South Texas Search and Rescue focuses efforts in Corpus Christi following reported sightings of missing 16-year-old Bayleigh Reese.<\/p>\n
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas \u2014 The search continues for 16-year-old Bayleigh Reese, who was last seen nearly two weeks ago. Local nonprofit South Texas Search and Rescue is now focusing its efforts in Corpus Christi after a several reported sightings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lead rescue technician Amy Canchola said every case is different but the mission remains the same: bring every missing person home safely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Seeing these families and how distraught they are when they have a missing person, especially her being so young, this is the reason why we need to hit it really hard,” Canchola said.<\/p>\n
The team spent Saturday driving through downtown Corpus Christi, following up on tips and possible sightings.<\/p>\n
“We actually had phone calls yesterday, so they were hitting a lot of locations down the Staples towards the City Hall near that bus station and then of course they’re saying maybe a bus, route 27 is an area where that bus stops so those are some of the locations that we’re going to,” Canchola said.<\/p>\n
Sergeant Danny Galvez said when a child is missing, every minute matters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Children are a very special case because they’re part of our most vulnerable population. A lot of times kids don’t know how to survive out there on the streets, and they get taken advantage of by adults that are in similar situations, so we wanna do what we can to get the child back to their family,” Galvez said.<\/p>\n
One flyer after another, Canchola and her team are urging the community to stay alert, especially with a freeze expected to hit South Texas this weekend.<\/p>\n
“We’ve actually coordinated with some of the warming shelters so we’re out during the day trying to see if we can spot her and then we do come out at night as well because that’s when people are starting to find locations to get warm,” Canchola said.<\/p>\n
Bayleigh\u2019s grandparents said she depends on several medications for mental health.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Canchola said that drives the urgency in locating her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“You know, no one’s upset. They just wanna get you home safe and just you’ve got to be very careful when you’re out on the streets,” Canchola said.<\/p>\n
Canchola said if you see Bayleigh to give her and her team a call immediately at 361-633-4293.<\/p>\n
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