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Teenage couple disappears after taking trip to New York City together

The teens reportedly left their cell phones at home

Graig Graziosi
Monday 13 December 2021 21:20 GMT
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Vincent Abolafia and his girlfriend Kaileigh Catalano, both 15, have gone missing after taking a trip to New York City together. Both teens left their phones at home.
Vincent Abolafia and his girlfriend Kaileigh Catalano, both 15, have gone missing after taking a trip to New York City together. Both teens left their phones at home. (Suffolk County Police Department)

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A pair of 15-year-olds have been missing for days after they took a trip to New York City together.

The teens, Vincent Abolafia and his girlfriend Kaileigh Catalano, left from nearby Suffolk County and were supposed to return to their homes in Manorville on a train at 3.11pm on 9 December, Fox News reports.

The teens were both reported wearing all black the day a friend dropped them off at a train station just before their trip. Ehrin Catalano, Kailegh's mother, believes her daughter may have dyed her hair black. Vincent's father said his son may have recently cut his hair, but said he did not believe his son had changed his hair colour.

Kaileigh's father, Joe Catalano, told Fox News that his daughter running off was a shock to him.

“This definitely blindsided me,” he said. “My daughter’s a varsity cheerleader. She’s a good kid. I don’t know what possessed them to do this.”

Both of the teens reportedly left their cell phones at home.

Mr Catalano said he was worried that the teens would quickly run out of money and put themselves in danger.

“When you have two teenagers … with minimal resources, it can get dangerous pretty quick,” he said. “And Manhattan right now isn’t what it was. Any city is dangerous for any adolescent.”

He said he believed the teens could get access to around $1,200 and was unaware of any acquaintances the pair had in the city.

Neither of the teens reportedly had any falling out with their family prior to their disappearances.

"The night before, we were talking about her Sweet 16, no arguments," Ms Catalano said.

One of Vincent's relatives posted to a Facebook group aimed at locating the teens, saying they were "at a loss for words" over their disappearance.

"My nights are my days I feel terrible," the relative said. "'I really feel like something terrible has happened but I'm hoping for the best."

Vincent is described at 5 foot 3 and weighs around 110 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Kaileigh is five feet tall and weighs around 118 pounds and may have changed her hair from blonde to black.

Anyone with information on the missing teens can call 911 or the Suffolk County Police Department's Seventh Precinct detectives at 631-852-8752.

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