The owner of Cuzzins Bar in Plant City is offering a $1,000 reward for information that can lead her to her missing daughter.
Sharon Ardelean’s 35-year-old daughter, Misti Whitfield, was last seen at about midnight May 1, at or near Nautical Marine, 5525 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. Ardelean said her daughter had an altercation with an individual at that address but has not been seen since.
“I went there personally and talked to the last person to see her,” she said. “She came on a bicycle, and the bicycle was still there. The individual I spoke to said he had video of her walking away, but I have not seen it.”
Tampa Police Department is handling Whitfield’s disappearance as a missing persons case, Andrea Davis, spokeswoman for the police department, said.
“She’s in our system as a missing person, so if she comes in contact with any law enforcement in the country, she’ll come up as missing from Tampa,” Davis said.
Ardelean said she knew something was wrong when she didn’t hear from Whitfield. Ardelean has custody of Whitfield’s 12-year-old son, and Whitfield called every one or two days to talk.
“For over a year and a half, she would call, without fail,” Ardelean said.
Whitfield, who grew up in Plant City, has been battling drug addiction for 18 years. She’s been to rehab multiple times, and her arrest record includes charges such as drug possession, burglary and manufacturing of a controlled substance.
Ardelean has utilized her daughter’s Facebook page to stay connected and hopefully find Whitfield.
“I’ve been talking with people from everywhere,” she said. “There’s been a great outpouring. We have a lot of flyers out, too.”
Anyone with information should contact Tampa Police Department Det. Sarah Price, (813) 276-3200. The family also asks that readers share this information on their social-media accounts.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.vzlom2014.ru vzlom2014.ru
