Kenai girl missing; reported as runaway

A Kenai girl, Ayla Smith, is missing from the home of her mother Megan Ehret since Friday morning. Ehret reported her a runaway to the Kenai Police Department Friday.

A Facebook message posted on local Facebook pages, including the Peninsula Clarion’s, by Ehret’s friend Holly Ward states that Smith is around 5 feet,1 inch tall with blond/brown hair and blue eyes.

The message states Smith was last seen 9 a.m. Friday at Ehret’s home. Ehret said Smith went missing while Ehret was at work, leaving a note saying she was running away. Ehret said she took two grey cats with her.

Kenai Police Department Sergeant Scott McBride said the Kenai Police have posted a bulletin on a case to other local departments.

“If anybody else knows where the child’s at, they’ll call us,” McBride said.

McBride said the Kenai Police would be the principal investigators of the case.

Ehret said that in addition to the state troopers and the Kenai police department, she reported Smith’s disappearance to the Seward and Anchorage police, as well as others.

“I’ve notified everybody,” Ehret said. “Because of her outreach on social media in the past, she has friends all over the state. Pretty much every police department, but most active with the Kenai Police Department.”

Ehret said Smith’s social media accounts haven’t been receiving new posts since her disappearance.

Those with information can submit it to the Kenai Police Department at 283-3693, or to Megan Ehret at 398-3143.

Reach Ben Boettger at ben.boettger@peninsulaclarion.com.

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