Found Safe GA - Caitlin Winchester, 14, missing after first day at N. Atlanta High School, 5 Aug 2021 *Arrest*

[katydid23]

or she was on a different bus, unaware yet that she wasn't actually headed home.

But that only works in the short term....

jmho ymmv lrr

Right, but she realises it's going the wrong way and gets off, surrounded by other older students, that she doesn't really know?

And one or more of them convince her to walk home with them and they can get her a ride?

 

[Bit of hope]

This is my concern. I have a child who is similar age who is still easily confused about transportation and direction. I would be wanting them to check the cameras for EVERY bus to see if she got onto the wrong one and got off somewhere unfamiliar.

As far as I know Atlanta is full of camera's. I think LE is checking them right now if they didn't already over the weekend. Hoping the cctv-footage isn't erased by now and they are able to trace her steps and can pinpoint an area where she might have gone, maybe even with someone else. And ping her phone and looking at phone records for starters. And sift through her social media if there possibly was grooming going on. I hope she is found soon, she is too young to be out there.

 

[dotr]

Missing Child- Caitlin Winchester
Yesterday at 7:42 PM
''Insight Global has offered $100,000 through Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta for information leading to Caitlin’s safe return. MISSING CHILD: Caitlin Winchester has been missing since Thursday after her first day of high school at North Atlanta High School. She was last seen walking away from the school on Northside Drive towards Mt. Paran. She is 14 years old, 5'4", has dark brown hair with long braids, dark brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a brown/red skirt and black top. She's a beloved neighbor to many and a role model for other children in her neighborhood. Please like, share, and follow this page to bring more attention.''

 

[distracted]

rbbm.
14-year-old North Atlanta High student missing after not making it home from school
''ATLANTA (CBS46) -- Time is of the essence for Angela and Roger Winchester. Their 14-year-old daughter, and only child, is missing.

“I’ve been calling her number all through the night, all through the morning, and I haven’t been able to reach her, and it just clicks. It doesn’t even ring anymore,” Angela Winchester said.

Caitlin Winchester told her parents how excited she was about the first day of school and finally returning to in-person learning for the first time in over a year.
“Our child is a straight-A student, and she was so excited to start her French 3 class,” Angela Winchester said.

Her father said she decided to ride the bus home and even texted to say she was on the bus in traffic as late as 5:40 PM yesterday. That was the last time the family heard from her.

“We are accustomed to using the “where’s my bus app” and it’s usually pretty accurate. We looked for it, logged on and there was no data and no information yesterday and the school even admitted it wasn’t working for them,” Angela Winchester said.

The school also told the Winchester’s that they reviewed video footage on Caitlin’s bus and did not see her on it.
14-year-old North Atlanta High student missing after not making it home from school
“We spoke with a bus driver and she said actually there were so many buses running behind schedule, like super late, and there was a crowd of kids that said wait, wait, wait, I want to go home and kids that didn’t even belong on that bus were begging please take me home and they hopped on the wrong bus,” Angela Winchester said.''

If you’ve seen North Atlanta High School student Caitlin Winchester or have information about her whereabouts please contact the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department at 404-802-2000.

Aug 7 2021
Police searching for 14-year-old girl who vanished after first day at Atlanta high school
''ATLANTA — Atlanta Public Schools police are searching for a 14-year-old girl who vanished after her first day of high school.
Caitlin Winchester was last seen leaving North Atlanta High School around 4 p.m. Thursday. She was walking south on Northside Parkway towards Mount Paran Road.

Police said she was wearing a black top, a brown and red plaid skirt and was wearing her hair in long braids.''

The fact that APS (Atlanta Public Schools) police are searching for her and not the city's police department causes me great concern.

Do high school police have jurisdiction over a missing student like colleges do?

 

[distracted]

There's a huge bus driver shortage in APS system. Reading that there was a lot of confusion that day about what bus to take.

Maybe she couldn't figure it out so decided just to walk home. And never made it. Three days with no sign of her. This is not good.
School bus driver shortage in metro Atlanta, Georgia | 11alive.com

 

[MimosaMornings]

They usually have an orientation day for freshman? And teachers/staff nearby the bus loading?
JMO

 

[Bit of hope]

I didnt get the idea that Modesty was ranting about the victims. I took it as she was wondering how these girls are getting lured away....is there some online activity working to lure the girls to them, and some return safely and some don't?

As some kind of aftermath....I totally got her post. You didn't get mine....no problem. I'm not going to explain it further. Let's focus on the new info....so heartbreaking for her and her parents.

 

[TropicalOasis]

Thanks so much for all the kind words and thoughts. Caitlin's parents would appreciate it. Please continue to send prayers for her safe return. And keep sleuthing--

 

[TropicalOasis]

Thank you!

 

[CocoChanel]

MOD NOTE

Websleuths welcomes new members to this website and this discussion. Some important info to get you started….

- Websleuths is FACT based and VICTIM/FAMILY friendly.
- If you post info here as a fact, it must include an MSM link to substantiate that info.
- If you are a family member or someone close to this case, and you want to share info here, you must apply for VERIFIED INSIDER status HERE. Otherwise your info will be removed because WS cannot verify the info is FACT from someone who knows.

THANK YOU for contributing to the discussion, and for following the Terms of Service we all agreed to when we joined.

 

[dotr]

Steve Gehlbach's tweet - "MISSING: please share. Caitlyn Winchester is 14 years old, freshman at North Atlanta. '' - Trendsmap
''MISSING: please share. Caitlyn Winchester is 14 years old, freshman at North Atlanta.''

