HARRISBURG, Illinois — Harleigh Shew, a 14-year-old girl from Harrisburg, has been missing since late Saturday night, and family members along with local authorities are growing increasingly worried as they search for her. She was last seen around 10:45 p.m. on December 27, 2025, leaving a friend’s house in Harrisburg, according to multiple missing-person alerts shared online by community members and family.
Harleigh is described as approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing about 100 pounds, with blue eyes and brown-blonde hair that has pink coloring. At the time she disappeared, she was wearing black leggings, a light pink hoodie, a black jacket, and cheetah-print shoes.
Her family says she may have left with a 19-year-old man identified only as Ethan, believed to be from the Mt. Vernon, Illinois area. Because of that possible connection, authorities are extending their search beyond Harrisburg toward Mt. Vernon and nearby communities.
Harleigh was in possession of her cellphone when she left the friend’s home, but her phone has since been turned off and there has been no contact between her and her family or friends. This sudden silence has been especially hard on her loved ones, who say it’s out of character for her not to check in.
Local police departments are urging anyone who has seen Harleigh or knows anything about her current whereabouts to come forward. The Mt. Vernon Police Department and Harrisburg Police Department have both been notified, and tips are being collected as search efforts continue.
Her mother, Kelsey Sanford, has also shared contact information widely, asking people to reach out directly if they have any leads. Family and friends have been sharing her information on social media and asking everyone to help spread the word.
As daylight hours pass, the community remains on alert, checking roads, stores, and known hangouts in the Mt. Vernon area and beyond. Authorities emphasize that even small pieces of information could be crucial in bringing Harleigh home safely.
