MORGAN HILL - The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department said they found the purse of the Morgan Hill teen who disappeared almost a week ago.
Investigators said Sierra Lamar's purse contained a neatly-folder shirt, a pair of jeans and some under garments.
It was found on Sunday afternoon near Santa Teresa and Laguna, just a couple of miles from the teen's mom's home.
"It was her clothing. It was things that she would have kept with her and it was school books. We believe she was on her way to school. It shouldn't have been where it was. It definitely elevates our concerns," said Sheriff Laurie Smith of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department.
On Thursday, at least 40 volunteers and sheriff's deputies searched a three-mile radius of Lamar's mother's home.
"Very specific, very thorough search, a little bit more than what we did over the weekend," said Sgt. Jose Cardoza of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department. "More areas are going to be checked, private property, large parts of land, waterways, specific things we're looking for are tire tracks, evidence, weapons or any other evidence."
On Saturday, investigators found Lamar's cell phone, near Palm and Dougherty avenues, also by her mom's home.
Investigators hope trained dogs will pick up Lamar's scent from her clothes and lead investigators to her.
"All cards are still on the table," Cardoza said. "Possible abduction, human trafficking, volunteer runaway, we just don't know."
Deputies said Lamar's last text message was sent around 7 a.m. on Friday, the morning she left.
They said she was in good spirits and don't believe she would have ran away.
"We really don't believe so. She's a good kid," Smith said. "She's probably your typical 15-year-old, but there's no indication that this was a runaway. You don't take your school books."
Investigators have also been questioning south county sex offenders.
