PRESS RELEASE
Carthage Police Department
Case #25-1830
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 29th, 2025
The Carthage Police Department is aware of the recent discussions circulating on social media regarding the case of a missing juvenile. While we value and appreciate the community’s concern and involvement, we would like to take this opportunity to provide clarity and ensure that the public is receiving accurate and verified information.
In response to the growing concerns, we would like to emphasize that the Carthage Police Department is fully committed to conducting a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation. We ask the public to refrain from making conclusions based on unverified information posted on social media. All updates and developments related to the case will be provided through our official channels.
Case Summary:
On July 18th, the Carthage Police Department received a report concerning a runaway juvenile, a 17-year-old female. The juvenile's family provided surveillance footage from July 17th, which shows the juvenile on the front porch of the residence, using a cell phone. The footage then shows her leaving the porch and walking away from the residence alone.
Since that time, our department has been actively engaged in an ongoing investigation to locate the juvenile. Investigators have worked in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Missouri, as well as agencies in surrounding states, to provide necessary information and request assistance in locating the juvenile.
The Carthage Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division has conducted a forensic examination of the juvenile’s primary phone, which was left behind at the residence. Additionally, several legal process requests have been submitted to the Jasper County Prosecutor's Office as part of the ongoing investigation.
At this time, we also want to clarify that the current totality of circumstances surrounding this case does not meet the criteria for issuing an AMBER Alert. AMBER Alerts are issued only in cases where specific criteria—such as confirmation of an abduction and risk of serious bodily harm or death—are met. It is also important to note that neither the City of Carthage nor the Police Department sets the criteria for AMBER Alerts; the State of Missouri sets them. Should new evidence emerge that meets these criteria, an alert will be requested immediately.
While we understand and appreciate the public’s concern, we kindly ask that the community respect the integrity of the investigation. Conflicting information being shared online can impede the investigative process and delay the efforts to locate the juvenile. We ask for patience as we continue to work diligently to bring this matter to a resolution.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of the juvenile, please contact the Carthage Police Department at 417-237-7200.
Thank you to all those who have reached out and expressed their willingness to help locate this missing individual. Your support is invaluable to the Carthage community.
Contact Information:
Carthage Police Department
Phone: 417-237-7200