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Subscribe to RSSThe parents of a 6-year-old Arizona girl who has been missing for nearly a week have talked publicly for the first time since their daughter disappeared. NBC's Miguel Almaguer reports.
The parents of a 6-year-old girl missing in Arizona spoke publicly for the first time since their daughter disappeared nearly a week ago, as hundreds of leads but no major breaks in the case came in.
"We do not want the focus to be taken off Isabel by us being in front of the cameras or by the media. We are here today to plea for a safe return of our baby girl Isabel." Becky Celis said Wednesday.
Surrounded by volunteers wearing "Bring Isa Home" T-shirts, Becky and Sergio Celis spoke in both English and Spanish in their eastside Tucson, Ariz., neighborhood where their daughter disappeared Friday night, NBC affiliate KVOA.com reported.
"We are cooperating to the fullest extent with the investigation," Sergio Celis said. "We are increasing the reward. Just please, please, to the person or persons who have Isabel: Tell us your demands. Tell us what you want. We will do anything for her. We are looking - we are looking for you, Isa. We love, and we miss you so much. We will never give up. We will never give up looking for you."
Investigators have received 300 leads in the girl's disappearance, NBC's Miguel Almaguer reported Thursday. But with no big break in the case, they urged Isabel's parents to go public. She was reported missing Saturday morning.
No suspects have been arrested in the case. Police say Isabel's parents are working with investigators.
Full coverage from KVOA.com on Isabel Celis
The parents have said Isabel, who has two older brothers, was last seen when she was put to bed on Friday night. The family awoke Saturday morning to find the hazel-eyed girl's bed empty, they told police.
Screen missing
Authorities say a window to the girl's ground-floor room was open, and a screen was missing.
Police have said they are treating the girl's disappearance as a "possible abduction" but have yet to rule anyone in or out as a suspect.
Fliers and posters with photos of Isabel's smiling face, some of her wearing a blue bow in her light brown hair, were plastered all over town. The Pima County Attorney's Office posted an $8,000 reward, most of it from private donations, for information leading to an arrest in the case.
The search widened on Tuesday to washes surrounding the middle-class urban neighborhood. Police investigators have been paired with FBI agents to knock on every door within a three-mile radius of the family's home, and all local trash companies have been contacted, said Tucson police Chief Roberto Villasenor.
The family was given the go-ahead to return to their modest single-story house on Wednesday morning, after FBI behavioral analysts had examined the home. The entire block remained cordoned off with police tape, and squad cars were posted at each end. Villasenor reiterated that the search continues.
"All we think about is bringing her back safely," he said.
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Investigators also have collected surveillance video from nearby businesses in hopes that some clues might have been caught on camera. A landfill and refuse-transfer station that serve the area have been secured and will be searched, he said.
"We're at about 300 tips and leads," and all will be pursued, Villasenor said. He added: "We are now concentrating our search on ... some focal points where we're hoping we'll have more success."
It was not clear whether the FBI's behavioral analysis team had spotted anything of interest in the family's home that two physical searches of the dwelling, including a sweep with specially trained dogs, had overlooked.
The behavioral analysts planned to interview family members and other witnesses, and Villasenor said the parents were cooperating with investigators. "Obviously (these) are times of emotional distress for them," he said.
This article includes reporting by NBC station KVOA in Tucson and Reuters.
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Unfortunately such pleas usually don't work. Let's hope the girl turns up somehow.
grandma -835160
I pray for her safe return. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Whom ever took her in the night I hope you have it in you to return her unharmed to her family, there is too much violence and hate in this world.Drop her off at a hospital or fire station leave her on the corner some where close but don't let us have to read that you somehow hurt her or worse.
I really hope the parents had nothing to do with this. Nothing makes me angrier than murderous parents looking straight-faced at the camera crying crocodile tears and lying to the whole country. It's an insult to our intelligence and they seldom fool anyone (Casey Anthony somehow being the exception). Take Deborah Bradley for example... the fat drunk wino most likely suffocated her baby in her sleep and is still lying to this day about it. Look up the Lisa Irwin case. It's infuriating.
You know what is infuriating. When people talk out of their ass. How do you know that Deborah is lying. Were you there? You shouldn't state your opinions as facts.
I pray for her safe return. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Whom ever took her in the night I hope you have it in you to return her unharmed to her family, there is too much violence and hate in this world.Drop her off at a hospital or fire station leave her on the corner some where close but don't let us have to read that you somehow hurt her or worse.
Reasonable, chris is simply stating that the mother lied for a whole week before she mentioned that she was drunk. That's why folks are angry with her. She could have mentioned that in the beginning instead of waiting for it.
I hope the kid turns up alive and well. I can't think of many times where a kid is really kidnapped for ransom in the US anymore. Some how I don't think this plea will amount to much.
