Search for Isabella Continues: Fairfield Lead Comes Up Empty

Hundreds of firefighters, police and CERT members braved the damp, bone-chilling cold to search thick, tick infested brush and fields for any possible sign of Isabella Oleschuk, 13, who went missing on Sunday morning.

Although helicopters were seen flying overhead, Patch could not confirm that they were involved in today's search deployment.

The Fairfield Patch site reported that a girl who resembled Isabella was spotted in a Duchess restaurant in that town on Monday night, but at 8 p.m. this evening, the Fairfield Police announced that the video from Duchess had been viewed by investigators and they determined that more than likely it was not her.

"Everyone in the state should be calling police if they think they see this girl," said Lt. Jim Perez, spokesman for Fairfield Police Department. "It ties up a lot of resources in the short term, but you know what, we welcome it because without the community a lot of this can't be done."

Still, Orange Police are spending countless hours at the station with the FBI and State Police planning the next day's course of action.

Tomorrow teams of experienced search and rescue workers will form again and continue looking in a designated area.

Orange police did not send out any press releases today, but we did ask if any civilian help was needed or being accepted yet. We were told that there are many stories and rumors being spread in e-mails and on facebook, but "No" the civilian pool has not yet been utilized.

If you would like to help search, call the Orange Police at 203-891-2130 and have your name and phone number put on the civilian volunteer list.

Fire Chief Charlie Gagel said Volunteers need to re-hydrate when they come off a search, so bottled water is greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate, you may drop water off in the rear of Fire Station #2 on the Boston Post Road, and it will be brought to the staging area.

Also, as a show of support, residents are leaving their front porch lights on at night to "light the way" until Bella returns home.

Editor's Note: Bella, if you are reading this, or if any of your friends are still in contact with you, it is important that you know you are NOT in trouble. The Orange community, Amity, the State of Connecticut and people across the USA and some foreign countries just want you to come home. Please, if you can, call your mom and dad and grandma. You have no idea how much you are missed.