<BR> Search Intensifies For Missing Girl<BR> Police To Question 30 Sex Offenders<BR> Posted: 3:09 p.m. CST March 12, 2002<BR> Updated: 3:15 p.m. CST March 12, 2002<BR> HOUSTON -- Family, friends, and volunteers aided Houston police in their search<BR> Tuesday for a missing 13-year-old girl. <P> Volunteers with the Laura Recover Center<BR> Foundation continued their search Tuesday<BR> morning near the gas station where Laura<BR> Ayala was last seen. <P> Ayala left her home at around 10:15 p.m.<BR> Sunday to buy a Sunday newspaper at the<BR> Conoco Station, 2610 Broadway, in southeast<BR> Houston. <P> Ayala had asked her mother for some money<BR> to buy the paper for a school assignment that<BR> was to be completed during spring break, authorities said. <P> The store confirmed to police that Ayala bought the paper. <P> While family members were searching for Ayala, they found her shoes and the<BR> paper scattered on the route to the store, authorities said. <P> Investigators said that the fact that Ayala's shoes were found makes the incident<BR> very suspicious, and that they believe she may have been abducted. <P> Police described Ayala as a Hispanic female, about 4 feet tall, and weighing about<BR> 90 pounds. She has black, medium-length straight hair with brown highlights. <P> Ayala was last seen wearing a blue and white checkered dress. <P> Investigators said that they are also looking for a possible suspect, driving a<BR> rusty-colored, or red or maroon type cargo van that has back windows, but may<BR> not have side windows, and with a gray bumper. <P> Police also said they will be interviewing the 30 registered sex offenders, who live<BR> within a two-mile radius of Ayala's home, located at 7939 Serita, in southeast<BR> Houston. <P> Anyone with information is asked to call the Houston Police Department at (713)<BR> 308-3600. <P><a href="http://www.click2houston.com/hou/news/stories/news-129984620020312-150355.html";>http://www.click2houston.com/hou/news/stories/news-129984620020312-150355.html<;/a>