Batholdge family fears missing teen was abducted; activist warns parents about predators luring girls on social media

Family members of Tezean Morancie, the missing Bathlodge
teenager, believe that she was abducted, and they are making plans
to mount a search for her.

The family’s suspicions come as a shock to many people, who are
asking what is going on in Antigua and Barbuda.

Others say the allegation is serious, and they suggest that the family
visit the teenager’s school and speak to her friends, who might know
something that could lead to her whereabouts.

In this vein, a local activist is warning parents – especially those
with daughters aged 10 to 17 years, who are allowed to have cell
phones or tablets, to take the time and go through their devices.
She is advising that the girls’ Instagram, Tik Tok, WhatsApp and
other social-media platforms are used for communication with
predators; and so parents should search for nude pictures,  sex
videos and communication with males whom she describes as
pedophiles. 

The activist claims that a certain 14-year-old girl – who apparently
does not reside in Antigua – has many Instagram accounts and uses
these to coerce young girls to send her nude pictures. Allegedly, the
photos are then distributed to men who, in turn, use them to
blackmail the girls.

It is further alleged that certain persons working in law enforcement
are a part of this ring; and the activist is wondering whether officials
are aware of this, but are turning a blind eye.

Meanwhile, Tezean has been missing since last Thursday, June 15,
and her relatives say they have no leads. Accordingly, they are
pleading for assistance from the Government and the community to
help to find the 14-year-old girl.

She reportedly left home at around 10:30 a.m. that day to go to a
supermarket on the Bathlodge main road, but she never returned
home.

The Police reportedly have carried out several searches within the
immediate area, as well as the two main bus terminals in St. John’s,
after they reportedly received information that she was seen in the
City.

The teenager is approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, fair in
complexion, and has black hair combed back into a ponytail. Her
family says she was last seen wearing a pair of long black pants and
a black short-sleeve T-shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Criminal
Investigations Department at 462-3913, or her family at 778-4420.