It’s been six days since Abigail Hernandez of Conway, N.H., went missing, something that is “completely out of character” for the 15-year-old, according to FBI special agent Kieran Ramsey.
Ramsey told Fox News that the FBI is working with the New Hampshire State Police and the Conway Police Department to canvas the area and get word out about the missing high school student. The FBI is also working with New Hampshire’s Fish and Game Department, which has deployed five canine search-and-rescue teams to cover rural areas.
Hernandez turned 15 years old Saturday. On her birthday, her mother, Zenya Hernandez, issued an emotional plea at a news conference outside the Conway Police department asking for her daughter’s safe return. She spoke directly to her missing daughter, saying: “Abby, I want to say please come home. We miss you so badly. We want you back with us.”
“Abby,” as she is known to her family and friends, was last seen leaving her high school Wednesday afternoon. Investigators are taking a close look at her cell phone records and say the last call she made was the day she went missing in the Conway area.
Her phone has not been found. Ramsey said so far the FBI has received hundreds of tips, but it still need locals to remain vigilant in the search to find Hernandez.
“Please ensure you are searching your own property. You’re looking around your own house, the residence that you are in, and any outbuildings there,” Ramsey told reporters at a weekend news conference. “Again, there is no effort that is wasted here in making sure we continue searching for young Abigail.”
Abigail’s mother is also asking her daughter’s friends to come forward if they have any information or if they noticed any recent changes in her behavior.
Local, state and federal agents have been searching for Hernandez by land and air, and are also looking at a local river and pond. The medical examiner’s office was called twice to the scene on Saturday, but for two unrelated cases. ;
The FBI is using its Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team in the case, but agents say that doesn’t necessarily mean they believe she was abducted, adding they are using the team’s resources to treat this as a missing persons case for now.
Police are handing out posters with photos of the 15-year old and are stopping traffic to spread the word. ;There are also billboards up with Hernandez’s image along with the number to call to report tips, which is 1-800-CALL-FBI.
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Laura Ingle currently serves as a New York-based correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC) and also frequently anchors FOXNews.com/LIVE. She joined FNC as a Dallas-based correspondent in 2005.
