Washington State Patrol reports Lynden teenager is missing, and she could be in danger
A Lynden teenager is missing and the public is being asked to help find them.
Arianna Quinonez, 16, was last seen on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 3:30 p.m. Quinonez is 5 feet tall and weighs 116 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair.
She was last seen wearing a gray jacket with dark sleeves and jeans. The teen may be in danger, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
In a telephone call with The Bellingham Herald, Lynden Police Chief Steve Taylor said Quinonez was home schooled and many of her friends were online in other areas of the country. Chief Taylor said detectives were unsure whether Quinonez might be alone or with other individuals.
An Endangered Missing Persons Advisory (EMPA) for Quinonez has been activated by the Washington State Patrol on behalf of the Lynden Police Department.
If you see her, you are asked to call 911.
The Washington State Endangered Missing Persons Advisory (EMPA) Plan was incorporated into the Revised Code of Washington under section 13.60.050 in June 2010. Originally intended as an alternative to the AMBER Alert Plan, the EMPA covers many types of endangered missing person incidents, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The plan allows for a law enforcement agency to get information about a person who is believed to be in danger and unable to return to safety on their own. The EMPA assists in disseminating information about a person to the media, public, and local law enforcement agencies to ensure a safe return as quickly as possible.
A list of criteria must be met in order for an EMPA to be issued.
▪ It can be a person of any age who is missing and in danger because of age, physical or mental health, severe weather conditions and not being able to return to safety without assistance.
▪ Enough information must be available to assist in the recovery of the missing person.
▪ The missing person must be reported to by law enforcement for investigation.
This story was originally published October 2, 2023 at 11:49 AM.
