Missing Teen Hannah Smith May Be In New York City Area

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing 16-year-old girl.

"It's like every parent's worst nightmare and everyday gets worse," said Stephen Smith.

For Smith and his wife Loriann, the not knowing is the hardest since their daughter Hannah went missing New Year's Day.

"She just doesn't even know" said Loriann. "So many people's hearts are broken."

Hannah Smith was last seen on January 1 around 1:00 a.m. at her East Greenbush home. Police say that she is believed to be en route to New York City or New Jersey.

Hannah Smith Poster (pdf)

However, a few days after posters were spread to Hess stations, a Jersey City Hess attendant recalls seeing her in a blue minivan with a male driver in his 30's on New Years morning around 8-9 a.m. Near the entrance to the Holland Tunnel.

"There have been literally thousands of people praying for my daughter," said Loriann Smith, Hannah's mother, taking a break from greeting, hugging and thanking all who came to a church vigil last night to support their effort. "We believe in the power of prayers and we believe God is hearing every single prayer."

Smith's mother, Loriann, says she believes someone is helping Hanna and believes she may have met the person on Facebook. Still, the family has hope and say they believe in the power of prayer.

"We know the police are on this case, the FBI is involved and there are some leads, you know, there's nothing conclusive or anything, but there have been leads before that have been false. And so we have to keep ourselves calm and let the police do what we need to do," Loriann Smith said.

Smith's parents say she hasn't used her cell phone since she left, and may not want to be found.

The Smiths say that bloodhounds traced Hannah's scent a half mile up the road from their home. That leads them to believe a car picked her up.

The Smiths say Hannah only has about $50, a computer and a cell phone with her so they think someone is helping her, perhaps even someone she met online.

If so, they have a message for that person.

"Do the right thing, get my daughter home," said Loriann.

They have a message for their daughter too.

"No matter when she called me I'd be on the road in five minutes to get her wherever," said Stephen Smith, Hannah's dad.

"Hannah, we absolutely love you with all our heart and there's not accusation, not condemnation, not judgment. We just want you home because we love you so, so much," said Loriann.

She is described as 5'05″, 115 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the East Greenbush Police Department at 518-479-2525.