The girl's mother tells WUSA9 that her daughter was found safe on Thursday.
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DUMFRIES, Va. — Update: The teen's mother tells WUSA9 that her daughter has been found safe.
Original Story:
It's been more than 48 hours since a 15-year-old was last heard from, and her family is now desperately searching for answers.
The teen left her Dumfries home early Monday morning, reportedly heading to the bus stop near Dumfries Road and Fortuna Plaza. Her mother, Katy Gonzalez, said that was the last time she heard from her daughter.
"I called her to make sure she was at the bus stop," Gonzalez said. "She told me she was at the bus stop."
Gonzalez said she texted her daughter around 6:30 a.m. "After that, I never got a response back. Never," she said.
Her fears only grew as the hours passed.
Gonzalez said she grew increasingly concerned. "It got like 6, 7, 8, 9 o'clock at night. I'm like, what's going on? Like this is not like her."
The teenager had recently started going to Forest Park High School in Woodbridge. Prior to that, she attended Columbia Heights Education Campus in Northwest D.C.
On Wednesday night, her mother posted missing persons fliers near the former school, hoping someone there might have seen her.
She emphasized that her daughter has never gone missing before and has always kept in touch. "She's never done this before. Ever," she said.
Now, the family has expanded their search from Dumfries to Woodbridge and into the District, posting flyers and reaching out to anyone who may have information.
"I just want her to know that I love her," Gonzalez said, wiping away tears. "I just, I just want her home. That's it. That's all."
"If anyone knows anything, just please say something. Please say something," she added. "Because I'm sure that you guys are parents and mothers and fathers, and I wouldn't wish this on anyone."
Until she finds her daughter, Gonzalez said she will not stop searching.
"I'm very worried. Like, I can't sleep. I haven't eaten in three days," she said. "Like I said, this isn't like her."