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"Aniesha Allen was located safely in Greenville, TX," the Lancaster police wrote in an updated release. She was found at 4:57 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13, police said.
They added that:
"This is still an active investigation. If anyone has information about this case, please contact us at 717-735-3300 or leave an anonymous tip through Crimewatch."
Daily Voice has reached out to her mom for an updated statement at 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.
Check back here for possible additional updates
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Jillian Finnie was in the middle of a 21-hour drive from Lancaster, PA to Houston, TX, she told Daily Voice on Friday, Oct. 4. Her daughter, Aniesha Allen was spotted on surveillance video at the Greyhound bus stop in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood around 1:25 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.
Aniesha left McCaskey High School on Thursday, Sept. 26, and somehow got to Harrisburg to board a bus later that day, according to Greyhound records.
“She’s never even been on a Greyhound bus or traveled alone before,” Finnie told KPRC Click2Houston. “My daughter suffers from serious mental health issues, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. She’s out of all of her medication right now. I just can’t understand how she ended up in Houston.”
Finnie doesn't know why Aniesha went to Texas as she has no known ties to the state.
Her community has rallying for her mom to help bring her daughter home.
A GoFundMe has been launched to help Jill Finnie on her journey to track down her daughter and bring her home.
Aniesha is described as 5′11″ tall, approximately 160 lbs., has brown eyes, a medium build with a septum piercing, and curly brown hair worn in a natural afro style. She was last seen wearing jean shorts and a sweatshirt tied around her waist.
Finnie was highly concerned about Aniesha’s mental health issues, as they may make her more susceptible to harm from strangers.
She also expressed concern about the speed at which Lancaster City Police has searched for her daughter.
The Lancaster City police issued a statement about the case on Friday night, Oct. 4 reading in part:
"Our department is working thoroughly to safely locate Aniesha. We have some of the best investigators in the state who have been looking into Aniesha’s whereabouts since Friday, Sept. 27, when she was first reported missing. Our detectives are actively communicating with Aniesha’s parents, school officials, and peers to gather as much information as possible to assist us in locating her. Our investigative efforts led to the discovery that she boarded a Greyhound Bus which took her from Pennsylvania to Houston, Texas. We are in communication with local Houston police departments and media agencies to help raise awareness and expedite the search of Aniesha, and there is now an active investigation being led by the Houston Police Department. We understand this is a difficult time for the Allen family, and we are determined to bring Aniesha home safely. We disagree with some of the information the family has shared on social media and with local news agencies. We treat every missing person’s case seriously. Our detectives carry out each investigation in accordance with the department policies, best practices, and national standards to ensure a thorough and effective response. Safely locating a missing person heavily relies on the collaboration and trust between the police and the public which is why it is imperative for community members to know that we are doing everything we can to ensure Aniesha’s safe return."
Anyone with information about Aniesha’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Lancaster City Police at 717-735-3300, HPD at 713-884-3131 or call 911.
Click here to donate to the GoFundMe.
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