Date: January 4, 2025, 09:04h.

Last updated on: January 4, 2025, 09:04h.

Volunteers and law enforcement officers are currently conducting a search in the desert near Las Vegas for a teenager from Henderson, Nevada, who left home following a family dispute. There are concerns that she may be without access to food or water.

Jennaleah Hin, also referred to as “Jenna,” a 17-year-old, left her family’s home on Monday and has not been seen since.

Dog Scent Tracking

A search dog initially picked up her scent near the desert close to the Paradise Hills neighborhood. Despite efforts, the scent was lost, but a witness claimed to have seen the teen heading towards the desert as well.

Though there have been potential sightings of the missing teenager in various locations in the region, as of early Saturday, she remains unaccounted for.

In addition to search dogs, the operation is utilizing helicopters, drones, as well as searchers using horses, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles.

The focus of the search area covers approximately 10 miles, situated in the vicinity of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, a wilderness area spanning over 48,000 acres.

Authorities have attempted to reach out to her boyfriend and friends, yet have been unsuccessful in locating her.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, school police, and the local search and rescue organization, Red Rock Search and Rescue, are participating in the search, alongside volunteers from the community.

She was distraught when she left,” said Mark Speer, Commander of Red Rock Search and Rescue. “So, every day it gets more critical… Every day is more critical than the prior day.”

Survival becomes increasingly challenging when deprived of food and water, particularly after 72 hours, explained Speer.

Hin departed her residence without a cell phone, supplies, credit cards, or money, with no provisions of food or water either.

Family Disagreement

Authorities have not disclosed the nature of the dispute.

It’s just a normal family dispute, you know, that teenagers have with their parents,” Speer informed reporters. “Nothing out of the ordinary.

Described as exemplary in every aspect, the missing teen has had no prior issues with her parents, running away, or law enforcement, according to Speer.

She is a top-performing student at Foothill High School in Henderson, with plans to pursue nursing studies in the upcoming fall, as reported by Las Vegas TV station KSNV.

Her parents are deeply concerned and immediately initiated search efforts upon realizing her absence.

“I love you. We just want you back. Our home is broken without you and we need you, so please come back,” shared Hin’s stepfather, Corey Swanson, during a recent press briefing.

Her mother, Jennifer Swanson, tearfully expressed, “Jenna wherever you are, whoever you’re with, I just want you to come home. I want you safe. We love you so much.”

Standing at 5 feet, 5 inches, weighing approximately 163 pounds, with waist-length black hair, Hin left her home around 7 p.m. on Monday, clad in a black Under Armour hoodie, baggy black sweatpants, and black and white Nike sneakers, as captured by a home surveillance camera.