Brianna Hedgepeth was reported missing on Oct. 6 and was last seen near the Clementon/Erial area of Gloucester Township.
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 15-year-old girl from Sicklerville.
According to Gloucester Township police, Brianna Hedgepeth was reported missing on Oct. 6 after leaving her residence at about 1:30 a.m. She was last seen wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt and light-colored pants.
Authorities said Hedgepeth was last known to be in the Clementon/Erial section of the township around 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 8. She is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing approximately 200 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair.
Police have classified her as a missing and endangered juvenile and are working with surrounding law enforcement to locate her.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an estimated 360,000 reports of missing children are filed each year in the U.S. In New Jersey, there are typically more than 250 minors reported missing at any given time, with approximately 85% categorized as runaways, according to the center.
Police in Camden County have noted an increase of more than 20% percent in missing persons cases in recent years. Last year, there were more than 500 cases, many involving juveniles under 17.
While the majority of missing youth are eventually found safe, those classified as “endangered runaways” – young people under 18 who leave home voluntarily – face heightened risks due to potential exposure to unsafe environments, exploitation or lack of resources. To address that, the county operates a Child Abduction Response Team (CART), a national and multi-agency task force that responds rapidly to cases.
Anyone with information about Hedgepeth’s whereabouts is urged to contact Det. Jonathan Smith at (856) 228-4500, call 911 or submit an anonymous tip through the GTPD Crime Tip Line at (856) 842-5560. Tips can also be submitted online at gtpolice.com/tips.
