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Time is against missing teenBy Times staff writer© St. Petersburg Times published February 13, 2003 ST. PETERSBURG -- Authorities are looking for a teenager who disappeared Wednesday without the dietary supplements that he needs to survive. Thomas James Duckworth, 18, of St. Petersburg, was last seen attending classes Wednesday morning at Gibbs High School, but he vanished around noon. On Wednesday afternoon, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper found Duckworth's backpack hidden in some bushes near 54th Avenue N and 39th Street. The intersection is not near Duckworth's home or school, and police don't know how his backpack got there. "We don't know if he was there, or if somebody stole it and left it there. It's a considerable distance from where he lives," said St. Petersburg police spokesman George Kajtsa. "We don't know if foul play is involved." Duckworth's father is worried about his son, who needs dietary supplements because of a severe medical condition. The youth's life will be in danger if he does not get the supplements, police said. Duckworth was missing for one day last year, but his father found him at a friend's house, police said. This time, his father has checked the homes of all of Duckworth's friends, to no avail. Duckworth is described as a thin, 18-year-old black youth with close-cut black hair and a slight overbite. He is about 5 feet 1 inches tall and 105 pounds. He was last seen wearing a blue and tan jean jacket and gray, knee-length, baggy shorts. Anyone with information was asked to call St. Petersburg police Detective Don Crotty at 893-7563 or the city police communications center at 893-7780.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
