Missing Teen Sends Letter to Mom 5 Years Later, Revealing She’s Still Alive

Prayers were finally answered for the family of a teenager who has been missing for the last five years. Emily Paul was just 14 when she vanished from her home outside Tallahassee, Florida, in 2013. She recently sent her family a letter telling them she was alive and well but would not reveal her whereabouts. Her cousin, Melissa Parker, told Inside Edition the family “never gave up hope.” “She's alive, that is the best thing that could have possibly happened,” Parker added. #InsideEdition

[kimberlyquintanilla]

Either she had a horrific home life she doesn't want to go back to or she is under someone's control. Too many loose ends.

[skullkiiddd]

Her cousin is clearly okay with this because she probably knew more on why she left.

[SommerIsley]

The fact that the cousin is doing the interview, and not the immediate family, says a lot.

[What.]

The fact that the cousin is there doing the interview, and not the mother and immediate family, speaks volumes. Clearly, there’s a lot more to the story than just “a teen ran away from home.”

When I was 18, I moved outta my mother’s apartment and joined the military, and haven’t talked to her since. That was in 2001. I completely understand this woman not wanting her family to know where she now lives, even if I don’t know the full story of why.

[MrSagerific]

I find it interesting how the mom isn’t the one doing the talking, but a cousin is… biggest red flag of them all, sounds like the girl made the right choice.

[chaos]

I’m sorry, but this is sending up red flags.

[Yourmom-yzqw]

She obviously left by choice and probably had very good reasons. I left home at 12 and supported myself for several years (I had a job and rented a room from a friend) and I didn't return home until I was 17 and heard my dad was in the hospital. I lived with them for about 6 months to care for my father (who was an awesome and good man), but my mom quickly reminded me of why I left in the first place. I moved out again and have only seen my parents twice in the past 20 years. I keep in touch with my dad by calling his work phone, we just don't tell my mom lol.

[gayamaruyama]

There is a saying that you can never find somebody who doesn’t want to be found ! Peace be to you .

[king.kthebest]

So No one gonna question if she she's being held captive?

[NOT-WOKE-]

I left home at the age of 17. My mom was very abusive. She did not hear from me for 10 years and she did not even look for me. I was finally free.

[oceanbreeze]

As the family member of a missing man I have to say I’m extremely happy for her!

[nightynightshade]

I’m so happy for her. I’m relieved she’s ok! Literally the most HEINOUS things could’ve happened to her out there alone as a teen!

[milfermz]

“im where i wanna be” something is wrong with the family, they did something to her. no one would run away then not want to come back

[turtleking]

“Emily doesn’t want her family to know her whereabouts” usually when a teenager runs away and says that as an adult it means her home life was not good or safe.

[Rae_Naeee]

She doesn’t want them to know for a reason

[toniroberts]

This story reminds me of hay half sister who ran away when she was 14 years old. We didn’t know what happened to her for months. My family figured she probably ran away to be with her biological father but they didn’t tell me that. At the time, I was just 9 years old and didn’t realize my dad wasn’t her dad. My dad adopted her before I was even born.
I remember being traumatized and furious with my sister for not letting me know she is okay. I had no idea what happened to her for almost 2 years. It was awful.

[DeidresStuff]

Maybe she was being abused by someone in the family and didn't want anyone to know she was alive until she was old enough to not get sent back.

[bunny]

when youtube comments be better detectives than the actual detectives

[katryanaorange]

It takes courage to run away from a bad situation. It makes you grow up fast and it leaves scars. It takes time but those scars heal! She must be living her best life now!

[bumblebee]

Could be she is protecting whoever took her or whoever has kept her. 💔🌹