If I heard male voices early in the morning next to my house, I would surely look out the window to see what was going on! Why didn't the neighbor yell at them or something, instead of dismissing it!!!
I truly hope they find this little girl, I have a daughter the same age and don't know what I would do if she were missing. You and your family are in my prayers....
I pray that the benevolent and merciful God in Heaven brings this little angel home safely to her family, and that those responsible for this nefarious deed are incarcerated so that they can never perpetrate such evil upon anyone ever again.
Prayers to the family & for Isa. Lord, please bring her home safe. Amen........
Three things. Why the missing screen? And a sleeping 40lb. kid somehow weighs a little over 120 lbs. for some unknown reason. You can't tell me one person broke in, carried her through the house, out the door and took the screen also? Unless drugged and dropped out the window means at least two perps. And why did the cops wait two days for a copy of the surveillance tapes? This case smells worse every time I read about it.
We're very sad about this little girl. This is taking place not far from where I live. I'm very worried for her. To those who are slamming commenters who have doubts, may I remind you of Susan Smith (Google her "pleading" video). I will never ever forget how she NOT ONCE looked into the camera while pleading for her little boys - and I knew right then she had something to do with their disappearance. A coworker/close friend told me, "Sheri, you don't really think that. That can't be possible." A few days later, there she was -- admitting what she did and leading the officers to the lake where they found the car and sadly those precious beautiful little boys, still holding hands. I'm very uncomfortable about this case because Isabel's father never looked into the camera. Maybe he's too grief-stricken; I don't know. We all process grief in different ways. I don't know what I'd do. But I'm holding out hope that we'll have an Elizabeth Smart ending rather than a devastating one similar to those we've experienced all too often with missing children in Arizona. But doubters shouldn't be criticized: Diane Downs, Andrea Yates, Josh Powell, Chris Benoit, among many others, have given them lots of ammunition. We pray for the safe return of little Isabel Mercedes Celis to her parents and family and soon.
You know, every other week for the last 20 years we have to hear about white people pleading for the life of their nasty off-spring...
Each time, someone in the family or family circle is the criminal at large...
A real family, one who is in grief would not get on TV, on the news and make an imaginary plea to a criminal who is not watching...or talking to their love one as though they are sitting in a hotel room watching TV...
This story should be a local story, not a national story...as this person will show up in Ohio or some other state...
Now it is the to the point where no one cares because the police has not done their job...too scared to accuse the parents or someone within the family or family circle...
Right about now, I am tired of hearing or reading about white people being abducted...the law should check the suicide section...
But know that the parents has killed their own child and faking their tears on TV...
The police has no clues, has not looked outside of the neighborhood, but yet expect someone from Alaska to call them with a lead to help break the case...
I guess next week there will be a story about another missing white woman who got drugged in a bar while shaking her ass, or some catholic police officer pervert...
To hell with this story and the parents, along with law officials in that state, county and city...
This child will never be found...this is based on white people thinking they know everything...
And last, one should never get on TV pleading for a loved one...that is so fake...one should grieve in private, not in public...
But, I guess this is what white America calls "REALITY TV"...
Do what you do best white people, commit suicide...
Sincerely, with love,
PB Pimp
PB Pimp:
Are you kidding me? WTF does it matter if this child/family is white, black, purple, etc. you have alot of nerve!!!! Not to mention I think that this may be a hispanic family. Not that it matters either way!!! a child is in danger, grow up! you talk like a racist and you should shut your mouth and have a little more respect.
Wow - you really are an insensitive jerk, aren't you? If my child went missing (my worst nightmare, ever, btw), I would be screaming, pleading and begging to ANYONE who would listen to help me find my child.
Are family members or friends typically involved in cases like this? Sadly, yes. But I do hope and pray this girl is found safe and sound.
Someone said she wasn't in school that Friday, but yet I thought she was at a brother's baseball game with her family that night! The house has a wall around it and they have a dog. I don't get this. I am praying for her.
Heartbreaking, just heartbreaking.
I pray for Isabel's safe return, along with many others. I rarely read comments online, let alone post them, but I'm finding it very difficult to keep these thoughts to myself, and I hope my thoughts are crazy ones...I saw only a minute or so of Isabel Celis' parents' cry out for help & they didn't seem to be geniunely upset...it appeared to me that the father was purposely making his voice sound shaken & upset, I couldn't see any tears & his eyes didn't look like a person who has been crying. Maybe the tears were there, but I need HD to see them, or it's possible that he's just not a crier. The mother looked like she was staring out into space wondering if she had the correct expression on her face. She didn't have the look of a mother who has spent the past few days crying for her daughter's safe return. I know everyone has their own way of dealing with pain & negative emotions, and I hope I'm wrong when I say that I think the parents are lying. I don't know what kind of dogs they have or how many. It doesn't matter - I know the neighbor heard dogs barking next door. It's always possible that a pet could've accidentally harmed (or killed) her, rather than some strange man who climbed into her window, & the parents are afraid of being blamed. Crazier things have happened. For some reason, I have some strange feeling that some bizarre accident happened & her parents panicked & hid her body for fear of being accused or charged with a crime. Yes, I know it's PURE SPECULATION, and MY STUPID THOUGHTS, so please don't crucify me online for posting this comment. It's my OPINION, MY VIEW, MY THOUGHTS, and EVERYONE has their own (I hope). I also hope that I am completely wrong in every way, and Isabel is found safe & happy. I pray for a happy ending in this.
