The parents of missing teen Christa Rogaliner organized a "Community Safety Meeting" at Herndon High School Friday, Jan. 16.
Lisa Lombardozzi, the PTSA president at the school, said the meeting was a way to keep the Loudoun County girl's disappearance fresh in people's minds and to dispel rumors about her disappearance on Dec. 12.
"They believe she might have had a friend in the area," Lombardozzi said of the interest in the Herndon area. "I think the belief is that sometimes kids know more than they say."
Christa, 17, was last seen by her parents Friday, Dec. 12, at 8 a.m., when she presumably left for school, according to Leesburg Police. She was later seen at Dulles Town Center Mall in Sterling at noon.
Leesburg Police Lt. Jeff Dube said the car she was driving was found on Shaker Woods Road in Reston Saturday, Dec. 13, at approximately 11 a.m., by Fairfax County Police. The car was found unlocked with the keys in the ignition and with a Christmas present still in the back seat.
Initially, word spread that she may have developed car trouble and was trying to reach Aldrin Elementary School in Reston, where her mother worked. However, Lombardozzi said, they were told Friday that Christa's mother was at a conference that day and that the teen knew her mother was not at the school.
Christa is a white female, 5 feet 7 inches tall, has reddish-brown hair, green eyes and a medium build. She wears braces and occasionally wire-rimmed glasses. She is possibly wearing a yellow and navy blue Tommy Hilfiger jacket and jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Leesburg Police Department, 703-771-4500, or the Leesburg Crime Line at 703-443-TIPS.