NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News police have deployed significant resources in the search for missing teen, Marwa Barakzai, who authorities believe has run away after she asked her school bus driver to drop of her off in a different location at the end of the school day last Thursday.
Bloodhounds, drones, canvassing, CCTV cameras, interviews with family and classmates, have been involved in the search, which has now been on for a week. Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said they are also working with the governor's office, the FBI, and state police in the search.
"We believe Marwa is a runaway. What is she running away from? We don't actually know. The only person who actually does know why she's run away is Marwa,” Police Chief Steve Drew said. “I want her to know we love her, we care about her, we want her back safe."
"No one's mad at you, you haven't done anything wrong," Drew continued.
Thursday morning, facing increasing questions about the case, Police Chief Steve Drew and Mayor Phillip Jones held a press conference to give updates about Barakzai.
Mayor Phillip Jones says police and officials have been working around the clock, reporting back to him every few hours.
"If you know something, say something. We cannot do this alone," Jones said.
Over the weekend, Virginia State Police issued a CODI alert on behalf of Newport News Police, saying her disappearance poses a threat to her health and safety. CODI alerts are sent out by law enforcement when a missing child's disappearance poses a credible threat.
Newport News Police told News 3 in an email Tuesday the case is being investigated as a runaway incident and that detectives are working to locate her.
The disappearance has prompted members of the community to search for Barakzai, including in the woods near Warwick High School, on Tuesday.
The case has gotten the attention of city leadership, including Mayor Phillip Jones, who commented in a video on social media.
"We need your help to find her please contact either 911 or P-D if you've seen or heard from her," Jones said.
