Missing Dundee girl Michaela Hunter’s mum and gran have made emotional appeals for her to get in touch.
With the search for the 13-year-old St John’s High School pupil now in its third week, police are growing increasingly concerned for her safety.
At the family home in Yeamans Lane, Michaela’s mum Audrey said, “We have always lived in the Lochee area but only moved into our home here nine months ago.
“It’s an area that Michaela knows well and she has lots of friends in the area. Michaela is a normal teenager, she loves music and spending time with her friends.
“She has been in trouble at school a few times over the last 18 months but during the Easter holidays Michaela had calmed down and we had some fun days out together. “She got excluded from school on the day she went missing. I don’t know if she was scared to come home in case she got into trouble, or what she is thinking.
“Michaela just needs to know that, no matter what, she is not in any trouble not with us or with the police.
“Everyone is extremely worried about her and we just need to know that she is safe and has not come to any harm.Someone must know”Michaela had no money in her possession and she left in her school clothes. She has to be eating food so someone must know something about her whereabouts.”
Audrey added, “The last few weeks have been dreadful and extremely worrying. Friends have been trying to keep me busy but there isn’t a second that passes when I’m not thinking about Michaela and where she might be. “I just need you to know how much I miss you and how much I love you Michaela.” Michaela’s grandmother Rosemary Grant has come over from her home in Germany to support the family.
She said, “I immediately got in touch with my son Steve and daughter-in-law Audrey.
“I had been looking on the internet every day to get updates on what was being reported and if there was any news at all about where she might be.
“It eventually got to the stage where I knew I just had to get on a plane and come and be with the family.Distressing”To have your daughter missing is distressing for any mother.
“The not knowing makes it worse. We don’t know if Michaela is ok, or whether she is deliberately staying away, or if she is being held against her will. “My personal view is that if any child is hungry they come home to mummy and daddy no matter what they have done.
“The length of time Michaela has now been missing would indicate that someone must be feeding her, someone must be clothing her, and someone must be giving her shelter and warmth. “If anyone thinks they are helping Michaela by doing this, they need to stop now and let Michaela come home where she belongs.” Rosemary made a direct appeal to Michaela to come home.
“Michaela sweetheart, we are all so very, very upset and worried about you. Please come home, your oma (German word for Grandmother) loves you so much and I just need to know that you are safe.
“I sent you a text message Michaela but I don’t know if you got it. Please just get in touch sweetheart you are not in any trouble.”
Police believe Michaela may have dyed and cut her hair and could be staying on the move to avoid detection.
They are appealing for anyone who thinks they see her to report the sighting immediately so they can respond quickly.
Detective Chief Inspector Shaun McKillop said, “It’s possible she may be trying to keep moving she has a number of friends throughout Dundee and many places she can go.Call straight away”If people think they have seen her, they should call straight away on their mobile phones. If there is a delay, it means we’re not getting to the scene quickly.”
Officers say they have strong reasons to believe she may be in the Charleston or city centre areas.
“We are getting a lot of people phoning in and we’ve had a number of sightings to suggest she is about these areas,” said Mr McKillop.
“There are officers working in these areas searching for Michaela there have been an increased number since she went missing two weeks ago.”
Mr McKillop said there was now evidence she bought blonde hair dye within hours of her disappearance.
“We have no confirmed sighting of her with blonde hair but she bought hair dye,” he added.
“Although we are unsure whether she actually used the hair dye, this now widens the search even more.”
Posters bearing Michaela’s photo and description have been posted all over the city.
They are on display on buses, in taxis, supermarkets, fast food outlets, shopping centres and all secondary schools. Anyone who has seen Michaela or knows where she is urged to contact police on 0300 1112222.