DeKalb County police are looking for a 22-year-old Clark Atlanta University student who left for a graduation ceremony early Monday morning and never arrived.
Alexis Jones-Rhodes was last seen at her home on Twin Falls Road around 4 a.m., when she left in her black 2006 Hyundai Accent, police said.
Jones-Rhodes’ family issued a news release that said she is a fashion merchandising major and was headed to the school’s student center for her 6 a.m. check-in.
Her parents and about 40 family members and friends became worried when she did not walk across the stage at the graduation. They then learned she had not checked in that morning and called police.
However, Clark Atlanta, in a statement issued by associate vice president Donna Brock, said that while Jones-Rhodes was enrolled for the spring 2015 semester, she was ineligible for graduation.
The school confirmed that there is no record that Jones-Rhodes signed in for the commencement exercises.
The statement added, “We are prayerful for a swift and safe reunion between Ms. Rhodes and her family.”
Her father, John Rhodes, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday night, “We just hope she’s in a safe place and that things turn out OK. You have to hold out hope.”
Rhodes described his daughter as “a great kid, a sweet girl. Really talented and smart and gentle. A hard worker. There’s no one who comes across her who isn’t touched by her.”
Waiting for word on her whereabouts has been taxing, he said, noting, “It feels like it’s been two weeks.”
Jones-Rhodes is described as 5-foot-5 and 127 pounds and was last seen wearing a white dress. Police are asking that anyone having contact with her or the car, which had Georgia tag BPC6177, call 770-724-7710 or 911.
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