Maryland Natural Resources Police halted their search yesterday for two Westminster men in an isolated portion of Patapsco State Park near the Carroll-Baltimore County line and are now considering the possibility of foul play in the disappearance.
Police began searching Thursday afternoon for Esteban "Steve" Santana, 31, and Kurt J. Benkert, 26, after Mr. Santana's 9-month-old daughter was found strapped in a car seat alone in her father's pickup truck in the Theodore McKeldin section of the state park.
After an examination at Carroll County General Hospital, the infant was returned to her mother, Katherine Santana.
"It's pretty clear that the two men are not at the park, and that's a big key to our investigation right now," said Bob Graham of the state Department of Natural Resources.
"At this point we've got to be considering foul play, but we're not sure what we have," Mr. Graham said.
DNR rangers yesterday concluded a 24-hour search of an approximately five-mile area of Patapsco State Park near Feezer Road, where Mr. Santana's red pickup truck was found.
Initially, police thought Mr. Santana and Mr. Benkert, both of the 1100 block of Deer Park Road, might have gotten lost hiking or fishing along the Patapsco River.
"Right now we're pursuing leads based on discussions with relatives and friends of both men," Mr. Graham said. He would not elaborate.
He said there is no indication that Mr. Santana abandoned his daughter. "That's completely atypical of everything we know of his behavior patterns," Mr. Graham said. "From all indications, he adored his child and loved his wife."
The child, Sabrina Lynn Santana, was discovered by a couple in the park when they heard her cry.
Police said the truck's hood was warm, the ignition keys had been removed and the doors were unlocked.
Mr. Santana, who operates a landscaping business, and Mr. Benkert, one of his employees, were last seen between 11 a.m. and noon on Thursday near their home.
Mr. Benkert lived in a separate building on the Santanas' property because he didn't have his own car, Mrs. Santana said.
His family would not comment on the investigation.
The Santana family gathered yesterday to await word from police.
"I can't imagine what could have happened," Mrs. Santana said.
"I know for a fact he'd never leave our daughter unless he was forced. He's very protective over her."
Mrs. Santana said she was expecting her husband to drop Sabrina off to her for a breast-feeding no later than 2 p.m. Thursday at her job in Sykesville.
When he didn't arrive by 3:10 p.m., Mrs. Santana left to be home when the couple's two sons, ages 11 and 7, got out of school.
Mrs. Santana said her husband was planning to go to a landscaping job in Sykesville with Mr. Benkert after dropping Sabrina off.
Mrs. Santana said she couldn't imagine why her husband's truck was found in the park area, unless he might have been taking a shortcut to get to Sykesville.
Although Mr. Santana occasionally hunted with a bow and arrow, his family and friends said he would never take his baby with him.