A frantic search for a missing 15-year-old girl sent police racing between public housing units, multiple counties, and even across state lines in a late-night runaway saga straight out of a teen drama.
It all started when the girl’s worried mother contacted police, saying she believed her daughter had run off with her boyfriend, Brandon Puckett, and was holed up at a 17th Street PMHA apartment. The catch? The boyfriend’s mom answered the door — and claimed she hadn’t seen her son in days, he doesn’t live there, and she’d “never heard of the girl.”
That didn’t stop the girl’s mother, who soon showed up in Portsmouth herself, pounding on doors along Wayne Avenue looking for her daughter.
📞 Then came another twist: the boyfriend’s mom called dispatch back — this time saying her son told her someone else had the girl and wanted help hiding him out. Pike County authorities, already looped in, told Portsmouth officers they believed the girl was now staying at a Kendall Avenue apartment.
But when cops checked that apartment, the trail led to a man on Robinson Avenue, who finally called officers back to say the girl had allegedly been dropped off in Kentucky the night before, and her phone was “broken.” Sure, Jan.
Police scoured yet another Kendall Avenue address, but came up empty.
🛑 And then — plot twist — the mom called back: “Never mind, I’ve got her.” She claimed her daughter had been found, but refused to let Portsmouth PD confirm it in person, saying she was already on her way back to Pike County to meet with probation officers.
🚨 So What Happens Now?
Officers reminded the mom to notify authorities in Pike County so the girl could be removed from the missing child database. Until then, it’s another wild reminder of just how quickly teen drama can turn into a multi-agency manhunt.
💡 Parents, Take Note:
- If your child goes missing, report it immediately.
- Keep law enforcement in the loop — don’t just ghost them.
- Confirm recovery in person when possible.
- And maybe don’t date someone who needs to be hidden in public housing.
This one might be off the grid now — but next time, it could end in real tragedy.
