Runaway Teen Has Detective, Family Worried

Jamie Carnesha Lee, 15, ran away from her New Port Richey area home Sept. 4 and is still missing. Police believe should could be in St. Petersburg or Clearwater. 

“We want her to come home,” said father James Lee.

Pasco Sheriff’s Det. David Boyer is on the case. He’s worked in the missing persons unit long enough to pick and choose the cases to be concerned about, he says.

“And this is one of them,” he said Tuesday.

Jamie, who moved to the New Port Richey area from Tampa last year with her family, has a history of running away from home. Boyer says in this case, she is most likely involved in high-risk activity in Pinellas County.

The case is a high priority for Boyer. There’s been a lack of communication between Jamie and family and friends.

Jamie attended Bishop McLaughlin High School for a time. She is described as 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs about 115 pounds. She has hair extensions and blue eyes.

Boyer has no leads on where Jamie is staying. Runaways need food and shelter, he said. In some cases, adults give them shelter in exchange for sex or participation in a criminal act. 

Boyer has no proof Jamie is engaged in this type of activity, but he is trying to be proactive.

“My biggest fear is that she would turn up as an unidentified dead person,” Boyer said.

Jamie’s parents say she’s run away twice in the past. But she’s usually been back home in a matter of days.

Jamie went to school Sept. 4, but didn't get on a bus home, said Gretchen Lee.

She’s not a bad child, Gretchen said. She volunteered with several agencies, including Metropolitan Ministries.

“I’m not sure what’s going on with her,” Gretchen said. "Maybe she got caught up with the wrong people."

Jamie has several siblings, including an older sister who gave birth to twins in the time since Jamie ran away. She hasn’t been in touch with any family members. It worries Jamie's father.

“My biggest fear is that she may not be safe,” he said.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Pasco sheriff’s office at 727-844-7711 or Boyer at 352-518-5002.