Search Continues for Missing 13-Year-Old Girl

Police have not ruled out any possibilities in the case of a missing 13-year-old girl, but information uncovered by Patch indicates a potential runaway situation due to bullying at school.

It has now been more than 72 hours since Isabella Oleschuk has been seen. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed teen was reported missing Sunday morning by her parents, who called police when they could not find her in their home in Orange, Conn.

Hundreds of volunteers have joined local, state and federal authorities as they search around-the-clock in the sprawling woods behind her home, along neighborhood streets and inside area businesses - anywhere and everywhere – for Oleschuk.

Police say they have not ruled out any possibilities in the case – that there could potentially be foul play involved, or it could be a runaway situation. Information uncovered by Bethwood Patch lends credence to the latter.

Students from Oleschuk’s school, Amity Regional Middle School Orange Campus, told Bethwood Patch Local Editor Kathleen Schurman that Oleschuk was bullied at school and that she had said she was going to run away.

Police were unaware of this information at the time so Patch contacted police to share what they were told by students and parents.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case, or anyone who may have seen Oleschuk, to contact them. They are also seeking to speak with two youngsters who were reportedly seen walking in the area of Oleschuk’s home around the time she may have gone missing Sunday morning.

There was a sudden glimmer of hope Tuesday when an employee of a restaurant in Fairfield, about 30 miles from Orange, told a police officer patron that she thought Oleshuck had been in the night before. But, after viewing video surveillance footage, investigators determined late yesterday that more than likely it was not Oleschuk. And so it’s back to square one in the search.

"Everyone in the state should be calling police if they think they see this girl," said Lt. Jim Perez, spokesman for Fairfield Police Department. "It ties up a lot of resources in the short term, but you know what, we welcome it because without the community a lot of this can't be done."

In a touching show of hope and support last night, hundreds of residents gathered at Orange Congregational Church for a candle light vigil.

Meanwhile, Oleschuk’s parents are expected to make their first statement during a press conference at 11 a.m. today.