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Police search for missing Washington County teen possibly traveling out of state

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, October 25th 2025 at 17:28 GMT by WGME
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Washington County Police are conducting a broad search for 15‑year‑old Emily Hart, who vanished on Tuesday night after leaving home to meet a friend. According to the county’s investigation team, Emily was last seen leaving her parents’ house at 6:12 p.m. after a routine school‑related event. The teen’s parents report that she had no phone in her pocket and did not tell anyone where she was going.

The missing‑person announcement, released by the Washington County Police Department (WCPD) at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, highlights that the girl’s family has expressed concerns she might have traveled outside state lines. “We are deeply worried that she may have left the county, or even the state, on her own,” said Police Sergeant Mark Reyes in a statement. “We are coordinating with the Arkansas Highway Patrol, the Texas Rangers, and the U.S. Marshals to widen the search area.”

Emily, who attends Washington High School, was last seen wearing a navy hoodie, blue jeans, and her signature Converse sneakers. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and was described by her father, Tom Hart, as “extremely independent.” Tom added that Emily had a strong friendship with a girl in her sophomore class, “Samantha,” who was the last person to see her. Samantha, whose mother, Lisa, was interviewed at the police station, said that Emily had asked her to meet in the park on Willow Street, but the friend had not yet arrived when Emily left the house.

The WCPD is asking anyone with any information—especially those who may have seen a young woman matching Emily’s description driving east on Interstate 35—to call the Washington County Police (703‑555‑2121). The department also requests that motorists in the area, including highway patrol officers, check for a vehicle that matches the description: a silver 2015 Honda Civic, no visible damage, license plate “WA 7XYZ.”

A preliminary search of the area around the Hart residence revealed no signs of a struggle or forced entry. The family’s house was thoroughly inspected by detectives. In addition to searching the immediate neighborhood, the WCPD is extending the search into the nearby town of Franklin and the county’s rural roadways. The police team also has a volunteer search squad of local residents who are combing through wooded areas and abandoned structures.

Emily’s mother, Melissa Hart, expressed her grief but also urged the public to help. “I want to see her safe and alive. If you have any information, no matter how small, please let us know,” she said. Melissa’s plea has prompted a surge in calls to the WCPD, many of which contain potential sightings of a teenage girl matching Emily’s description in the neighboring counties of Benton and Boone.

The Washington County Police Department posted the missing‑person details on its Facebook page and on the “Missing Teens” database on the Arkansas State Police website. A searchable profile shows Emily’s photo, medical details, and last known location. The profile also notes that Emily has no medical conditions, but her parents say she has mild anxiety and has previously had panic attacks, a detail the detectives have considered in their search strategy.

A key aspect of the investigation involves tracking Emily’s electronic activity. The police are working with the AT&T and Verizon networks to review the last four hours of her cell phone activity before she went missing. While the county’s forensic team has not released any details, the police spokesperson said that they are “looking at the cell tower data to trace her phone’s location for that critical time frame.”

Emily’s school has also been involved in the search. Washington High School’s counseling staff has offered support to classmates and teachers, and the school is distributing flyers with Emily’s photo and contact information. The school’s guidance counselor, Mrs. Diane Clark, said the administration is monitoring all students closely and encourages anyone who knows Emily or has any information to come forward.

The WCPD has coordinated with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Missing Persons. The federal agency has issued a tip line and has added Emily’s name to the national “MISSING” database. The federal office has asked anyone who may have encountered Emily in the last 48 hours to report the encounter to the local police or to the federal tip line at 1‑800‑4‑MISSING.

In addition to law enforcement, the community has organized a search watch at the local church and a fundraiser to cover the costs of additional search equipment, such as drones and thermal cameras. The Washington County Sheriff's Office has also deployed drones in the last 24 hours to scan the surrounding hills and woods. The drones have not yet identified any leads but will continue to be used as weather conditions improve.

The WCPD has issued a request for anyone who may have seen a young woman matching Emily’s description near the I‑35 corridor from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 10 a.m. Wednesday. “If you saw her or someone who might have driven away from the area with a teen girl, please contact us immediately,” Sergeant Reyes urged. The department is also monitoring the highway’s traffic cameras for any vehicles that match the description.

For now, the community remains on edge, hoping that Emily Hart will be located quickly. The Washington County Police Department’s ongoing multi‑agency effort, community support, and the vigilance of local motorists and citizens continue to keep her case alive in the public consciousness. As updates become available, the WCPD will keep the community informed through its social media channels and the local radio station, 105.9 FM.