Mattie’s Call issued for missing Lawrenceville girl

Aleshea Penn, a mentally challenged 14-year-old from Lawrenceville who has been missing for five days, was the subject of a Mattie’s Call issued by Gwinnett County police Friday evening.

The girl remained missing Saturday, police said.

Aleshea Penn

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Aleshea was last seen at noon Monday speaking with a male described as 6 feet tall, with short dreadlocks, driving a four-door sedan, authorities said. They were near Building 9 of the Holland Park apartments, at 1175 Mckendree Church Road, Lawrenceville.

Aleshea lives at the apartment complex with her grandmother, who has legal custody, a Gwinnett police spokesman said. Police estimated the girl has the mental capacity of an 11-year-old.

On Monday, Aleshea was in contact with her biological mother in Ohio, said Gwinnett spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli. She told friends her mother was going to pick her up.

Schiralli said the case is being pursued as either an abduction or a runaway.

The girl was last seen wearing a black jacket and blue jeans. She has black hair and brown eyes, is 5 foot 3 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Gwinnett County police at 770-513-5300.