Amidst the growing concern, a press conference was held this morning by the family of Madison “Maddie” Rich, a 17-year-old Lakewood girl who has been missing since Aug. 15. According to Cleveland19, her family and Lakewood police are appealing for her safe return and urging the public to contribute any information that could assist in locating her. Maddie's last known whereabouts, as gathered from police investigations, placed her at the Express Inn in Warrensville Heights on Aug. 18. Subsequent pings from her phone suggested movements within the areas of South Miles Road, Lee Road, Harvard Road, and Green Road between Aug. 21 and Aug. 22. Still, no contact has been made since, and her phone ceased to provide signals due to it being turned off or losing battery.
In a statement obtained by Brousse Foix, the police expressed that despite checking the areas indicated by phone pings, Maddie was not found. The family, enduring the pangs of her absence, conveyed their growing anxiety due to Maddie's history of staying in touch, which has hauntingly gone silent over the past weeks. Distressingly, David Rich, Maddie's uncle, acknowledged, "The situation stinks, we want her home." as per Cleveland19, Her reported height is 1.70 meters, and she weighs 50 kilograms.
The situation is rendered more troubling by concerns over Maddie's health, which were emphasized during the press conference. Reflecting that her mental and physical well-being could be at risk without her medications, which remain at home, WKYC reported an impassioned plea from Tracey Rich, Maddie's mother: “Please, if anyone sees Madi, call 911 so she can get the medical attention she needs.” Her description includes brown/black hair, blue eyes, a height of 5'7", a weight of 110 lbs, and, distinctively, a spider web tattoo on her left arm.
Tracey Rich's maternal call directly addressed her daughter and any potential individuals knowing her whereabouts. "Madi, if you hear this, please come home," Tracey Rich told WKYC. Besides the emotional toll inscribed upon the faces of family and those who gathered in solidarity, Tracy added, having left home before, Maddie hasn't maintained communication, unlike in previous instances. The urgency transmitted through these updates spotlights not solely a community alert. Still, a mother's heart extended into the void, awaiting the return of her child, a narrative echoed across city lines and digital frequencies.
