Missing Missouri teen may be in Virginia

The family of a missing 17-year-old girl from Missouri believes she could be in Virginia.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is urging the public to be on the lookout for Abigail Lawless, who is missing from West Plains, Missouri. She disappeared from her family’s home in the middle of the night Aug. 17 after family members fell asleep, and they are concerned that she may have traveled to Virginia with someone she met online.

Lawless is described as 5 foot 9, weighing 160 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair.

Family members said she was with them on the night of the 17th when they went out for dinner, and everything seemed fine.

“We all love and miss you so much, please come home,” her mother, Leah Lawless, said. “We just need to know that you are okay and safe.”

Abigail Lawless never has left home before in this manner and has not tried to contact family or friends since she went missing, which family members said is extremely unlike her.

If you have any information about Lawless or her disappearance, contact NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or the Howell County (Missouri) Sheriff’s at 1-417-256-2544.