Dad wants more resources for ASU student search

A High Point man whose daughter has been missing for more than a week from Appalachian State University says he wants more resources put into the search for his daughter.

Dan Smith told several media outlets Friday that more needs to be done to find Anna Marie Smith, 18, who was last seen the night of Sept. 3.

"I'm requesting anybody that can help provide additional resources and help achieve my goal of finding Anna to provide them," Dan Smith told a Charlotte news station.

Family and friends and volunteers have been searching for Anna Smith, who took a backpack and a red leather purse when she left her dorm and disappeared.

Her last message to her parents had occurred the night of Sept. 1 on Facebook and read "I love you."

Dan Smith declined to talk about reports that she might have been assaulted in the week before she vanished and said he's been given updates daily from police, and the university is posting updates on its website.

Appalachian State University police say they are using every resource available to find Anna Smith.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has joined in the search and volunteers have been combing the area looking for her.

Meanwhile, the Boone campus is a community absorbed with the question, "What happened?"

Makayla Elkes, of Asheboro, like Smith, is a freshman.

"I'm just a little scared being out alone," said Elkes.

Nia Brooks-Colley is a sophomore from Apex.

"My mom has been asking me for updates for days, and she texts me every night to make sure I got home," she said.