Dad arrested

CONCORD, NH: Investigators looking for the bodies of two children missing from New Hampshire since July 4 focused their search yesterday along the route their father travelled across the Midwest, authorities said.

Sarah Gehring, 14, and brother Philip, 11, were last seen at a fireworks display in Concord with their father, Manuel Gehring. Gehring was arrested Thursday at a hotel in Gilroy, Calif and authorities announced Saturday that they were treating the case as a double homicide. Officials gave few details about why they believe the children are dead except to say that evidence found Friday night and early Saturday led them to that conclusion. Assistant Attorney General Jeff Strelzin would not discuss the evidence, or say if Gehring was cooperating with police. Strelzin said the search remained focused on the Midwest. Neither he nor Attorney General Peter Heed would disclose the source of the information that led them to focus their search there.

According to court documents in Concord, the children were in tears when they and their father left an Independence Day fireworks display. The documents also say Gehring was opposed to a new custody arrangement between him and his ex-wife that had been reached a week earlier. The children’s mother, Theresa Knight, has not spoken to reporters. Her husband, James Knight, thanked investigators Saturday, saying: “Everyone has done a good job. We’d like to thank them for their efforts throughout the country.” According to credit card charges, authorities say, Gehring apparently travelled along Interstates 84 and 80, stopping July 5 at Newburgh, NY, and Emlenton, Pa.; July 6 at Joliet, Ill, and Iowa City, Iowa; July 7 at Greenwood, Neb; July 8 at Winnemucca and Sparks, Nev; July 9 at Rocklin, North Highlands and San Francisco, Calif yesterday; and July 10 in Gilroy.

Gehring was jailed yesterday in Santa Clara County, Calif, and was scheduled to appear in court tomorrow on charges of being a fugitive from justice in New Hampshire. He was charged in New Hampshire last week with interference with child custody.