A Florida Missing Child Alert has been issued for a 14-year-old girl who disappeared from Pasco County, sparking an urgent search and growing concern in the community.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Grace Thomas was last spotted in the area of Highcroft Drive in Wesley Chapel. Witnesses said she was wearing a black sweatshirt with green lettering, gray shorts, black socks, and a pair of white and blue Jordans. Authorities also shared that she has a light-colored birthmark on her shoulder and could be wearing small hoop earrings. She is believed to be carrying a black backpack.
The alert has rattled parents and families in the area, as the case hits close to home for anyone who knows the fear of a child suddenly vanishing. Grace is just 14, and every detail about what she was wearing and carrying could be the clue that helps bring her home safely.
Police have not released information about the circumstances of her disappearance, but neighbors in Wesley Chapel say the alert has them on edge. Many are double-checking their doors, scrolling through neighborhood watch apps, and keeping an eye out in case they spot anything unusual. Some locals have even begun walking the area themselves, hoping to find something that could help authorities track down where Grace might be.
Social media posts have begun circulating with her description, urging people across Florida to share the alert as widely as possible. With so many eyes on the lookout, officials hope someone may have seen her or noticed something that can help fill in the missing pieces of her story.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement emphasized that time is critical when it comes to missing children. Even the smallest detail can make a difference. Did someone see a teenager matching her description at a store, a park, or on public transportation? Did anyone notice a girl with a black backpack walking alone or with someone unfamiliar? These are the kinds of questions investigators are asking as they piece together leads.
For parents in the community, the alert serves as a chilling reminder of how quickly things can change. One moment a child is safe, and the next, an entire town is searching. “It’s every parent’s nightmare,” one Wesley Chapel resident said. “We just want her found and safe.”
As the hours stretch on, hope remains that Grace will be located unharmed. The urgency of the search underscores how much every pair of eyes in the community matters right now. Authorities are asking anyone with information, no matter how small it seems, to step forward.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Grace Thomas, you’re urged to contact local law enforcement immediately. In situations like this, a single phone call could be the key to reuniting a child with her family.