Police issue warning for endangered 15-year-old girl missing in New Jersey.
A 15-year-old girl from South Jersey, Brianna Hedgepeth, has been reported missing and is considered endangered, according to authorities. The Gloucester Township Police issued an alert on Wednesday, emphasizing the urgency surrounding her disappearance.
Brianna departed from her family’s residence in Sicklerville around 1:30 a.m. on Monday. Family members quickly notified local authorities regarding her absence. Subsequent investigations revealed that her last known location was in the vicinity of Clementon and Erial at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Authorities describe Brianna as a light-skinned Black female with brown eyes and brown hair. She stands about 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds. At the time of her disappearance, she was reportedly wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt paired with light-colored pants, as stated by police.
The Gloucester Township Police have urged anyone who may have seen Brianna or possesses information about her whereabouts to contact them directly at 856-228-4500 or dial 911. Additionally, tips can be submitted online via the police department’s website.
Brianna’s case is not isolated. Earlier this year, another teen girl, 14-year-old Layla Sills, went missing from Sicklerville. She was last seen on June 25 in Philadelphia and has not been located since, as confirmed by the Philadelphia Police Department. Sicklerville, home to approximately 45,000 residents, is located about 20 miles south of Philadelphia.
The troubling trend of disappearances among young girls in the Sicklerville area continues, as two additional cases were reported last summer. Sixteen-year-old Zadia Kharfan went missing on August 8, 2024, followed by the disappearance of seventeen-year-old Nicolette Marchetti on August 17, 2024. The increase in such incidents raises significant concerns within the community about the safety of its youth.
The ongoing search for Brianna Hedgepeth underscores the need for vigilant community awareness and collaboration with law enforcement to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents. As the investigation proceeds, updates are anticipated from the authorities regarding any developments in the search.
Media News Source
