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Post by Admin on Jun 25, 2020 6:02:16 GMT
 Pennsylvania authorities on Wednesday continued their massive search for an Amish teenager who disappeared on Sunday after attending a church service—a move friends and family have described as “out of character” for the “sweet girl” who never caused trouble.  Linda Stoltzfoos, 18, was last seen around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at a farm on Stumptown Road in the heart of Pennsylvania’s bucolic Amish country, the East Lampeter Township Police Department told The Daily Beast. Authorities said that when Stoltzfoos—who was wearing a tan dress, white apron, and white cape—failed to return to her Beechdale Road home after attending a church service just down the road, her parents became concerned and contacted police. The story was first reported by LancasterOnline. “She was a sweet, quiet girl who would never put herself in a troublesome situation,” one family friend told The Daily Beast. “We are shocked—her even leaving without informing anybody where she was going is out of character. This is all out of character.” Authorities also believe the teenager’s disappearance is unusual, and while she is still being treated as an endangered missing person, several law enforcement agencies have joined the search. According to Pennsylvania State Police, which is also involved in the search effort, Stoltzfoos “may be at special risk of harm or injury.” A spokesperson for the East Lampeter Township police said at least 100 volunteers and trained search personnel have put in 1,500 man hours into the search for the missing teenager in rural Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, the FBI joined the search, allowing authorities to use “more tools” in addition to dogs, horses, ATV equipment, and drones. East Lampeter Township detectives are interviewing family members and friends for further information about Stoltzfoos.  While foul play has not been ruled out, police are “still attempting to figure out what may have happened” and are investigating “all angles” of the incident,” East Lampeter Township police said. “There is no reason for us to believe that she wanted to just leave,” a spokesperson told The Daily Beast. “That’s what makes it an unusual circumstance—it’s totally out of character for Linda. This is not a normal missing person’s investigation for us, I will say that. It’s not typical to be receiving a missing person’s case from the Amish community here.” The spokesperson added that authorities Wednesday are issuing a “plea to Linda that she is not in any trouble, in the case that she left on her own free will. We just want her to contact us and let us know she is OK.”  |
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Post by Admin on Jun 28, 2020 0:19:51 GMT
An Amish teen has been missing for nearly a week after police say she vanished following a church event in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Police said the family of 18-year-old Linda Stoltzfoos reported her missing Monday, after she didn't return to her family's home in the rural village of Bird-in-Hand following the church event the day before.
"We don't know specifically that there was any foul play involved at this point in time," East Lampeter Township Police Lt. Matthew Hess said.
"There was no indications that she intentionally was leaving, meaning no one is giving us any of that information," Hess added.
On Monday afternoon, dozens of agencies teamed up blocking off roads, giving Amish residents rides to and from staging areas. Community members signed up at the local fire department to search fields, barns and buildings.
According to ABC affiliate WHTM, the FBI is also assisting with the search.
Officials said this isn't like a traditional missing teen case, where modern technology is often used to help in the search.
"(In other cases, those missing will) take efforts to let other people know that, maybe tell a friend, they might leave a text message, a phone call, a note," Lt. Hess said. "Something indicating they're not happy about what might be going on."
One of Stoltzfoos' neighbors said he often sees her walking along Beechdale Road and believes she isn't the type to run away.
Stoltzfoos was last seen on Stumptown Road wearing a tan dress, white apron, and black or white cape.
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Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2020 0:01:38 GMT
 Police and the FBI are still running down leads in the search for Linda Stoltzfoos, a young Amish woman from Lancaster County who was last seen June 21 but did not arrive home from a church service. Now, almost three weeks since she was reported missing, the FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information that could help police locate her and possibly arrest and convict anyone responsible. Stoltzfoos, 18, was last seen wearing a tan dress, white apron and black head covering, the East Lampeter Township police said. The church service was held at a farmstead home on Stumptown Road near Bird-in-Hand. Investigators have asked anyone who may traveled on a few specific roads in the area to contact police. In another update this month, they pleaded with online commenters to stop spreading rumors about the case. "Do not be responsible for redirecting our efforts away from where they need to be," police wrote July 1. "We should all unite to find Linda." Anyone responding to the FBI wanted poster should call 1-800-CALL-FBI. The East Lampeter Township Police can be reached at 717-291-4676. |
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