Baker City police seek missing 14-year-old runaway, family asks for tips

Baker City police and the family of Allyson Taylor, 14, are asking for help finding the missing girl after she was reported as a runaway and had not returned by Wednesday morning, May 6. Her father, Chris Taylor, said she had been gone for five days and was last seen in a video taken behind South Baker School, giving the search a specific local landmark in south Baker City. Allyson’s corgi, Baloo, was with her when she disappeared.

Baker City Police Lt. Wayne Chastain confirmed Wednesday morning that Allyson had not returned. The family is urging anyone with credible information, no matter how small, to call the Baker City Police Department at (541) 523-3644 or Chris Taylor at (458) 285-5517. In a city of 10,099 people and a county of 16,668, a single sighting from a school staff member, store employee, driver or neighbor can quickly become the lead that matters.

Runaway cases involving children under 18 are handled as missing-child cases, and families are told to contact local law enforcement immediately. Oregon State Police says its Missing Children/Adults Clearinghouse is set up to receive and distribute information to local police, schools, state and federal agencies, and the public. The agency also says local law enforcement must begin the AMBER Alert process when a child is missing or abducted and the circumstances warrant it.

Speed matters in the first 24 to 48 hours because a young teenager away from home may not have reliable transportation, money or adult support. That makes fast reporting especially important if someone spots Allyson, Baloo or both in Baker City, near South Baker School or elsewhere in the county. Even a brief encounter, a ride, or a sighting on foot can help police narrow the search.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children guidance says families should immediately call local law enforcement and then contact the center’s 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST, or 1-800-843-5678, after the child has been reported missing. Baker City, which was incorporated in 1874 and is the county seat of Baker County, is small enough that accurate information can move quickly through schools, businesses and neighborhoods if residents speak up without delay.