· 10:13, 6 Aug 2021 · View on Twitter

 

[CastlesBurning]

It looks like a big school with over 2,000 students. I counted 27 buses for North Atlanta HS.

I work in school bus transportation - not in Atlanta, but in a city whose main public high school has about the same number of students and buses as North Atlanta HS.

Because there are so many of each, the entire process is super organized - regular buses line up in a particular order on one side of the building, and special needs mini buses and vans on another. There is a campus safety team that is connected via walkie-talkie, and teachers outside helping oversee things.

Most bus companies now have not only a main camera right behind the driver's seat, but also other areas of the bus, including the steps getting on or off, and a mid-bus camera to give you a closer look at someone who may be trying to hide or do something they shouldn't in the way back.

Also, because of COVID, drivers are required to keep strict attendance sheets - they receive printouts of the students who are supposed to be on their route and are supposed to report anyone trying to board who isn't on it. I'm thinking this is likely the case in Atlanta too.

There's a huge bus driver shortage in APS system. Reading that there was a lot of confusion that day about what bus to take.

This, however, may be the downfall in Caitlin's situation. There are currently bus driver shortages pretty much everywhere, which means that there are lots of new hires coming in, who may not know the school or the overall area, as well as drivers forced to "double up" on routes. Add this to the fact that the first day of school, no matter how well you plan, ALWAYS results in delays and confusion, and it's the worst possible scenario to keep track of where a particular student was in the midst of it.

 

[dotr]

• Josh Morgan
• Aug 9, 2021 rbbm.

• New photos released of missing 14-year-old North Atlanta student

''ATLANTA (CBS46) — The search continues for the 14-year-old North Atlanta High School student who went missing after the first day of school on Aug. 5.

Caitlin Winchester told her parents she decided to ride the bus home Thursday and was on the bus in traffic as late as 5:40 p.m. That was the last time the family heard from her.

However, the school told the Winchester’s that they reviewed video footage on Caitlin’s bus and did not see her on it.''

''There is also a new Facebook group that has been created to help share information about Caitlin and how people can get involved in helping search for her.

CBS46 will continue to follow this story and provide new updates as they come in.''

 

[LotusPawprint]

Steve Gehlbach's tweet - "MISSING: please share. Caitlyn Winchester is 14 years old, freshman at North Atlanta. '' - Trendsmap
''MISSING: please share. Caitlyn Winchester is 14 years old, freshman at North Atlanta. Got on bus after school but never made it home. May have last been seen around Mt. Paran Church.''

· 10:13, 6 Aug 2021 · View on Twitter

I always appreciate when multiple pictures are available.

I do want to note, however, that when she went missing Caitlin's hair was very long and in braids so that is what people should look for.

(want to make sure you know this is not directed at you, or the reporter who posted them, just want to be as clear and specific as we can be!)

 

[Scrapper18]

I always appreciate when multiple pictures are available.

I do want to note, however, that when she went missing Caitlin's hair was very long and in braids so that is what people should look for.

(want to make sure you know this is not directed at you, or the reporter who posted them, just want to be as clear and specific as we can be!)

I like seeing her hair in different styles and lengths. Hair is one thing that can be changed so quickly and drastically. When looking for someone, I think it is best to concentrate on facial features that can not be altered without surgery. Memorize her facial characteristics and shape. Remember, eye color can even be changed with contact lenses.

 

[LotusPawprint]

The fact that APS (Atlanta Public Schools) police are searching for her and not the city's police department causes me great concern.

Do high school police have jurisdiction over a missing student like colleges do?

It strikes me as a little strange (and concerning) too; however, on the Facebook page for North Atlanta High School (an official page), they commented that "APSPD is investigating and is working with all local agencies including MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)."

Maybe it is a strictly procedural based on the jurisdiction of where the investigation began. She is clearly no longer on school property and it doesn't seem likely anything took place there, so she and whatever happened took place in the city. I can't imagine that all resources are not available and it's not a full collaboration, but I share your feeling about this too.

 

[LotusPawprint]

I like seeing her hair in different styles and lengths. Hair is one thing that can be changed so quickly and drastically. When looking for someone, I think it is best to concentrate on facial features that can not be altered without surgery. Memorize her facial characteristics and shape. Remember, eye color can even be changed with contact lenses.

I agree, and from seeing several pictures she seems to like playing with her hairstyle. I just want people to know what her hair was last known to look like. Also, in the video taken that morning (at school, I believe) she has a mask on, so the hair really stands out, as it would if she had the mask on (voluntarily or not) in public.

 

[Stormy415]

Could she have started walking home and someone in a car (maybe someone she knew or not) said they would give her a ride home?
Hopefully, she is safe

 

[Razz]

Her look really changes. In some she looks demure and in others she looks stern.

Just recently my dentist(f) and dental hygenist (f) who see many kids this age say they DO NOT smile with their teeth showing. It of course drives them crazy but that just may be today's youth.

 

[RubyJuno]

I believe I read she’s a straight-A student, so she must be bright and capable enough (IMO) to figure out how to contact her family if that was the only issue, one would think. She could borrow someone’s phone, go to a place of business and ask for help, etc.

I was top of my class but still had a crummy sense of direction. I guess they're painting her as a responsible young woman--which is fine, and believable, but 14-year-olds can get into a lot of trouble, especially these days. I feel like the stuff about the late buses is important somehow.