Day 9

UPDATE: Tuesday, May 27, 9:30AM

I talked to my friend Shelly last night who said that Stephanie has been calling her son (whom Stephanie dated last summer) all day Monday begining at 1AM. Luckily, this time she called form a land line, so we finally have something to go on. Shelly said that Stephanie sounded drunk or definately "on something". That isn't really a surprise since she has now been off her prescription medication for over a week and has probably begun to try to "self-medicate" with whatever is available. It wouldn't be the first time. Needless to say, that has me more worried than ever.

Day 6

UPDATE: Saturday, May 24, 12:45PM

The headline of "update" is misleading. There is no news and there probably won't be for a while. First of all, it's a holiday weekend, which means the police really aren't looking. And, I have found out, they don't do a lot of looking for 16 year olds anyway. Crazy, but true. Finally, with all the pieces of the puzzle that have come together lately, it looks like she has been planning this for quite a long time. At least over the last several months and possibly all along.

That is a hard truth to face: to realize you have been so utterly duped, to see that you have been completely taken advantage of, to open your home and your heart and have it all thrown away like so much trash. Tomorrow is May 25, the three year anniversary of bringing her home to be part of our family. I certainly don't regret it, but it is hard to suddenly know that it never meant anything to her.

Day 5

UPDATE: Friday, May 23, 8:30PM

I wish I had more to report, but there was no real progress today. The only news comes from on of Stephanie's biological half sisters who, when the detective contacted her today, confirmed that Stephanie had called them two days ago and is, in fact, with her biological mother. Today was day 5. We are trying to keep things as "normal" as possible for Katie's sake, but it is difficult. Really though, things feel very un-real right now.

Day 4

UPDATE: Thursday, May 22, 10:00AM

The address on record at the DMV turned out to be incorrect, so we are back at square one. The home where we believed they were was empty, so I don't know if that means Stephanie (and Cindy) were never there or if they have left.

We have found that Stephanie may also have been in contact with a half-brother (on her mother's side) by the name of Jacob Burton. He is younger than Stephanie, but I do not know by how much. I expect that he is 13-14.

I am asking now, for anyone who has any contacts in the Bradley County, TN area, to please put in some calls, e-mails, etc. I am confident that someone somewhere knows something and it is just a matter of finding that person.

Also, I have flyers. Anyone who is willing to put some up, send me your adress and I will mail you one to make as many copies as will be useful to you. Once again, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Day 3

UPDATE: Wednesday, May 21, 1:30 PM

I spent the morning at the police station. They believe they have found an address and they expect to pick her up this afternoon. I will continue to update you as I get more information. Thank you all again!



UPDATE: Wednesday, May 21, 10:20PM

The police were unable to execute the pick up today for logistical reasons. The plan is to have the police work in concert with Stephanie's therapist to immediately commit her to a psychiatric facility upon her return to Hamilton County. That can only happen if done early in the day, so we are looking at tomorrow mid-morning. Stephanie has a standing appointment with her therapist each week and, in her absence, Joe and I met with the therapist to discuss plans for now and for the future. She said something that I hadn't thought of: she suggested that we begin to prpare ourselves for the possibility that the police will not find either of them - that Stephanie and her bio-mom may have gone on the run. Truly, it was something that I hadn't considered. So again, I just ask for your continued prayers and I thank you all for your love and support.

Day 2

UPDATE: Tuesday, May 20, 9:55 PM

We believe that, at this point, Stephanie is in the Bradley County/Cleveland, TN area with her biological mother, Cynthia "Cindy" Kay Burton aka Cynthia Hendrix (NOT a good place). We have yet to pinpoint her specific location. Please continue to pass along her identifying information and to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. Your support means more to me than I can say. I have every faith that Stephanie will be home soon, but I am just as certain that we will have an even harder road to travel then.

PLEASE HELP

My older daughter Stephanie is missing. Joe dropped her off at school this morning (5/19/08) at about 7 and no one has seen her since, however we were not alerted to her disapperance until I went to pick her up from school at 2:15 and she was not there. We have filed a missing persons report and have driven the neighborhood time and time again. I have been in touch with her best friend and boyfriend and neither of them know anything. At this point she has been gone almost 16 hours and I am terrified; I have no idea where she could be. She does have a history of running away, but she has never been away this long in the three years she has been with us. I am just asking that you pass her description along and keep our family in your prayers.

Missing: Stephanie Anderson

DOB: 4/26/92, Age 16

Hair: Light Brown

Eyes: BlueHeight: 5'1"

Weight: 120

Last seen in Red Bank, TN wearing a pink and white floral blouse, brown capri-length pants and brown sandals. She has several scars and birth marks and wears a small gold necklace with a gold charm. She is probably carrying a light blue and black LLBean back pack.

If anyone has any information, they can contact the Red Bank, TN Police Department at 423-877-2481.