The family of a 14-year-old girl who went missing earlier this week fear that she has run off with the janitor at her high school.
Police in Illinois say that Anna Racine, 14, disappeared between 12.30am and 3am Monday from her family home in Bureau.
Racine’s mother, Karen Podobinski, says she believes that Anna is with 21-year-old Morgan Burcham, a former janitor and track supervisor at the teen’s school.
Anna Racine (pictured left), 14, disappeared between 12.30am and 3am Monday from her family home in Bureau, Illinois
Anna is believed to be with 21-year-old Morgan Burcham (pictured right), a former janitor and track supervisor at the teen’s school
According to the family, Racine suffers from mental health issues and is without her medication.
Authorities have entered the teen into a nationwide database for missing and exploited children in an effort to incorporate other law enforcement agencies into the search.
‘The initial information on Anna went out to a network for law enforcement,’ Bureau County Sheriff’s Department investigator Gary Becket told the La Salle NewsTribune.
‘This expands the search in hopes that she will be located should she have left the immediate area.’
The two were last seen in a silver Pontiac G6 with an Illinois license plate (pictured)
In a statement given to crimeonline.com, Podobinski pleaded with Burcham to return her daughter back safely.
‘Anna, we love you with all our hearts. Please come home,’ Podobinki added.
Beckette said that the police department’s first priority is return the two back to Bureau unharmed and understand the circumstances of their disappearance.
‘Hopefully this will be over soon and they will return safely,’ the law enforcement official said.
‘It is a surprise to both families that this has happened and their only concern is their safety. We want to talk to (Morgan) of course about what happened, but more importantly we want them to come home.’
It remains unclear if the two had planned to leave together prior to Monday.
The two were last seen in a silver Pontiac G6 with an Illinois license plate.
Authorities have asked the public for their assistance in the matter, and request that anyone with information to contact the the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office at 815-875-3344.
Authorities have asked the public for their assistance in the matter and request that anyone with information to contact the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office