Kortne Stouffer’s 22nd birthday was last month. But what should have been a celebration for the young woman is a never ending tragedy. However, her father, Scott, is hoping to start a new beginning in the search for his missing child.
“She might come home, might get to eat dinner with her, give her a hug, tell her I love her,” says Stouffer, of East Hanover Township.
He says, “It’s not easy, everyday’s tough, everyday’s a challenge, to stay focused on your family and business and life in general.”
Last July, Kortne went out at night with friends in Harrisburg. The next morning she was missing.
“Kortne leaving on her own, no. Kortne being abducted, I’m sure that’s a definite possibility,” says Stouffer.
The family has been expanding their search on the internet and they remain in communication with authorities. But there’s a new sense of hope, that’s being prompted by Cleveland’s Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight.
Stouffer says, “Kortne’s a very strong willed girl, like the one girl who had a presence after 10 years. To make a 9-11 call, that’s Kortne.”
A neighbor helped rescue the women who were being held hostage in a Cleveland home for a decade. Stouffer says he hopes you’ll help him find his daughter.
“If there’s a neighbor out there that can help the way the neighbor helped in Cleveland. Just don’t lose focus, don’t lose hope, keep complete awareness that Kortne could be right next door to you.”
Kortne’s mom, Wendy says there’s always hope. But she’s having a hard time with Mother’s Day right around the corner.