Pregnant Daycare Operator Missing From Bronx Home Since Sunday
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police Tuesday night continued to search for a daycare teacher who is five months pregnant, and who has been missing since Sunday.
As CBS2's Valerie Castro reported, a police canine searched the area around Andrea Caruth's Baychester home on Corsa Avenue late Tuesday. Caruth, 39, was last seen at the home around 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Friends of the missing woman, who is five months pregnant, embraced each other as they waited for news.
"We miss her. We love her. We're worried about her and the baby, and we really want to find out what happened or what has happened," said Leticia Emestica, Caruth's close friend.
Emestica said Caruth's disappearance still did not seem real Tuesday night.
"I'm still not a hundred percent convinced, and I can't grasp what has happened still," Emestica said.
Caruth had plans to have brunch with a friend Sunday, but instead, she vanished, CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported. She runs a preschool and a daycare from her home.
During the day Tuesday, officers went door-to-door with Caruth's picture. NYPD detectives also visited with family and Caruth's live-in boyfriend at her home.
Parents of Caruth's students were shocked by the news of her disappearance.
"It hurt," said parent Shawyntee Boothe. "I just know, like I keep saying -- she would not leave her students, so she's not willingly out there -- just not here, with her students."
Friends also continued to grow more concerned.
"No, it's like a dream," one close friend who asked not to be identified said when asked if Caruth's disappearance made any sense.
The friend said she does not believe the mother-to-be would leave on her own.
"Walked away? I don't know. It seems strange. Why would she walk away?" the friend said. "Her car was right in front. I don't understand. Where would she go? You know, her closest friends don't even know."
They wondered if the soon-to-be mother could have been the victim of foul play.
"She's such a loving person, and what I would tell whoever it is that has her or has done something to her -- come forward," Emestica said. "We need to find her."
Parent Boothe said Caruth is caring and responsible and loves her students, and they would be heartbroken if she is not found.
"Not only find her, but find her alive and well," Boothe said.
Caruth's father said police advised the family not to speak to the media while the investigation continues. But he did tell CBS2's Sanchez he cried all night worrying about his daughter.
Police said late Tuesday that Caruth was still the subject of a missing persons case and not a criminal investigation.