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Rest area still focus of search for missing Hardin teen Selena Not Afraid

Posted at 6:31 PM, Jan 15, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-16 22:52:35-05

Federal agencies are boosting efforts with the search for the 16-year-old Hardin girl who has been missing since New Year’s Day.

Selena Not Afraid was reportedly last seen at a rest stop on Interstate 90 between Billings and Hardin on Jan. 1 at 2 p.m.

Crews with the U.S. Department of the Interior, the federal Bureau of Land Management and the FBI's Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team searched on Wednesday.

Tribal officials and the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office have also been on scene north of Hardin.

The search includes more areas than just the rest stop, according to Big Horn County victim/witness specialist Devaney Buffalo, who has been working with Not Afraid's family.

"They've been amazing and strong working together to bring Selena home," Buffalo said.

Buffalo said the teams are using GPS devices to mark off where they've searched.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., urged the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs to focus all available resources on this case.

“I appreciate your offices’ immediate response to my requests to prioritize this deeply troubling situation,” Tester wrote.