Crime & Safety

Police: Missing Girl Likely With 20-Year-Old She Met Online

Radnor Police say the missing girl and Ashley Ryan Hareford are likely traveling on foot and by public transportation.

*The victim's name and photos have been removed from this story because of the details of the case.

Radnor Township Police Department is looking for a 13-year-old girl, a resident of the Garrett Hill section of Radnor Township. Police say she has not been seen since 4 p.m on Monday.

Police are also looking for Ashley Ryan Hareford, 20, of Virginia, who met her online. They said the pair are likely traveling on foot and by public transportation.

Find out what's happening in Radnorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At a press conference Tuesday, Lt. Christopher Flanagan said that the department is working with the Criminal Investigation division of the Delaware County District Attorney's office. Radnor has issued a warrant for Hareford for on the charge of Corruption of Minors based on information gleaned from "an electronic medium."

"We’re concerned for her safety... We would definitely like to hear at least that she is okay," he said.

Find out what's happening in Radnorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Flanagan said police do not believe its an abduction, "but we don’t have all of the story."

On Sunday, Hareford was seen at about 10 p.m. outside close to the girl's home, and a police officer spoke with him, but nothing to lead them to believe any crime was happening.

After the police press conference Tuesday evening, the girl's father spoke to reporters. He said he spoke with Hareford on Sunday after finding out that his daughter was charging his cell phone in her house.

"He said he came up looking for work," he said, adding that he didn't believe the man.

"Last night I couldn't sleep... I can't even eat. It's disgusting," he said of the situation, one which his older daughter also went through as a young teenager.

Police say they first want to find the girl, then, Flanagan said, "We will take an in depth look at [Hareford's] background and history."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.