Update: Mom of missing teen Karlie Gusé files formal complaint against sheriff, claims she ignored valid tips & mismanaged case [Exclusive]

The mother of a California teen who mysteriously disappeared five months ago said she’s furious with the sheriff’s office put in charge of her daughter’s case.

Lindsay Fairley, mom of 16-year-old Karlie Gusé, shared a letter with CrimeOnline that she sent to the California Sheriff’s Association and the National Sheriff’s Association earlier this week. Fairley addressed several issues on her mind, specifically problems she said she’s been having with Sheriff Ingrid Braun of the Mono County Sheriff’s Office; Fairley claimed Braun has been negligent in handling Karlie’s disappearance and “unsympathetic and argumentative” with her.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Karlie is said to have disappeared from her Mono County home somewhere between the hours of around 5:45 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on October 13, 2018.  The girl’s stepmother, Melissa Gusé, told CrimeOnline she picked Karlie up the night prior in “town,” miles away from the family’s rural home on the outskirts of Bishop near White Mountain Estate Road.

Karlie lived in the home with her stepmother, her father Zac Gusé, and her younger siblings. Fairley told CrimeOnline it was Karlie’s choice to live with her dad, as she didn’t want to change schools when her moved from the area.

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Karlie Guse [Provided]
Melissa said Karlie admitted to smoking marijuana on the evening of October 12 while out with her boyfriend and a few friends. Melissa said the teen seemed disoriented and “acted paranoid” when she picked her up at around 8 p.m. The stepmom said she eventually she got the teen calm and even slept in her room with her all night to make sure she was OK.

At around 5:30 a.m. the following morning, Melissa reportedly woke up and when she looked over, Karlie was next to her, lying awake. At some point, Melissa dozed off again for a short period, then woke up again at around 7:15 a.m to 7:30 a.m. and Karlie was gone.

There were no signs of forced entry into the home and the front door, according to Fairley, was found slightly ajar. A few people who lived in the area said they saw someone walking in the neighborhood during the early morning hours of October 13 that looked liked Karlie. Aside from that, there have been no credible sightings of the teen, who seemingly vanished into thin air.

Since then, according Fairley, Braun has ignored tips while Melissa allegedly “cherry picked” information about Karlie’s disappearance. Braun told CrimeOnline that all local resources have been exhausted in the search for Karlie, which included scent dogs, helicopters, foot patrol, and off-road vehicles.

In response to Fairley’s letter, Braun stated that it was “factually incorrect and filled with errors.” The sheriff said she’s spoken to Melissa and Zac Gusé twice since Karlie disappeared, before investigators took over the case, and has no relationship with them beyond the initial meetings. She added that no one in her department has a personal relationship with Karlie’s family and that her investigators are doing everything possible find the teen.

Braun also stressed that she was not the investigator in the case and that she “runs the department, not investigations.”

Braun also said she felt bad for Fairley and understands that the worried mom wants answers. However, authorities have no new leads to go on at this time.

Read the full letter below.

LET'S MAKE THIS GO VIRAL!!!!! I'VE SENT THIS TO: THE NATIONAL SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION, CALIFORNIA SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION,…

Posted by Lindsay Fairley on Wednesday, March 20, 2019

 

Karlie did not have her cellphone or personal belongings on her when she disappeared. She may have disappeared in a white shirt, grey pants, and Vans shoes. She stands 5-feet-7 inches tall, weighs around 110 pounds, and has light brown hair and blue eyes.

“There is so much I want to say to her. I miss her so much!” Lindsay told CrimeOnline. “She is the what keeps me breathing. Without her I’ve become a hollow pit inside.”

Anyone with any information on Karlie’s whereabouts should contact the Mono County Sheriff’s Office at 760-932-7549, option 7.

Meanwhile, Lindsay will appear on “Dr. Phil” March 26, along with Melissa and Zac Guse. Check local listings for air time.

Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.

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[Feature Photo: Karlie Gusé/Handout]