WARREN, Mass. -- Search crews scouring the woods for missing lifeguard Molly Bish found a human bone in the woods not too far from the area that the Warren, Mass., teenager disappeared nearly three years ago.

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Searchers Make Significant Find

"We did discover a human bone. It is the upper arm bone. Dr. Myers describes is as a bone from a person of 14 to 20 years of age," Conte said. "We established the area as a crime scene area. We will be back here tomorrow with a full complement of search people."

Dozens of searchers scoured 25 acres of woods on the Warren/Palmer line near where a bathing suit, similar to that worn by Molly when she disappeared, was found. The bone was found about 500 feet from the spot where the bathing suit was found.

"This is a very significant finding. The entire Bish family has been notified. Two of our detectives are in the Bish home as we speak," Conte said.

Officials said that the DNA testing on the bathing suit did not yield the DNA that officials had hoped would connect the item to Molly.

"The DNA was not able to be retrieved from the material that we had at our state lab. The mitochondrial did produce DNA, but it was a mixed result. We cannot go any further with that sample," Conte said.

Conte said that the state lab is going to send a piece of the bathing suit. Officials hope to get a clear DNA sample that they can use to match up to Molly's mother's DNA.

"That is the best we can do as far as matching up," Conte said. "The only certainty that we can get in this type of testing is from the mother."

Conte said that they should have those results within a few days. Officials are trying to investigate

Over the weekend there was news that a hair scrunchie was discovered in a river. It is also being tested for any possible DNA connection to the teen.

"I believe that if there is any possibility of finding Molly they will today. We are praying for them. We are hopeful that she'll come home," Molly's father, John Bish, said.

Since Molly disappeared in June 2000, investigators have found no significant clues or evidence in their numerous searches.