Friends, strangers help look for Campton Hills teen
Kylee Porter doesn't know Emily Czajkowski of Campton Hills or her family, but she organized a meeting spot Monday for anyone interested in helping with the search.
"I'm empathetic and sympathetic of her age and of the whole situation," said Geneva resident Porter. "I know that people sometimes need direction - a time and a place - and that's kind of what I provided."
From that frozen yogurt shop in St. Charles, dozens of community members, both strangers and friends, dispersed to hang fliers and ribbons throughout Batavia, Geneva and other surrounding towns.
Foul play is not suspected in the disappearance of 14-year-old Emily, who has been missing since Wednesday evening, St. Charles police said Monday.
"But we're investigating it just the same," said Steve Huffman, deputy chief of administration.
Detectives are following several leads, many of which have been provided by the public, Huffman said. He said police have been in close contact with Emily's family and friends throughout the search.
As of 5:30 p.m. Monday, 13,000 people have followed a Facebook group called "Help find Emily Czajkowski," which was created to make the public aware of the missing teen.
According to recent Facebook posts, friends, family and community members have been handing out fliers, leading search groups and hanging purple and yellow ribbons - Emily's favorite colors - throughout the area.
Assisting in the search efforts were St. Charles residents Nick Christensen and Frank Shambora, both 14, who have been friends with Emily for about three years.
"She's kind of shy at first," Nick said, "but once you get to know her, she's really fun and energetic."
Frank's mother, Michelle Shambora, spent the past two days walking throughout St. Charles passing out fliers. Through working in the lunchroom at Thompson Middle School, she said, she recognizes that Emily and her friends have always been friendly and respectful.
"She's the same age as my son," Shambora said. "I can't imagine what her family is going through right now."
St. Charles Unit District 303 also sent an email to parents Monday seeking information from students, according to a post on the Facebook page.
Emily was last seen Wednesday after a parent dropped her off for a dance class at Pottawatomie Community Center in St. Charles. She did not attend the class, but a surveillance video showed her leaving the building shortly after 6:30 p.m. while talking on her cellphone, police said.
Emily was later seen walking west on Route 64 and then again in the area of West Main and South 14th streets, officials said. She was wearing a brightly colored shirt, brightly colored shorts and blue knee-high socks, police said, and she was carrying a snow leopard-print bag.
Anyone with information that could be connected to Emily's whereabouts should contact the St. Charles Police Department at (630) 377-4435.