Search Continues For 14-Yr-Old Destiny Winters
[Updated] Police confirmed that 14-year-old Destiny Winters has still not been located as of this morning [Jan 22], with officers continuing to search for her and the public asked to assist by calling 295-0011 with any information about her whereabouts.
Destiny has been unaccounted for since January 10th when she left her designated Government Care Facility without permission. The 14-year-old student is described as brown complexioned, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing around 130 pounds with dyed black short, curly hair.
She has been missing for almost two weeks now, and earlier this week, the police said that the latest reported sighting of her “indicates that she traveled into and out of St. George’s by bus on Sunday, January 19th and was apparently with an older male,” with the police also noting that they are “also aware of information that suggests that there is potential imminent risk to the 14-year-old CedarBridge Academy student based on the association with this male.”
These are the two photos that the police provided of Destiny:
Noting that police have a dedicated team making inquiries about Destiny’s whereabouts and checking residences and areas across the island, Minister of National Security Wayne Caines said they still need the public’s assistance and has urged the community to help locate the 14-year-old.
The Minister previously said, “While the BPS have stepped up their efforts to locate Destiny, we still need the public’s assistance. Bermuda is only 21 square miles, and we know that on this island news and information travels incredibly fast. So we need the public’s eyes and ears to help us return Destiny to her place of residence.
“I think it’s also important to stress that this young girl is a minor. From a National Security and public safety stand point, I want to remind the community that it is a criminal offence to harbour a minor.
“Lastly, while I am addressing the community in my Ministerial capacity, I am also a parent. I’m a father,” he added. ”So, I am making a personal plea to our community, to our mothers, fathers and grandparents – please help us to locate Destiny so that we can provide her with the safe and secure environment that she needs.”
Update 11.52am: A police spokesperson said, “Police officers continued their search for 14-year-old Destiny Winters today [Wednesday, January 22nd], 12 days after she left her designated Government Care Facility without permission on the evening of Friday, January 10th.
“Tuesday night [January 21st] police officers – following leads regarding her possible whereabouts – checked a location in Warwick, but Destiny was not located.
“Earlier this morning [Wednesday, January 22nd] police officers also checked a location in Sandys parish, to no avail.
“However, efforts to confirm Destiny’s whereabouts and wellbeing are ongoing.
“The Bermuda Police Service thanks the media and members of the public that have supported police efforts to locate the teen, and reiterates the importance of finding the CedarBridge Academy student promptly.
“As a reminder, Destiny is described as brown complexioned, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing around 130 pounds with her hair said to be dyed black, short and curly.
“She was last seen wearing a black rain jacket, shorts as well as black Nike sneakers and is known to frequent locations in Pembroke including Fentons Drive, Parsons Road, St. Augustine Hill, Middletown, One Way Deepdale and The Glebe Road.
“Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of 14-year-old Destiny Winters is urged to immediately call police on 295-0011 or her designated Government Care Facility on 292-3699.
“The public is reminded that harbouring a juvenile is an offence punishable under the law.”
If we knew the name of the male it might help – someone will know him, and will have seen him.