Strange Details About The Disappearance Of 15-Year-Old Lily Christopherson — And Why Police Think She Was Sold For Sex By People She Met On Social Media
Police believe she was sold for sex.
Bonney Lake PD The sex offender a missing 15-year-old girl was reportedly last seen with was arrested over the weekend but the Washington teen is still nowhere to be found.
Lileana “Lily” Christopherson disappeared May 9 after she met with someone she had connected with on social media and hasn’t been seen since, Q13 Fox reports.
Christopher Fitzpatrick, 39, and Maria Anne Counts, 29, were arrested on charges of kidnapping, promoting sex abuse of a minor, third-degree child rape, possession of child pornography, and providing drugs to a minor, the Bonney Lake Patch reports.
Fitzpatrick was arrested in Lakewood after an anonymous tip led police to his location. He was wanted by U.S. Marshals, who offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts, for neglecting to register as a sex offender and violating his probation.
Lakewood Municipal Court had also issued warrants for his arrest on charges of third-degree malicious mischief, obstructing police and first-degree trespassing, court records state.
According to the Bonney Lake Patch, police allege that Fitzpatrick and Count sold Christopherson for sex. Naked photos of the teen were allegedly found on Count’s phone. Count told police Fitzpatrick’s “'thing' is keeping young girls drugged and to 'pimp' them out of hotels."
Family friend Jason Mounts warned of the dangers social media poses for young adults and children.
“If you have teenagers, any teenagers, it doesn’t matter girls or boys, educate them,” he told the news outlet. “These apps these days, these 'meet me' apps, people meeting on Facebook, you’re supposed to be 18 on Facebook. There’s a reason. Control what they’re doing, just educate your kids more.”
“I'm feeling devastated that they found Christopher Fitzpatrick and my daughter wasn’t with him," Christopherson's mother, Lena Winters, told KING 5. "I’m so worried where she could be now.”
According to the Bonney Lake Police Department, Christopherson was spotted in Tacoma in the past few days. Police said they are concerned for her safety because they “are not certain” if she is missing by choice.
“I want Lily to know that I love her so much, and she’s not in trouble and no one is angry with her," Winters said. "We all just want to know she’s safe and get her back to all the people who love her so much. I don’t want her to forget how many people love her.”
Fitzpatrick is being held at the Pierce County Jail, where he tried to hang himself after he appeared in court Tuesday. He was found hanging by a towel in the shower but is expected to live, according to KOMO.
He has previously pleaded guilty to multiple crimes.
In 2003, Fitzpatrick was convicted of third-degree assault and felony harassment for repeatedly raping his wife at the time, The News Tribune reports.
Christopherson is white, 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has long brown hair, hazel eyes, and a small scar next to her left eye.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to call 911 U.S. Marshals hotline at 206-370-8600.
Sarah Gangraw is a travel-addicted cat lady who lives on black coffee and cheese. She went to college in Australia, graduated from the University of Central Florida, and writes about all things news and crime. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter — she's occasionally funny.