Crawfordsville girl, 15, has been missing for a week

Friday, July 8, 2011

CRAWFORDSVILLE -- A 15-year-old Southmont High School student has been missing for a week since last reportedly being seen on Thursday, June 30.

Jessica Brook Rentchler lives with her father Alvin in Crawfordsville. He reported her missing at about 8 p.m. on June 30, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department said.

She was last seen at their residence, 1979 E. CR 300S, Crawfordsville.

Authorities believe she is likely a runaway, although there is no indication the teenager had ever previously run away from home.

A white female, Jessica Rentchler is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 120 pounds. She has blue eyes and long dark blond hair.

Anyone who has any information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department at 362-3740.

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  • WHY has there not been an Amber Alert? Is she not a minor?

    -- Posted by collegegirl2008 on Fri, Jul 8, 2011, at 6:16 AM
  • Because there's not an abduction or risk of bodily injury. That would be my guess.

    http://www.amberalert.gov/guidelines.htm

    -- Posted by Keyboard_hero on Fri, Jul 8, 2011, at 7:21 AM
  • Why hasn't this been a top story ANYWHERE?? We live in Lafayette, only 30 minutes north of Crawfordsville, and I had to hear about this by going online to the Banner Graphic? Well thank you Banner Graphic for reporting on IMPORTANT TOPICS!! Praying for this girls family and for the girl. Hope she comes home safely and soon!

    -- Posted by christa4605 on Fri, Jul 8, 2011, at 8:02 AM
  • I can't believe that this is the first time that I have heard of this! Girl goes missing in Bloomington and they get national news, but this young lady is missing over a week and this is the first in a local newspaper? My Lord people what is wrong here, I pray that she is found and makes it home to her family.

    -- Posted by BTruth1958 on Fri, Jul 8, 2011, at 8:27 AM
  • The unfortunate part is there was "most likely foul play" in the Bloomington incident, and it seems stories like that take off much quicker than ones that don't have a "twist" to them. Which is very, very sad and unfortunate. Every single missing person deserves their communities attention and support. Praying for the family and for a safe return home...

    -- Posted by SMEEBS on Fri, Jul 8, 2011, at 9:14 AM
  • This is not the first time this story has been in the news! This story has been in The Paper, The Journal Review (both of Crawfordsville), The Journal and Courier (of Lafayette) and now the Banner.

    I hope they find Jessica safe and sound.

    Lauren Spierer from Bloomington has gotten so much media bc..One, they knew she was in extreme danger. And two, her parents are extremely wealthy. Which unfortunately makes a difference. This young lady is thought to be a run away and in no immediate danger. Perhaps with her biological mother, who has supervised visits only and after being contacted by the father and told her daughter was missing, has not answered the phone or returned any calls or with a boyfriend. The Journal reported she was being left home alone for at least 12 hours every day, getting in trouble recently, shoplifting, stole and wrecked a car. Her room was left a mess with things missing. Which is why they believe she is a runaway. I'm not saying I agree with the fact that this story is not all over the news, just saying why I believe it isn't.

    -- Posted by putnammom on Fri, Jul 8, 2011, at 9:24 AM
  • I think it is time we question the regulations of the "Amber and Silver" Alerts. What is the guideline for setting the alert, contacting the media? Who gets to make the decision if your missing loved one is in "danger" or not? Unfortunately recently we have seen multiple cases of missing people(girl from Bloomington, grandma from northern Indiana, and young man from Plainfield). Should it matter if 1 family is wealthier than the other, or if it involves an estranged family member, or just a troubled soul--I don't think so! It is helpful that the Banner has picked up this story, but why has it taken a week, immediate release of information is critical in locating missing people.

    -- Posted by Peacegirl on Fri, Jul 8, 2011, at 10:03 AM
  • If the person is listed as a runaway, they cannot issue an "amber alert". They also cannot run it on TV or radio. The family would have had to report her as such.

    -- Posted by Mom23+ on Mon, Jul 11, 2011, at 7:56 PM
  • Without absolute knowledge that she is a runaway she should be regarded as "in danger". Well even if she is a runaway she could be in danger.

    -- Posted by indianamama on Fri, Jul 15, 2011, at 12:28 PM
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