Who Is Rian Rodriguez? Missing Teen Caitlyn Frisina Spotted With Soccer Coach
Authorities searching for a 17-year-old Florida girl said that the teenager was spotted in surveillance footage with her high school soccer coach. Police was looking into a potential "romantic relationship" between Caitlyn Frisina and Rian Rodriguez, who was working as a boys' soccer coach at Fort White High School.
Caitlyn went missing Sunday after she left her home without her cell phone, the data of which was wiped clean. Authorities also found footprints outside of the teen's home, and she appears to have left through a window.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials issued a missing child alert for Caitlyn on Tuesday. Police said the pair might be headed northeast, potentially to New York or Canada. The teen reportedly withdrew $200 from an ATM Sunday.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Caitlyn has brown hair and brown eyes. She is 5-foot-7 and weighs 135 pounds. Rodriguez was described as having black hair and brown eyes. He’s 5-foot-10 and weighs 220 pounds, the agency said.
The missing teen's father Ward Frisina shared a photo of him and his daughter on Facebook, asking anyone to help him get in touch with his daughter.
Her mother, Scarlet Frisina, wrote on Facebook Monday afternoon: "I want you to know how very much we love you and miss you! We're not sure why you chose to go, but know that all we care about is knowing whether or not you're safe!! We can work out any issues. We're here with open arms praying for your safety! Please let us know that you're ok. Day or night, no matter what; no judgment [sic], no anger...just know we're here and we love you more than you can imagine!"
Murray Smith, the public information officer for the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, told ABC News that Rodriguez and Caitlyn had been around each other "at sports events, but they've never been alone at all." Authorities are urging people along the I-95 corridor to keep a lookout for the pair, Smith said.
Smith also said Caitlyn's disappearance was not being considered a kidnapping case as no criminal charges were filed.
"For her to be on the road with this gentleman, I consider that to be a dangerous situation," Smith said.
"We are hoping for a great resolution," Smith said. "We don’t want them to think they are in trouble. They’ve made some poor decisions but who hasn’t? Just want them to contact their families and come home."
Scarlet told CW affiliate WJXT-TV that Rodriguez was a longtime family friend and had coached Caitlyn in soccer in the past. According to his Facebook page, Rodriguez went to Columbia County High School and then studied at Florida Gateway College and the University of Florida.
Rodriguez was suspended from his position as boys soccer coach at Fort White High School after Caitlyn went missing, reports said. He will be removed from contact with students pending an investigation, and school officials said he will be fired if it is found he was traveling with the teenager.
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