Published: November 18, 2008 10:51 am         

Tri-Central student missing

18-year-old Timothy Hernandez was last seen Friday

SHARPSVILLE — Authorities are looking for a Tri-Central High School senior who went missing early Friday morning.

Family members say Timothy Hernandez, 18, was last seen around 7 a.m. Friday after he left work from Mike’s Car Wash in Kokomo.

After he didn’t return home from school, his mother, Rhonda Padget, began calling him, his friends and work several times. She reported her youngest son missing around 10:30 p.m. Friday night. She said she later learned he didn’t make it to school.

Timothy is a Hispanic male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, weighing approximately 165 pounds. He has a small mole above his left eyebrow and a dimple in his right cheek. He was driving a 2007 red two-door Chevy Cobalt with a “DARE” license plate, DI2788. He was born Oct. 2, 1990.

He was last seen wearing a long-sleeved button-down blue shirt, blue jeans and cowboy boots.

According to Tri-Central High School principal Dave Driggs, Hernandez doesn’t miss school often. It would not be typical for him to skip, Driggs said.

“We have talked to a lot of students, looked at a lot of information as far as grades, writings, that type of stuff,” he said. “Our guidance counselor has been on top of it since Saturday morning when we were contacted by the parents.”

“He doesn’t have a history of anything,” Padget said. “He’s been getting up at the same time every morning, leaving like going to school, coming home at 3:10, 3:15, just like he always does.

“He’s very well-liked. All the friends and neighbors commented on what a nice, young boy he is, how he’s always upbeat and polite,” she said. “He’s just a very personable, fun-loving, easy-going kid.”

Authorities believe the last person he spoke with was his sister, Nicci Hernandez, on Nov. 11. Padget said her son gave no indication of any problem. His last text message was to a school friend. Padget said AT&T has contacted all the people on his phone record alerting them he was missing and trying to gain information.

Padget has heard nothing on her son’s whereabouts.

“If you see him, please call — whether it’s me or authorities or the student counselor,” she said.

“We appreciate so much everyone’s support and prayers,” she added.

If you have any information, call officer Korey Henderson at the Sheriff Department at (765) 675-7004 or Padget at (765) 461-8029. Local authorities have been notified and may be contacted as well.

Meghan Durbak may be reached at (765) 454-8570 or via e-mail at meghan.durbak@kokomotribune.com.

     

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.