Worried parents are appealing for their daughter to come home after she went missing yesterday.
Alan Joynt and his wife Aldiana Maulidia last saw Luthfia Almanda, known as Fia, on Wednesday night.
She had asked their permission to spend yesterday with her friends in Braintree and left the house before Mr Joynt and his wife woke up.
Fia, 14, had been in touch with her mother until about 3pm, when she said she would be home by 5pm.
But it was later discovered she had not been the girls she claimed to have seen.
Stepfather Mr Joynt, of Brownrigg Drive, Bocking, said: “It’s looking likely she has created a cover story in order to meet a boyfriend we know nothing about.”
It is believed he is called Trevor and is 18.
One of Fia’s friends said they saw her yesterday in Tesco, Market Place, and was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. She was seen with three girls and two boys.
Mr Joynt said Fia, who attends Alec Hunter Humanities College, was sensible and conscientous, so her disappearance is out of character.
Mr Joynt, who also has a stepson Luthfi Almanda, 13, said: “I would like to tell her to just come home and not to worry about anything. Just come home, you won’t be in trouble.”
Anyone who can help should call Essex Police on 101 or call 07586 616377.
