Baltimore police on Wednesday scoured the apartment complex where 16-year-old Phylicia Barnes was last seen on Dec. 28. She has disappeared without a trace, and city detectives are devoting a massive amount of resources to find her.
On Tuesday, they searched Leakin Park, based on a tip left on a story on the Baltimore Sun's web site, which turned out be less a tip than a suggestion, and today they used cadets and two dozen detectives to hand out fliers in hopes somebody will come forward with information.
In the picture, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi (far left), Maj. Terrence McLarney, head of the homicide unit (center), and Sgt. William Simmons, whose squad is leading the investigation, talk to the media. The photo was taken by The Sun's Jed Kirschbaum.
It's the lack of evidence that has police so worried. She disappeared at 1:30 in the afternoon, last seen at her sister's apartment on Eberle Drive. The honor student hasn't used her debit card, her cell phone is off and she hasn't updated her Facebook page.
Police say they suspect foul play but have no evidence other than the unusual length of time she's been missing to support that theory. They've interviewed a dozen people who had access to the apartment while she was visiting there from North Carolina and have turned up no clues. No one has come forward to say they saw her.
McLarney, the head of the homicide unit, called the disappearance unique even in a city where missing persons are routine. Police investigated 352 missing persons reports last year, only five of which have not been solved. Most typically involve family disputes or troubled pasts.
"We look at the individual's background," McLarney said. "We look for any sort of substance abuse, any sort of emotional problems. None of that is present here. We have nothing to suggest that Phylicia Barnes fled of her own free will to some other part of the country."
That's why police have devoted so many resources. Half the homicide squad -- about 35 detectives - are involved in the case. Two helicopters from the FBI with equipment to search for bodies are being flown in to Baltimore. The FBI and Maryland State Police are assisting.
Police have set up a hot-line number staffed 24 hours a day -- 1-855-223-0033 -- and are contemplating billboards along I-95. Police have not ruled out she was abducted.