Search continues for South Elgin teen

Kianna Galvin, 17, has been missing from South Elgin since May 6. courtesy of Carolyn Cynowa

About 60 volunteers searched Concord Park in South Elgin last weekend, looking for clues about Kianna Galvin's disappearance. courtesy of Carolyn Cynowa

Kianna Galvin, 17, has been missing from South Elgin since May 6. courtesy of Carolyn Cynowa

Kianna Galvin, 17, has been missing from South Elgin since May 6. courtesy of Carolyn Cynowa

Kianna Galvin, 17, has been missing from South Elgin since May 6. courtesy of Carolyn Cynowa

Eleven days after her daughter's disappearance, Fiona Galvin can't sleep or eat -- and wonders whether 17-year-old Kianna is sleeping or eating.

"It's just been horrible," the South Elgin woman said. "I'm just passing out fliers, copying fliers, walking down the street, being on the phone and Facebook constantly. Wondering where she is, and looking for any clues."

Kianna has been missing since she left her house on Concord Avenue at about 12:30 p.m. May 6. She told her younger sister she was going to Concord Park, about three blocks away, and would be back in a couple of hours.

Her last confirmed sighting was on her block, at about that time, Sgt. Mike Flaningam said.

"The police department is actively searching and actively following all the leads that we are getting," he said.

Police have no indication of whether Kianna might be in danger or a runaway, and are working with the U.S. Marshals Service to retrieve Kianna's cellphone records, Flaningam said.

Kianna's ex-boyfriend was arrested over the weekend in another suburb on unrelated charges, Flaningam said. "I talked to him as part of the investigation. At this point, I don't believe he is involved."

Her mother said she is sure Kianna is being held somewhere against her will.

Kianna has been silent on social media since her disappearance, and left her purse, wallet, phone charger and makeup at home, Galvin said.

"Why would a 17-year-old run away with only her phone and the clothes on her back, and nothing else?"

Galvin said she last saw her daughter about 7 a.m. Friday before going to work at Wasco Elementary School in Wasco, where she runs the kitchen. She hasn't been back to work since Kianna disappeared. "My bosses have been amazing," she said.

Kianna's younger sister, Miah, a freshman at South Elgin High School, is coping as best as she can, trying to focus on her finals, her mother said. "She's a very sensitive kid. She's really shook up."

Kianna attended South Elgin High School, then went to live in Rockford with her father for a year. She returned to South Elgin and earned her GED. The day before her disappearance, she lost her full-time housekeeping job at a rehab center for the elderly in South Elgin, her mother said.

A group of about 60 volunteers on Saturday combed through Concord Park, which two years ago was renamed Jim Hansen Park, said family friend Carolyn Cynowa of South Elgin. Many of them were wearing "Come home Kianna" T-shirts. Someone found a broken cellphone SIM card that was turned into police, Galvin said.

Word of the search spread through Facebook and people showed up from as far as Lake in the Hills and Aurora, Cynowa said.

"Kianna is very lovable, has a very bubbly personality," she said. "Everybody seems to really like her. She has many, many close friends."

Galvin said she's grateful for the community's help. Kianna's father and her stepmother also have helped, she said.

Kianna is 5 feet 6 inches tall, 146 pounds, has brown eyes and brown hair. She has a tattoo on her left wrist of a heart, pulse sign and cross, and was last seen wearing a black tank top.

"We encourage anybody with any information to contact us soon," Flaningam said. "Her family is very distraught and would like her to come home."

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Elgin police at (847) 741-2151.