FBI joins search for missing Virginia girl Isabel Hicks, 14, who left home with mother's 'armed and dangerous' ex-boyfriend
The FBI has now joined the search for a 14-year-old Virginia girl who went missing on Monday, October 21, with her mother's 34-year-old ex-boyfriend who is considered "armed and dangerous".
Isabel Hicks was last seen in her family home in Bumpass, Louisa County more than four days ago when she vanished sometime after 1 am on October 21, Daily Mail reports.
She was accompanied by 34-year-old Bruce Lynch, who is described as being white, five-feet-ten-inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, according to police.
The FBI's Richmond division confirmed in a tweet on Wednesday they'll be partnering with Louisa County Sheriff's Office investigators in their search for Isabel who they've deemed to be an "endangered missing juvenile."
The pair may be camping in a wooded area, investigators said, adding that Lynch should be considered "armed and potentially dangerous."
While authorities are yet to confirm the connection between Isabel and Lynch, posts on social media show Lynch was at some point dating Cortney Lewis, Isabel's mother, between 2014 and 2017. They say he has known the girl since she was just nine years old.
That said, police are yet to confirm is Isabel left with Lynch voluntarily.
The 14-year-old is described as a white female with blonde hair and blue eyes, standing four-foot-eleven inches tall and weighing around 120 lbs.
Police believe Lynch is driving a 2003 silver blue Toyota Matrix, with a Virginia license plate reading "VEM-9071."
Lynch and Isabel are seen in a picture shared by the Louis County Sheriff's Office spending a family vacation together.
That said, members of the public are urged to contact law enforcement if they see the pair, and instructed not to approach them under any circumstances.
However, authorities have not publicly accused Lynch of any wrongdoing, nor have they issued a warrant for his arrest.
Speaking to Daily Mail, Lynch's cousin Matthew said he hasn't seen him since 2016. However, he said the 34-year-old doesn’t have any sort of criminal history that he knows about.
"He's always been very mild nature and very kind that I know," Matthew said. "I tried to reach out to him after I was sent some information [about the disappearance] but he never opened nor responded to my message."
According to Matthew, Lynch appeared to be online less than an hour before he sent the message at 12.50 pm on Monday.
"So my thought is I hope it's just a misunderstanding," he added.