UPDATE: Runaway teen

calls family members
By Melanie Davis
Melanie@mountaintimes.com

NOTE: According to Paige Brenner's family, since the posting of this information, Brenner has made contact with her family. They said she did so via a social networking site. Brenner did not tell family members where she was, only that she is safe and well. Brenner told family members she would not return home in the near future, but her family is now optimistic that they will see her again. They told the Watauga Democrat they were relieved by the news of her safety.

The search is continuing for a runaway teen.

Brittini Paige Benner, now 17, left her family's home in the Sampson community of Watauga County on Dec. 21, 2007. Her father reported her missing on Jan. 14, 2008.

Paige, as she is known, had previously ran away and had been returned home on Dec. 21. She left again that same day. The Watauga County Sheriff's Office has reason to believe she may be in the Hickory or Wilkesboro area.

Paige was a senior at Watauga High School at the time of her disappearance. She is 5 foot, 4 inches tall, described as thin with hazel eyes. Benner's elder sister, Tiffany, who lives in Ohio, said Paige is fond of dying her hair, but always a dark color.

Paige has multiple piercings, six in each ear, her nose and her tongue. Tiffany also said Paige is fond of jewelry and is likely to be wearing multiple necklaces.

Tiffany said the family is very worried. “We just want her to call and tell us she is safe. I don't care what she is doing or where she is, as long as I know she is safe,” she said.

Paige left her father's home one week prior to her 17th birthday. Her sister suspects she is trying to stay away until her 18th birthday in December 2008.

Anyone with information on the teen’s whereabouts is urged to call the Watauga County Sheriff's Office at (828) 264-3671.