SYKESVILLE – Have you seen this woman?
The family of 33-year-old Joey Lynn Offutt is hoping that someone has, and the newest tool in their search is the Internet.
A Web site set up by the family details the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, which happened at about the same time as a fire at her Sykesville home July 12. (Three Web sites all link to the same page, FindJoey.org, JoeyOffutt.org and JoeyOffutt.com.)
The family is looking for anyone who has seen or heard from Joey Lynn Offutt after July 5 because they might have clues as to why the single mother went missing.
Offutt has not been seen since the fire, but her car was recovered a few days later in State College. According to the Web site, it was at an apartment complex where Offutt used to live.
Back in Sykesville, investigators found a baby’s body inside the house, and the family has posted on the site that they believe the body is that of Offutt’s 6-week-old son. Law enforcement officials have yet to release the identity of the child.
The Web site reports that Offutt’s other two children “were not home at the time of the fire and are safe with family members.”
Offutt is described as being about 5 feet, 3 inches tall with a thin build. She has brown eyes and brown hair with a reddish tone. She could be wearing glasses.
The family asks that anyone who has seen or spoken with Offutt following July 5 to contact them. Tips given through this source, the Web site states, are viewed by the family.
“Her family desperately seeks to find her safe and unharmed. If you know of anything, talked to her, or even saw her car around the State College, PA or Sykesville, PA area, please contact us. We only want your information. Your comments will be anonymous, if you choose,” the Web site states.
Tips can also be directed to the state police at DuBois at 371-4652 or the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers at 800-PA-TIPS. Crime Stoppers are offering a $2,000 reward for information in the case.