The father of a 13-year-old girl who has been missing since last week has released an emotional video in which he appeals to the young girl directly to “please just come home”.
Lyla-Jane Lake’s father, Nathan Lake, said in a video posted on Tuesday: “Lyla, if you’re watching this, daddy loves you so much.
“If anything is worrying you, it’s nothing which can’t be sorted.”
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The young girl was last seen in Basingstoke on Wednesday 21 December.
She is the cousin of Olympic high jumper Morgan Lake, who yesterday appealed on Twitter: “if anyone has any information please contact me”.
Lyla-Jane’s father continued in his message to her: “Please, just come home. You’re not in trouble.
“You’ve got hundreds of people who care for you, and we all just want you to come home safe. Please.”
Police and family are “extremely concerned” for Lyla-Jane, who is still believed to be in the Basingstoke area.
Officers have said she was last spotted at about 10pm on Wednesday in Simmons Walk, Basingstoke, wearing a black puffer jacket and grey jogging bottoms.
She was also carrying a Sports Direct bag for life.
The teenager is mixed race, around 5ft 6in (1.68m) and of a medium build, with long brown hair and brown eyes.
Mr Lake said his daughter was “never out of the house after 8pm without her parents, and hasn’t stayed overnight anywhere besides with family members for over 18 months”.
“Someone must know something,” he added.
In a statement on Christmas Day evening, Hampshire Constabulary said: “Both we and her family are extremely concerned for her welfare, and we are now turning to the public for your help.”
Police have asked members of the public with any information to urgently call 999 and quote 44220512908.
