More than three weeks after Bayleigh Reese went missing, volunteers searched a new area near River Hills Baptist Church in Calallen on Saturday.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The search continued Saturday for missing 16-year-old Bayleigh Reese, who was last seen leaving her family’s home in Calallen more than three weeks ago.
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About three dozen volunteers led by the nonprofit South Texas Search and Rescue gathered near River Hills Baptist Church to search a new area connected to Reese’s last known locations.
“We love you Bailey. Grandma needs to hug you. I need to love you, I need to fix your hair, baby please come home,” said Debbie Wishard, Reese’s grandmother.
The plea comes after 22 days of uncertainty for the family, though they say their faith has not wavered.
“We have all the faith, our Lord is so good. He would not — it’s all for His will. We will accept and understand whatever the outcome is,” Wishard said.
The family also says they are encouraged by recent reported sightings and believe Reese is still in the Coastal Bend.
“We believe that she’s still in the Coastal Bend area. We don’t have any information that would lead us to believe she’s moved from this area,” said David Wishard, Reese’s grandfather.
Volunteers searched brush on the Wishards’ ranch in Calallen and across roughly nine acres near River Hills Baptist Church. Family members thanked those who spent their Saturday morning helping.
“We think the turnout is pretty good for a Saturday morning when people have other things going on,” David Wishard said. “It’s a nice Saturday morning to be out doing other things, but they’ve given their time for us to come in here and try and help us.”
Amy Canchola with South Texas Search and Rescue led the search effort and urged the public to immediately notify authorities if they believe they have seen Reese.
“If you can snap a picture, that gives us more concrete evidence that she’s in those locations,” Canchola said. “We will get there as soon as we can. It can be within five minutes, 10 minutes, but we’ll get there. And if you can just keep an eye on her — if you do see her — don’t approach her. Don’t try to engage with her.”
Canchola said Reese suffers from mental disabilities and may run if startled.
Reese is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and about 230 pounds. She was last seen wearing white pajamas and pink flip-flops. Her grandparents say she suffers from severe mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress stemming from a previous kidnapping.
Anyone who believes they have seen Reese is asked to take a photo or video from a safe distance and immediately contact the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities say the public should not approach her.