PAULDING – Mara Vielma, 17, of Paulding, has been missing since April 29. Last week, her family contacted the Progress asking for help in locating Mara.



Her case also has been added to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children website.



A prayer vigil has been organized for 3-7 p.m. Thursday, May 25 at the First Presbyterian Church in Paulding. People can come at any time during those hours.



Mara’s family shared the following information and photos. If you have any info about Mara, call the Paulding Police Department at 419-399-3311.? “Attaching a recent photo of Mara and asking you to please run another story. We are her parents and we do not believe that she is a runaway,” according to an email sent by her mother, Violet.



“She left at 8 p.m. on April 29 to go for a walk, and she was supposed to be back by 9 p.m. She only had her cell phone with her. Her money, prescription medicines she takes, purse, clothes and all other things are still in her room. She left her TV on, and asked her dad to put her plate of food that he had made for her into the microwave so she could eat it when she got back.”



The Progress posted the information on Facebook, which has been shared more than 600 times.



Violet added, “We did not see which direction she headed after she left, and we can’t find anyone who saw her walking. Our back door leads out to a very small deck then little walkway, our shed, garage and gravel parking area. Copeland Street is one house over from us back there, and that’s the way she would always take to get to town or friends, but I am not absolutely sure that’s the way she went that night.”



Violet has been in contact with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and Mara’s information is now posted on their website at www.missingkids.com.



Mara is described as 5-foot-3, 115 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair, although her hair was dyed very dark blue when last seen.