Fears growing for missing girl, 14
FEARS are growing for a schoolgirl with health problems who has been missing for three days.
Alice Gross, 14, has not been seen since she left home at lunchtime on Thursday, telling her parents that she would be home at 6pm that night.
Police are using helicopters and sniffer dogs to search for the youngster, who left without her bank cards or travel pass.
TV stars Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross and Duncan Bannatyne have publicised her disappearance on social media and thousands of people have joined a Find Alice Gross Facebook page that was started by her friends and family.
On it her desperate mother Rosalind Hodgkiss, 50, said: ‘Alice, if you can see this, please know sweetheart that all of us love you and miss you desperately. You may be sad, you may be angry, you may be hurt, you may be scared too.
‘I just want to hug and hold you. Know that we love you and are there for you whatever you are going through. My love, please get in touch and let someone know you are safe. Alice, please come home.’
Police described Alice as 5ft 2in, slim, with shoulder-length, light brown hair, and said her disappearance was ‘very out of character’.
A spokesman said: ‘We are especially concerned. Alice has not been in good health.’
The student at Brentside High School in Ealing, West London, left the family home in nearby Hanwell without any money.
Her sister Nina Gross, who is starting at Cambridge University this year, said on Facebook that Alice’s phone appeared to be off and that friends had not heard from her, adding: ‘Thank you everyone for all your support and sharing, please keep it up. It’s very important to spread the word... Hopefully she will be found soon.’
Alice was last seen wearing dark blue jeans, a dark green lacy cardigan and denim blue Vans shoes. She may have tartan-framed spectacles with her.
The search has also taken hold online with thousands joining the Facebook page and celebrities retweeting their support for the appeal.
Her father Jose, 60, who teaches sound engineering and music production, praised the public’s support, saying the family ‘definitely don’t feel alone’. He added: ‘The police are still searching and following some leads.
‘We had helicopters searching last night and the night before. Sniffer dogs also. An amazing number of people have been printing and putting up posters including printers and estate agents.’
Dog handlers and specialist officers searched parks and cemeteries near her home yesterday.
Anyone who has seen Alice or has information that may help the investigation can call Ealing Missing Persons Unit on 020 8246 1018 or 101. Or contact the charity Missing People on 116 000.