Dixie County Sheriff, K9 units search last known location of missing teenager

OLD TOWN, Fla. (WCJB) - The search for a missing teenage girl from Dixie County is stepping up as concerns grow for the child’s safety.

According to the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office, K9 units were used to search for Demiah Appling, 14, of Old Town on Tuesday. Two other law enforcement agencies aided in the search in the area near Old Town.

“This area that we’re searching [Tuesday] was the last known whereabouts that Appling was, coupled with the last known place she used her cell phone is from this area where we’re standing back toward the Suwannee River,” said Dixie County Sheriff Darby Butler.

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Officials say Appling went missing on Oct. 16, however, she was not reported missing until a week later. She was not regularly attending school and there is no indication she is a runaway. They say the family is cooperating with law enforcement.

“They’re letting us know all their known friends, where Appling normally has been in the past few years, past few days, their friends, their family, places she likes to go recreate, things of that nature,” explained Butler.

She was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue jeans, and a black zip-up jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office.

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