Police Search for Missing Teen Girl Who Vanished in Washington After Getting Into Man’s Car

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Ongoing Search for 15-Year-Old Ashlynn Hanley

Authorities across western Washington are intensifying their search for 15-year-old Ashlynn Hanley, who disappeared more than a month ago after being seen entering a man’s vehicle outside a Port Orchard bowling alley. Investigators believe the man, identified as Lavelle Antron Cotton, 45, who also goes by the name “Money Making Prince,” may hold critical information about the teenager’s whereabouts.

Hanley was last seen on the morning of December 10, wearing a bright pink puffer jacket. Surveillance footage captured her stepping into a black 2011 Buick Enclave in the parking lot of Hi Joy Bowling Alley, located in the High Point Shopping Center. The vehicle, registered to Cotton, was seen turning south moments later. Since then, there has been no confirmed sighting of either Hanley or Cotton in the area.

The Final Hours Before Her Disappearance

According to family members, the morning of December 10 began like any other weekday. Hanley’s grandmother drove her to school in Port Orchard, but she never entered the building. Hours later, police say, her court-ordered ankle monitor was found cut off, its last location signal coming from the same shopping complex where the security footage was later discovered.

Her mother, Jade Hanley, said officials contacted her after the ankle monitor alert. “I got off work and went up to the bowling alley. I asked if they had any video footage,” she recalled. “That’s when I saw my daughter getting into that car.”

The teen’s sudden disappearance has left her family desperate for answers. “She’s a happy kid,” her mother said tearfully. “She’s stubborn. She doesn’t take no for an answer.”

Hanley stands at about 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs around 110 pounds. She has brown eyes and light brown hair, though friends say she frequently changes her hair color.

Suspect Identified but Not Located

Police identified Lavelle Cotton shortly after the discovery of the security footage. Cotton, a 45-year-old man with known ties to western Washington, has spoken to law enforcement over the phone but has evaded in-person contact. Authorities have not clarified whether Cotton faces criminal charges at this stage but have labeled him a person of interest in the investigation.

Investigators say that Cotton’s vehicle may have traveled north toward Seattle or across the Puget Sound region after Hanley entered it. Law enforcement agencies, including Port Orchard Police, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, and several regional task forces, are now coordinating search efforts.

Regional Cooperation and Continuing Challenges

Western Washington’s geography, with its extensive ferry routes, rugged terrain, and dense forests, adds complexity to missing-person investigations. Authorities are working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Washington State Patrol Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit to distribute alerts statewide and beyond.

The Puget Sound region has faced a persistent challenge with missing youth cases, particularly those involving vulnerable teens in foster or juvenile systems. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs reported that more than 4,000 juveniles were listed as missing statewide at some point in 2025, though most were located within days. Cases like Hanley’s, however, highlight how quickly a disappearance can escalate when a teen encounters an unknown adult.

Family and Community Response

Hanley’s family has been active in organizing community searches and distributing flyers. Volunteers have canvassed neighborhoods, parking lots, and bus stations. Social media groups have amplified awareness, urging anyone with information to contact Port Orchard Police or call the national tip line.

At local parks and shopping centers, community members have posted signs with Hanley’s photo. “Everyone’s trying to help,” said neighbor April Goodman. “We just want her to come home safe.”

Hanley’s school district, South Kitsap, issued a statement expressing concern and offering counseling support to classmates. “We share in the community’s worry for Ashlynn’s safety and urge anyone who can assist to reach out to law enforcement,” the statement read.

Broader Context of Missing Teen Cases

Hanley’s case has brought renewed attention to the rising number of missing youth across the Pacific Northwest. While most disappearances are resolved quickly, those involving potential abductions or online grooming present a significant law enforcement challenge. Experts note that in today’s digital age, predators often establish contact with vulnerable teens through social media and gaming platforms before arranging in-person meetings.

According to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center, nearly 360,000 reports of missing juveniles were entered in the United States in 2024, with a growing fraction linked to what authorities term “endangered runaways.” Advocates point out that not all youth who vanish are fleeing home voluntarily, warning that some are coerced or lured away by adults.

The city of Seattle and surrounding counties have responded with expanded youth outreach and rapid-alert programs, attempting to reduce the time gap between a disappearance and active intervention. In King County, for example, police have piloted collaborations between social workers, digital forensics experts, and public transit security teams to track movements of missing juveniles more efficiently.

Economic and Emotional Impact on Communities

While missing-person investigations are primarily humanitarian crises, they also place considerable strain on local resources. Search operations involve extensive overtime for investigators, the deployment of specialized units, and reliance on community assistance. Small jurisdictions like Port Orchard often depend on county task forces and federal databases to manage such complex cases.

Economically, extended searches can divert personnel and funding from other local priorities. Yet officials emphasize that no cost is too high when a child’s life may be at risk. The emotional toll, however, is incalculable — affecting families, schools, and entire neighborhoods.

For Jade Hanley, the economic recovery of her community is meaningless until her daughter is found. “Every day is harder,” she said. “You keep hoping for that phone call that tells you they found her safe.”

Law Enforcement’s Public Appeal

Police continue to urge vigilance among Washington residents, particularly in the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bremerton areas. Investigators ask the public to report any sightings of a black 2011 Buick Enclave, especially one driven by a man matching Cotton’s description: African American, mid-40s, medium build, often seen wearing designer clothing and jewelry.

Officials remind residents not to approach anyone they suspect may be involved. Instead, they should immediately contact the Port Orchard Police Department or the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office. Anonymous tips may also be submitted online through regional crime stoppers programs.

Historical Perspective on Similar Washington Cases

Hanley’s disappearance echoes several high-profile missing teen cases across the state in the past two decades. The 2018 case of a Tacoma teenager lured online by an older man triggered statewide reforms to improve communication between juvenile detention facilities and child welfare agencies. Similarly, a 2020 Kitsap County case involving a runaway who met an adult through social media emphasized the dangers of online exploitation.

These incidents prompted Washington lawmakers to fund public safety awareness campaigns and to strengthen collaboration between state juvenile justice centers and local police. Though Hanley’s case remains under active investigation, child-safety advocates note that it underscores the continued vulnerabilities within the system — particularly for teens recently released from detention or foster care.

Authorities Continue the Search

As the search enters its second month, law enforcement officers have expanded their investigation to include digital footprints, such as phone records and online communications. Police say they are also reviewing traffic camera data between Port Orchard and Seattle to pinpoint possible routes the suspect vehicle may have taken.

Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that Hanley may have been transported out of state. Neighboring jurisdictions in Oregon and Idaho have been alerted to Cotton’s vehicle registration and identifiers.

Despite limited leads, officials remain cautiously optimistic that public engagement will yield crucial information. “Someone somewhere has seen them,” one detective said. “All it takes is one credible tip.”

Hope Amid Uncertainty

The uncertainty surrounding Ashlynn Hanley’s disappearance has devastated her family but strengthened community resolve. Vigils held outside the Hi Joy Bowling Alley feature candles, hand-painted signs, and a growing number of attendees who refuse to let her case fade from public attention.

As winter deepens in Washington, police reaffirm their commitment to finding Hanley and bringing her home. For her mother, Jade, hope is the only thing left to hold onto. “We’re not giving up,” she said. “Ashlynn deserves to be found. She deserves to be safe.”

Authorities continue to ask anyone with information about Hanley or Lavelle Cotton’s whereabouts to contact Port Orchard Police at (360) 876-1700 or to call 911 if they believe they have seen either individual.