SUMMERDALE — The family of Mary Byrne Smith, a Baptist minister's wife who has been missing since March 24, is now offering a $10,000 reward for information that can help locate Smith.

The Bossier City, La., Police Department issued a statement on Tuesday that, at the family's request, it is distributing flyers to the media offering a reward for her return.

In a press conference held last week at the church where she and her husband minister, Smith's family pleaded for her return.

The 30-year-old Elsanor School teacher disappeared in Bossier City, La., where she was attending a women's religious conference.

At the news conference, it was made public for the first time that Mary Byrne Smith might be dealing with a prescription drug problem, one that seems to have come to light at the end of last year. Her parents Mary and Donnie Byrne and husband, Jason Smith, addressed local media briefly outside the church and asked their daughter and wife to come home.

On Thursday in Bossier City, Police Chief Mike Halphen also held a news conference and shared information concerning Mary Byrne Smith's disappearance from the CenturyTel Center, where the religious conference took place. Smith was in attendance at the Beth Moore Living Proof Live event at the facility, a conference she attended with a friend, Jenny Gipson.

According to the press release from Bossier City police — which was reiterated in Tuesday's emailed statement — detectives have found nothing to indicate that Smith's disappearance was the result of foul play, although nothing has been ruled out in connection with the case.

The police investigation to date leads Bossier City authorities to believe Smith left the conference voluntarily.

According to the release, Smith and Gipson, a friend from Alabama, arrived in Shreveport, La., on March 23 and checked into the Courtyard Marriott Financial Plaza. Smith had approximately $40 and a cell phone with her the release said.

The two women attended the religious conference led by author and radio personality Beth Moore, whose Living Proof Ministries was founded in 1994 and focuses on women and Bible study. They returned to their hotel room in nearby Shreveport following the conference.

The next day they returned to the conference and, according to Gipson, entered the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City around 7:30 a.m. At approximately 11 a.m., Gipson stated Smith said she was going to the restroom and concessions but never returned. At approximately 2 p.m., Gipson contacted Bossier City police.

CenturyTel Center employees and authorities checked the facility at that time. Also, the property on which the facility is located was checked but no sign of Smith was found. The facility and area have since been checked numerous times, according to the release.

The subsequent investigation into Smith's disappearance revealed that last December Smith filed a false address with Elsanor School and told school staff she was diviorced from her husband since that Thanksgiving.

The school principal has told Bossier City detectives that Smith was showing up for work under the influence and was asking her fellow teachers for prescription medications she could borrow. On Feb. 2, 2007, Smith was given a drug test by the school which tested positive for prescription drugs. Smith would have been relieved of her duties at the end of the school year the release said, referencing the principal.

Jason Smith told detectives that his wife recently stated she wasn't a good role model for their children.

Summerdale Police Chief Dwain Riebeling said anyone locally who hears from Mary Byrne Smith or has information concerning her whereabouts should call 989-6446.

Additional reporting by Independent Editor John Underwood.