However, Tracy Police Sgt. Luis Mejia said police haven't received any tips or other information that the girl is not alive.
``All we're doing is looking for any information that may be relevant,'' Mejia said. ``We're having the volunteers sift through the trash for any information that may pertain the case. We've been out there since yesterday, and the volunteers are stepping in today.''
At the site, where a strong wind swirled the facility's stench, bulldozers and other machinery brought loads of trash into a covered loading area. From there about a dozen volunteers sifted through paper plates caked with food scraps, empty cereal boxes, yard clippings and various other refuse from stuffed animals to a camouflage jacket.
"I just wanted to help," said Mike Maciel, a city councilman who is retired from the Tracy police department. He said they were primarily looking for clothing Sandra was last seen wearing, which could indicate if she was kidnapped and someone tried to change her clothing so she would not be recognized.
The waste facility is about seven miles south of the Orchard Estates Mobile Home park, where the girl lives and was last seen at about 4 p.m. Friday. The site receives and process solid waste, recyclables, green wastes and wood from the city of Tracy, Mountain House, and much of south San Joaquin County.
At a morning press conference across the street from the mobile home park, police said they continue to chase all leads.
Tracy police Lt. Jeremy Watney said police have heard that Sandra had talked about running away and are looking into that. He said it would be unusual for a child her age to be gone this long. They are also looking at a man who admitted to once kissing her.
He said though two people were named in search warrants served earlier this week, there are many additional people being questioned. When asked about the use of cadaver dogs he replied, "We're not going to leave any stone unturned."
Watney took many questions about Sandra's father and said there was a report from someone who had recently seen him at the trailer park, talking about going to Mexico. He said police have talked to him and can find him if needed.
However, Nicholle Stevenson, an observer at the press conference who said she is a friend of Sandra's father, said he was in Tracy.
"He's here, he's looking for her," Stevenson said, as she held a flier asking for information on the missing girl. She said the focus should not be on Sandra's father, whose hometown is Tracy, saying he only recently moved to Mexico.
Another press update is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. this afternoon.
Meanwhile, those who know Sandra are having to deal with the unknown. The Tracy school district sent a letter to parents Monday talking about the difficult situation.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Sandra and her family, and we hope she is found safe very soon," the letter states.
The letter advises parents to talk honestly about the incident and share their feelings about it with their children as well as encourage their children to talk about their concerns and express their feelings. Parents should let children know that such incidents are not common and that schools and the community are safe places.
The letter also asks families to talk about student safety and review some points:
Letting children know that they should never go anywhere, get in a car, or accept anything from someone they don't know, even if the person seems friendly. If someone tries to take them, children should yell, "You're not my mom/dad" instead of "help."
Parents should help children learn where safe places are, such as stores, schools, libraries, places of worship and homes of neighbors and talk about safe routes to and from school and other places, as well as places to avoid.
When students are old enough to go out alone, parents should ask who they're going with, where they'll be and when I'll return home and teach them to inform their parents anytime their plans change.
You will not believe the things that the guy who kissed Sandra when she was just 6 years old said. He was just trying to be nice. But isn't that what child molesters always say.
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