Missing teen girl near Cayuga Lake
Description
Last night around 8pm I realized my daughter, Nia Patel, is missing; she was last seen walking away from the Watkins Glen harbor area along Route 414 toward the marina near Seneca Lake. She is about 5 feet 2 inches tall, slender, with shoulder-length dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and wearing a blue hoodie, gray sweatpants, and white sneakers. She wears round metal-framed glasses and has a small star-shaped birthmark on her left forearm and a faint scar above her right eyebrow. She loves photography and was carrying a pink backpack with a water bottle; this backpack also holds a locket from her grandmother. If anyone sees her or knows her whereabouts, please contact me immediately.
Approximate last-seen location
Pin shows an approximate area, not the exact spot — to protect privacy.
How to safely get your item back
A short checklist to protect you and the item during the handoff.
Verify the finder before meeting
- Ask them to describe a detail not shown in your listing, such as an engraving, scratch, or contents.
- Request a clear photo of the item from an angle you did not post.
- Do not pay any release, shipping, or storage fee.
- Do not share your full address until you have verified them.
Meet in a safe, public place
- Police stations, café entrances, transport hubs, and shop foyers all work.
- Meet during daylight hours where there is CCTV and foot traffic.
- Avoid private homes, car parks at night, or isolated locations.
Bring someone with you
- Tell a friend or family member where you are meeting and when.
- Share your live location with them during the handoff.
- For high-value items, consider contacting your local police station for advice first.
Keep communication on lostandfound.io
- Use the in-app message thread so there is a record if something goes wrong.
- Do not move to WhatsApp, SMS, or email until you have exchanged a verifying detail.
- Never share bank details, government ID numbers, or copies of your ID.