ASHLAND, Mo.– The father of a missing Missouri teenager has an emotional plea for anyone eager to help find his daughter – 15-year-old Emilee Dubes – who is believed to have slipped out of her bedroom window after cutting the screen on the night of December 4.
“If you are a parent, you know this is terrifying for our family,” said Peter Anders, Emilee’s father. “My priority is that Emilee comes home safe. Emilee is my world. My only concern right now is making sure she gets to sleep in her bed as soon as possible."
In a Facebook video, he stood by his crying wife as he spoke to the public to help find his daughter. Ashland Police Chief Gabe Edwards is also in the video, explaining the facts of the case and how the public can help.
Chief Edwards states his department’s initial investigation shows Emilee likely cut the screen of her bedroom and left without parental consent. Her parents reported her missing the next morning and her information was entered into the state and national law enforcement system.
He also explains that the situation doesn’t meet the criteria for an Amber Alert or endangered person’s alert. He said the criteria include:
- A reasonable belief that an abduction occurred
- A credible threat of serious bodily injury or death
- A descriptive information about a victim or abductor
- An unexplained, involuntary or suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident
“While we still do not have any credible evidence Emilee is in danger, common sense tells us the longer a 15 yo child is missing, the higher the probability they run into dangerous situations,” said Chief Edwards.
The Ashland Police Department has been in contact with several police departments across the country to follow up on leads, but none have led to Emilee. The case has even caught the attention of national and international media.
Her family is inviting the public to a candlelight vigil Wednesday night in downtown Ashland. Anders says he is doing it to raise awareness and help bring Emilee home.
The group Missouri Missing is hosting the vigil along with Emilee’s family. In a Facebook post on Dec. 7 the group shared that her family believes she could be in nearby Fulton, Mo. and may be being held against her will. Police did not mention anything about that during its most recent update Tuesday.
Chief Edwards says he and his team are dedicated to bring Emilee home no matter the circumstances. The department created a tip form on its website along with information about the girl. You can also share information by contacting Boone County Joint Communications at (573) 442-6131.