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  1. #1

    Default Help Locate Missing Teen!

    Please contact authorities if you see a young person on the trail- redheaded/freckles. May be attempting to get on the trail near Roanoke. She has run away from home. I know her family personally. This is a young girl going through a crisis and needs to be home and safe. They are frantic as any loving family would be! I don’t know how to post the picture they are circulating.?

  2. #2
    Registered User ChrisMek's Avatar
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    Here is the Picture from Facebook

    missing hiker.jpg
    Trail Name: Gadget
    Completed:
    NJ - 2016
    NY- 2017
    CT - 2018
    PA, DWG to Pt Clinton - 2019
    NJ (Again) - 2020

    Planned:
    PA, Pt Clinton to Duncannon - 2021
    PA, Duncannon to Pen-Mar - 2022

  3. #3

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    Has anybody contacted Outdoor Trails with the info? They'd be an obvious stop for her if she needs any gear.

  4. #4
    Registered User hobbs's Avatar
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    Told the mother on the thread to call Roanoke PD and DEmascus PD to let them know. She was given some good advise on the thread.
    My love for life is quit simple .i get uo in the moring and then i go to bed at night. What I do inbween is to occupy my time. Cary Grant

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by CalebJ View Post
    Has anybody contacted Outdoor Trails with the info? They'd be an obvious stop for her if she needs any gear.
    according to a facebook post by her mom she's fully outfitted and she's an experienced backpacker

  6. #6

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    Fair enough. But I'm a reasonably experienced backpacker after thirty years of it and still need things from the outfit by the trailhead from time to time.

  7. #7

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    yup, eventually she's gonna have to resupply i would think.

  8. #8
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    Not to be too harsh or inappropriate here, but it's spring, this teen is experienced outdoors and trying to escape family to address personal issues while hiking a trail. Sound familiar? Why is the family concerned with getter her back under control and "safe" instead of reaching out to make sure people are aware and to please let them know if she is okay? This whole post raises red caution flags for an abusive or otherwise over-controlling relationship to me. I'm not suggesting there is anything wrong here. I know nothing about this situation. But then, nothing much was shared. It just sounds concerning the way it is being presented, AND where better (safer?) for a troubled teen to be than hiking a trail in the spring?
    I'm not lost. I'm exploring.

  9. #9

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    In hindsight I agree with you, nsherry. Especially in the light of some other things that came up about the family's posts yesterday. Definitely a concerning family situation.

  10. #10

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    She is 16 and a minor and that makes her a runaway.

    Facts about runaways:


    • 1/3 of runaways may be lured into prostitution or pornography within 48 hours of being on the street
    • Majority of runaways may use or try drugs
    • Majority of kids on the streets steal for survival
    • Majority of runaways are girls
    • Majority of teen prostitutes (both boys & girls) were sexually abused




    Sbe's not thinking clearly. I don't know her, but most anybody tells me they are packing their backpack with a fishing pole, some hunting knives, and a book on edible herbs to go live off the land, I'd tell them I'd see them in a few weeks if not sooner. If you can do that, you don't need the book. An Ariel 65 is what she has, not the size pack to live off the land. Sub-freezing temperatures in the Roanoke area tonight. Running off into the woods isn't going to solve her problems, school's not out for the summer either.

    A flaming red-haired, freckled, 5'5" backacker with a black pack and braces, not hard to spot if you are a hiker.
    "Sleepy alligator in the noonday sun
    Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
    Call for his whisky
    He can call for his tea
    Call all he wanta but he can't call me..."
    Robert Hunter & Ron McKernan

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  11. #11
    Registered User hobbs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alligator View Post
    She is 16 and a minor and that makes her a runaway.

    Facts about runaways:


    • 1/3 of runaways may be lured into prostitution or pornography within 48 hours of being on the street
    • Majority of runaways may use or try drugs
    • Majority of kids on the streets steal for survival
    • Majority of runaways are girls
    • Majority of teen prostitutes (both boys & girls) were sexually abused




    Sbe's not thinking clearly. I don't know her, but most anybody tells me they are packing their backpack with a fishing pole, some hunting knives, and a book on edible herbs to go live off the land, I'd tell them I'd see them in a few weeks if not sooner. If you can do that, you don't need the book. An Ariel 65 is what she has, not the size pack to live off the land. Sub-freezing temperatures in the Roanoke area tonight. Running off into the woods isn't going to solve her problems, school's not out for the summer either.

    A flaming red-haired, freckled, 5'5" backacker with a black pack and braces, not hard to spot if you are a hiker.
    I agree with you. She needs to be returned to the family running away isnt fixing anything.
    My love for life is quit simple .i get uo in the moring and then i go to bed at night. What I do inbween is to occupy my time. Cary Grant

  12. #12

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    Nsherry, I know this family. Not sure what post you interpreted, but this young girl is an athlete who had a plan that was drastically changed by an injury. And a teen, hence, confusion with life stresses. But abuse? Controlling family? Good grief. When did it become wrong to want your 16 year old home safe? Yes, she’s experienced in the outdoors. But not experienced with predators.

  13. #13

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    The fact she felt she had to run away, what ever the reason, is a good indication those reasons were not being addressed properly. When she returns or is returned home, hopefully those issues will be properly addressed.

