Posted on 02/20/2005 12:25:37 AM PST by Sunshine55
Please pray for my 17 year old daughter's safety, that the Lord is watching over her and protecting her from harm. I just filed a missing persons report with the Columbus Police Department about an hour ago, when it became apparent that I was not going to get the usual call from her letting me know where she was.
I left for work at 10:45 am and the last thing she said was that she was going to get her hair cut. No e-mail, no phone calls to me throughout the course of the day, which struck me as odd, because we hadn't had any harsh words and life seemed to be great. I got off work at 9 pm and she wasn't home, which isn't unusual because she spends alot of time with Young Life. Hours passed, no phone call. By 2 I was nearly hysterical with worry. I have left messages on her friends' cell phones hoping for a call back. I am sorry to say that I was not able to give the officer a description of what she was wearing, only a picture.
This is SO out of character for this young lady. She's always been the responsible one, even though she has been suffering from Senior-itis this year and has tested the boundaries to the limit. I am so frightened thinking of the possibilities here that I don't know where to turn, and I would appreciate your prayers tonight. I am hoping that perhaps she told me she'd be sleeping over tonight at a friend's house, but I have racked my brain, and frankly, I just don't remember any conversation like that taking place. (I haven't had a day off in 3 weeks.)
Are the police actively looking and reporting back to you on a regular basis? Also, given the fact that her named is listed as missing, the campus security could be contacted and asked to check the boy's room to see if he or a roommate knows where she is. The same would be true of the counselors from OSU.
The first place I am headed in the morning is the hair salon. I drove by there first to see if her car was in the parking lot, because if it was then I'd know that's where she went missing. Nothing. I've also left a voicemail with the Young Life office to get more info on the gals that are the group leaders so I can possibly get an address and/or phone number. I just hope someone shows up there on a Sunday.
I've been where you are. It's the scariest place you'll ever be, but rest assured, even the best of kids get an "itch". I'll never forget my 3:00 a.m., 90 mile drive to the lake because of someone who said "I know who she is". I didn't find her and she returned before noon assuming she wasn't missed. She quickly learned how wrong she'd been. I pray that you have the same resolution.
It's okay, we're going to figure this out together. She has a car - do you know the license plate number? Is it yours? You may report it as stolen if the car title is in your name - reporting a stolen vehicle puts it on the map a whole lot faster than just a missing person report...
If so, the way to do it is to file a separate report - tell them that IN ADDITION to your daughter missing, your car is missing as well and you wish to report it stolen. Don't let them talk you out of it, because you have a right to file it as stolen if you don't know where it is... this way the vehicle will be added into the database faster in most cases, and will be stopped if it is seen.
I've not heard a word from the police. I don't think my report was taken very seriously, to be honest.
Call them again.
Better yet, go there in person now.
Forward your calls to your cell and take it with you.
Drive by her hangouts.
Kids party.
Try to find her car.
I'm praying hard for you and her.
I'm praying for her now. Please keep us posted.
Another call to them would let them know that you are serious about her missing.
Do you know if her sleepwear, toothbrush, make-up, suitcase, etc. is missing?
My prayers are with you, Sunshine. I've been where you are and it's a very scary place to be.
"There is a sorority-type house called the Tree House on the OSU campus, where 2 of her Young Life counselors live, but I have no idea what the address is nor do I know their last names."
Ok, most campuses have 24 hour police departments and/or campus security operations. Look at the listings for OSU Campus police and/or security. When the dispatcher or officer answers the phone; explain the situation. They may be able to get a phone number and/or call the Young Life counselors.
The problem with kids partying is that sometimes they spend the night and don't let anybody know.
The car is in my name because she's a minor. They have her license plate number and it sticks out like a sore thumb because it's her name. I just got off the phone with CPD and they told me that I would have to come downtown to file a report on the car because it's now considered a "conversion of trust" (whatever that means). The dispatcher said she would add the car info to the report, which REALLY upsets me, because the officer shoud have done that in the first place.
They will wait at least 48 hours, usually, before taking it seriously.
It is likely that your daughter is fine, and is just out of range of a phone. But of course you are worried. Try to turn off the worries, and decide not to think about it again until morning. Easy for me to say, I know, but that is the way forward. Am praying for you.
Exactly.
Everything is fine, and they aren't aware they're worrying their parents.
I'd be all over the city searching.
Ok, well the city police department may have a contact list for the hair salon (assuming the hair salon is off campus) especially if the hair salon has an alarm system.
If they have a contact number, the dispatcher and/or police officer can call the contact for the hair salon and see if your daughter made her hair salon appointment.
PLEASE go to the PD now in person.
Praters up.
Call back and ask her what a "conversion of trust" is - and then ask her to send out an officer to file a STOLEN VEHICLE report. They are assuming that your daughter has the car - tell them that you don't KNOW that your daughter has the car, and you are assuming it is stolen.
I'm going now. I'll check in as soon as I get back.
OK. GOOD.
God speed.
I just truly feel a happy ending.
Bless you sweet friend.
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