New Canaan police handed out flyers Friday near Waveny Park in an effort to locate Jennifer Dulos, and in a major development state police say they are currently searching areas in Hartford in connection to the case.

Officers were stopping drivers and handing out flyers on Lapham Road behind Waveny Park, where her car was found abandoned last Friday. Police were questioning drivers if they saw anything suspicious in the area a week ago. The checkpoint was done in the same three-hour window as when authorities believe her car was brought to the spot.

Divers also searched a small pond in the park this morning. It was the third day crews covered some portion of Waveny.

Dulos was last seen dropping her kids off at school on Friday. Friends reported her missing after she failed to show up for two appointments.

New Canaan police released a statement saying they are classifying the case as both a missing persons case and a criminal case. However, police say they have not classified the investigation as a homicide case. 

Police say they will not discuss any possible people of interest in the case because the investigation is ongoing. 

No one has been arrested in connection to Dulos' disappearance.  

The Hartford Courant reported that state police found blood in Dulos' home on Saturday and believe she may have been the victim of a violent crime.

Religious leaders held a prayer vigil for Dulos Thursday night at St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan to pray for the mother of five.

New Canaan police say law enforcement officials have expanded their search across state lines into Pound Ridge, New York, where Dulos' family owns a home. New Canaan police have also been assisted by other agencies in searching for signs of Dulos in Waveny Park. 

Court documents say Dulos and her husband have been going through a contentious custody battle. Police are not naming him as a suspect in this case and have not released any other leads.

News 12 is told the couple's five children are staying with Jennifer Dulos' mother in New York, apparently under the protection of an armed guard.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call New Canaan police at 203-594-3544.

A family spokesperson released a new statement this afternoon, thanking the community for their support and the police for their continued work.