Surveillance video captures missing teen with her soccer coach in gas station

Alex Lasker
Updated ·2 min read

A 17-year-old girl who was last seen at her Florida home on Saturday night was recorded at a gas station in Georgia with her high school soccer coach on Sunday, according to police.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office said Caitlyn Frisina wiped all the data from her cell phone before sneaking out of her family home through her bedroom window on Nov. 25. She was reported missing by her parents the next morning.

According to WJAX, deputies believed Frisina had run away with Rian Rodriguez, her 27-year-old soccer coach, because of a text message the teen had sent to a friend prior to her disappearance.

Photos of the teen:

It was confirmed that surveillance footage recorded at a Pilot gas station in St. George, Georgia, on Sunday shows Frisina and Rodriguez together, Sheriff Mark Hunter said on Wednesday.

The two were also spotted early on Sunday evening at a pawn shop in Fayetteville, North Carolina, according to the sheriff.


Photo: Columbia County Sheriff's Office

Hunter said his main focus at this point is ensuring Frisina's safety.

"She's with a person who is 10 years her senior in a supervisory capacity over her as a coach," Hunter said in a statement. "She is legally a juvenile. Although she's 17 years old, she's still unable to consent by law. That's our concern, and our concern, of course, is that we don't know she's OK."

Police believe the two are currently traveling north in a red Mercury Sable.

Frisina's mother, Scarlet Parnell Frisina, took to Facebook on Sunday to share a heartbreaking plea for her daughter's safe return.

"Caitlyn Morgan, Punkin, Daddy and I want you to know how very much we love you and miss you!" she wrote. "We’re not sure why you chose to go, but know that all we care about is knowing whether or not you’re safe!!"

Rodriguez was the head boys' soccer coach with the Columbia County School District but was also affiliated with Frisina's team.

The district released a statement following the pair's disappearance stating that Rodriguez has been suspended from his position at Fort White High School pending an investigation.