OLD TOWN, Maine — Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a girl and her stepfather, who is wanted for criminal restraint for taking the teenager.
Christopher Julian, 43, reportedly picked up his stepdaughter, Natalee Cote, 15, from school at about 3 p.m. Monday, and the teenager was later reported missing by her mother, Old Town police Capt. Lee Miller said in a news release issued Tuesday.
Cote left willingly with her stepfather at the time, but investigators determined Tuesday morning, after receiving additional information, that the girl “could possibly be endangered,” Miller said in the release.
“With the new information we have put out a temporary warrant for Christopher Julian … for criminal restraint,” Miller said.
When contacted by phone, the captain declined to indicate why police believe she might be in danger, saying it’s not pertinent to finding the missing teenager.
Julian is driving a black Mercury Mountaineer with license plate number 1874MD. He is described as a heavyset 5-foot 9-inches to 6-foot tall white male with a shaved head and brown goatee. He wears glasses and has several tattoos, including several on his left arm that stretch from his knuckles to his shoulder. Police also said he is wearing an air cast.
Cote is 5-foot, 4-inches tall and weighs 150-160 pounds. She has dark brown hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing jeans, a black sweatshirt and DC sneakers.
Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said in a Tuesday afternoon press release that in an effort to assist in the search the Maine Department of Transportation and the Turnpike Authority have activated their message boards, and notices have gone out via Maine Lottery machines.
The mother told police that several items were missing from her home, including a debit card that was used to withdraw money from an ATM and to make purchases at a store in Bangor, Miller reported in the release.
Julian’s and Cote’s cellphones were turned off, the release said.
“We are currently working with the state police and Maine Information and Analysis Center.”
Police investigators do not know whether Julian left the area or the state.
“Their whereabouts are unknown at this time,” Miller said.
Anyone with information about the missing girl and wanted man is asked to contact the Old Town Police Department at 827-3984.