East Tennessee teen missing on Florida vacation, family pleads for return

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – The search continues for a missing East Tennessee teenager.

Abigail Velez, 16, was last seen Thursday at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, around 9:30 p.m. Pensacola police said her father took her there, but would not say why.

“She walked through a door and left on her own,” said Mike Wood, public information officer for the Pensacola Police Department. “We're looking for her now, we don't know exactly what's going on, or why she left.”

Nancy Barger, Abby's aunt, said the family is grappling with the teen's disappearance.

“There were a lot of phone calls with detectives and police departments and a lot of concern,” Barger said. “It was difficult for the whole family, but for his parents and his brothers. “

Abby's photo was reposted on social media, with one post even appearing in a flight attendant group.

“She shared it on Delta's flight attendants page, specifically in Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, and it went out to 26,000 flight attendants this morning,” said Barger. “If she gets on a plane with someone you know, she doesn’t feel comfortable talking in front.”

No Amber Alert was issued in this case.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, for an Amber Alert to be issued, certain criteria must be met, such as the child being under the age of 18, based on the investigation, forces of the order believe that a kidnapping has taken place, the child is suspected of being in immediate custody. danger, there is a detailed description of the child or abductor and the jurisdiction's law enforcement agency recommends issuing the alert.

“There are specific criteria that are necessary for an Amber Alert and obviously this case did not meet them,” Wood explained. “There are elements about this case, things about this case that we cannot disclose because it could compromise this investigation. We hope to have contact with her soon.

As the search continues, Barger pleads for the teen to come home.

“Abby, honey, if you see this, we're all looking for you and we love you so much and your mom and dad are worried to death and so are your brothers, so just try to reach out to any of you between us if you can,” Barger said.

She was last seen wearing a green shirt and black shorts.

Pensacola police do not believe she is still in the area and have expanded their search throughout Florida.

If you have any information on Velez's whereabouts, asked to call 850-435-1845.