SHE WAS LAST SEEN GETTING OUT OF A CAR — NOW POLICE ARE DESPERATELY SEARCHING FOR 16-YEAR-OLD TERRYELLA WASHINGTON

SHE WAS LAST SEEN GETTING OUT OF A CAR — NOW POLICE ARE DESPERATELY SEARCHING FOR 16-YEAR-OLD TERRYELLA WASHINGTON
New Orleans police are asking the public for help after a teenage girl disappeared Saturday afternoon.
A 16-year-old girl has gone missing in New Orleans, and police are asking the public to help bring her home.
Terryella Washington was last seen at approximately 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, after getting out of a vehicle near Louisiana Avenue and Magnolia Street, according to the New Orleans Police Department.
She was seen heading eastbound onto Magnolia Street.
Since then, her whereabouts have remained unknown.
POLICE RELEASE DESCRIPTION
NOPD described Terryella as approximately 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 160 pounds.
At the time she was last seen, she was wearing a dark gray hoodie, black jogging pants, black Crocs and a black bonnet.
Police have classified the case as a runaway investigation, while continuing efforts to locate her.
Authorities said Terryella has a history of running away. NOPD also noted that she has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, PTSD and oppositional defiant disorder.
THE LAST KNOWN MOMENTS
According to police, Terryella was reported missing by the person who had been driving the vehicle she was seen exiting.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the relationship between Terryella and the driver.
The circumstances surrounding why she got out of the vehicle have also not been fully detailed.
For now, investigators are focused on establishing where Terryella may have gone after she was last seen near Louisiana Avenue and Magnolia Street.
POLICE ASK THE PUBLIC TO HELP
NOPD is urging anyone who may have seen Terryella or knows anything about her whereabouts to come forward.
Detective Portia Ross is handling the investigation and can be reached at 504-658-6146 or by email at portia.ross@nola.gov.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 504-822-1111, 877-903-7867 or 504-822-2222.
NOPD emphasized that the investigation remains active and asked members of the public not to spread speculation or unverified claims online.
A FAMILY IS WAITING FOR ANSWERS
For now, there is no confirmed information publicly indicating what happened to Terryella after she disappeared.
Police are continuing to seek information that could help establish her whereabouts and safely locate the teenager.
Every detail — from a possible sighting to information about where she may have traveled after leaving the vehicle — could potentially help investigators.
Anyone who believes they may have seen Terryella is urged to contact police immediately.
The search for 16-year-old Terryella Washington continues.