Prayer Service Held For Missing N.C. Teen Phylicia Barnes
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--There are new leads and renewed hope in the search for missing teenager Phylicia Barnes. It's been almost two weeks since anyone has seen the straight-A student.
Adam May reports that no one's giving up.
On Sunday, there was an emotional prayer service held for missing teenager Phylicia Barnes.
Her father Russell Barnes was surrounded by hundreds offering hope at Brown's Baptist.
"I'm not ever gonna stop until I find my child," he said.
The 16-year-old North Carolina resident vanished Dec. 28, while visiting her relatives in Baltimore.
Numerous searches, such as one on Sunday near Catonsville, have left investigators empty-handed, but with a new focus on Patapsco State Park.
"Through the investigative process, information has been developed, and Maryland Natural Resources Police are conducting this search at the request of the Baltimore Police Department," said Sgt. Arthur Windemuth.
Officials will not elaborate. But as they continue to follow leads, the Barnes family, friends and concerned strangers are turning to a higher power.
"The faith community is using the greatest weapon we have, and that's the power of prayer," said Rev. R. Lee Johnson.
"This is the work of the devil, so we know we want the devil to release our child and bring her back to our family, and when I say our family I mean everyone, all the community," said Russell Barnes.
WJZ is going to stay on top of this case. As soon as there are any developments, we'll let you know on TV and online.
