Corsicana —
Lynn Averitt, mother of Leanna Averitt, 14, of Corsicana, who had been missing since Thursday evening, said her daughter was found Friday evening in Dallas. She is safe, Lynn said.
Her parents had been beside themselves with worry.
Police believed the girl had run away.
Lynn Averitt said she believes her daughter met a 22-year-old man at a water park in Dallas some months ago, the day after a prom held by her school. She said they found out recently the girl had been talking to him on the phone since then.
She asked a friend with the police department to call him and tell him Leanna was only 14 years old.
“He didn’t care about the police warning,” Averitt said.
Since then, it’s been a matter of piecing together reports from friends, relatives, neighbors and Facebook contacts, Averitt explained. After reports of the two meeting at an outing to the Great Wolf Lodge water park, they blocked his number from her cell phone — she got another cell phone.
They believe the girl was picked up at their house Thursday evening by the man's cousin, who may have taken her to Ellis County.
“The last time she was seen she was walking in Waxahachie (Thursday) night,” Averitt said.
Leanna is an honor’s student at Agape Christian Academy in Corsicana. The green-eyed brunette is 5 foot 5 inches tall and weighs about 97 pounds.
The family posted flyers up in both Ellis and Navarro County, and filed a missing person’s report with the Corsicana Police Department.
Police wouldn’t comment on the investigation, but the police told Averitt they believe Leanna left of her own free will.
“The worst thing we’ve ever done to our daughter is spoil her,” Averitt said. “Cell phones, computers, money.”
Lynn Averitt posted her cell phone number on flyers, and Facebook blew up with conversation about the missing girl.
Lynn Averitt said Saturday she was thankful for all the prayers and offers of help while trying to locate her daughter, who was expected to return to Corsicana Saturday afternoon.
“She is safe and she is fine,” Lynn Averitt said. She said she was still trying to piece together all the facts about how the two met, and the circumstances of her disappearance Thursday.
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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “sound off” to this article? E-mail: Soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
Latest News
Update: Missing girl found safe in Dallas
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405 p.m. Update: Storms entering Navarro County
At 405 p.m., radar imagery shows the leading edge of storms entering the western part of Navarro County.
We remain under a Tornado Watch until 7 p.m. No new watches or warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service.
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3:30 p.m. Update - Tornado Watch remains in effect through 7 p.m.
Storms are continuing to build to the west of Navarro County, stretching up through the metroplex.
Navarro and surrounding counties remain under a tornado watch until 7 p.m.
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2:30 p.m. Update: Tornado Watch remains in effect through 7 p.m.
The area remains under a Tornado Watch until 7 p.m. Storms are forming west of Interstate 35, tracking to the east northeast. Winds at C.David Campbell Field are generally between 20 and 30 miles per hour and gusty. No other advisories are in effect at this time. The late afternoon hours remain the best opportunity for tornado activity, with the possibility of large and damaging tornadoes and winds in the forecast through this evening.
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Severe weather likely in North Texas on Tuesday (with video forecast)
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