DAHLONEGA—Authorities in Lumpkin County are asking for the public's help in locating a missing juvenile.
Lt. Wesley Burnette with the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office said Kaitlin Cooper, 17, was last seen in the Gainesville area July 25, and her mother filed a missing person's report August 2.
"She has blue eyes, brown hair (and) fair skin. She's about 5'5", weighing about 160 pounds," said Burnette, adding that Cooper also has ties to White County.
Cooper has been spotted on several occasions, according to Burnette, including at a hotel, where she was staying with a family member.
"She has been seen several times by family members and some friends, and just in passing, but no contact with law enforcement's been made at this point," said Burnette.
The girl's mother, Tanya Dearman, refutes that statement, and said that no family members have had any contact of any kind with Cooper since July 26.
"If we did, you wouldn't be doing a news story," said Dearman in a phone interview.
Lt. Burnette said authorities want to bring the girl back and reunite her with her mother.
Hall County authorities, acting on information provided by Cooper's mother, have been searching throughout the day Thursday, but as of 2:00 p.m. had not located the girl.
