Nothing new in missing teen search; Dad pleads for her safe return

Published 2:53 pm Monday, February 15, 2016

The investigation into missing Brewton teen Brooke Lee Bridges continued Monday with her father’s desperate plea to see her home.

Jimmy Bridges, with his wife, Lisa, by his side, was visibly overcome with emotion as he described his daughter as “a sweet young girl who needs to be home.”

“We hope someone is out there and listening who can help bring this child home to her family,” Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin said before Bridges took to the podium. McGougin said there were no new developments to announce in the search.

Jimmy and Lisa Bridges walk out of Monday's press conference hand in hand after he pleaded for their daughter's safe return.

Jimmy and Lisa Bridges walk out of Monday’s press conference hand in hand after he pleaded for their daughter’s safe return.

For a little more than a year, the Bridges family has called a small tan house on Cottage Hill Drive “home” so that Mr. Bridges could work as part of the Georgia Pacific project.

The 16-year-old homeschooled teen was last seen at her home just before 11 p.m. last Sunday night wearing black sweatpants and a tank top. Her parents believe she left home without a jacket or shoes and know she did not take her purse or any other personal items other than her cell phone.

Today, the strain of their daughter’s disappearance was evident on their faces.

Throughout the weeklong investigation, police have not declared if the girl is a runaway, was abducted or met with foul play.

With tears in his eyes, Mr. Bridges pleaded all sides of the case.

“Anyone out there who has a clue as to where my daughter is, please,” he said. “I miss her. I need her. She needs to be home with her family.

“If she left on her own – Brooke, baby, please come home,” he said. “You’re not in trouble. You need to be at home with your family. Don’t worry about getting I trouble. The only thing in this world I want is you. I want you to come home.

“Call me any time; let me know where you are and I’ll come get you,” he said. “I love you.

“If someone has her, please let her go,” he pleaded. “Let her come home. Whatever I can do to get her home; just want her to come home safe. She needs to be home.”

To view a video of the day’s press conference, click Press conference video.