UPDATE: 7/17/17:
More details emerged at a press conference today following the death of a 13-year-old Riverview girl.
Col. Donna Lusczynski of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office described the events following the identification of Janessa Shannon's body last weekend.
Janessa, who was reported missing two days after she was last seen, was found in a "densely wooded area" of Triple Creek Preserve, authorities say.
Lusczynski answered the question that was on many minds in the tragic death of the teenager. Why wasn't an Amber Alert issued when Janessa went missing?
Criteria for an Amber Alert require some indication that an abduction took place along with a description of a suspect vehicle. Considering Janessa's past of running away, which was confirmed by both parents, there was no evidence suggesting she was abducted, Lusczynski said.
With the investigation ongoing, authorities are being "methodical" in what information is released in the homicide.
Subpoenas were issued for Janessa's social media accounts and search warrants were issued to search her father's house, Lusczynski said.
"Initially [Janessa's father] was cooperative with our investigation and provided an interview. When we asked to consent to search his residence where she was last seen, he did not allow us to do that," Lusczynski said. "He has since invoked and wants to consult with an attorney so we are no longer able to reach out to him."
Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies are working with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office to locate any people Janessa may have been in contact with in the days before she went missing.
Authorities are asking for the public's help to collect any information they may have about Janessa's murder.
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UPDATE 7/15/17:
A missing Riverview girl was found dead and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case as a homicide.
Janessa's body was found on July 12 after missing since July 2nd. She was found near Balm River Road and the Triple Creek Nature Preserve.
No other details were provided. This is a developing story. Check back with 10News for updates.
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Original story:
Your help is needed to find a Riverview girl who’s been missing for more than a week.
Janessa Shannon, 13, went missing from Riverview back on July 2.
Janessa is biracial with brown hair and brown eyes. She is five feet tall and weighs around 110 pounds. Circumstances of his disappearance were not available.
If you know where she might be, you’re asked to call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST) or the Hillsborough Co. Sheriff’s Office at 813-247-8000.
