Terrilynn Monette Missing: Search for teacher in New Orleans expands to ponds and bayous

(CBS) NEW ORLEANS - Terrilynn Monette, a 26-year-old elementary school teacher from Long Beach, Calif. who disappeared in New Orleans on March 2, is still missing after nearly 13 days of searching, CBS affiliate WWLTV reports.

EquuSearch, a Houston-based company that specializes in the search and recovery of missing persons, has been using sonar equipment to search bayous and ponds in the area, the station reports.

Monette was last seen on March 2 outside a bar in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans. The bar was not far from City Park, which she could have traveled through to go home. Her 2012 black Honda Accord is also still missing.

"I think this is part of the process of elimination, in case a vehicle did end up in the water," Tim Miller, founder of Texas EquuSearch, said of his company's involvement in the search.

EquuSearch said they have the ability to look through up to 1000 feet of water - much like they did in the Natalee Holloway case in Aruba. According to Tim Miller, founder of Texas EquuSearch, the company has looked through a number of bodies of water in City Park and they have ruled out the possibility of a vehicle being in those waters.

Despite the extensive search, which is still continuing, there has been no sign of Monette or her car.

Monette's mother, Toni Enclade, said she appreciates the search efforts.

"...I hope and pray that they find something, some type of lead or something, to my daughter's disappearance," Enclade said.

Monette had been working in New Orleans for "Teach NOLA," a program that places educators in impoverished areas.

More on CrimesiderMarch 11, 2013 - Terrilynn Monette, teacher from Calif., missing in New Orleans