A 15-year-old Palo Alto girl and her 12-year-old Portola Valley boyfriend went missing Wednesday night or early Thursday morning and are believed to have run away together.
The girl, Emily Schubert, has been reported missing to the Palo Alto Police Department.
Benjamin Chilton's parents discovered their son missing from their home when they went to wake him up for school Thursday morning, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
Friends of Ben and Emily said the two planned to go to the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco to hang out, the Sheriff's Office reported. It is unknown how they are traveling.
Emily is described as white, 5-foot-7-inches tall, 105 pounds with bright pink and red hair and brown eyes. She was last seen carrying a multi-colored backpack, according Palo Alto Police Agent Sandra Brown.
Ben is described as white, 5-foot-9-inches tall, 135 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes.
Brown confirmed Friday morning that the pair have not yet been found.
Law enforcement agencies in San Mateo, Santa Clara and San Francisco counties have been notified, along with transit agencies. San Francisco police officers are "actively looking" for the youths.
Information about Ben and Emily has also been entered into a nationwide database for missing persons.
People with information on the whereabouts of either youth are asked to contact any law enforcement agency.
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office can be reached at 650-363-4911.
Comments
University South
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:20 am
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:20 am
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Midtown
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:23 am
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:23 am
Try not to judge so harshly, Lorena. He could've easily left the house after his parents said goodnight to him. I doubt many parents forgo sleep to guard the doors all night.
another community
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:32 am
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:32 am
I agree with beb. Nothing in the article, so far, indicates what time they last saw their son. He could have snuck out any time after they went to bed.
College Terrace
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:36 am
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:36 am
Yes, Lorena, your rush to judge is unfair and unkind. The kids went missing Wednesday night or Thursday morning -- most likely the kids waited and snuck out after their parents had gone to bed for the night. They were planning to run away.
I feel sorry for the parents who must be worried sick. I pray the kids are found quickly.
Woodside
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:41 am
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:41 am
Lorena:
I don't see anything related to your assertion that the parents didn't "say goodnight" to their child. And then to go on a rant about parenthood?
Just wondering, did you, or your kids, ever crawl out a window? Sneak out the back door.
Or sneak in? ;-)
Good luck to the Emily and Ben, and to the families.
Godspeed.
Duveneck School
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:45 am
on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:45 am
We are in anguish with the parents and extended families. May these precious children be located soon. It is certain our law enforcement officers are doing their utmost and the outcome will soon be good news.
Old Palo Alto
on Apr 9, 2010 at 11:38 am
on Apr 9, 2010 at 11:38 am
They are both so young! How scary for their families. I hope they come to their senses and call home.
Menlo Park
on Apr 9, 2010 at 11:41 am
on Apr 9, 2010 at 11:41 am
The Chilton's are wonderful parents. It is not fair to judge.
Barron Park
on Apr 9, 2010 at 12:18 pm
on Apr 9, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Haight-Ashbury
the summer of love
too young and too late
another community
on Apr 9, 2010 at 12:57 pm
on Apr 9, 2010 at 12:57 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Portola Valley
on Apr 9, 2010 at 1:23 pm
on Apr 9, 2010 at 1:23 pm
What can we do to help find them? Perhaps the woman with the search dog that just found the San Jose 4 year old could help--they were brilliant in finding that child at the Jungle Island.
Evergreen Park
on Apr 9, 2010 at 1:27 pm
on Apr 9, 2010 at 1:27 pm
How about we just all hope they make it home safe and sound regardless of what happened..seriously people. Kids are kids..teens will be teens..like none of you ever snuck out?? How about you just support the families..imagine if it were YOUR kids missing!
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Apr 9, 2010 at 2:23 pm
on Apr 9, 2010 at 2:23 pm
His photo? I can understand why she ran away with him.
Where's the photo of the girl? Pink hair makes her easy to spot but still. They should at least have some sort of photo of her.
Menlo Park
on Apr 9, 2010 at 5:54 pm
on Apr 9, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Ben
Your "my boy" rember gold rush ??
Call me or Nick
650-642-6275
NOT cool but we all understand
call your folks and tell them you R okay
Mark & Nick
Barron Park
on Apr 9, 2010 at 8:10 pm
on Apr 9, 2010 at 8:10 pm
San Mateo County just announced that they won't charge Emily Schubert with the kidnapping of Benjamin Chilton, it will be treated as just a runaway case.
qq
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Apr 9, 2010 at 9:46 pm
on Apr 9, 2010 at 9:46 pm
These children's pictures should be on every news program - 2, 4,5,7, an 11 - in every newscast in the Bay Area and in Los Angeles every night until they are found. A fifteen year old girl with red-pink dyed hair would be hard to miss (unless covered by a cap), and even the inhabitants of the Haight Asbury or other such areas would probably be very hesitant to harbor a minor. That's aiding and abetting - big time. They have to eat, and McD's, Burger King, and Wendy's should be plastered with pictures. Employees in those establishments are really very nice people who would want to help.
Greendell/Walnut Grove
on Apr 10, 2010 at 2:33 am
on Apr 10, 2010 at 2:33 am
hey...it doesnt matter but 12 and 15 yrs of age is a diffence..people marry at 15....but who cares..if the kid was older then this would be news and outrage...
the girl in this case has more sense , so all of this is bolgna...thanks..
its cheese on bread
Greenmeadow
on Apr 11, 2010 at 2:50 am
on Apr 11, 2010 at 2:50 am
i just do not understand...where these follow ups are going...pls tell..
so the 12 yr old whose not a teen is at risk?
Portola Valley
on Sep 4, 2010 at 10:04 pm
on Sep 4, 2010 at 10:04 pm
none of you know me so dont talk bout me. except you guys nick and mark
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 4, 2010 at 10:16 pm
on Sep 4, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Ben,
Do something dumb and people will comment, its the way of the world.