Search Intensifies For Missing South Charlotte Girl

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by Kirk Hawkins, Photographer Chris Keimig

Story Created: Mar 6, 2013 at 10:28 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 7, 2013 at 3:21 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Dozens attended a candelight vigil for Kiley Hegger in South Charlotte Wednesday night at St. Francis United Methodist Church. She has been missing for more than two days. "This is just not something I ever, ever would have foreseen happening. It's just devastating," said Gina Hegger.

Hegger said her granddaughter got an iPod Touch for her 13th birthday on Sunday, used it to get
on Facebook, communicated with people her family didn't know and then disappeared in just her pajamas. No coat. No purse. Or even identification."It's your worst nightmare. When it involves your kids. Your grand kids. It's your worst nightmare," said Gina Hegger. Hegger says a screen has sat on the ground outside her family's apartment since Monday night. That's when they believe Kiley came out a bathroom window.

The family is working with the Kristen Foundation, which helps in the search for missing young
adults. "You can go in your head a lot of different dangers. To me. I think she's in danger," said Kristen Foundation Founder Joan Scanlon-Petruski.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library helps parents talk to their kids about responsible internet behavior. "Being able to use technology in a responsible manner means they are responsible digital citizens and that they behave online and in an off-line appropriate manner," said Angela Craig, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Teen Services Coordinator.

Gina Hegger says Kiley was never allowed outside of her apartment alone. She says the teen was always supervisted. Until she got the iPod Touch, that her family didn't know had internet access. "I just want my granddaughter back safely. The fear is unimaginable. No one should have to go through this. No one," said Gina Hegger.

The dangers of the internet, all to real for one family, as they continue to hohld out hope.

Next week is Teen Tech Week at local libraries. Click on Web Links for more details.

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