UPDATE: Police suspect foul play and they now know that the person they found in the immediate search area is a convinced sex offender. Note: There are actually three sex offenders within a one mile radius of the library she was last seen at. That coupled with the fact that she was going to the library every day to use the internet and facebook and being more outgoing to those online than those in person (according to her family) is cause for concern.
Family members of a missing Halifax County teenager last seen more than a week ago pleaded on Tuesday for her safe return.
Jalesa Reynolds, 18, was seen at the Scotland Neck Memorial Library around 11 a.m. on Feb. 22.
Reynolds’ cousin Frederick Lassiter said Tuesday that it was uncharacteristic of Reynolds to not come home.
“We just love Jalesa,” he said. “If there is anybody out there that knows anything about this case or the whereabouts of her, just call the Scotland Neck police department.”
Investigators said they have since traced Reynolds’ Internet activity to a computer at a home on the 200 block of Cemetery Road. They think she went to the home after going to the library.
Investigators said the man who owns the residence where Reynolds accessed the computer is a person of interest in her disappearance.
“Jalesa was a very shy girl. She was very quiet, kept to herself,” Lassiter said.
On Monday, police searched a wooded area where Reynolds was last seen. Authorities have declined comment on the case. The State Bureau of Investigation is also involved in the case.
Reynolds is described as 5-foot-2 inches tall and 220 pounds. She has a medium complexion and short black hair. She was wearing tan pants, a pink shirt and a denim jacket with a flower design on the back.
Anyone with information about Reynolds’ whereabouts is asked to contact Scotland Neck police at 252-826-4111.
[...] [Source for information mentioned aboved about Jalesa] [...]