Teen, 14, goes missing as parents fear she was lured by online predator

The family of 14-year-old girl who went missing at the weekend fear she may have been lured away by someone she met online.

Amy Reidling was last seen at her home near Decatur in the US state of Georgia, at around 2pm on Sunday. According to local reports, her stepmother, Ginny Rutledge, found out she was missing when she returned home for dinner that evening.

She said: "I opened the door, and she was gone. Tore the house apart, called 911 at 9:15pm. No one's messages have been read. Every time we call, it goes straight to voicemail."

The woman said she had been shopping with Amy before she went missing. Her family has now expressed concerns that the teen may have met someone online who could have coached her on how to run away from home.

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Police are now investigating Amy's disappearance and are urging anyone who sees her to get in touch. The teen is described as 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 105 lbs, with brown eyes and brown hair with bangs.

The DeKalb County Police Department wrote in their appeal on Monday: "MISSING: 14-year-old Amy was last seen around 2pm 9/21 at her residence located on the 1900 block of Janet Lane in Decatur.

"She's 5'1" and 105 lbs. with brown eyes and brown hair with bangs. If you see her, call 770-724-7710."

Amy's dad and stepmother have also hired a private investigator - and Ginny said local residents have also been helping the family in the search for the girl.

She told 11Alive: "This is a nightmare... it's cliché and everything, it'll happen, but here we are."

She added: "Everybody's been stomping the streets, putting up fliers." She also sent a direct message to the teen, saying: "You don't even understand how many people are here helping to find you. And we all want you back."

Expressing fears that Amy may have been lured by an online predator, Ginny said: "There's a lot she doesn't know, and especially in a big city like Atlanta. I'm positive that she was taken … Amy, we love you, we miss you. We want you here. That's why you're here.

"We wanted you here. You're my girl, you're my person. I miss you. Please come back." She told her stepdaughter: "Please let us know you're okay if you can. Be safe, fight hard."