Missing Maryland Teens

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) and law enforcement agencies across Maryland this week continue to look for a pair of Montgomery County teens reported missing last week and were believed to have been heading to the resort area.

The Maryland Center for Missing Children and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, along with several state and local law enforcement agencies, this week continue to search for Rachel Elizabeth Reilly, 16, and Nicholas “Cole” Balderson, 17, both of Olney, Md., who were reported missing in Montgomery County last week. The couple was last seen on Wednesday, January 12, in the Damascus area in Montgomery County.

According to the Maryland Center for Missing Children, Balderson and Reilly may have attempted to travel to Ocean City or Lewes, Del. It is uncertain why it is believed the pair of teens could be headed to Ocean City or the Delaware resort areas, but Balderson’s grandmother lives in Lewes.

Reilly, 16, is a white female, about 5’5” tall and around 125 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Balderson is a white male, about 5’10” tall and 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. The couple is expected to be traveling in a black 1989 Jeep Wrangler with a gray hardtop. Montgomery County Police said this week they were concerned for the welfare as the search moved into its second week.

“They are still missing,” said Montgomery County Police Public Information Officer Lucille Baur. “We know they left the area together of their own volition and we don’t have any evidence of foul play. It’s just a concern because they are so young and have been missing for over about a week now. You just don’t know what kind of choices they could make at their age.”

Meanwhile, Ocean City police remain on the lookout for the two missing teens although it is uncertain they ever came to the resort area.

“We’re all well aware of the situation,” said OCPD public information officer Jessica Waters on Wednesday. “Their information and descriptions go into our roll call every day. Our officers meet daily before they start their shifts and they are all well aware of the missing teens.”

Anyone with information on the welfare or whereabouts of Balderson and Reilly is urged to contact the Montgomery County Police Family Crimes Division at 240-773-5400, or the non-emergency number at 301-279-8000. Information can also be reported to the OCPD at 410-723-6610.

www.mdcoastdispatch.com