Desperate hunt for 'suicidal' sweethearts, 13 and 14, who vanished in the night after leaving notes asking for their parents' forgiveness
A desperate search is on for a missing teenage couple who police fear could be suicidal.
Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of 14-year-old Kaylee Rebert and 13-year-old Nicholas Marino, who ran away from their homes in Thousands Oaks, California.
The teenagers, who both attend Redwood Middle School, were reported missing just after 1 a.m. on Thursday after Nicholas' family noticed he was gone.
Deputies searched Kaylee's home and found her missing as well, KTLA reported. Both teenagers were last seen at home.
Kylee's father, Dan Rebert, said she left behind a picture and a note asking for his forgiveness.
'You are not in anything trouble for this,' he said to his daughter in an interview. 'The picture you left me, which was beautiful, which you asked me to forgive you... you are already forgiven.'
Authorities said that Nicholas also left a note for his family.
They said that both of the teenagers are suicidal but would not go into further details.
On Thursday, deputies searched Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, which is about two miles away and which the teenagers regularly walk through.
The searched the 1,700-acre
park by ground and in the air, checking in caves and questioning several
people seen entering and leaving trails. Other teams searched nearby
bus stations.
But there was no sign of the pair and the search was called off on Friday, with police saying they would be taking the investigation in a different direction.
CBS Los Angeles reported that police have seized their computers and mobile phones to assist the search, adding that Skype calls and text messages indicated they could have travelled north.
'Now it becomes an investigation of essentially two runaways who are possibly at risk, we believe may be suicidal,' Sgt. Eric Bushow, of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, told KTLA.
'We're still looking for them. We don't know exactly what the circumstances are or their mindset.'
He added that as well as talking with friends and family members, they were combing social media. Neither of the teenagers are believed to have run away before.
Family members of the two missing teenagers handed out fliers and put up posters, and implored with their children to return home as they spoke to the media.
Nicholas' mother, Christine Marino, said: 'I want you to know that we love you and we miss you, and you're a huge part of our family. Without you it would be super devastating.'
Kaylee's father added: 'We've never been so concerned for your safety. We just want you to come home… You're not going to be in any trouble. Please, please come home.'
Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of 14-year-old Kaylee Rebert and 13-year-old Nicholas Marino, who ran away from their homes in Thousands Oaks, California.
The teenagers, who both attend Redwood Middle School, were reported missing just after 1 a.m. on Thursday after Nicholas' family noticed he was gone.
Deputies searched Kaylee's home and found her missing as well, KTLA reported. Both teenagers were last seen at home.
Missing: Nicholas Marino, left, and his girlfriend Kaylee Rebert, right, vanished at 1 a.m. on Thursday
'You are not in anything trouble for this,' he said to his daughter in an interview. 'The picture you left me, which was beautiful, which you asked me to forgive you... you are already forgiven.'
Authorities said that Nicholas also left a note for his family.
They said that both of the teenagers are suicidal but would not go into further details.
On Thursday, deputies searched Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, which is about two miles away and which the teenagers regularly walk through.
Concerns: Police believe the couple, who attend a nearby middle school together, could be suicidal
Worries: Kaylee's father Dan puts up missing posters as he searches for his daughter and her boyfriend
Missed: Nicholas' mother and sister speak to local media on Thursday and plead for him to return home
But there was no sign of the pair and the search was called off on Friday, with police saying they would be taking the investigation in a different direction.
CBS Los Angeles reported that police have seized their computers and mobile phones to assist the search, adding that Skype calls and text messages indicated they could have travelled north.
'Now it becomes an investigation of essentially two runaways who are possibly at risk, we believe may be suicidal,' Sgt. Eric Bushow, of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, told KTLA.
'We're still looking for them. We don't know exactly what the circumstances are or their mindset.'
Have you seen them? Police have taken their computers and cell phones in a bid for clues
Hunt: Authorities spent Thursday searching for the teens in a nearby park but found no sign of them
Search teams: Police told CBS that Skype conversations suggested the teens had travelled north
Family members of the two missing teenagers handed out fliers and put up posters, and implored with their children to return home as they spoke to the media.
Nicholas' mother, Christine Marino, said: 'I want you to know that we love you and we miss you, and you're a huge part of our family. Without you it would be super devastating.'
Kaylee's father added: 'We've never been so concerned for your safety. We just want you to come home… You're not going to be in any trouble. Please, please come home.'