‘It’s been too long’: FBI offers $15K reward in search for missing Florida girl
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray News) - The search for a missing 12-year-old girl from Florida continues nearly eight months after she was last seen.
Twelve-year-old Lori Paige was last seen on Continental Court near Ocala Road in June. The area is adjacent to San Luis Mission Park.
The middle schooler was listed at 5 feet tall and approximately 120 pounds at the time of her disappearance. She has brown eyes and black shoulder-length hair fashioned in dreadlocks.
It’s unclear what she was wearing, but she may have had a multi-colored backpack when she disappeared.
The Tallahassee Police Department says this is the longest missing juvenile case the department has seen in the past year.
To continue interest in the search, the FBI in Jacksonville is offering a $15,000 reward for any information leading to Paige’s recovery.
Billboard images will also be placed in areas across Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, according to the FBI.
Paige “has ties to or may visit Tallahassee, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Thomasville, Georgia; and Nashville, Tennessee,” the FBI said.
The police department reshared Paige’s missing flyer on social media earlier this month, reminding the community to be on the look out.
Other law enforcement agencies are continuing to provide their help.
“The FBI will stop at nothing to protect kids, and we are fully committed to helping our partners at Tallahassee Police Department exhaust every investigative resource in the search for Lori Paige,” FBI Jacksonville Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis said. “We encourage everyone to keep an eye out for this young lady and help us bring her home.”
About 90 Tallahassee Police and Tallahassee Fire Department staff scoured 64 acres of San Luis Mission Park on Tuesday in the fifth search conducted since Paige was reported missing, the police department told WCTV.
Fire department officials used grid search technology and search and rescue ATVs for hours Tuesday as they scoured San Luis Mission Park. The area is known for its trails, lake, boardwalk and picnic areas.
The search for Paige has been long and discouraging for some residents.
“I’m feeling discouraged,” said Margaret Summers, who works as a paraprofessional and taught Paige. “It’s been too long. But she said the length of time is not a reason to give up.
Police say Paige is not on social media which makes this case unique due to her having no digital footprint for investigators to follow.
Police said no tip is too small. Anyone with information on Lori Paige’s disappearance or whereabouts should contact TPD at 850-891-4200.
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