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Mint Hill police said their search continues Tuesday for a 16-year-old girl reported missing two days ago, with investigators planning to return to an area near a pond where the teen’s bicycle, helmet and cell phone were found earlier.
Police also said they received numerous tips overnight in the search for Kayla Campbell, and plan to follow-up on all calls.
Mint Hill police Lt. J.K. Rowell said Monday that a search of a pond off Pumpkin Way Drive had failed to turn up any sign of Campbell, an Independence High School student who had been reported missing Sunday evening.
Campbell left her home on Dartmoor Place, about a quarter-mile from the pond, around 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
She told family members she would be back in a few hours, but she has not been seen since.
A family member at the search scene said Monday afternoon that Campbell’s bike, bicycle helmet and phone had been found “in the area” of the pond.
The pond is a short distance east of Interstate 485 and south of Albemarle Road.
“At this time, we have no reason to believe there was an abduction,” Rowell told reporters on Monday. He did not elaborate.
He said police would talk to the girl’s family members again, in hopes of determining where else authorities could look.
“The dive team did not turn up anything,” Rowell added.
The search began about 10:30 a.m. at the pond, and a fire department dive team arrived a short time later. Divers were in the water throughout the afternoon, and other crews searched in boats.
Residents of the area came and left during the afternoon, watching the search and talking to reporters.
Shortly after 3:30 p.m., police removed crime tape, and the search crews left.
Campbell is white, about 5 feet 6 inches and 115 pounds, with long brown hair and blue eyes.
Rowell asked that anyone with information on the teen’s whereabouts should call Mint Hill police at 704-545-1085.
The Observer’s Davie Hinshaw and April Bethea contributed
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