Sacramento Area Local News

TRACY, Calif. (CBS13) ― The father of a missing Tracy girl resurfaced again today saying he had no part in her disappearance after rumors circulated that he had taken her to Mexico.  Meanwhile, police continue to search for the missing girl including sifting through garbage at the city dump.

Daniel Cantu returned to the mobile home park where his 8-year-old daughter Sandra was last seen just before noon today after having had just been questioned again by police.  He denied having taken his daughter to Mexico as was claimed by a man last night.

"I could care less about it," said Daniel Cantu. "All I know is there is an 8-year-old girl out there who happens to be my daughter that happens to be my daughter who needs help. Please help."

Daniel Cantu appeared just minutes after Tracy police held a press conference saying they did not know Daniel Cantu's whereabouts, but were confident they could get in touch with him if they needed. 

Daniel Cantu says he did return to Mexico where he works. "I had to check in with my job.  I need my job.  I don't want to lose my job, but right now my daughter is more important."

The Tracy police also said they had received 477 tips since Sandra was reported missing Friday and were 'frustrated' that they have not been able to find her.

But despite the leads, Tracy police Lt. Jeremy Watney talked about the strain for everyone involved as Sandra has been missing for 5 days. "It's extremely frustrating.  The focus that we want is we want her back safe.  That's the bottom line and the fact is that every day that goes by everybody gets frustrated," said Watney. "We've all gotten frustrated as police officers because we're personally vested in this case."

CBS13 has learned that volunteers have been searching several locations in attempt to find Sandra including at the Tracy Material Recovery and Transfer Facility on South MacArthur Drive.  Officers have apparently been at the dump for several days in a row.

Investigators consider a handful of the tips credible. Officers have seized four cars as part of the investigation. The cars are being examined by a team of investigators from the Tracy Police Department and the FBI. A police spokesman says two men are considered "persons of interest."

Sacramento bounty hunter Leonard Padilla is hoping money will help find Sandra.  He's offering a $10,000 reward on top of the $7,000 reward already offered for information leading to the safe return of Sandra.  Although, Padilla says his reward money is only valid if the tip some in before Sunday at midnight.

Also this morning, Sandra Cantu's aunt went on national TV saying the last few days have been a 'nightmare' for Sandra's family an they just want her home.

Angie Chavez made an appearance on the CBS Early Show to talk about Sandra's disappearance and what it has been like for Sandra's family.  "A nightmare, an absolute nightmare.  We just want her to come home," said Angie Chavez.  "Please just let her come home.  Her family misses her greatly.  She's just such a wonderful girl and we lover her so much."

Yesterday morning, Sandra's mother, Maria Chavez, pleaded with anyone who may know where the young girl is to bring her home. "Please, whoever has her, just let her go," she said. "She needs to come home to her mom who loves her very much and misses her."

Investigators stress that they are not officially considering the case a kidnapping, but are investigating the possibility thoroughly.

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