By Mary Whitfill
Features Editor

Disabled 10-year-old Zahra Baker was reported missing from her North Carolina home on Sunday afternoon and the police have began to investigate the case as a homicide, canceling the Amber Alert on the young girl.

The police have begun focusing on what neighbors describe as a “strained” relationship between Baker and her stepmother Elisa. The ABC News reported that officials are doubting the $1 million ransom note discovered on one of the Baker’s cars.

In an interview with Elisa, who is in custody for charge unrelated to the girl’s disappearance, she admitted to police that she did write one of the ransom notes. In response to the confession, Elisa was charged with a felony obstruction of justice.

A search warrant granted to authorities on Monday led to police dogs finding human remains in the cars of the father and stepmother. Both relatives and Baker’s father have announced that it is possible Elisa is involved in the young cancer victim’s disappearance.

Police investigations will continue until the girl is found, but police are no longer expecting to find a girl who is alive and well.