In their first interview with local media Friday, the parents of Isabel Celis said they had no part in their daughter's disappearance and vowed to be more visible in the search for the missing girl that has stretched into its second week.
Sergio and Becky Celis had come under some criticism for not speaking to the media or the public in the effort to find their 6-year-old daughter, whom they reported missing from the family's midtown home on April 21.
The Celises said during the first few days after Isabel disappeared the family wanted to make sure the focus was on the investigation and not on themselves.
Becky Celis said she chose not to put herself and the family in front of the camera because she is an especially private person and she doesn't feel comfortable being in the spotlight.
"Sorry that we're not breaking down in front of you every five seconds," she told a hand-selected group of local reporters. "I don't want to be in front of you guys. I don't want to be here. I don't want to be in front of the cameras. What I want is (Isabel) here."
The couple also addressed criticism that they lacked emotion while appearing on NBC's "Today" show Thursday morning.
"If you know how we're supposed to be acting, please let me know," Becky Celis said Friday. "I don't know what they're expecting from us."
The Celises did not discuss information pertinent to the investigation both at the direction of Tucson Police Department and for fear that revealing sensitive information could hinder the investigation and possibly cause harm to their daughter.
Among the off-limits topics were the results of polygraph tests they were given and how many times they were taken, who the last person to see Isabel was and whether Becky Celis checked in on her daughter before leaving for work the day the girl was reported missing.
Sergio Celis said he accepts the scrutiny leveled against him by investigators as well as some members of the public. Asked again how he feels about speculation that he is involved in Isabel's disappearance, he said: "I really don't know what to answer to that, other than you're wrong."
Tucson police have received nearly 900 leads in the case but have not identified a suspect or ruled anybody out.
Sergio Celis said he "absolutely" feels Tucson police should have cleared family members as suspects by this point in the investigation but says he understands detectives have to do a thorough job.
He also said he hopes police are as thorough in their questioning of anyone who has been around their daughter and in their home. "How are we going to trust anyone who has been in our home?" Sergio Celis asked.
The couple said they had no enemies and did not owe anybody money. And they said they have no idea what anyone's motive would be for taking Isabel. They said nothing stands out as being unusual about the day Isabel was last seen.
"We don't understand the situation, we don't understand why, we don't understand what happened," Becky Celis said. "We are just as dumbfounded as everybody else is and so when Isabel comes home, and she will come home, then we'll get all of our answers and everyone will understand and then we'll have a big party to celebrate her welcome home."
The couple said they have been quietly putting up fliers around the city and that they plan to be more active in the search for Isabel, including appearing at fundraisers over the weekend and eventually helping take over the volunteer command center set up in a parking lot near their home.
The pressure of the case is wearing on the family, the parents said. Isabel's two brothers are trying to appear strong, but they have not been back to school since their sister was reported missing, though they each did play in a Little League game last week, the couple said.
"This whole experience is an out-of-body experience," Becky Celis said. "I feel like it's a nightmare that you just don't wake up from."
The family has turned to prayer and family as their support in the 14 days Isabel has been missing. They recite the rosary each night, using several different rosaries given as gifts to the family.
"I've prayed with each and every one," Becky Celis said. "I figure one of them might work and eventually (God will) listen and he'll bring her home."
How to help
Anyone with information about Isabel's disappearance can call 911 or 88-CRIME (882-7463).
Benefit concert
Voices of Hope: Benefit Concert to raise funds for the Isabel Mercedes Celis Fund will be held Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Isabel's father, Sergio, is a member of different musical organizations and the concert will feature choral and operatic pieces. If he is feeling up to it, Sergio may sing during the concert, which is free and open to the public.
Organizers said it should last about one hour and ask that people wear purple - Isabel's favorite color - to show support for the family.
The concert will be held at the Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway.
Contact reporter Veronica Cruz at vcruz@azstarnet.com or 573-4224.
