Amber Alerts were released for a missing teenager Hannah Anderson, 16, and her little brother, Ethan, 8, on Monday; sources say suspect James Lee DiMaggio, 40, had a crush on Hannah, and she was "creeped out" by him.
A friend of Hannah told Fox News DiMaggio didn't want the girls to think he was weird in an effort to defend himself after noticing he and the teen exchanged glances.
According to the source, Hannah didn't feel comfortable around DiMaggio and asked her to tag along when he drove them to gymnastics meets.
"She was a little creeped out by it. She didn't want to be alone with him," the friend told Fox News.
Amber Alerts for Hannah and Ethan were issued in Oregon and Washington state again on Wednesday after reports of DiMaggio's car being spotted.
DiMaggio allegedly murdered the children's mother, Christina Anderson, whose body was found Sunday night in his fire-damaged home in Boulevard, Calif. The body of a child was found near Christina Anderson's remains, and they are believed to be Ethan. However, DNA tests have yet to confirm it is Ethan's body.
"It is a possibility that it's Ethan," San Diego County Sheriff's Department Lt. Glenn Giannantonio told Fox News. "Right now we just don't know. And we're praying that it isn't Ethan."
Giannantonio believes Hannah and Ethan are in danger with DiMaggio.
DiMaggio is reportedly driving a blue 2013 Nissan Versa seen heading northbound from Alturas, Calif., towards the Oregon border, according to Fox News. There may have been a possible sighting in southern Oregon Wednesday afternoon, police said.
Authorities believe DiMaggio is heading toward Texas or Canada with the kidnap victims.
"The children's father pleaded with DiMaggio Thursday on 'Fox and Friends' to release his daughter and turn himself in," Fox News reports. "He told his daughter to run if she has the chance."
