Parents of missing girl say there was a 'breach' in their home

Danielle had her hair cut recently, as seen in this photo taken the day before she disappeared, her parents said Wednesday.

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- The parents of Danielle van Dam, a San Diego second-grader missing since Saturday, said there was a "breach" into their home around the time their daughter disappeared.

"We can't say much about it because the police investigation has asked that we don't say much. There was an open door in the house," said Damon van Dam, the girl's father, said on CNN's "Larry King Live" Wednesday.

"There was a breach to our house, and that's all that we're allowed to say," said Brenda van Dam, the girl's mother, who appeared on the same program.

The parents also said they understand why police have scrutinized them, including searching their home and asking them to take a polygraph test.

"We've done everything we can. I'm not offended at all," Damon van Dam said. "We were both very happy to take polygraphs. And we're not suspects. And we're still doing everything we can with the police."

VIDEO Danielle's parents appear on CNN's Larry King Live (February 6) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) The investigation into the mysterious disappearance of 7-year-old Danielle Van Dam is making some progress, police believe. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez reports (February 6) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   RESOURCES Daniellemissing.com

The van Dams have two other children, and Brenda van Dam said the ordeal has been "very hard" on the family.

"Every day has been different for me emotionally. I take time in the morning to let everything out. And I do that alone in my room. I don't want my children seeing too much of that coming out of me," she said. "I just scream and cry into my pillow."

Police are treating the disappearance of Danielle van Dam as a kidnapping. The 7-year-old was last seen Friday night by her father in her bedroom on the second floor of the family home in a suburban area of San Diego. She was discovered missing Saturday morning when her mother went to wake her and found her gone.

According to previous statements from the police and the parents, Brenda van Dam came home at 2 a.m. that morning and noticed a blinking light on the burglar alarm and that a door was unlocked. An outside gate was also found open, the parents said.

Wednesday, police stopped searching areas and canyons around the Sabre Springs neighborhood where the family lives.

Damon and Brenda van Dam appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" Wednesday night.

"We are confident Danielle is not in this area," said Sand Diego Police Department spokesman David Cohen. "This area is a small part of the overall investigation. We will continue looking for her."

As part of the investigation, police have questioned a male neighbor of the van Dams, searched his house and impounded his SUV and motor home. Police have said they consider him a "potential suspect," but he has been cooperative and has not been charged.

The man has told police that he was on a camping trip in the desert east of San Diego on Saturday and Sunday, returning Monday morning. He voluntarily went with investigators to retrace his travels.

The van Dams told CNN on Wednesday that the man was "not someone we know well."

"We know his name, you know. We know who he is. We recognize him. We've talked to him a couple times, but not a friend," Damon van Dam said.

Brenda van Dam said she does not believe her daughter could have run away.

"My children know that if they leave this house, they get permission," she said. "She is a wonderful, happy child ... She has no reason to leave our home."

The parents also said they are not wealthy and do not think that anyone would have taken their daughter for ransom.

Danielle is described as 4 feet tall, weighing 58 pounds with dirty blonde hair. She may be wearing blue pajamas with small flowers.