Updated 5 p.m. July 31
Authorities are searching for a girl and boy who ran away from the Boys and Girls Home on Saturday.
Bree Alexandria Phillips, 15, has dark hair and is a white female. She was wearing a black hoody and black shorts when she disappeared.
Miss Phillips is thought to be with Norton Owens, also 15. He is described as a black male, 5’10”, wearing black pants, black hoody and black do-rag.
The two were reported missing Saturday night at 9:46 p.m. at Lake Waccamaw, Police Chief Corey Finch said. They were last seen along U.S. 74 east of the lake.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call 911, the Lake Waccamaw Police at 910.646.3558 or the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office at 910.642.6551. You can also contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Finch said the girl’s family “strongly believes” she is in the Wilmington area. Wilmington Police have also been searching for the girl in that area. Bladen County deputies have checked a location that Owens is known to visit as well, he said.
In a statement, the Home could not confirm that the girl was at the facility.
“In keeping with North Carolina confidentiality requirements, Boys and Girls Homes cannot release any identifying information for any children who may or may not be in our care without the express permission of the youth’s legal custodian,” the statement said.
While the Home could not comment on the missing girl, but did urge anyone who spots a child they suspect might be from the facility to contact authorities.
“In any runaway circumstance, BGHNC is required to follow state protocols including timely notification of law enforcement and the legal custodian of any youth as well as any authorized organization involved in efforts to locate children. The legal custodian of the child is the only one able to decide if any details are made public. Boys and Girls Homes always encourages anyone concerned in the public to call 910.646.3083 if they see a youth walking on roads near the BGHNC campus or any other concerns for youth safety.”
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