Runaway teen continues to elude authorities

By By Steve Gillespie/staff writer
Jan. 12, 2002
Amber Moody, a 15-year-old runaway from Lauderdale, continues to elude authorities after leaving home more than three months ago.
Since Moody left home, Butler said she has received word that some of her daughter's friends have seen her, but no information has led to her being found.
Stephens added that Meridian police are following leads at a housing authority where Moody has reportedly been seen and Scot Rowland, school attendance officer for Meridian and Lauderdale County, has been staying in contact with students to help develop leads.
Rowland said he is working to persuade students to come forward anonymously with information.
Both Rowland and Stephens said persons helping Moody hide could face charges, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
An award of an undisclosed amount of money is being offered by a friend of Butler's for information used to find Moody. Butler has circulated fliers throughout the county with her daughter's picture since October. She said she has also notified the National Association for Missing and Exploited Children and intends to post more fliers in the area.
Moody, who was attending Northeast Lauderdale High School, is a white female. She was described as 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes, but she may have altered her appearance.
Anyone with information about Moody should call the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department at 482-9806, Rowland at 482-9838, or Butler at 679-5944.