BANGOR – A Benton woman continued searching for her granddaughter Monday, contacting police and businesses in the Bangor area in hopes of locating 16-year-old Corey Lynn Theriault who has been missing since late December.

Pat Jordan said she last saw Theriault on Dec. 27 and that she has been making trips to Portland in search of her because Theriault has friends there. But recent media attention led to reports of sightings of Theriault – who has long, pink hair – in Bangor, specifically in the area of the Rite Aid pharmacy at Third and Union streets.

Jordan said she spoke to an employee of the pharmacy who remembered Theriault coming into the store and buying candy but couldn’t remember when exactly. Theriault also has ties to the area – her father lives in Bradford – but Jordan said the girl hasn’t contacted him.

“My feeling is that she’s in that area, maybe going from place to place, not wanting to be found,” Jordan said. Theriault is in custody of the Department of Human Services but has been placed in Jordan’s home.

On Monday, Jordan was in Bangor, filing a report with police as well as driving around the city looking for her granddaughter and stopping at businesses in search of leads. She also spoke to representatives of the Shaw House, the teen homeless shelter, and of Streetlight, an outreach program for homeless youths.

Jordan said Theriault left home once before but that her departure in late December was uncharacteristic. Theriault was one of Santa’s elves in Waterville’s Kringleville, a role she enjoyed. She also had bought a lot of CDs, but left those and everything else behind.

“What teen-ager leaves her CDs?” Jordan asked.

Theriault is described as being 5 feet 3 inches tall, 135 pounds with blue eyes and long, dark brown hair that still may be dyed pink.

Jordan is asking that her granddaughter or anyone with information contact her at work in Waterville at 877-2434 or at home at 453-0181.

On her answering machine, Jordan has left a message for Theriault.

“And if this is Corey, please know that we love and miss you and we can work this out. Give us a call and let us know you’re OK.”