The family of missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar will mark the one-month anniversary of her disappearance today as searches of the area around her home continue.
LaMar has been missing since Friday, March 16, when she did not show up for school after leaving home to walk to a nearby bus stop, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
Her family will mark the passage of a month with a balloon prayer release Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Burnett Elementary School. Her mother, Marlene LaMar, is a graduate of Milpitas High School.
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"This month has truly been a nightmare," Sierra's father Steve LaMar said. "But our volunteers have given us faith, hope and the perseverance to continue in our search efforts. This balloon release will give us a chance for all of us to get together in prayer for Sierra."
Investigators have indicated LaMar was probably abducted. Items belonging to LaMar, including her bag and cell phone, have been recovered from areas near her home.
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The search for LaMar continued this weekend, with more than 600 volunteers helping search, pass out fliers and promote fundraising efforts, according to the KlaasKids Foundation, which is organizing the volunteers.
More than 56 volunteer search teams went out, extending the search
radius to 20 miles from Sierra's home, foundation officials said.
The search will continue on Wednesday and next Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers can check in between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Burnettt Elementary School at 85 Tilton Road in Morgan Hill.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, with identification.
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