BELIZE CITY, Sun. Apr. 12, 2015–The Gentle family of Nutmeg Street of the St. Martin De Porres area of the city are trying to determine the whereabouts of Keia Gentle, 16, who disappeared from their home on Wednesday morning, April 8. She is believed to have run away.

Police have since begun a search for her and her photo has been posted at the precinct stations in Belize City.

Keia’s mother, Ava Belgrave, said that she is so worried about her daughter that she cannot sleep.

Ava told Amandala that Keia was well-loved and cared for at home. However, on Wednesday, she saw two girls with her daughter who she believed had run away from the “Children’s Home”. She asked the two girls to leave, she said.

Belgrave said that on Tuesday evening, Keia hugged her and said, “Mommy I love you”, and she went to sleep.

At about 8:00 Tuesday night, she was not in her room, and neither was she in her room on Wednesday morning. Her mother searched for her, but could not find her.

Police have now joined the search and the family is now seeking public assistance to find Keia.

Keia is a student at the Skill Training Centre on Magazine Road, where she is being trained to be a front desk receptionist. Her mother said that she is not aggressive and could be taken advantage of by friends who wanted to exploit her.

Keia Gentle is of Creole descent, is of a dark complexion with a round face, is about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds.

Anyone who sees or knows the whereabouts of Keia or has information that could help her family to locate her is urged to contact Belgrave at telephone number 623-5506, to visit the nearest police station, or to call 911 or 0800-922-TIPS.