You are entirely entitled to your own speculation, who knows what these parents are going through, after a week they may just be emotionally drained and so out of it you can't really judge them based off it. Until there is any evidence that shows that they are lying, I'm going under the assumption and belief that they truly miss their child and want her back with every fiber of their being. At times like this they need support, not suspicion.
at Karenvenus25 you are entitled to your opinion. It is a free country. I am a legal specialist and I have profiled this situation just from the media information that I have gathered. I believe that something happended and the parents are covering up. Not one time have they mentioned the other two children which are boys. I would have more respect for them if they just be honest and say they panicked and did not know what to do. It's easier to say that to authorities and let it be investigated than to lie to authoritie and later on find out it was an innocent accident. Don't lie in front of the world. If my child was missing in any kind of way, I would be speechless..I could not even stand or talk..I probably would have to be sedated. The announcement they made seemed like they acted it out. These are a few of my scenarios: The father was molesting her and she was going to tell so he got rid of her and made it seem as if she was kidnapped. Why would a mother not look in on her baby girl before leaving work?..does not make sense to me. One of the brothers hurt her and the parents are covering it up. It seems if they had all night to derive a plan and a story. The little angel was last seen on Friday at a little league game? And questions arised if she was at school that day. Sounds fishy to me. Well the media and the cops aren't going to leak premature information,but I guarantee you this one thing, the parents, cops, and FBI knows what happened. They just have not broadcasted it yet.
I went to the mom's facebook and there is no way the parents are involved in this. This is a loving family and it is easy to tell by the facebook account. All you have to do is look at the family photos. I know because of past cases, the parents are the first to be looked at but if you read on the wall of Becky's facebook, this is a mom who loved her child. The photos show a very happy little girl that is well loved as well as the other two children. There are several family photos. I would find it very shocking to find out they were involved and this is coming from someone who pegged Susan Smith from the beginning.
What's really freaky about this story is that two weeks ago someone on the vine said that the screen had been cut and there was some other mark on a window to the girls bedroom. This was way before this news was made public. I commented to the person who made this comment that how could they know anything like this as it was not public information.
Oh just tell the police where you buried the poor girl already!
@commentingbecauseican..my thoughts exactly, someone had all night to do this and then came up with a storyline and plot to cover it up. The cadaver dogs were led back to the house obviously because something had blood or a small stinch of death on it.
I can't even imagine the complete fear and desperation these parents are going through. I can only hope and pray that the daughter is returned unharmed, sadly that's not usually the case. If it where my little one missing I don't think I'd be able to sleep or eat, everything I did would be robotic but I would be searching day and night. Those poor people.
I pray this beautiful little girl turns up safe. It's been so long since she disappeared, I'm afraid to say that chance is slim by this point. May God bless her.
The first 48hours are the most crucial in these types of cases. Chances are almost zero at this point she will be found alive. Prayers for that family, and the beautiful little girl. It is heartbreaking to see her picture everywhere, I have a little girl exactly the same age and I would die if she were missing.
I pray that Isa is ok. A lot of different things could have happened here. Only God knows.
The reason the mother said that she did not check in on the little girl is because she knew she wan not there. Where were the brothers at during all this time?
C'mon everyone; the power of social networking is amazing and you never knew where the sharing ends up; try to get as many people to share on FB; this is something we could even if we don't leave or know the family well; at least it is something; share the notice publicly on your FB and ask your friends to move the share forward; hopefully somebody will see it.....the power of collective prayer and social networking....at least is hope that Isa will be brought home safe, sound and unharmed.....Let's do it! Praying for you Isabel do not be afraid your guardian angels are watching out for you......a Canadian friend who is trying hard to help the family.
The power of social networking and collective prayer are amazing; why doesn't everyone come together and post the missing notice on their FB pages and ask their friends to share forward and open it to the public; somebody, somewhere knows something, no matter who.....let's not lose sight of the fact this is about a young innocent child who is missing; I say a prayer for you Isabel; do not be afraid; your guardian angels will protect you.....let's prove how POWERFUL SOCIAL NETWORKING IS!!!!!! Please everyone come together.....a concerned Canadian.....