Maryland authorities located a vehicle belonging to a pregnant high school teacher who never showed up for her first day of school on Tuesday. Family and friends are still desperately searching for her and say that it’s unlike her to leave without telling anyone.
FOX 5 reports that a black 2011 Ford Escape with Maryland tag M522473, belonging to Laura Wallen, a pregnant teacher who disappeared from Montgomery County, was found in the neighboring Howard County on Friday.
Wallen, a teacher at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, hasn’t been seen since Labor Day. Her family reported they received a “suspicious text” regarding her whereabouts on Monday, but authorities are keeping the details of the text message disclosed. Her father went to the teacher’s Olney condo on Monday evening to look for her, but she wasn’t at home. Her family grew extremely worried when she failed to show up to class the following morning.
#WJZ Exclusive: Police recover missing pregnant teacher Laura Wallen's SUV #bringwallenhome @cbsbaltimore pic.twitter.com/AqdDcSRM5G
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) September 8, 2017
“By all appearances, she seems to be just a solid and committed person who would not behave this way,” said Montgomery County Police Capt. Paul Starks. “She has been given awards as a teacher in the past. I think she enjoys a close relationship, not only with her sister, but with her parents.”
One of Wallen’s former students, Saquan Maxwell, told WJZ-TV that Wallen was extremely excited about her pregnancy; she placed sonogram photos on her refrigerator in anticipation of the upcoming birth.
Students plan to meet at Wilde Lake High tomorrow to search for Laura Wallen @cbsbaltimore #bringwallenhome pic.twitter.com/wUlARjDVUg
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) September 8, 2017
“She told me about her pregnancy and how tired she was. She hung her sonogram up on the refrigerator and she wouldn’t tell me what she was having, but she was telling me she was excited, and she was ready for another school year.”
The teacher’s disappearance remains a mystery. So far, it’s unclear who the father of her child is. Her family reiterated several times that she would never leave without telling anyone and would never leave her dog behind. They also confirmed her excitement over her pregnancy.
#WJZ Exclusive Video: Pregnant teacher Laura Wallen's SUV found but police say she's still missing @cbsbaltimore pic.twitter.com/ObxJcynCV1
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) September 8, 2017
Authorities aren’t saying much about the vehicle discovery, but Sgt. Rebecca Innocenti, with Montgomery County Police, said all options are being explored at this point, including the possibility of foul play.
“We are urging anyone with information to come forward.We’re exploring all options, talking to friends, talking to family, to fellow teachers, anyone who may have had contact with her.”
Anyone with any information on Wallen’s whereabouts should call Montgomery County police at 301-279-8000.
ORIGINAL Story: Police are searching for pregnant teacher who never showed up for first day of school
[Feature Photo: Family Handout]
