MISSING PERSON ALERT
By John Worthen
For Between Editions
The Smackover Police Department is still seeking information on the whereabouts of Laura Lee Smith “Bethany.” Smith, 26, is a white female, 5’ 8”, 162 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes.
She is wanted on forgery and failure to appear charges, though Smackover Police Chief Michael Fife said he is ultimately worried about her safety.
Fife said that Smith has a history of drug abuse.
“Her family just want to make sure she’s safe,” Fife said. “I’m also worried about her. While I would like to have her in custody, I also want to make sure she’s OK. I’m afraid if she isn’t found, she may wind up dead.”
Smith was last seen between 4-5 a.m. on Jan. 29, when a Union County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a disturbance call at a residence at 5709 N. West Ave., El Dorado, according to a police report.
A vehicle driven by Smith Jan. 29 was later located and recovered by the Union County Sheriff’s Office on Arkansas 335, according to a police report. An El Dorado man was at the wheel.
Police did not say how the man gained possession of the vehicle.
Anyone with information on Smith should call the Smackover PD office (725-3571) or the Union County Sheriff’s Office (864-1970) immediately.