YULEE, Fla -- A search is underway for a Nassau County teen who could be in danger.
Thirteen-year-old Pamela Coates left home Friday morning, and her current guardian fears she could be traveling with her biological father who is a registered sex offender.
"She climbed out of bed dressed crazy and said 'I'm going to take a walk,'" said Brenda Casper. "I thought that was funny, but she usually goes out to see the horses."
But the teen never return, and Casper soon knew something was wrong. She thinks Pam may have met her biological father at a nearby gas station.
Joseph Coates is a 57-year-old registered sex offender, who was convicted of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child age 12 - 15 in 2004. He was deported back to his native Canada, and told never to return, but Brenda believes he did to get Pam.
Nassau County Sheriff Tommy Seagraves tells Action News they've checked every nearby bus, airport and hotel, but so far there are no leads.
Based on activity on the teen's Facebook page, her family believes the pair left the area in a cab, so there's no vehicle description and that's why no Amber Alert has been issued.
Police believe they could be headed to South Florida, Texas or Canada. If you see the two of them call Nassau County Sheriff's Office at 904-225-5174.
Below are descriptions:
Pamela Ann Coates
White
Female
13 years
5 ft. 3 in
100 lb
Brown Eyes
Blond Hair
Last seen wearing long sleeve gray shirt and dark blue jeans
Joseph A. Coates
Alias - Joseph Bender
White
Male
57 years old
6 ft.
315 lb.
Blue eyes
Gray hair
