Paightyn Jones missing news has shocked the entire community.
The Bent Tree West neighborhood in North Dallas has been searching for 15-year-old Paightyn Marie Jones since she went missing on June 23, 2021.
The teen left her home without her phone, any money, or her medication.
Her mother, friends, and neighbors have been driving around to locate her, but to no avail.
Paightyn’s mother’s concerns arise from the fact that her daughter left without personal belongings, medication, or communication devices.
Furthermore, she fears that her daughter may not fully understand the dangers of being with strangers.
Her mother wishes that anyone who may have seen or heard from Paightyn to come forward immediately to help locate her.
DFW folks, please RT, especially those in far north Dallas/west Plano. Paightyn Jones has been missing since Wednesday 6:30pm @DallasPD will not issue an Amber Alert because she doesn’t fit all the criteria. This is every family’s worst nightmare & they just want her safely home. pic.twitter.com/AhljJcy7sD
— Teresa (@Teresa7277) June 23, 2023She has reached out to her daughter’s friends to help find her, but none have heard from her or seen her online.
Police report a suspected sighting of Paightyn Jones missing person
Recent updates provide a glimpse of hope in Paightyn’s case.
The police report that they spotted Paightyn on CCTV footage entering an alley in the Bent Tree West area, close to the Mitchell Elementary_PISD campus.
This information provides a starting point for the search effort and helps the police focus their resources to the area.
Jones was reportedly caught on a security camera going into an alley close to the Mitchell Elementary_PISD campus.
Although her friends and family are concerned, the police initially labeled Jones a runaway and could not declare her missing.
Furthermore, an Amber Alert could not be issued because of the new law’s stringent requirements that restrict age and circumstances parameters for an Amber Alert issued statewide.
Texans have recently passed the Athena Strand Bill as part of an effort to minimize the time between the disappearance of a minor and the issuance of a statewide Amber Alert.
HOA community and residents join the search efforts
The Bent Tree West HOA community has mobilized all available resources to help locate Paightyn.
HOA has requested that residents of the area review their CCTV videos to identify any potential lead that could assist in locating Paightyn.
@WFAA @WBAP @KDFW @CBSDFW Where are you on the missing 15 year old from N. Dallas?Paightyn Marie Jones went walking on Brooktree last night around 6:30 to Voss. She was without phone, money or purse. She has not been heard from at all by her family or friends. Ask @DallasPD
— Mimzy Borogroves No DM's (@MBorogroves) June 23, 2023The police have yet to report Paightyn as missing and have labeled her as a runaway, which impedes the issuing of an Amber alert.
However, her family fears for her safety and is doing everything possible to locate her.
The Athena Strand Bill: Efficient issuance of Amber Alerts
The family’s frustrations stem from their inability to issue an Amber Alert in Paightyn’s case.
This situation arises because of the jurisdictional and legal rules limiting the issuance of Amber alerts to certain parameters. One solution that addresses this issue is the Athena Strand Bill.
It is a law meant to reduce the time taken to issue an Amber Alert after a child goes missing.
This Bill proposes that law enforcement authorities can send Amber alerts to a radius of up to 100 miles from the location where a child was last seen.
This issuance can happen even when there is no evidence of a kidnapping.
Moreover, it is based on the assumption that the child is in danger.
Paightyn Jones missing: The bottom line
The Paightyn Jones missing highlights the inadequacies of Amber Alert systems.
It also points out the consequences of children leaving home without their personal belongings.
However, the HOA community, residents, and Paightyn’s family are doing everything in their power to find her.
The recent sighting on CCTV footage provides hope for her safe return, but more information is necessary to know her whereabouts.
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