2I

Should the police have been investigating Ellie’s disappearance?

Not for the first few hours. Many teens actually run away after fights with their parents. I think the police should be notified and told to be on the lookout, but a full investigation isn't warranted in the first few hours.

Yes as I believe Ellie is about to be inducted into a prostitution ring.

They are short staffed an a girl her age who runs away is not a priority.

24 hours is usually the timeline that most departments wait, although bulletins usually go out to patrol officers right away...just so they keep an eye out. >2 Olivermagnus: is right...most are just hung-up on making Mom and/or Dad "sorry" that they didn't let them hang out with the neighborhood bully or some other thing that is sure to "ruin their life forever" because their mean parents didn't let them do it.

Thanks >5 Carol420: for the information

It was too early to consider this as a missing person case.
(I like Carol’s portrait of a teenager, it’s spot on, 😄.)

>7 Sergeirocks: LOL! I was one many, many years ago.

It's a very tricky one. Yes most are runaways, but we know how important those first few hours and especially the first 24 hours are in any abduction. The problem is capacity. But what price a young life!

It is unsurprising that hard pressed police forces will not investigate at once in a case like this, but the risk is always there that by losing those first precious hours tragedy will result.

Too soon for police to start investigating without any kind of evidence of foul play. Mom didn’t see any change in behavior that would lead her to think she’s been abducted.