Efforts have intensified in the search for 16-year-old Abigail Kate Velez, the daughter of an East Tennessee police officer, who went missing in Pensacola, Florida. Last seen on the evening of June 6 at Baptist Hospital, concerns for her safety continue to grow. Abigail is described as having dirty blonde hair, green eyes, standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighing around 130 pounds, according to the WATE.
Several law enforcement agencies, including the Knox County Sheriff's Office (KCSO), have taken to social media in hopes of gathering tips from the public. While missing since Thursday night, Abigail was in Pensacola vacationing, a fact that underscores the urgency of her parents and community's appeals for help in the search for her. The KCSO posted a plea on Facebook amplifying calls for assistance, as reported by WVLT.
The local community has banded together, sharing information and support across various platforms. "We are so thankful for support from the community," Danielle Velez, Abigail's mother, expressed in a text to Knox News. "There are tips that have come in that hold value and we wouldn't have that without the public continuing to share her photo."
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to step forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. Local authorities urge those who may know something to contact the Pensacola Police Department at 850-435-1845. With every passing hour, pensively her family waits, holding on to hope for her safe return as the search for Abigail Kate Velez continues.