Beaufort, N.C. — North Carolina authorities issued an Amber Alert Monday evening for a 12-year-old girl in Carteret County who was allegedly kidnapped by a registered sex offender.

The Carteret County Sheriff's Office is searching for Abigale Faith Lefevers, whom they believe was taken by Timothy Howard Newman in a red 1998 Chrysler Sebring with North Carolina license tag AKT 6534.

Newman, 38, has had contact with Lefevers in recent weeks, according to the sheriff's office.

Lefevers' father reported seeing her last around 10 p.m. Sunday. When he woke up Monday morning, his daughter was gone, authorities said.

Newman’s roommate last saw him Sunday night, according to the sheriff’s office. He did not show up for work.

The Chrysler was spotted around 1:45 a.m. Monday on U.S. Highway 17 southbound near the South Carolina border, authorities said.

Lefevers is white, with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 4 inches tall and about 90 pounds. She was last seen wearing black Nike shoes and carrying a pink backpack with peace signs.

Newman is white, with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 240 pounds. According to the state's sex offender registry, Newman's last known address was 381 Bogue Loop Road in Newport. 

He was convicted in 2004 with two counts of sex offense by a substitute parent/custodian in Stokes County, according to Division of Adult Correction records. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 252-504-4800 or dial 911 or *HP.