National center joins search for missing teens

HOULTON – The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has been contacted to assist police in locating two juveniles who were reported missing from the Houlton area last week.

Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin said Tuesday that the missing youths – Dustin Smith, 15, of Houlton and Kassandra D. LeClaire, 17, also of Houlton – had not been located as of Tuesday afternoon. The two are boyfriend and girlfriend and likely are together, according to Asselin.

The two were reported missing Sept. 9.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provides services nationwide to families and professionals in finding missing children, assisting victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, and preventing abduction and sexual exploitation of children. Asselin said the group has been contacted and will be making up posters with information about Smith and LeClaire.

Smith is considered an endangered runaway, but Asselin declined to comment Tuesday on why he was given that status. He was reported missing after he failed to show up for school. He has no means of financial support and took no clothing with him when he left home.

LeClaire was reported missing by a foster parent and may be communicating with people in the surrounding area.

“She has relatives in Presque Isle,” Asselin said Tuesday. “These kids have to be somewhere. They have no source of income and neither has a job, and they have to be seeking shelter somewhere. Thus far, though, no one has contacted us.”

Smith is approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and has brown hair. LeClaire is 5 feet 3 inches tall and has blond hair and hazel eyes.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the department at 532-2287.

jlbdn@ainop.com

532-9257