Family pleads for public’s help in finding missing Snow College student
Dec 16, 2021, 10:16 PM | Updated: Dec 17, 2021, 11:06 am
EPHRAIM, Utah — Family members expressed concern Thursday that their daughter, Snow College student Madelyn Allen, was “facing a major mental health crisis” after she was last seen Monday night.
“Dear Maddie, if you can hear us, you’re not alone,” said father Jonathan Allen during a press conference at Snow College.
“Many people are facing similar challenges. We know that you’re brave and that you’re strong. We see you. And we love you beyond our ability to express and we are here for you. And we’re anxious for you to come home and be with us for Christmas.”
For three difficult days the Allen family has searched and waited for their 19-year-old daughter to come home. Allen said Maddie has faced mental and emotional challenges since her premature birth at 26 weeks old.
“From the 110 days she was in the NICU as a baby until today, she has been a fighter,” he said. “We believe that she’s facing a major mental health crisis. And she needs our help. And we need to find her.”
Maddie is a student at Snow College, where she sings in the choir. Snow College police say on Monday, Maddie walked out of her dorm in Snow Hall and into the cold at 9:22 p.m., with a plastic bag, wearing a skirt, a light white jacket and carrying her phone.
Security footage shows someone who is believed to be Allen leaving the lobby carrying a plastic bag and wearing a white fleece jacket, dark skirt and flat shoes.
Anyone with information on Allen's whereabouts was asked to call police at 435-283-7170. pic.twitter.com/jEv0tZtC9T
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) December 15, 2021
“We put a lot of work into tracking those messages,” said Snow College Police Chief Derek Walk, without elaborating on what messages he was referring to.
Walk said they don’t know where she was headed or whether she is with someone.
“Everything associated with that would be speculation, but I do hope someone is with her and I hope they are friendly,” he said, adding, “Rest assured we are doing everything we can to find her.”
“We’re anxious for them to continue their crucial, difficult work. And we honor them in that effort,” Allen said of the law enforcement officers working on the case.
“We further acknowledge and appreciate their willingness to ramp up the search.”
The FBI and other agencies including the are assisting in the investigation. And the family is pleading for the public to spread the word about Maddie.
“From our family to yours and as Maddie’s parents, we are asking for your help, Allen said.
“We trust in God’s ability to inspire, support and strengthen all of us as we face impossibly difficult experiences like the one we’re facing now.”
All tips are now going through the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office at (435)835-2345. And the family has set up a Facebook page to help in the search: https://www.facebook.com/helpusfindmaddie/
