Neighbors asked to help search for runaway

Thirteen-year-old Alexis Glover was with her mother, Alfreedia Glover, in the Central Library parking lot at 8601 Mathis Ave. around noon Wednesday when she slipped away, police said. Alexis is emotionally and mentally disabled, and has medical issues.

Wednesday’s heavy rain followed by Thursday’s cold temperatures have sent an increasing number of police and search-and-rescue workers into the areas surrounding the library and her home on the 8300 block of Sunset Drive.

So far, members of the search party include Prince William County police, Appalachian Search and Rescue, the Manassas City Police and Manassas Park Police. Virginia State Police helicopters are scouring the area from the sky, police said.

The young black girl was last wearing bluejeans, a green and beige sweater, and white tennis shoes, police said. She is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 85 pounds.

“Her small size would make it easy for her to climb into tiny places,” said police spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Chinn. Police are urging people in the area to check sheds, doghouses and unlocked cars for Glover.

Using a reverse telephone system, police have contacted neighbors requesting they search in those areas.

Neighbor Durward Gubbs said he received the message, and checked around his house and nearby fields, but found no sign of the young girl. 

Alexis, Chinn said, has gone missing before. The last time, police found her hiding in a doghouse. It’s unclear why Alexis runs away and “she may not be able to say why herself,” Chinn said.

Police equipped Alexis with a GPS bracelet to make finding her easier, but she slipped the bracelet off soon after leaving her mother Wednesday afternoon, Chinn said. The bracelet was found near the library soon after Glover’s mother reported her missing.

The missing bracelet has police concerned Alexis is hiding from police, Chinn said.

Anyone with information should call Prince William police at 703-792-6500.