Family, law enforcement call for info on missing girl at Quilcene rally

QUILCENE — Roxann Anderson fought back tears as she pleaded to upwards of 75 people for the return of her 16-year-old niece, Bailey Scott.

“We miss her so much; I can’t eat; I can’t sleep,” she said with her voice breaking during a rally for Bailey on Sunday afternoon in Quilcene.

“I need to know where she is and what has happened. If there is anything, please just find a way to let us know.”

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Bailey left her Quilcene home the night of Feb. 2. She left a note that said she would be away for the night, but she did not return home, where she lives with her aunt, and has not shown up to school.

Her disappearance has left many in the small town devastated and numerous people were prepared to pledge money — at least $5,000 — toward a reward for information on Bailey’s whereabouts.

The details of that reward were still being worked out Sunday.

Roughly 75 people attended the rally and made signs. Quilcene’s population is only about 600.

Anderson said she is blessed to live in a town where so many people care and are willing to help in any way they can.

“I feel it’s obvious the community has so much love for Bailey and my family,” she said. “They bend over backwards to do everything they can to help. They don’t get any better than these people here.”

She is urging everyone to check every inch of their properties for any signs of Bailey, even if they think there’s a slim chance she would be there.

“Please check every little building on your property,” she said. “Walk around the fields around your house.

“Even if it seems like it’s so unlikely, let’s just check anyway, just in case.”

As of yet, there has been little information for family or investigators to go on.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brett Anglin told the crowd that investigators have been talking to Bailey’s friends in an effort to figure out where she may be.

“A lot of people say they don’t know a whole lot,” he said. “Just knowing a little bit can lead us to a bigger picture.”

He urged people to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office if they think they have any information that can help.

It was a point that Undersheriff Art Frank re-emphasized.

“One thing that’s very important, a lot of times when something happens … somebody always knows something and they think it is insignificant,” said Frank. “There is no harm in saying something. If it turns out to be nothing, or if it turns out it was a mistake, we can handle it.

“The worst thing that can happen is if you knew something, didn’t say something and time goes by.”

Frank said that though investigators would prefer to know who is providing the information, anonymous tips would also help.

Justin Lake, an enrichment coordinator at Quilcene School said he has known Bailey for a couple years. He said she’s a “super nice kid” and that her disappearance has affected everyone in town.

Lake helped organized the rally in an effort to get everyone to meet face-to-face, get off social media and to hear from law enforcement and other community leaders about what people can do to help.

“I think a lot of people felt just sad and hopeless, like there’s nothing they can do,” he said. “This gives everyone the chance to feel like [they can do something].”

Bailey is described as 5-feet-6-inches tall, weighing 120 pounds. She has blue eyes and brown hair.

Bailey likely would have been wearing a black The North Face jacket, leggings and black Ugg boots with bows, her aunt said, adding that she doesn’t know how Bailey was dressed because she last saw her in pajamas.

Anderson said Bailey left in the middle of the night. She took a small backpack with her, though it isn’t big enough to carry extra clothes, Anderson said. She left her phone charger behind, as well as family photos.

Anyone who has any information about Bailey’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 360-344-9779.

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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.