Loyola New Orleans student Ruth Carter missing, family offers reward

(CBS/WWL/AP) NEW ORLEANS - The family of missing 21-year-old Loyola University student Ruth Carter, who hasn't been seen or heard from since Saturday, is offering a $5,000 reward for information that helps find her.

"Wherever she is, if she can hear the sound of my voice, she just needs to know that she's okay, and somebody will be there to help her," her mother Nicci Carter told WWL.

According to CBS affiliate WWL, Ruth, who also goes by Rudy, was last seen working her shift at the residence halls at Loyola. School officials say she swiped her identification card at one of the dormitories at 5:00 p.m. Saturday.

"Since then we've combed the entire campus, gone through the residence halls, gone through any of the academic buildings to see if she's hiding anywhere or staying in a certain room somewhere with a friend," Matt Lambert, Loyola associate director of Public Affairs, told the station.

Nicci Carter says she's pulled Ruth's cell-phone records, and while many texts and calls are coming in, nothing has gone out since 5:49 p.m. Saturday.

The New Orleans Police Department and the Loyola Police Department are investigating the disappearance, but the family just wants to know if she is safe.

Ruth's mother says her daughter is likely in need of her medication. She was last seen wearing a pink t-shirt and black shorts. She is 5-feet-2-inches tall and weighs 120 pounds.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to call the New Orleans Police Department at 504-821-2222.