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 her off in a different location last Thursday.
Bloodhounds, drones, canvassing, CCTV cameras, interviews with family and classmates, among other resources, have been involved in the week-long search for the 16-year-old Menchville High student. 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,” 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 this week, Police Chief Steve Drew and Mayor Phillip Jones held a press conference to give updates about their investigation into Barakzai's disappearance.
Watch the full press conference here
"Every single resident is important to us, and we have invested a lot of time into this search and will continue to do so,” Jones said.
"I want the Muslim community to know we are extremely invested in finding her and making sure she is okay," Drew said.
Barakzai’s family has been heavily involved with police in the search for their daughter, Drew says her mother is heartbroken and her father has been driving around looking for her. The family made a police report after her disappearance and gave police a better photo of Barakzai.
"Her mom wants her daughter back, and that's what we all want," Drew said.
Jones says police and officials have been working around the clock, reporting back to him every few hours. The Newport News Police Department has seen 87 runaways this year: 83 have been located and four are outstanding, including Barakzai, according to Drew.
"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.
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 on Wednesday.
Anyone with information about Marwa's whereabouts is asked to contact Newport News police.
