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Naomi Rees: Missing teenager believed to have disappeared with older man

'Mum loves you. Dad loves you. Your sisters are in bits. We cannot carry on like this'

Adam Forrest
Friday 31 August 2018 15:38 BST
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Missing teenager Naomi Rees believed to have disappeared with older man

The family of a missing teenage girl have issued a plea for their daughter to return home.

Police forces across the UK are assisting in the search for 15-year-old Naomi Rees, who is thought to be with an older man.

She went missing from her home near Pontypridd, south Wales and has now been missing for more than two weeks.

Peter and Grace Rees urged their daughter to come home and encouraged 20-year-old Tomas Baker - the man believed to be with her - to help.

Speaking from their home in Rhydfelin, Mr Rees said: “I hope he (Baker) can do the right thing. If he is a decent guy he would realise how much this family is hurting and he would ensure she gets home to us.”

In a direct plea to her daughter, Ms Rees added: “Naomi, please come home. It does not matter what has gone on. We love you so much. Just come to us, come back home. We are here, we are waiting and we will never give up on you - our arms are always open. Wherever you are now, you know how much you mean to us so please find a way to get back to us.”

Mrs Rees said Naomi was a “very caring” and “very trusting” person. She said her other daughters were devastated at their sister’s disappearance.

“Mum loves you. Dad loves you. Your sisters are in bits. We cannot carry on like this. Your nanny, your friends, everybody is just rallying around wanting to know how you are," she said. “We want to be able to tell them you are OK.”

Grace and Peter Rees (PA)

The schoolgirl has been missing since 15 August. Police believe she is with Mr Baker, from Tamworth in Staffordshire.

CCTV footage shows the teenager getting on a bus on Cardiff Road in Rhydyfelin shortly after 7.45am and heading towards Pontypridd town centre on the day she was last seen.

Further footage then puts her on Bridge Street walking into Ynysangharad War Memorial Park shortly after 8am.

South Wales Police are still trying to establish where she went after that. She was wearing a long scarf, dark jacket, dark jeans, and black trainers with white soles. She is also carrying a holdall.

Detective Inspector Arabella Rees said the investigation is focused on South Wales and areas along the Welsh border into the Midlands. South Wales Police is also working with colleagues across the UK and is following up information from the public.

“Naomi is a teenage girl who hasn’t been seen for two weeks,” said DI Rees. “No contact has been made so of course we are worried for her safety," she added. “Naomi is a child, she needs to be with her parents. My appeal to her is to let us know you are safe.”

Anyone with information is asked to call South Wales Police on 101 quoting reference number 310545 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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