Search for Sierra LaMar Turns to Social Media

Search organizers are asking people to change their profile picture to Sierra for a full day, starting Sunday night.

A state lawmaker and a professional football player joined this weekend's search for Sierra LaMar.

The Morgan Hill teenager has not been seen since early Friday morning March 16. She never made it to school that day. Search dogs indicated she did not make it to her bus stop, losing her scent near her driveway, according to investigators.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's department said all of their investigative efforts point to a kidnapping. They said they do not think Sierra ran away on her own.

The community outpouring in the search for Sierra has been overwhelming. Marc Klaas, the president of the KlaasKids Foundation, said he has not seen this kind of turn out since his daughter Polly went missing nearly 20 years ago.

California State Assemblyman Luis Alejo, and San Francisco 49er quarterback Alex Smith joined in the ground search Saturday.  They were among the 584 people who volunteered to help the KlaasKids Foundation. In all 62 search teams were sent out. Their efforts increased the search radius to more than 19 miles from Sierra’s home. The goal of a 20 mile radius was met Sunday.

Klaas Kids scheduled the next search efforts late Sunday:

Searches will co

ntinue on Saturday, April 7 2012 and the following Wednesday, April 11 2012 from 8am - 1pm. The Find Sierra Search Center is located at Burnett Elementary School at 85 Tilton Road in Morgan Hill, CA. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and bring photo identification. “Dress appropriately for the weather, wear long pants and sturdy, covered toe shoes. We need people who can do foot searches as well as individuals who are willing to work in the Find Sierra Search Center. We are also looking for donations of food and office supplies.

 Hundreds of volunteers have been scouring the area surrounding LaMar's home since Tuesday.

Search organizers said it is now hosting a 24 hour social media vigil beginning Sunday night at 6 p.m. It is encouraging people to change their profile picture on all social media channels to one of Sierra for a full day.

Clues to her disappearance have been very few to come by.

The first weekend after she disappeared sheriff investigators found Sierra's phone and her Juicy-brand bag containing neatly folded clothing, which included a change of underwear, belonging to the teen.

The phone and purse were found about two miles from Sierra's house and two blocks apart.

Investigators still have not released results of tests done on a third, disturbing find. On Thursday volunteers found an empty box labeled  "stainless steel handcuffs" and a couple of used condoms down the road from Sierra's house.  It was not clear whether the items are connected to the case.  They were found in an area where young people often congregate.

The sheriff’s off-road unit  also conducted searches on ATV’s this weekend.  They checked the South County Coyote Creek Trail and Cochrane Road in Morgan Hill to Bernal Road in San Jose.

None of the weekend searches have come up with anything of substance.

Anyone with information about Sierra or her whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff's office at (408) 808-4500 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431.

Tips can also be emailed to tips@sheriff.sccgov.org.

So far over 720 tips have come in via phone calls and emails. All tips continue to be evaluated and followed-up on by investigators, according to the sheriff's office.

The family has also set up a Facebook page.

The KlaasKids Foundation is a non-profit public benefit corporation determined to stop crimes against children and assists families of missing children. You can visit www.klaaskids.org for more information.

Contact Us