Family fears for missing Lynnwood teen

LYNNWOOD — Police said Wednesday they are looking for a 14-year-old girl who disappeared two weeks ago and may be in danger.

The girl, Ricki B. Sterzick, has run away in the past and has been known to be involved in high-risk activities, Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said.

“The increased concern at this time is that she is escalating quickly and she hasn’t been in contact with family and friends,” Sessions said.

In the past, Ricki would run away only to call home within a day or two, her mother Katie Bevan said.

This time is different. The girl’s family and friends haven’t seen or heard from the girl since Jan. 8, Sessions said.

“She has not called home once in that time,” Bevan said.

Ricki’s cell phone isn’t answering and the girl’s voice mail is full.

“She’s a 14-year-old. She’s been gone from school and kind of dropped off the face of the Earth,” Bevan said.

The girl, a freshman in the Options Program in the Edmonds School District, has been in trouble in the past, Bevan said, and has gotten mixed up with an older, dangerous crowd.

Last year, police caught her in a stolen car, and a court placed her on probation, Bevan said.

By running away, and not attending school and other court-ordered activities, she’s violated terms of her probation. A warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Sessions said that’s not why police are looking for the girl.

“We’re looking for her for her safety,” Sessions said.

Ricki is described as white with hazel eyes, and was last seen with brown hair with light blond streaks. She is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds. She has a piercing above her left lip and a tattoo on her lower back that reads “Bella.” Ricki also has used the names “Monique” and “Champagne.”

Police believe she could be in the south Seattle, Federal Way or Tacoma areas.

“I’m just hoping that somebody will see something and say, ‘Hey, I’ve seen that girl in the last couple of days,’ ” Ricki’s mother said. “Somebody has seen her.”

Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.