The FBI and Maine State Police announced Monday that they are now offering a $15,000 reward in their ongoing search for a missing Maine teen.
It's been over two months since 14-year-old Stefanie Damron, of New Sweden, Maine, has been heard from. She was last seen walking into the woods on West Road on Sept. 23, according to state police. Her family reported her missing the following day.
WATCH ANYTIME FOR FREE
 |
Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are. |
State police, in conjunction with the FBI, have been searching for Stefanie across the U.S. and in Canada, including using police dogs to search large swaths of land in Aroostook County near where she was last seen. They said they have also conducted many interviews and followed up on leads around the globe.
They said at a joint press conference on Monday afternoon that the FBI is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to Stefanie's safe return and the arrest and prosecution of anyone who might have been involved in her disappearance.
Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox. Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter.
“The FBI hopes this reward will incentivize anyone with information relating to Stefanie’s whereabouts to come forward. Any detail, no matter how small, could be helpful,” Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, said in a statement. “Stefanie’s family desperately wants to know where she is, and we are fully committed to helping our law enforcement partners exhaust every investigative resource to find her and bring her home.”
“The Maine State Police remains steadfast in our investigation into Stefanie’s disappearance. Every lead, no matter how small is being thoroughly pursued to find her,” added Maine State Police Col. William Ross. “We deeply appreciate the FBI’s support as we continue to urge anyone with information to come forward. Your tip could be the key to resolving this case and providing answers for Stefanie’s family.”
State police initially announced their search in October but released updated photos of Stefanie two weeks ago.
She is described as 5 feet tall, weighing about 130 pounds, with green eyes and shoulder length brown hair. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt with long sleeves, blue jeans and black Harley-Davidson boots. She is homeschooled and had no cellphone and limited access to social media, police said.
Anyone with information about Stefanie's whereabouts is asked to immediately call Maine State Police at 1-800-924-2261 or 207-532-5400. Tips can also be called in to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.
