Girl, 12, missing from Groningen village; police very concerned

The police are searching for 12-year-old Emily Meijer from the Groningen village of Grootegast, who went missing on Tuesday afternoon. The police believe she may be in the company of an "unidentified man" and are very concerned about her wellbeing, AD reports. The girl's father posted her photo on Facebook, calling for information about her whereabouts. The post was shared over 84 thousand times.

Emily got onto a bus in Grootegast on Tuesday afternoon. She was last seen leaving the bus in the city of Groningen. The police believe that she traveled further in the company of a man. Her family had no further contact with her. The police tried to trace her phone, but with no result, according to the newspaper.

It sometimes happens that girls around the age of 15 or 16 years disappear for a few days, but rarely one so young, police spokesperson Anthony Hoogeveen said to AD on Wednesday evening. "A 12-year-old we don't see often. She also did not have any contact with her family. Of course, she may have run away, but she has been missing for more than a day now. We are very worried and that is why we spread her photo and name. We have her family's permission."

No Amber Alert was issued for Emily as yet. To do so, the police need to have the idea that the child is really in danger. A Burgernet message on Tuesday evening had no result. 

Emily is 1.45 meters tall with long blond hair. She was last seen wearing blue pants and a black jacket with a hood and fur collar.