With the nationwide attention on two young boys recently rescued from a kidnapping suspect, most people are unaware that a Boone County parent, with assistance from law enforcement, recently discovered a teenage girl who had been missing for nearly two weeks.

Just over two weeks ago, Tammy Lambert of Bob White, watched her daughter head down the street to a convenience store, and she never returned. The mother has been frantically asking for help from friends, relatives, and area law enforcement agencies.

Lambert said her daughter, Karisa Nachole Lambert, 16, has dealt with some trying personal problems since last summer, and these may have contributed in some part to her disappearance.

Last Easter Sunday, her biological father died, during the summer, the Lambert family home burned to the ground and her stepfather was arrested. She also had a series of related medical problems. In addition, since last fall, the mother and daughter were forced to live in a camper while the family battled an insurance company to settle the fire claim.

“Karisa is a good kid,” her mother said. “She makes good grades, and never causes any trouble.” Lambert believes the stresses of the past year, in addition to the fact that she strenuously objected to her daughter’s 20-year old boyfriend, may have led the girl to flee.

Almost immediately, Lambert reported her missing child to the West Virginia State Police, but law enforcement seems to have been unable to locate the youth, even though she says she told them where the girl probably is. “I have heard from a number of people that she is hiding out with her boyfriend near Turtle Creek, however recent reports seem to indicate the girl might be living with friends in the Newport Road area.

Lambert noted that officials missed an excellent chance to recover the girl last week. “I got word that she showed up at school at Van High nearly a week ago,” she said. “I was told that a state trooper called the principal’s office up there and told them to make sure Karisa didn’t leave, because the trooper was coming to pick her up. What I’ve been told is, the principal told her a trooper was coming to pick her up and she left the school. We haven’t heard from her since.”

Lambert had a stroke of luck on Monday afternoon when she received word that her daughter was staying in a trailer in Lantern Park, a mobile home park located behind Stevens Funeral Home, in Madison.

Law enforcement officers found the teen sleeping in the back bedroom of one of the residences. “She was dirty and a little confused, but otherwise ok,” her mother said. As of press time, her daughter was home, and safe, which was all that mattered to Lambert. “We thank God for the people who helped us find Karisa. My family couldn’t have done it without them.”