Authorities request help with finding missing teen

Published 6:00 am Monday, January 26, 2009

Officials from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department and theparents of a county teenager are asking the public for help inlocating her after she disappeared from her home on Fridaynight.

Sheriff Steve Rushing said Natasha Smith, 17, was reportedmissing by her parents on Saturday. He said she left around 9:30p.m. Friday and did not take any belongings with her.

“We’re looking for any information we can find to help locateher,” he said.

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Smith, who has long brown hair and hazel eyes, is 5 feet, 2inches tall and around 200 pounds. She was last seen wearing a redT-shirt and blue jeans. Her mother, Beverly Smith, said she doesnot have a cell phone, and did not take her music player or any ofher other usual possessions with her.

“It’s like she just walked out the door,” she said. “She wouldhave had to have someone pick her up.”

Beverly Smith said her daughter is very secretive about who herfriends are, and even her brothers and sisters don’t know who theBrookhaven High School junior might have left with.

“She needs help,” Smith said. “We want to bring her home for herown good.”

Natasha Smith left home for a few days last year, but eventuallyreturned home of her own accord. Her parents said they feel likethis time could be more serious.

Anyone with any information on Natasha Smith or her whereaboutsis asked to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department at (601)833-5231.