Sumter, SC – Authorities are searching for a 15-year-old runaway last seen leaving her Sumter County home Wednesday evening.
According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Essence Melcenia Malear Morice, 15, was reported missing after she was last seen around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, leaving her residence on Somerset Drive.
Investigators say Morice may be traveling with friends and could possibly be in the Camden area, though her exact whereabouts remain unknown.
Officials described Morice as 4 feet 8 inches tall and approximately 113 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. At the time she was last seen, she was reportedly wearing black pants with a “P” on them, a white shirt, and purple Crocs, according to the sheriff’s office.
The case is being handled by Investigator T. Herman, and authorities say they are asking the public to help locate the missing teen.
Anyone who sees Morice or has information about her location is urged to call 911 immediately or contact the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at 803-436-2000.
Tips can also be reported anonymously through P3Tips, where information leading to her location may be eligible for a reward, according to investigators.
Runaway alerts like this can be especially important for students, classmates, and young people who may have recently seen or heard from the missing teen, authorities noted.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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