Volunteers Press Search for Missing Teenage Girl

Hundreds of volunteers continued their search Saturday for the second of two girls allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted in Potter Valley, Calif., authorities said.

Raina Shirley, 14, was last seen with a friend March 13, when the girls were allegedly taken to a popular spot along the nearby Eel River by 28-year-old Arnoldo Manzo and his 13-year-old nephew.

Manzo’s nephew was being held in police custody on assault charges.

Authorities have issued federal and local arrest warrants for Manzo, a U.S. citizen, who police say might have fled to his mother’s home in Mexico.

Raina’s friend was found--drugged and wandering partially clothed along Potter Valley’s main street--the same night the girls disappeared.

Although authorities called off the official search, volunteers on foot and in helicopters and planes continued to hunt for the girl in Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma counties.

The search’s coordinator, Danny Taylor, directed volunteers to comb all roadways leading to the town, about 120 miles north of San Francisco, and its surrounding communities.

Taylor also told searchers--ominously--to watch the sky for circling buzzards.

The girl’s family, however, held out hope that Raina was still alive.

“The compassion and the love that the people are showing here is just wonderful,” said the girl’s mother, Kim Shirley. “We just love Raina and want Raina home again.”

Authorities have offered a $16,000 reward for information leading to Raina’s safe return.