UPDATE: Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.
A 13-year-old girl from Rockcastle County has been missing for a month, prompting her family to organize a prayer service.
Wynter Wagoner was last seen at her foster parents' house in Orlando, a small town in Rockcastle County. Her family gathered with friends and community members at God's Refuge Church in Laurel County to pray for her safe return.
"I believe the Lord. I believe there's power in numbers and power in prayer, and if enough people come together and just really give it to God, that's what I'm hoping for God to move in the situation, because I feel like nobody else is," Haley Whitehead, Wynter's aunt, said.
Wynter's mother, Summer Engle, was surprised by the number of people in attendance.
"I didn't realize that the community really cared about me that much or my family. My daughter means everything to me," Summer said.
She emphasized the importance of bringing Wynter home before the holidays.
"As a community and as just the rural area of Kentucky it'd be a really big thing to get a child home before the holiday," Summer said.
According to her father, Dusty, Wynter was unhappy with her current living situation, the school she was attending, and being away from family. He had been working on having Wynter move in with him before she disappeared.
"That's like ripping your heart out you know it's a whole piece of my soul. To know that she might never come back. It's just scary because all over and I just wanna protect her," Dusty said.
The Rockcastle County Sheriff's Office released a statement before the prayer service, stating that they cannot share case information over the phone with anyone who is not verified as Wynter's immediate family. However, Wynter's family says they haven't heard anything from authorities. But a private investigator is volunteering his time to find her.
"If people are hunting for her, you should have enough decency to at least say something. Saying nothing is making everybody just spiral out of control it's making the situation worse," Whitehead said.
Dusty made an emotional plea during the service, expressing his willingness to do anything to bring his daughter home.
"I'd trade you my life for her. I'd do anything for her and I'll never be the same, you know. I could never live the same. I just need my daughter home it's killing me," Dusty said.
The family wants Wynter to know that community support and love are waiting for her return.
"No judgment, the outpouring of love just to let her know that people really do care and we understand that she's going through something, but she's always welcome in this community and she has a number of people that love her," Whitehead said.
Officials asked that anyone with information in the case is encouraged to contact the sheriff's office at 606-256-2121, KSP, or local law enforcement agencies.
UPDATE: Oct. 22 at 11 p.m.
A 13-year-old Rockcastle County girl has been missing for eight days, prompting a massive search effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies as her family grows increasingly concerned about her safety.
Wynter Wagoner disappeared from her foster home in Orlando, Kentucky, on the night of October 14. Her foster parents told police she had laid down not feeling well before vanishing without a trace.
"We've not heard anything, really, no new news. It's very concerning," said John Miller, Wagoner's cousin.
The Rockcastle County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation with assistance from the FBI, Kentucky State Police, and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, among others. Sheriff Shannon Franklin said the search has been extensive but challenging.
"Much of the terrain is very difficult, a lot of cliffs," Franklin said. "Making it easy to not be seen if you don't want to be."
Wagoner went missing in the Wolf Creek Road area, a secluded and densely wooded location that has complicated search efforts.
"We've had multiple ground searches, we've had multiple drone searches. We've also been checking communication devices associated with Wynter," Franklin said.
The disappearance has deeply affected the tight-knit community.
"Knowing this community as I do and the citizens here, we've all been devastated. Sleep's been interrupted. Family times have been changed," Franklin said.
Authorities say they are considering all options.
"We don't have any reason to expect to suspect foul play at this point. There is no scenario that will not be given full consideration," Franklin said.
However, Miller said that Wagoner's family believes "a 13-year-old is not gonna survive out in the woods or be out in the woods for a long period by herself without getting cold, without getting hungry."
Miller pointed to Wagoner's absence from social media as particularly concerning.
"I do believe if she was out there and she was in a good environment she would at least make an attempt to reach family and no attempt has been made," Miller said. "As a 13-year-old, it is very unusual not to be on social media."
"That definitely does raise red flags because that's on day eight. A 13-year-old will not be able to go out in the woods by herself. As a family we do think that she's met somebody," Miller said.
Miller revealed that Wagoner had run away before.
"She has expressed concerns for where she currently lives at, that she's unhappy there," Miller said.
Despite the challenges, law enforcement remains committed to finding Wagoner.
"We are not giving up," Franklin said.
UPDATE: Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
The Rockcastle County Sheriff's Office, along with Kentucky State Police, held a press conference at 1 p.m. on Wednesday regarding missing 13-year-old Wynter Wagoner.
Police tell LEX 18 that her foster parents detailed that Wagoner disappeared on Oct. 14 around 7:30 p.m. after she went to lie down when she reportedly said she didn't feel well. According to the foster parents, she just vanished.
Authorities are still actively searching a wooded area near the home.
The family is reportedly offering a $5,000 cash reward.
Original Story:
The Rockcastle County Sheriff's Office says they are looking for a 13-year-old girl who went missing on the evening of Oct. 14 in the Orlando area of Rockcastle County.
According to officials, Wynter Wagoner is described as 5'1" tall, 147 pounds, with long brown hair, blue eyes, with both ears pierced, and a right nostril piercing.
Officials ask that anyone with information on her whereabouts call the sheriff's office at 606-256-2121 or your local law enforcement agency.
According to officials, any information given is confidential, and Deputy Dustin Saylor is investigating.
