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Kiely Rodni: Why have authorities STILL not activated Amber Alert for missing teen?

While Rodni has been missing for four days, her disappearance reportedly hasn't fulfilled all the criteria required to activate an Amber Alert

TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA: Authorities continue to search for missing 16-year-Kiely Rodni as multiple law enforcement agencies combined resources to help find the missing teen. However, many are wondering why an Amber Alert hasn't been issued as yet.

The Placer County Sheriff's Office revealed in a Facebook post on Tuesday, August 9, that a total of 528 personnel hours and air resources had been allocated for the combined search effort. Sheriff's offices in Placer and Nevada counties are being assisted by the California Highway Patrol, the FBI, Homeland Security, Truckee Police Department, and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. While Rodni has been missing for four days, her disappearance reportedly hasn't fulfilled all the criteria required to activate an Amber Alert.

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"One of the requirements for issuing an Amber Alert is evidence pointing to a possible abduction," the Placer County Sheriff’s Office told Fox 40 in a statement. "We do not have that evidence at this time. However, we are treating this case as an abduction for investigative purposes since we have not yet located her vehicle." The teenager's missing vehicle is a silver 2013 Honda CRV with a California license plate No. 8YUR127. It hasn't been located since her disappearance.

It's worth noting that the Amber Alert -- short for America Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response Alert -- requires certain criteria to notify the public whenever a child is abducted. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the criteria are as follows:

1. Confirmation that an abduction has occurred or a child was taken by anyone, including, but not limited to, a custodial parent or guardian;
2. The victim is 17 years of age or younger, or an individual with a proven mental or physical disability;
3. The victim is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death; &
4. There is information available that, if disseminated to the public, could assist in the safe recovery of the victim.

CHP Truckee told KCRA 3 that three of the four criteria are currently met in this case at the time of publication. To trigger an alert, however, there must be a confirmation that an abduction has occurred. And while Placer Sheriff is investigating the case as an abduction, CHP doesn't consider that as proof that an abduction has indeed taken place.

Rodni was last seen driving away from the Prosser Family Campground in Truckee around 12.30 am Saturday, August 6, after attending a party where more than 100 minors and young adults were present. Placer Sheriff noted that the teenager's phone has been out of service since the party, leading them to believe she was abducted since the area has decent network coverage. Rodni was last seen wearing a black tank top with green Dickie's pants. Police said she had numerous piercings and wore jewelry, including a nose ring.

A $50,000 reward has been announced for any information that leads to Rodni, and her family has created a website dedicated to helping find the missing teen. The reward amount is coming from friends, loved ones, and local businesses, as well as a GoFundMe account where donors can increase the reward. The newly created website, findkiely.com, includes information about Rodni's disappearance.

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Authorities said Kiely stands 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighs 115 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. Kiely recently graduated from Forest Charter School in Truckee. 

Authorities have set up an anonymous tip line to assist with the search. If you or anyone you know has information regarding Kiely Rodni's whereabouts, you are urged to contact the authorities at 530-581-6320, and press option 7. Callers can remain anonymous. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children also has a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-843-5678.