MERRILLVILLE — A search is underway for a Merrillville girl who disappeared Saturday night.
Elizabeth Franks, 17, was last seen at the Red Roof Inn in Merrillville around 11 p.m. Saturday night, her family said. Her phone last pinged near the Hard Rock Casino in Gary but is now dead, the family believes.
Elizabeth has autism, her father, Stephen Franks, said.
Stephen Franks said she has wandered off just once before — she was five years old the only other time.
A small search party, including search dogs, was looking for Elizabeth Sunday in Gary, he said.
The family said Merrillville police is investigating the disappearance. The department was unavailable for comment Sunday afternoon. It has not shared any information with the community.
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Elizabeth Franks is 5-foot-2 inches tall and was wearing a black tank top, black pants, a black leather jacket and possibly black shoes.
Anyone with information should call 803-292-7081.
This is a developing story.
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail
Alexis Tompkins
Age: 29
Residence: Michigan City, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410586
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: THEFT – PROPERTY – SHOPLIFTING – < $750
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Kenneth Washington Jr.
Age: 48
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410580
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: DEALING – COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Richard Wilkins
Age: 31
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410571
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Courtney Rucker
Age: 28
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2410613
Arrest Date: Oct. 11, 2024
Arresting Agency: Illinois State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Manuel Salazar Jr.
Age: 35
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410595
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Merrillville Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – SIMPLE – W/MINOR INJURY; BATTERY – SIMPLE – TOUCH W/NO INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanors
Marysa Rodriguez
Age: 22
Residence: Munster, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410577
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: HOMICIDE – MURDER
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Teajawon Pellebon
Age: 23
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410594
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: CONFINEMENT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
David Gallegos
Age: 26
Residence: Indianapolis, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410587
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY – SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Frank Jones Jr.
Age: 62
Residence: Hazel Crest, IL
Booking Number(s):
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: THEFT – PROPERTY – SIMPLE – < $750
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Shannon Kellett
Age: 53
Residence: New Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410592
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION – COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Shaunice McDonald
Age: 32
Residence: Indianapolis, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410585
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: WEAPON – ALTERATION – GUN SERIAL NUMBER
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jose Fabela
Age: 51
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410583
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – SIMPLE – AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL; BATTERY – SIMPLE – W/MINOR INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Michelle Cozart Livingston
Age: 28
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410581
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – SIMPLE – W/MINOR INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Mark Casper
Age: 62
Residence: New Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410593
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION – COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Leroy Chapman II
Age: 56
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410588
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Hobart Police Department
Offense Description: CONFINEMENT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Crystal Baggett
Age: 54
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410572
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: THEFT – PROPERTY – SIMPLE – < $750
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Lorenda Baratta
Age: 53
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410582
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION – COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
William Bruesch
Age: 44
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410601
Arrest Date: Oct. 10, 2024
Arresting Agency: East Chicago Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION – COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Anthony Mason
Age: 36
Residence: Calumet City, IL
Booking Number(s): 2410534
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Xzaviar Rayford
Age: 21
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410557
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF A HANDGUN
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Carl Smith
Age: 33
Residence: Country Club Hills, IL
Booking Number(s): 2410546
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: FAILURE TO RETURN TO LAWFUL DETENTION; ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Clifton Macon
Age: 49
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410547
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: N/A
Offense Description: POSSESSION – COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Wallace Hacker Sr.
Age: 67
Residence: Hobart, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410537
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Cody Huber
Age: 34
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410536
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY – SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Theodis Jackson
Age: 45
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410535
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: HOMICIDE – DEALING IN A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CAUSING DEATH
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Tommie Johnson
Age: 51
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410542
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: RAPE – INTERCOURSE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Darryl Jones
Age: 29
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2410539
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: CONFINEMENT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Darryl Kendall
Age: 31
Residence: Harvey, IL
Booking Number(s): 2410551
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: East Chicago Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – AGGRAVATED – STRANGULATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jasmine Bolds
Age: 33
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410558
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: FRAUD – DECEPTION – IDENTITY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jesus Castrejon Ortiz
Age: 38
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2410533
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: THEFT – PROPERTY – POCKET-PICKING – < $750; POSSESSION – COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
John Evans
Age: 45
Residence: Lansing, IL
Booking Number(s): 2410552
Arrest Date: Oct. 9, 2024
Arresting Agency: Highland Police Department
Offense Description: THEFT – PROPERTY – SHOPLIFTING – < $750
Highest Offense Class: Felony
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