Search for Tucson Girl Comes Up Empty as Community Gathers

By Sami K. Martin, Christian Post Reporter Monday, April 23, 2012

Tucson police are coming up short in their efforts to locate 6-year-old Isabel Mercedes Celis. The girl went missing sometime between Friday evening and early Saturday morning, and her parents are asking for the public's help.

Police have stated that Isabel's parents, Becky and Sergio Celis, have been extremely helpful and cooperative throughout the investigation. At this point they are not suspects in their daughter's disappearance, though police have labeled the case "suspicious disappearance/possible abduction."

"We're not ruling anything out of the investigation at this point because we really need to keep our minds open about all the information that's been brought to us," police chief Roberto Villasenor told AZCentral.com. "The family has been cooperating with us."

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After discovering Isabel missing on Saturday morning, the Celises immediately phoned 911. Police have brought in dogs to help locate the missing girl, but so far they have not found anything. According to the Associated Press, more than 150 law enforcement officers have been part of the search team looking for Isabel.

Sgt. Maria Hawked told AP that there were "suspicious circumstances around a possible entry point" at the home but would not go into further detail. Family and friends have gathered in order to help authorities locate the missing girl and provide comfort to the Celises.

"We all feel this is somebody who's been watching Isa for some amount of time to know where her bedroom is," family friend Mary Littlehorn told AP. She has worked with Becky Celis for five years and is certain they had nothing to do with their daughter's disappearance.

The family attended church on Sunday and asked for prayers from their congregation. Deacon Leon Mazza told AP, "We didn't ask for any information. We just let them know if they need help, come see us."