Charlotte Police Search for Missing Teacher

ByELARA MOSQUERA ABCNews logo
Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Authorities in Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Department are searching for 31-year-old Bianca Tanner, an elementary school teacher who vanished in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday.

Family and friends called Tanner's disappearance out of character, Detective Faulkner of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department told ABC News.

"We have received several tips, though nothing that would provide any closure," Faulkner said.

Tanner taught second grade at the Fork Elementary School in Greensboro, N.C., school officials told ABC News.

Tanner was last spotted Sunday on Druid Circle in Charlotte by her boyfriend, who also lives in Charlotte, Faulkner said. Tanner's boyfriend reported her missing to authorities at 12:37 p.m. on the same day. His identity has not been released at this time.

Tanner recently moved from Greensboro to Charlotte, and may still have ties in the area, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a statement.

Tanner is described by authorities as 5-feet-3 inches tall, weighing 110 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. Police say she was last seen wearing a red tank top, black shorts and black flat shoes.

A woman identified as Raleta Chanel on her Instagram account, has jump started a social media campaign calling for the public to help shed light on Tanner's disappearance, and also asks people to pray and keep an eye out for the elementary school teacher.

When reached by ABC News via Instagram and Twitter today, she declined to comment, instead uploading comments that authorities advised her not communicate with the media nor "speak anything that may hinder" the investigation. Posts on Chanel's Instagram account claim that Tanner went for a walk on Sunday with her cellphone and debit card and hasn't been heard from since. The posts state she "is a mother and an educator who was working on her doctorate degree who would not abandon her child."

It was unclear what her relationship is with Tanner.

Detectives are now digging into Tanner's phone records to see if there are any clues that can lead to her whereabouts, police said.

Anyone who sees or has information about Tanner are urged to call Detective Faulkner at (704) 336-8970.

Related Topics