UK: Police launch search for teen who went missing with 12-week-old baby

Police have appealed for a teenager who has gone missing with her baby daughter to get in touch.

Fears are growing for Katie Kelly, 15, from Long Buckby, Northamptonshire who has disappeared with her 12-week-old baby daughter Kiah-Mae Boyle.

The pair were last seen at around 7.30pm on Tuesday evening in the Standens Barn area of Northampton.

The baby's father, Karl Boyle, 18, is also missing, but it is not known if they are together.

Officers are said to be concerned for their safety, although they say there is "no evidence to suggest they are in any immediate danger. However, it's vital we find them as soon as possible."

Detective Inspector Elliot Foskett of Northamptonshire Police told a media conference Katie had not taken any money or belongings with her. She had also not taken any formula for her new born baby.

"We do not believe she planned to leave home," he said. "Katie's boyfriend Karl Boyle, aged 18, who is Kiah-Mae's father, is also missing, however, we have no evidence to confirm at this point that they are together.

"We think she may have travelled to Northamptonshire to meet up with him and we are pursuing that as a line of enquiry, but I do not want to speculate on that at the moment. My main concern is that she didn't take any money or baby formula with her and I'm worried about her ability to look after her little one," he said.

"Katie is vulnerable and the baby is going to need food and nappies. I have concerns that Katie doesn't have access to that."

DCI Foskett ruled out the possibility that Katie may have had problems at home before she went missing.

"We've been working very closely with her foster parents, who she has lived with for some considerable time. They very worried, as we are," he said.

'We don't know what might have triggered her disappearance. We are not aware of any problems in her home life. She has been in a relationship with Karl for some time and they went missing before in January but they turned up safe and well. I don't want to go into the reasons behind that.

"It may be she's being sheltered by friends and is well looked after. But if that's the case, we just want her to let us know. We don't believe she meant to leave home and go missing. There was no pre-planning. Her mobile phone is switched off and she has not been active on social media since she went missing.

"Her foster parents called us to report her missing and we have informed her natural mother. We've had a lot of interest in our appeal on social media but no leads to pursue as yet. We need positive sightings."

He added: "I want anyone who may have seen Katie or Kiah-Mae since Tuesday evening to contact us as a matter of urgency. We believe Katie is still in Northamptonshire, but we are keeping an open mind as to where she could be."

In a direct statement to Katie he reasurred her that she was not in trouble and urged her to contact police as soon as possible.

"Katie, I know you're probably very scared... we just want to know you're safe and well, and so is your daughter," he said.

DCI Foskett said that around 30 officers and detectives were involved in the search for missing Katie and Kiah-Mae.

Katie is described as being 5ft 7ins tall and of slim build, with long, dark brown hair and green eyes.

She was wearing a diamond effect bracelet and gold locket, black leggings, a white t-shirt and trainers.

Anyone who has seen Katie or Kiah-Mae since Tuesday is asked to ring Northamptonshire Police on 101 "as a matter of urgency".

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org