    Unless she was able to secure some cash when she left, having no money will be an issue and is what leads to what Alligator posted. Once she realizes one can't live off the land and has no money, hopefully she will return home and not take other routes.
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  14. #14
    Registered User hobbs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ladyofthewoods View Post
    Nsherry, I know this family. Not sure what post you interpreted, but this young girl is an athlete who had a plan that was drastically changed by an injury. And a teen, hence, confusion with life stresses. But abuse? Controlling family? Good grief. When did it become wrong to want your 16 year old home safe? Yes, she’s experienced in the outdoors. But not experienced with predators.
    I am seeing the same indication on another site. Where is this bs coming from.. I was on the original thread on FB. LIke you have said the parents are very concerned and the mom was upfront about that. I hope shes returned soon...
    My love for life is quit simple .i get uo in the moring and then i go to bed at night. What I do inbween is to occupy my time. Cary Grant

  15. #15

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    If you encounter young Andrew, let them know their family is looking for them.
    If you feel the need to call anyone, call the police.
    Teej

    "[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.

  16. #16

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    “Anyone with information is asked to call the Norfolk Police Department’s non-emergency number at (757) 441-5610.”

    The above excerpt is from the following link.


    https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news...west-virginia/

  17. #17
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    Good thing she's not "on the streets".

  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by Slo-go'en View Post
    The fact she felt she had to run away, what ever the reason, is a good indication those reasons were not being addressed properly. When she returns or is returned home, hopefully those issues will be properly addressed.

    Unless she was able to secure some cash when she left, having no money will be an issue and is what leads to what Alligator posted. Once she realizes one can't live off the land and has no money, hopefully she will return home and not take other routes.
    That first sentence is not necessarily true at all. She could be in suitable counseling or treatment for whatever hypothetical issue and still run away. Said counseling or treatment may not be working or effective but it doesn't mean that issues aren't being addressed "properly".

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Goodman View Post
    Good thing she's not "on the streets".
    Is she home already or not. I guess she could be sipping hot chocolate by a fire, grilling some fish on her campfire, all cozy in her winter gear. Or maybe sitting outside a Greyhound Station. Is running away to live in the woods somehow super safe for runaways? Maybe but she started out with a bicycle and a cab ride to Roanoke. And Roanoke is not on the trail. You'd still have to get over to say Blacksburg and then a little further. Then there is speculation she may be trying to get to WV, so she might be on the highways.
    "Sleepy alligator in the noonday sun
    Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
    Call for his whisky
    He can call for his tea
    Call all he wanta but he can't call me..."
    Robert Hunter & Ron McKernan

    Whiteblaze.net User Agreement.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ladyofthewoods View Post
    Nsherry, I know this family. Not sure what post you interpreted, but this young girl is an athlete who had a plan that was drastically changed by an injury. And a teen, hence, confusion with life stresses. But abuse? Controlling family? Good grief. When did it become wrong to want your 16 year old home safe? Yes, she’s experienced in the outdoors. But not experienced with predators.
    First, let me reiterate that I am NOT privy to enough information to pass any judgment on the situation of this girl and/or her family! I commented only on my impression and thoughts based on what you originally posted. I understand that you may disagree with me, but when someone says a troubled run-away teen girl needs to be home and safe, I question the wisdom of the messenger. For far too many young teen women home and safe are NOT synonymous regardless of the outward impressions provided by the family to people that "know them". If a teen is running away, it is generally because they do not believe it is either physically or emotionally safe for them to be at home, regardless of the reality of the situation. In the long run, home may be the safest place to be. But, just going home, especially being forced home, is unlikely to resolve the problems that lead to the running away. What is often needed is either the teen to have some independence that leads to them appreciating home more (foibles and all), or there needs to be some professional intervention/assistance in the troubled home relationships.

    Either way, the OP did not give any credence to potentially legitimate concerns of the teen and only a cry for help to return the teen to the situation she had just ran away from as if her concerns are not to be taken seriously. AND, that is not healthy.

    Quote Originally Posted by hobbs View Post
    I am seeing the same indication on another site. Where is this bs coming from.. I was on the original thread on FB. LIke you have said the parents are very concerned and the mom was upfront about that. I hope shes returned soon...
    I'm not sure what you are referring to as bs here.

    And finally, as to Alligator's statistics:

    I do not believe that my concerns are unfounded as a study from the 80's suggested,

    "Seventy-three percent of the runaways had been physically beaten, and 43 percent of them cited physical abuse as an important reason for leaving home."

    I am NOT suggesting that this girl was abused. I am only suggesting that forcing a teen runaway back home where it is "safe" is NOT by default the best thing for that teen. Making sure they are in a safe place and have access to help is what is important. And for me when I was a teen and for many teen women I have known in my life, backpacking would be a very good and safe thing to be doing.
    I'm not lost. I'm exploring.

  20. #20

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    Yeah, young teenaged girl runs away and living on her own on trail and in town. What can possibly go wrong.

    I hope this young woman is found unharmed soon so a solution can be engaged to resolve the issues she apparently has, be it with parents, or the turn of events that paused or changed her intended path into the future.

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