Family continues search for missing N.J. student

Two days after 18-year-old Sarah Townsend of Florence disappeared, her family took to train stations, bus stops, and the Internet to try to find her.

Her uncle rode a train from New Jersey to New York on Tuesday with fliers - bearing Townsend's photo and offering a $10,000 reward - taped to the front and back of his jacket. He passed out about 3,000 at stops along the route.

On Wednesday, one cousin flooded the Walter Rand Transportation Center and other Camden locales with fliers, while another started a Facebook group seeking information.

"I just have to keep praying and keep calm. I feel like it will have a happy resolution," said cousin Tyler Bellinger, 22, who covered the Walter Rand as well as RiverLine stops from Trenton to Camden. "I don't want to choose the other option, honestly."

Townsend, a senior at Allentown High School in Monmouth County, left for school around 7 a.m. Monday, but never arrived. Later that morning, her boyfriend found her Oldsmobile in Green Acres Park in Burlington Township, near Sherman Pond, where the couple often went, police said.

Authorities, who wrapped up an extensive search of the park Tuesday, continue to treat the disappearance as a missing-persons case. But they said for the first time Wednesday that Townsend might have been at risk of hurting herself the day she disappeared. They stopped short of calling her a suicide risk.

Townsend's purse and cellphone were found inside the car, which was running. No drag marks or traces of blood were found outside the car, police said.

The massive search, which included up to 100 state and local police officers and volunteers, started after Townsend's boyfriend called authorities, Burlington Township Public Safety Director Walter Corter said.

"There was some indication that she might harm herself," he said. He declined to give additional details.

"We hope that she is well and returned home safely," Corter said.

Authorities talked to more than two dozen family members and friends, including an 18-year-old who showed up at the township police station with his mother.

Another search at Green Acres, organized Wednesday through social networking and word of mouth, drew more than two dozen people.

"I just felt I needed to help," said Andrew Velzy, a township resident who didn't know Townsend.

A vigil was scheduled at the park last night.

Family members said Townsend was last seen wearing a red plaid top with a gray hood, black sweat pants, and red Vans sneakers. She is set to graduate this spring.

"Friendly, outgoing, lovable - that's my Sarah," her mother, Laurie, said.