The FBI announced on Monday that it is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for any information that could lead to the recovery of a missing teenage girl from northern Maine, whose case has garnered international media interest.
Fourteen-year-old Stefanie Damron from New Sweden was reported missing by her family on September 24, after she was last seen leaving her home and walking into the woods near her residence. Authorities have conducted thorough searches and interviews, but despite their efforts, Stefanie remains unaccounted for. She is homeschooled and has limited access to social media, which may have contributed to the challenges in locating her.
According to Jodi Cohen, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston division, the agency is working closely with the Maine State Police and is optimistic that the reward will encourage people to come forward with information about Stefanie’s disappearance. The FBI’s statement indicates that the reward applies to anyone who can provide information that leads to Stefanie’s safe return or helps in the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in her case.
Cohen emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Stefanie’s family desperately wants to know where she is, and we are fully committed to helping our law enforcement partners exhaust every investigative resource to find her and bring her home.”
New Sweden, where Stefanie lives, is a small, rural community with a population of approximately 575 residents, situated 310 miles north of Portland. Notably, Stefanie did not have any electronic devices with her when she was last seen. She occasionally wandered into the woods behind her home, although such outings did not typically last this long, explained Maine State Police Major Scott Gosselin.
Gosselin also called on the public for assistance, asking for heightened vigilance and any tips or leads that could aid the investigation. The case has drawn significant media coverage, even reaching audiences in Europe. Law enforcement has received various tips from across the U.S. and Canada, which they are actively investigating, but as of now, no solid leads have emerged.
In line with standard protocol for missing minors, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has been informed, ensuring that all necessary procedures are followed given the circumstances surrounding Stefanie’s case.