St Kitts-Nevis police in new appeal for information on missing teen

The police in St Kitts and Nevis have reiterated its appeal for people in the community to share information they may have in the case of missing teenager Leanna Napoleon,

The 17-year-old student Basseterre High School hasn’t been seen since 8 May, when she finished an exam.

The latest call for people to come forward was from the head of the Violent Crimes Unit, Inspector Mackie Smith, and Constable Lyndita Powell of the Special Victims Unit (SVU).

They were speaking at a press conference on Monday.

In what he termed as an “unsettling” case, Inspector Smith said any credible information is welcome that can help to resolve the case.

“There are some confidential police officers out there who they can go to and give that information,” he stated.

Powell said the officers of the SVU fall into that category and are particularly moved by this case given that it involves a teenage girl.

“It has taken a toll on us because we are an office who loves children,” she said.

“Our office personnel do have to take polygraph [tests] and the office itself requires the utmost level of confidentiality.”

Powell said that if persons with information are unwilling to come to the police station to share, then the members of SVU are willing to meet at a private location that is comfortable to both parties.

Information can also be reported anonymously using via the federation’s toll-free Crime Stoppers service. Callers with credible information about Leanna’s whereabouts will be eligible for a $25,000 reward.

Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Shawn Richards said his department had been supporting Leanna's family. Last week the leader of the opposition, Denzil Douglas, criticised a "deafening silence" from the prime minister on Leanna's case.

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Leanna Napoleon is described as being five foot five inches tall, medium build, brown complexion, and with long black hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call a police station, the Special Victims Unit on 465-4221, Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477(TIPS) or by using the SKN Crime Reporter App.