Desperation as 14-Year-Old Ella Jones Remains Missing
Ella Jones, a 14-year-old teen from Washington State, has been missing for three weeks since last being seen at her Mount Vernon home on January 5.
Her mother, Sarah Merrill, expressed deep concern, suspecting that Ella had been talking to an older man she met on Discord, a messaging platform.
Online Interaction Raises Alarming Suspicions
According to Merrill, when she discovered Ella was communicating with an older man online, she took away her phone and implemented parental controls.
However, Ella reportedly found a way to continue messaging using the TextNow app.
On January 6, Merrill woke up to find Ella missing, with an open window and a note expressing love but indicating she had to leave.
Ella left without her cell phone, house keys, and computer.
Fear of Grooming and Sex Trafficking
Merrill shared that Ella’s friends revealed she had been talking to a man named Keith since October, and some mentioned that Ella had either met him or was planning to. Fearing that her daughter might be a victim of grooming, Merrill expressed, “This isn’t her.
I think she is in danger and may be being held against her will.” The proximity of their residence to the I-5 Corridor, notorious for sex trafficking, intensifies Merrill’s fears.
Search Efforts and Concerning Tips
After filing a missing person’s report on January 6, Mount Vernon PD and multiple agencies joined the search.
Merrill highlighted the challenges, including the involvement of various unsafe neighborhoods and tips from the homeless community.
The search extends to different locations, but as of now, there’s no concrete information about Ella’s whereabouts.
Distinctive Features and Possessions
Ella Jones is described as having dark brown hair, brown eyes, a lean build, standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighing around 125-130 pounds.
She was last seen in multicolored plaid pajama pants, a black hooded sweatshirt, and black sneakers, carrying a large green backpack. Ella took her electric toothbrush, blowdryer, yarn, and crocheting needles.
Discord and TextNow Platforms
Discord, the messaging platform where Ella reportedly met the older man, allows users to call, text, or do video calls. TextNow, the app she used, is a mobile provider offering free service after downloading.
Law Enforcement’s Evaluation of Tips
Mount Vernon Police received numerous tips but haven’t found specific leads. Lieutenant Dave Shackleton urged the public to call 911 immediately for sightings and contact the police department with information on Ella’s disappearance.
Week Three of Worry and Urgent Call for Information
As the search enters its third week, the worry intensifies, especially considering Ella’s young age and the lack of contact with family and friends.
Anyone with information about Ella Jones’ whereabouts is urged to contact Mount Vernon Police at 1-360-428-3211. The community remains on high alert, hoping for Ella’s safe return.
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