CORISSA GARDNER - 16 yo - Benton IL

The Benton Police Department is seeking information on the whereabouts of a Benton teenager.

Corissa K. Gardner, 16, has not been seen since Wednesday morning, Benton Police Chief Mike O'Neill said.

"She was dropped off at school at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, and that's the
last we've seen of her," O'Neill said. "We're very concerned."

He said Gardner "is not your typical runaway."

"She's a very intelligent kid, kind of a loner, who likes to read books," O'Neill said.

Gardner, a white female, is 5-foot, 7-inches tall, weighs approximately 140 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing faded blue jeans, a purple shirt, white hoodie sweatshirt, and pink and white tennis shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Benton Police Department at 618-435-8131 or 618-439-4504, ext. 203.

Police are searching for a missing Benton, Illinois high school student. Police
say after more than 24 hours, there are still no leads as to Corrisa
Gardner whereabouts which has her mother and family worried. "I don't know where she's at. I'm scared," Susan Gardner, Corrisa's mom said. Gardner's concern is for teenage daughter Corrisa, whom she has not seen since Wednesday morning. "I didn't know she was missing until I went to pick her up from school. And I have heard nothing from her," Gardner said. Authorities
say Corrisa was last seen at Benton High School Wednesday
around 8:15 a.m. Gardner says Corrisa did not take her phone to
school since it is not allow inside the building. "She says I'm going to school mom, you go to school. I mean we talk. There was no fight," Gardner said. Gardner says her 16 year old is a good student and did not take any extra clothes or money to school that day. "She's a homebody. She cooks," Gardner added. Gardner
says they moved to the Benton area last year, after Hurricane Ike
destroyed their home in Texas. Since then Gardner says Corrisa has not
developed a social network. "She doesn't have any friends here," Gardner said. Benton
Police Chief Mike O'Neill says they have not found anyone who may have
known Corrisa's plans. O'Neill adds since Corrisa has no history as a
runaway, nor with his department the situation is concerning. "They told me it's not like Benton, usually the kids are home in three or four hours," Gardner said. However, for Corrisa hours have now become days, which leaves a mother worried when she may see her daughter's smile again. "I want to hear her voice. She's my baby girl," Gardner said.
Corrisa
Gardner is described as a white female, 5'7" tall, about 140 pounds
with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing faded blue
jeans, a purple shirt, and white hoodie sweatshirt. If have
any information as to her whereabouts you are asked to call the Benton
Police Department at 618-435-8131 or 618-439-4505 ext 203.

A 16-year-old girl who had been reported missing walked into the Benton Police Department Friday afternoon.

Corrissa K. Gardner, a student at Benton Consolidated High School, was
in "apparent good physical health" when she entered the police
department at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Benton Police Chief Mike O'Neill said.

"She is currently being interviewed at this time, but no indications of
foul play are immediately noticed," O'Neill said. "It appears she was,
in fact, a 'runaway' and, due to public awareness, decided to return
home."

Gardner had last been seen at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday after being dropped off at BCHS.

O'Neill credited all media sources that assisted with the incident.

"Initial information gathered upon Gardner's return indicates the
media's publicizing [her] disappearance and investigative efforts were
instrumental in her deciding to return," the chief said.