AJ Wahl, 14, missing Cincinnati girl, has been found

AJ Wahl, 14, a student at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts in the Cincinnati Public School District that had been reported missing since last Friday, has been found according to her family.

A statement released from Wahl's family Wednesday night read, "The family’s statement reads: “AJ has been found and is at home now. Dain [her father] is asking for some privacy at this time. Our family is deeply thankful for all the love and support.”

According to an SCPA spokesperson, AJ left her home in Over-the-Rhine on Friday evening walking towards the Clifton area and has not been seen or heard from since.

A flyer created to spread the word of her disappearance notes she may have been picked up. Her father, Dain Wahl, says AJ left her cell phone at home.

AJ’s sister, Ali Wahl, says moments after she left Friday morning, she found a note in her room.

“It wasn’t a very long note at all, but it was mostly directed towards me, saying she didn’t plan on coming back,” she said. “She told me to make good choices.”

The night before that, Ali recalls AJ knocked on her door. “She gives me these earrings and was like, ‘I love you.’ ”

Members of AJ’s family say they don’t know why she left. The fact that she left her phone in her room adds to their concerns.

“She did not take her phone with her, which is very strange for a young person who really relies on social media and their friends,” said one of AJ’s aunts, Ellie Kohl. “That’s how they communicate with each other. So that was alarming.”

The family hopes to find clues on the phone, but as yet they haven’t gained access to it. Kohl said they don’t have AJ’s passcode.

Amy Wahl Segar, another of AJ’s aunts, worries she may have gotten into someone’s car.

“She has no money. She has no credit cards, debit cards, no phone. She can’t buy herself any food. I think that’s one of our fears, that she was picked up, and we don’t know by whom.”

It’s a fear that Ali shares.

“She was carrying a bunch of luggage, like a suitcase, a big-sized travel book bag like one you would take on a hike, and then one or two handbags,” Ali said. “It was almost like she was going on a vacation that was going to last for a while.”

Cincinnati police say she may be in Kentucky with a friend from Facebook.

Wahl is described as 5′7″ and 170 lbs. with blue eyes.

Cincinnati police and the FBI are involved in the investigation, per the SCPA spokesperson.

Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: AJ Wahl, 14, missing Cincinnati girl, left home Friday, has been found