Update
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia says Jorja Ethridge has been found safe. No additional information is available at this time.
Original Story
Georgia authorities are searching for a teen girl who hasn’t been seen or heard from since Saturday.
According to Monroe Sheriff Brad Freeman, 17-year-old Jorja Ethridge, of Macon, was last seen a little after midnight Saturday while spending the night in Monroe County. The Tattnall Square Academy student lives near the Bowman Road area in northern Bibb County, according to police.
Authorities were alerted after Jorja reportedly ran away from a home off of North Rivoli Farms Road and left her cellphone behind. So far, there’s no indication of where she fled to or if she is with anyone.
“For all we know, she flagged down a ride. … But we just don’t know,” Freeman said.
Freeman says Jorja Ethridge was at a party with friends when she left unexpectedly. Jorgja’s mother, Amy McAlpin, told WGXA News that her daughter went to Lake Tobosofkee on Saturday night with her friends, but when she missed curfew, her stepfather drove to check on her. That’s when she fled on foot.
“The story has actually changed from what we were told yesterday. She saw the car. She never saw anybody. She never saw me or her stepdad. She saw the car and then got out and left,” McAlpin said.
Investigators have interviewed one particular witness numerous times but no details on the witness have been released. A friend of Jorja’s, who didn’t attend the party, said it was out of character for her do something like this.
“I just want to know that she’s safe because I’m really scared,” the friend said.
Jorja is described as a white female who stands around 5’8″ tall with blondish brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black jacket, a purple sweatshirt, and black leggings.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Monroe County Sheriffs Office at 478-994-7010.
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[Feature Photo via Monroe County SO]
