A week later and teen still missing

WASILLA — It’s been almost a week now and the parents of a missing 16-year-old girl with special needs say they haven’t heard from her.

Pearl Lyle was picked up in a car from her home on Knik-Goose Bay Road between 5:20 and 5:30 a.m. last Tuesday, said her mother, Shawn Lyle. Pearl is a special needs child, her mother said, adding that she is mentally about 12 years old.

“She’s very naive,” she said.

Since then, Shawn Lyle said Pearl’s family has been seeking the help of the community in finding her. So far, she said late Monday afternoon, they haven’t had much luck.

Pearl is 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs about 118 pounds, and she wrestled for Wasilla High School.

Shawn Lyle said she didn’t see what kind of vehicle Pearl left in, but the driver was likely not a stranger.

“We think she went with somebody she knows because she doesn’t normally just get in the car with anyone, but that doesn’t mean I know who it was,” her mother said.

Anyone with information should call the Alaska State Troopers, the agency in charge of the case. Troopers can be reached at 745-2131.

“We did receive the report she is listed as missing and anyone who has information please, please please contact law enforcement,” AST spokeswoman Megan Peters said.

She added that, while Lyle’s medical issues aren’t the type that require her to be in constant contact with her physician, “it makes you more susceptible to becoming a victim.”