Police searching for missing teen near Leakin Park after receiving tip

BALTIMORE, Md. - A squad car blocked a fairly long stretch of road in Leakin Park where teams of officers worked their lone tip.

Someone commented on a published news story that Phylicia Barnes could be found near the 4000 block of North Franklintown Road.

Since nine Tuesday morning, officers from Baltimore homicide, missing persons, patrol, dive teams and cadaver dogs scoured the falls and dense woods.

"This is an extreme high priority for us. Every hour that passes, we get more and more concerned. The police commissioner has authorized whatever resources necessary to find Ms. Barnes," said department spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.

And that includes asking for and receiving the assistance from the FBI's crimes against children team.

Phylicia Barnes’ facebook page and computer are now being studied.

In addition police served seven search and seizure warrants at the apartment complex where she was last seen.

Police were not successful in finding any clues at Leakin Park Tuesday evening but the search for the missing teen goes on.

"Homicide is double crossing their t's and dotting their i's from the investigation going over every single shred of evidence we already had, we're re-interviewing everybody who has already been interviewed so that we didn't miss anything."

Meanwhile the family and friends of Barnes both here and in North Carolina can only sit back and pray.

A missing poster still hangs on the apartment window where she was last scene, her family still holding out hope.

“Keeping up the faith hoping that ain't nothing wrong with her,” said cousin Rachael Johnson, “she just, I don't know…just hoping she's still fine.”

Hoping as the hours continue mounting into days.

16-year-old Phylicia Barnes, missing in Baltimore since last week, was not on a flight she was scheduled to take back to her home in North Carolina this morning, and police now suspect that foul play may have been involved and Barnes may have been abducted.

Family and friends gathered together over the weekend for a vigil Saturday night in hopes that prayers would help find Phylicia and return her safely.

Barnes was visiting friends in Baltimore last week, when she disappeared Tuesday, December 28.

Phylicia is unfamiliar with the area and doesn't know very many people.

Phylicia's mother, Janice Sallis, says that the pain of missing her daughter is worse than labor pains.

Her pain is not only mentally exhausting but also physically.

Phylicia's father, Reginald Barnes, is hoping that his prayers will join that of others to bring her home safely.

Both parents say that they appreciate everything everyone is doing, but Janice is hoping that police treat this case as if they were looking for the president's daughter, because Phylicia is her baby and she loves her.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Phylica Barnes please contact the Missing Person Unit at 443-984-7385, Northwestern Police District at 410-396-2466 or 911.