Stepmom Melissa Gusé was reportedly the last known person to see missing California teen Karlie Gusé before she disappeared nearly two weeks ago. Throughout searching for the teen, the stepmom’s version of events have changed, but she insists she only wants to bring Karlie home.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, 16-year-old Karlie possibly disappeared from her Chaflant home between 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on October 13. Stepmom Melissa said she picked Karlie up the night prior from the nearby town of Bishop at around 8 p.m. The teen allegedly told her stepmom she had smoked marijuana earlier in the evening. Melissa also indicated that Karlie acted “paranoid” and “disoriented” but once they arrived back home, she calmed Karlie down and even slept with her in her room to ensure she was OK.
When CrimeOnline initially spoke to Melissa on Tuesday, she stated that she woke up at around 5:45 a.m. and left Karlie’s room to check on her other children, two young sons. She said at some point, she dozed off, then woke up again at around 7:15 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and walked to Karlie’s room to check on her.
#NancyGrace #breakingnews again! #KarlieGuse step-mother admits to describing her last-seen incorrectly. #BringKarlieHome!
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— Crime Online (@crimeonlinenews) October 26, 2018
Melissa said she noticed Karlie was no longer in her room and began checking the entire home for her and asked her husband if he had seen her. Zac said he had not.
Afterward, the pair set out to search for Karlie, noting that she had left behind her cellphone and all of her personal belongings.
On Wednesday, Melissa spoke to CrimeOnline‘s Nancy Grace but her version of events changed. She stated that she actually never left Karlie’s bed once they went to sleep for the night. The stepmom said she slept with the teen to make sure she was OK, then woke up at around 5:45 a.m. and noticed Karlie still in the bed next her, awake.
Melissa said she went back to sleep, still in Karlie’s bed, then woke up at around 7:15 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and noticed her stepdaughter was no longer there.
When asked about the inconsistencies, Melissa, who indicated she’s been stricken with panic and worry for Karlie, said again that she never left the girl’s bedroom when she woke at 5:45 a.m. It’s unclear why the story changed, but Melissa stressed that she only wants to bring her stepdaughter home.
Meanwhile, aside three witnesses who confirmed they saw a female walking in and close to Karlie’s neighborhood who looked like the missing girl on October 13, authorities haven’t confirmed any other leads or credible tips. Mono County Sheriff Ingrid Brauhn said that at this point, all resources in the search effort for Karlie have been exhausted, but she encourages everyone to continue sharing the girl’s flyer.
Karlie is described as a white female who stands 5-feet-7-inches tall and weighs around 110 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes. She may have been wearing a white t-shirt, dark gray sweatpants and Vans shows when she disappeared.
Anyone with any information on Karlie’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Mono County Sheriff’s Office at 760-932-7549.
[Feature Photo: Karlie Gusé/Handout]
