WINDER, Ga. — Update: An update from the 16-year-old's family on Facebook and the city of Winder said she was found in North Carolina by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and is safe. The Winder Police Department confirmed that the teen was safe and added, "No foul play involved in her disappearance."
Original story:
The family of a 16-year-old who vanished in the middle of the night on Monday inside her family's RV at Fort Yargo State Park is pleading for their loved one's safe return.
Kaelyn Phillips was last seen Monday at 1:30 a.m. Winder Police are actively searching to find her; offering a $2,000 reward for any information leading to Phillips' whereabouts.
And now, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is also assisting in the investigation.
But before Monday, Kaelyn Phillips and her family were experiencing life like it was any other day for them.
Misty and Kayne Phillips, along with their three daughters, travel the country in their truck and fifth-wheel camper. The family said they homeschool their children.
On Jan. 22, the family set up camp at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder in Barrow County. It’s one of the most popular state parks in the state and covers just under 2,000 acres.
Misty said they planned to stay in the park for several weeks to visit with her family who live in the area and to host a baby shower for her sister.
On Sunday, Jan. 28, Misty had a scheduled work trip in which her husband's daughters would have to drive her to Atlanta to catch a flight to London.
She said when it comes to her family being apart, they always wait up for whoever is traveling to get to their destination before going to bed.
Misty said it was just after 1 a.m. back in Winder when she landed in London and called her husband.
“He said they were outside by the fire waiting for me to call and let them know, so then him and the girls went to bed right after that,” she explained.
Kayne and the girls got back in their RV, which is roughly 400 square feet and went to bed.
It would be several hours later when he would make a disturbing discovery.
“He got up the next morning to walk the dogs, and one of the doors was ajar, and there was something on the ground that had come out of that door,” Misty explained.
She added that the door is just one of two in the RV, and it’s one the family never uses. It is right near the bathroom the girls use in the RV.
Kayne said his first thought when he saw the door ajar was to check on his girls.
“They each have their own bed with a privacy curtain, and she was not there. She was just gone. Her cell phone, credit cards, wallet, ID not even a jacket is missing,” Misty said.
Kayne then called Misty in London to tell her Kaelyn was missing and called 911.
Winder Police dispatched officers to their campsite inside the state park.
“Once Dad reported that, we got the ball rolling for our investigative efforts,” Captain Chris Cooper with Winder Police explained.
He said they sent up a drone in part of their search efforts on Monday as well as following up leads as they would come into his detective.
Captain Cooper, along with just about everyone, including Kaelyn’s parents, agrees her phone still being in the RV is odd.
“A 16-year-old that leaves her cell phone behind is, virtually, never happens and that’s the part that we’re concerned about,” Capt. Cooper said.
As the search continues, the Phillips are trying to stay strong for their younger two daughters.
“Now I have a 5-year-old who is drawing missing posters for her sister,” Misty explained.
First Baptist Church of Carl is hosting a prayer meeting for Kaelyn Phillips on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The service will be held at 1588 Carl-Bethlehem Rd in Auburn.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Winder Police Detective Wayne Manthe at 470-201-9914 or email him at wayne.manthe@cityofwinder.com.