ONSLOW COUNTY, NC - A Wednesday news conference revealed the extent of the search for 3-year-old Mariah Woods, a Jacksonville girl who was reported missing Monday morning.
Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller said over 225 agents from more than 14 local, state and federal agencies are in on the investigation. Those involved have helped conduct 100-plus interviews and followed more than 140 leads in the case.
Neither the Sheriff or the FBI gave any possible suspects or said whether they believe a crime was committed. Many of the leads were provided by tips from the community.
"We've searched hundreds of acres of Onslow County by foot, by air and with K9s," said Miller, who called the search 'very active.'
When asked It's believed that the case was cause for concern for other local parents, Miller said they believe it was a focused incident at this point.
"We don't believe that there's a need to put a warning out at this point," Miller said.
The FBI says they're continuing interviews and asking for anyone for a contact with the family on Sunday or Monday to call the Sheriff's Office. Authorities also asked those in the community to search their own property for anything out of the ordinary.
Miller also reiterated that the woman and child seen in the photos released early Wednesday aren't related to the investigation. An Amber Alert was issued for Woods Monday.
"We are taking every lead seriously," said an FBI spokesman. "What the investigators are working on is sensitive information to help us find Mariah. It would not be appropriate for us to divulge what every entity is doing because it would not help us further our efforts at this time."