As the search continues for 9-year-old Rowan Ford, residents of the small town of Stella are planning a candlelight vigil in her honor. Organizers told KSPR the vigil will begin at 6:00 PM at Stella Baptist Church.

Meanwhile, Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland said in a Tuesday afternoon press conference that the search for Ford has been expanded into neighboring McDonald County.

Authorities say Rowan Ford of Stella was getting ready for bed around 8:30 p.m. Friday when her mother -- Colleen Spears -- left for work at a nearby Wal-Mart. Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland said the girl's stepfather -- David Spears -- told them that she was asleep when he looked in on her before going out with friends around 10:45 p.m. No one realized she was missing until Saturday morning.

Copeland released a timeline of Saturday's events. He said the Spears' searched for Ford during the morning hours and David called an ex-employer asking whether he should contact the authorities. They also called Newton County Dispatch earlier in the day before they officially reported her missing at 6:58 PM.

Copeland said several items have been taken from the home where the girl was last seen and authorities have seized David Spear's truck. Copeland said that Ford's mother confirmed that a sheet was missing from her daughter's bed.

Copeland said the FBI has been involved with the search since Monday, but so far officials have been silent about where the search is taking place, or whether they have received any leads. They are asking anyone with information to contact the Newton County Sheriff's Department at 417-451-8333 or their nearest law enforcement agency.