trafficking

                                          Reply#17 - Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:12 PM EDT
                                          Comment author avatarTim Cayavia Facebook

                                          On
                                          behalf of the family of Sierra LaMar Can you please put the flyer from our page
                                          in your online articles and swap the ones in with ours and also if it's not too
                                          much trouble put a link to our Official Facebook page in the news articles about
                                          Sierra? This is our official flyer:

                                          This is the official page for Sierra LaMar, run by her family please correct your articles: You should also use their flyer, it looks way better and has more info on it such as email address for tips.

                                          Thanks and God Bless! Sincerely Keith LaMar
                                          & Danielle LaMar

                                            Reply#18 - Wed Mar 28, 2012 4:07 AM EDT
                                            Comment author avatarTim Cayavia Facebook
                                              Reply#19 - Wed Mar 28, 2012 4:08 AM EDT
                                              Comment author avatarTim Cayavia Facebook

                                              The Correct link should be Find.Sierra.Lamar/info Please use their flyers and their link and swap out these and their flyers

                                                Reply#20 - Wed Mar 28, 2012 4:11 AM EDT
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