Elizabeth shoaf
Update. LUGOFF, S.C. (Sept. 18, 2006) Elizabeth Shoaf, an abducted teenager who had the presence of mind to secretly steal her captor’s cell phone and send a text message for help is reportedly resting at home after being rescued from the dirt dungeon where she was kept for 10 days.
The 14-year-old girl, who was rescued Saturday from the booby-trapped bunker where she had been held since her abduction, allegedly by a suspected sex offender with a penchant for pornography, cut-rate cigarettes and secret lairs is “holding up strong” her parents told CNN in an interview aired this morning
The story before…. Elizabeth Shoaf was no different than most young girls her age. The fourteen-year-old enjoyed school, had a boyfriend, was popular with her classmates and was known to not be a problem at home. Elizabeth lived in the Columbia, South Carolina community of Lugoff with a sister and their mother, Madeline. Elizabeth enjoyed being called by the nickname Lizzie, and was close to her family.
On Wednesday afternoon, September 6th, around 4:30 p.m., Elizabeth and some of her schoolmates disembarked from a school bus after leaving Lugoff-Elgin High School. Several of the boys recognized a friend driving up in a car and decided to hop in for a ride. They asked Elizabeth if she wanted to join them, but she declined. She looked forward to the quarter-mile walk to her home and knew her aunt was waiting to cut her hair. It was the last time anyone had seen or heard from Elizabeth.
When her daughter failed to come home from school, Melinda went out to look for her, and eventually had to call local law enforcement authorities to report her daughter as missing. Melinda was frightened and devastated. Investigators asked Elizabeth’s sister if she thought Elizabeth would ever run away. “Honestly, I don’t,” replied the upset girl. “I know my sister and I would think if she were running away, she’d tell me about it.”
Authorities started an area-wide search for the missing girl using helicopters, ATVs, horses, bloodhounds and volunteers. Investigators questioned anyone who knew Elizabeth and her family. An Amber Alert was not issued because no proof of an abduction was found, but authorities began to believe otherwise. “We made the necessary phone calls this morning and were advised that we did not meet the criteria to issue an Amber Alert,” said Kershaw County Captain David Thomley. “We still have not established that this is an actual abduction. There is the possibility that this is a runaway. We’re still not sure.”
Family members, friends and volunteers circulated flyers and also aided in the search for Elizabeth. A vigil was held and pleas were made for the public’s help. “If she’s out there, she hears me,” said Madeline. “If anybody sees her, please call. Just let us know where she’s at.”
Law enforcement authorities consider Elizabeth Shoaf to be a missing, endangered and possible victim of an abduction. She was last seen wearing a black jacket with an embroidered letter “L” on it, blue jeans and flip flops. Elizabeth also has double ear piercings. Anyone with information on her whereabouts and/or this case is urged to immediately contact the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office (803-425-1512).