BRITTANY HARPER - 17 yo - Meigs County (SW of Knoxville) TN

Patrick and Melissa Harper have been posting
flyers across Meigs County and reaching out on Facebook trying to find
their daughter.
It's been four days since 17-year-old Brittany Harper went missing. The girl told her father she was going
outside and they haven't seen her since.
Brittany's keys, phone, and driver's license
were all left behind. It makes her parents worry that she wasn't planning to leave.
"None of her makeup is even missing, and that's what we don't understand," said Patrick Harper. "The way she is,
the way we know her, there's no way she would just leave this stuff at home."




Authorities believe they know who Brittany is with.
A warrant was issued for her on-again, off-again boyfriend 19-year-old Cody Hawkins.
Hawkins allegedly violated a protective order to stay away from Brittany
and her parents just days before Brittany disappeared.
"Some of her friends have come forward and
said she was scared of him," said Patrick Harper, "what he might do if
she tried to leave him."
But while the Harpers say their daughter is
in danger, Cody Hawkins' parents say if the girl is with their son, it's by choice.
The only person who has heard from the pair
is Detective Keith Kile, who received a voicemail from Brittany saying
he would see her when she is 18.
"A phone call is a phone call, you can't have
a visual on her, all you hear is a voice," said Kile. "We can't assume
she is safe until we see her face-to-face."
The TBI is now involved in the search.

Brittany's parents say they just want to know
she is safe.

"All we want is for her to come home," said
Patrick Harper, "we'll deal with the rest later."

"And Brittany, if you can hear this," added
Melissa Harper, "I love you sweetheart."

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12542368

Missing McMinn County teen located; boyfriend in custody

Posted: May 25, 2010 7:10 PM EDT Updated: Jun 08, 2010 12:20 PM EDT

By Callie Starnes

Eyewitness News Reporter

McMINN COUNTY, TN (WRCB) - Eyewitness News has learned missing 17 year-old Brittany Harper is home safely.

Her father, Patrick Harper, told us Brittany did not return after stepping outside the house around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 23.

Detectives confirmed the girl was with her 19 year-old boyfriend Cody Hawkins after receiving a call from the girl saying she would come home when she turned 18.

An anonymous caller told authorities Monday night the pair was at a home just two doors down from Hawkins' address.

McMinn and Meigs county authorities arrived to find them both.

Cody Hawkins is charged with violating a protective order, contributing to a minor, and sexual solicitation of a minor with an electronic device.

Meigs County Detective Keith Kile says inappropriate content was found on Brittany's cell phone sent from Hawkins.

Brittany Harper was served with a runaway petition early Tuesday morning. She will appear in juvenile court on Thursday.

Hawkins is still in the Meigs County jail. He will also go before a judge on Thursday.

Det. Kile says Hawkins' parents could face charges.

Patrick Harper, Brittany's dad, called Eyewitness News late Monday night to deliver the news.

Harper says he is glad to have his daughter home safely.