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After One Month, Morgan Hill Teen Sierra LaMar Remains Missing

MORGAN HILL (CBS SF) -- The family of missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar marked one-month since her disappearance Monday 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 marked the passage of a month with a balloon prayer release Monday evening at Burnett Elementary School.

"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 that Sierra was probably abducted. Items belonging to Sierra including her bag and cell phone have been recovered from areas near her home.

Authorities said on Monday that crime lab tests on evidence collected so far in Sierra LaMar's disappearance have given them new leads. But they declined to say what those leads were.

At least two Santa Clara County reservoirs have already been checked with sonar for any signs of LaMar.

The search for Sierra 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.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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