ESCONDIDO - It's been more than a week now since 14-year-old Amber LeeAnne Dubois disappeared on her way to Escondido High School last Friday around 7 AM.
Hundreds of San Diegans are looking for her and expanding the area Escondido Police initially searched.
All weekend long the family will be leading search parties, and are asking the public to join.
Search groups of six are meeting and heading out from the corner of Vista Ave. and Broadway in Escondido.
The Sunday meeting will begin at 7 AM and conclude around 2 PM. The search is ending early due to the Tour of California bicycle race, which will be finishing up in Escondido.
Family and friends will make use of the fact that several thousand spectators will be in their city--they plan on handing out fliers to as many people as possible.
To participate in a search group, you must be 18, bring a government issued ID, not be convicted of any felony, and wear rugged clothing. Volunteer crews will head into rural areas of local mountains.
If you are interested in handing out fliers at the bicycle race, you can be of any age. For fliers, stop by the command post at Vista Ave. and Broadway.
The Saturday search parties did not generate any helpful evidence, said the family's private investigator Bill Garcia.
Garcia said, "We've found everything from wallets with credit cards to cell phones to different kinds of underwear or t-shirts and shoes, nothing seems to be linked to Amber at this point."
Groups did not spot any of the black clothing Amber was wearing at the time of her disappearance, her backpack, or cell phone.
Garcia, who has been investigating crimes for more than 17 years, said the lack of information is unusual. "Many times when there's an abduction with foul play, the bodies are easily found, but that's not been the case, at least not today."
Libby Hedrick was disturbed to find a white tennis shoe and pink flip flops. She never met Amber before, but was moved by media coverage of Amber's candlelight vigil.
"I lost my 15 year old daughter a few years back and its just real close to my heart and this family is going through so much and I just really want to help them."
She ended up going through thick brush. "The whole area is so much larger than you realize it is, until you are out there combing through every inch."
For family friend Edna Haldrook, that process was tiring, but helpful. "It felt good to be out there, at least doing something, you feel so helpless in this."
Friday night, hundreds of people came out for a candlelight vigil in Amber's honor at Escondido High School.
Family members say their resolve is strengthened by the community's outpouring of support.
Maurice Dubois, Amber's father, said the flames were symbolic. "Hope, little sparks of hope all over the place...Hopefully these lights will guide her home."
Amber's mother, Carrie McGonigle, found the night reassuring. "After a week, its hard to stay positive, but I see these people and all their love. She's got to come home, she's just got to be found!"
McGonigle does not believe reports to police that Amber was seen in Downtown Escondido last weekend. "She wouldn't be that close to home and not come home. I don't believe that!"
Amber's best friend, Jade Fidel, thinks the rumors at school that Amber is a run away are totally wrong. "People are making up stories because they can't cope with what's going on."
Jade hoped Amber could get a message from the candlelight vigil's flames. "To me, when I look at fire, it really makes me think calm...I really want that to be sent out to Amber, calm down, get your head together and come find us."
The FBI also is getting involved in Amber's search.
Escondido Police is treating the case as a possible abduction but is not ruling out the possibility she ran away.
Amber's family has maintained that running away is "completely out of character" for the teen. They said she is a good student who was excited about starting a school project that involved a lamb the Friday she disappeared.
The family has hired private detective Bill Garcia, who has been involved in a number of high-profile cases in the county.
He is examining similar local abductions to see if there are any similarities.
 |  Missing Teen Lead 2/20/09
The private investigator for the family of a missing teen says a girl with similar features to Amber was almost abducted by a man in a white utility vehicle. |
Amber is white, 5 feet 5, 130 pounds, with short brown hair and blue eyes. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing dark-colored clothing, including a hooded sweatshirt and tennis shoes.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about Amber's whereabouts to call Escondido police at (760) 839-4722.
The family has started a web site with her pictures and contact information.
http://www.bigcatdesigns.com/amber/amber.htm
