UPDATE | Angleton High School cheerleader found safe, back with family, police say

ANGLETON, Texas — A search is underway for an Angleton High School cheerleader last seen at school on Tuesday, September 3.  

The Angleton Police Department is investigating the case of 17-year-old Ava Phillips. According to APD Sgt. Corey Bednick, Ava’s mother, Kailey Perez, told them it’s possible that Ava is with her boyfriend and headed to Austin. 

In a social media post shared by Angleton PD, Alex Bregman and others, Perez said her daughter left school sometime after 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The junior left without her car or the belongings inside, including her phone, keys and backpack.

According to Bednick, surveillance video showed Ava getting in a white Toyota Corolla at 10:02 a.m.  

Bednick said Perez called police after Ava missed her fourth period and didn’t show up for a planned event. 

The teen has long brown hair with highlights that she was last seen wearing in a loose braid. Ava has brown eyes and is 5 feet, 3 inches tall. She was last seen wearing black sweatpants, a gray t-shirt crop top and slippers. 

If anyone has any information or has seen Ava, please contact Detective Chapman with the Angleton Police Department at 979-849-2383 EXT: 3112 or contact your local authorities.

Thousands of people go missing every year across the United States, and there are organizations and law enforcement agencies that work to bring them home to loved ones.

The Texas Center for the Missing is an organization with Houston roots that works to educate loved ones and authorities on finding the lost.

From resources that deal with missing children to endangered adults, the nonprofit organization has compiled a wealth of resources to help.