Police are searching for a missing, pregnant Maryland teacher after she didn’t show up for the first day of school Tuesday.
Laura Elizabeth Wallen, 31, has not been heard from since Sunday, when she sent a text message to family members that police called “troubling,” Fox 5 reported. The content of the text message has not been released.
Police are concerned for both Wallen’s physical and emotional welfare. She is believed to be at least three months pregnant.
Montgomery County police are asking for help from the community to find Wallen, who lives in Olney and teaches social studies at Wilde Lake High School, Fox 5 reported. She may be driving a black 2011 Ford Escape.
The high school has provided counseling for students, who have been informed of Wallen’s disappearance by their homeroom teachers, Fox 5 reported.
“She was a favorite amongst the students,” Paris Cooper, who is a student, said, CBS News reported. “She was really nice and this is really sad, what’s happening, you see it’s really taking a toll on people.”
Family members reported Wallen was excited about her pregnancy and did not appear troubled. She left her dog behind when she disappeared, CBS News reported.
“I’m hoping they find her and I’m hoping that she’ll be alive and well,” neighbor Joyce Robinson said, CBS News reported.
Wallen had spent many hours over several days preparing her classroom for the first day of school before disappearing. “People are concerned for her safety,” Brian Bassett of Howard County Schools said, CBS reported.
Many students posted on social media about Wallen’s disappearance.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.