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Dad named person of interest in Calif. baby's disappearance

HAPPY VALLEY, Calif. -- Investigators have identified the father of a missing Northern California infant as a person of interest in the child's disappearance, according to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office.

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Matthew Graham Shasta County Sheriff's Office

Six-month-old Ember Graham was reportedly last seen Wednesday night inside her home in Happy Valley, about 150 miles north of Sacramento. Her father, Matthew Graham, told police he went to check on her around 5:30 Thursday morning, and found her crib empty, reported CBS affiliate KHSL.

He called 911 early Thursday to report the disappearance.

However, in a press release issued late Friday, sheriff's investigators said Matthew Graham's statements have been "inconsistent." The information led authorities to shift their search from the area near the Graham's residence to search along Clear Creek Road, north of the home, according to investigators.

About 60 people searched throughout the day Sunday, with rough terrain, smoldering heat and wildlife plaguing their efforts.

The sheriff's office released a photo of Graham's pickup truck and asked anyone who had seen the vehicle on July 1 to contact police. Police described the truck as a 1990 dark blue, full-size extra cab, Chevrolet fleet side pickup with flat black paint on the side panels, black rims, no license plates, and a cow bell hanging underneath the front bumper.

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Anyone who saw this truck July 1 in Happy Valley, Calif. is asked to call police. Police described the truck as a 1990 dark blue, full-size extra cab, Chevrolet fleet side pickup with flat black paint on the side panels, black rims, no license plates, and a cow bell hanging underneath the front bumper. Shasta County Sheriff's Office

Matthew Graham was booked into jail on an unrelated felony probation violation after he allegedly failed to disclose medication he took, in violation of the terms of his probation on a DUI and forgery conviction, police say. He's not been charged with any crimes related to his daughter's disappearance.

Jamie Lee Graham, the child's mother, defended her husband in a statement to the Redding Record-Searchlight, calling him a "doting dad."

"Nobody thinks that he's capable -- there's no way he would ever, premeditated or accidentally (do) anything," the woman told the paper.

Ember Graham suffers from a seizure disorder, needs medication and is considered at risk. Officials have offered a $10,000 reward in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Shasta County Sheriff's Major Crimes Unit at (530) 245-6135 or Sheriff's Records at (530) 245-6025. Information can also be sent to the Sheriff's Major Crimes Unit email address: mcu@co.shasta.ca.us

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