Missing Malden teen contacts family

The 16-year-old girl who went missing from Malden, Mo., on Jan. 19, has contacted family members, however, authorities have yet to locate the missing teen.

According to Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder, on Thursday, Mandy Pearson, also known as Danielle Miller, made contact with family members via a telephone call, letting them know she is safe. Pearson, however, did not reveal her location.

Holder said the case is being treated as a runaway case, and Dunklin County Deputy Wally Poyner said the teenager has ran away before.

Pearson was reported missing from the Malden area after telling a friend that she was going to meet a male friend from Illinois at the Malden Park.

Pearson is a previous Illinois resident. Previous attempts to contact Pearson by phone and by contacting friends and relatives both in Missouri and in Illinois were unsuccessful.

Anyone having any information regarding Pearson is asked to contact the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office at (573) 888-2424 or (573) 888-2409, or your local law enforcement office.