I think she left voluntarily (given the contents of her mother's latest letter) and is with a couple or people or a group that are continually moving around. They also have to be willing to hide a 14 year old girl, unless they are in denial about her age (she sure doesn't look 18 to me). Anyone care to throw around some ideas?
-the carnival workers....have we investigated where the carnival went next? Do they close for the winter or move further south? I could see them not questioning her age.
-religious group, possibly going across the country ministering to others (unlikely given her age)
-transients- living under a bridge somewhere, maybe involved with drugs or prostitution (seems unlikely, given her seemingly decent home living situation). Wouldn't question her age.
-met someone or a couple on the internet and is travelling with them (truckers?) or living with them far away from NH, in a place she wouldn't be recognized (seems like there'd be an electronic trail pointing towards them though)
-staying with a family member that does not live in NH (you'd think someone would have tipped the police off about this, but it's possible that she has a family member willing to do this...who knows what is going through their head!)
I'm flummoxed that any of these scenarios would have lasted this long though!
Maybe she is very stubborn (I am too). I could see myself really committing to something and refusing to believe I am wrong. The mom's latest letter really speaks to that. I could see her being very embarrassed about returning home to that community.
I'm betting on the carnival workers and that she will be home for Christmas
Please tell me what you think of my ideas!