CHESTERFIELD CO., S.C.– An Amber alert has been issued for 14-year-old Alexis Ann Deas of Chesterfield county.Β
Officials say that the Deas’ stepfather, 43-year-old Harland Melton, took her from New Heights Middle School Friday in Jefferson, South Carolina using a fake dentist appointment as an excuse.Β
Deas has blue eyes and brown, shoulder-length hair. She is 5 feet 2 inches and is 125 pounds. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket with Aeropostale on the sleeve and blue jeans.
Melton is driving a black 1999 Nissan Maxima with the South Carolina license plate number: IUF 593. He has green eyes, short hair and a full beard. He is 5 feet 10 inches and 150 pounds.Β
Melton may be traveling to Texas.
The Chesterfield County School District has issued a statement on the inccident:Β
On Friday, Jan. 30. Alexis Deas, a student at New Heights Middle School in Chesterfield County, was signed out of school by her stepfather, Harland Melton. Melton was authorized as a person who could sign out and pick up the student.
Β WhenΒ Melton signed the student out he indicated to the school officialsΒ that he was taking the student to the dentist.Late yesterday it came to the attention of the family and authorities that Melton had misrepresented where he was taking the student, and the authorities became concerned about her whereabouts.
All indications are that the sign out procedure at the school was followed correctly.Chesterfield County School District Superintendent Dr. Harrison Goodwin said that his thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.Β “The safety and well being of our students is always our first priority,” adds Goodwin.”βΉ”βΉ
If you have any information, you are asked to contact the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office at 843-623-6838.
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