Investigators 'Back At Square One' In Search For Missing Teen
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Police are back at square one after the search for a missing teenager came up empty.
Adam May has more on what happens now in the search for Phylicia Barnes.
This biggest effort yet to find missing teenager Phylicia Barnes left investigators empty handed.
"I think we're back at square one right now," said Anthony Guglielmi, Baltimore City Police spokesperson.
Over the weekend, 200 police officers and volunteers searched the woods and some abandoned buildings in Patapsco State Park. Police have not revealed exactly why they concentrated on this area, but they say it has something to do with information gained during a police interview.
"It was associated with one of the 30 people of interest we've been talking to," Guglielmi said.
Some of those people were at a party with Barnes at an apartment complex off Reisterstown Road before she disappeared just after Christmas. The 17-year-old honors student was in Baltimore visiting her half sister, leaving behind devastated friends in North Carolina.
"It's been hard because she's not beside me and I can't talk to her. It's been rough," said a friend. "And the fact that they haven't given up hope and find whatever evidence they can means a lot to us down here."
As strangers in Baltimore continue handing out fliers, police wouldn't publicly speculate on their next move, admitting they don't have any physical evidence or fresh leads in the case.
"We have no doubt in our minds that something terrible has happened to Phylicia and there's someone out there who knows more," Guglielmi said.
Police say they're still getting some tips in the case but the calls are drastically slowing down. If you have any information, please call police.
