LEROY - As the investigation into the disappearance of two LeRoy boys moved into its third day Tuesday, police searched through computer hard drives seized from the Bloomington apartment of the boys' father. | Photo gallery

Duncan Connolly, 9, and his brother Jack, 7, did not return from an overnight visit with their father, Michael Connolly, at 6 p.m. Sunday. The boys were scheduled to be dropped off at the LeRoy Police Department where family friend Michelle Johnson routinely picked up the children.

An order of protection prohibits Connolly from contacting the boys' mother, Amy Leichtenberg.

Leichtenberg, said Tuesday she had slept very little Monday night as she kept vigil at her LeRoy home with friends and family members. She said she met Tuesday with McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery to discuss the case now considered an alleged kidnapping by authorities.

Leichtenberg said police are looking through her ex-husband's computers to determine who he may have con-tacted in recent weeks.

A nationwide Amber Alert issued around 8 p.m. Monday said Connolly and the boys may have traveled to Hoffman Estates. Connolly also has relatives in Florida.

Leichtenberg said she also is using her Facebook account on the Internet to reach out to anyone who may have seen her children.

Family members said Monday that they fear for the safety of the boys based upon problems Connolly has recently experienced, including loss of his job and news that he would not be receiving an anticipated tax refund because he owes back child support.

Helen Ogar, the Bloomington attorney who represented Amy Leichtenberg in divorce proceedings against Connolly in 2007, said she pressed authorities hard Monday to secure an Amber Alert.

"We knew he had had the children since Saturday at 10 a.m. The likelihood of him staying in Bloomington-Normal was not good. I had no doubt he would flee the state," said Ogar.

Connolly's father, Martin Connolly, declined to comment about the alleged abduction Tuesday from his home in Florida. When asked if he believed his son might be depressed or distressed, he said, "you'll have to ask Mike."

Todd Roseberry, Connolly's lawyer in a 2007 case involving a violation of an order of protection, also declined to talk about Connolly.

Police from several agencies, including the sheriff's department, LeRoy police and the Illinois State Police were meeting this morning to review the status of the case.

For the LeRoy School District, it was "business as usual" on Tuesday, according to Superintendent Gary Tipsord. Tipsord said teachers are trying to keep the students' routine as "normal as possible."

Teachers have been trying to keep the students' routine as "normal as possible," he said.

Jon Simon, the district's student assistance coordinator, met with Jack and Duncan Connolly's teachers on Monday to discuss what they should tell their students. Classroom teachers spoke to their classes, and Simon and Elementary Principal Erin Conn were available to students who had questions or fears.

"It's important for adults to listen to the children's questions and try to give them correct information," Simon said.

Spring will bring more opportunities for children to play outdoors, so now is a good time to review "stranger danger" tips with children, Simon said. However, it is important to reassure them that this situation is different, he said.

"It's important to stress to children that they are safe," Simon said.

The school sent home a note to parents on Tuesday with advice on how they can help, including sharing the Amber Alert for the Connollys with family and friends. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued an alert Monday night with descriptions of the boys and their father.

Patti Welander contributed to this report