Cops: Missing Md. girl had contact with men over Web

WHITE MARSH, Md. - A missing Maryland 12-year-old had a history of communicating with men in other states over the Internet, according to Baltimore County police.

Jasmine Leighlin Baker, of White Marsh, was last seen around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning as she walked to Perry Hall Middle School outside Baltimore, where she attends sixth grade. When she didn't return home in the afternoon, her mother called the school and was told the girl had been absent that day, according to police.

No one has heard from her since.

Jasmine was known to communicate with men - including men in other states - over the Internet using certain apps on an iPad or X-box, according to a Baltimore County Police news release. The girl also communicated with the men via e-mail and text, according to Baltimore County police spokeswoman Elise Armacost.

There's no indication the girl had had contact with any adults over the Web in the last several weeks, Armacost said. Police aren't certain whether she could be with someone else.

"The fact that she has a history of communicating with adults on the Internet certainly is an angle we're pursuing - it's not the only angle," Armacost told 48 Hours' Crimesider.

Jasmine left home without her cell phone or charger and without extra clothing, according to a police news release. Police have run down more than 50 tips, and while none of them have so far led to Jasmine, detectives are continuing to pursue the most substantial leads.

A friend of the family named Regina told Crimesider, "That morning she left a little earlier than normal, she was on her way to a club. She left a little bit earlier, she never made it to the school."

It's the first time Jasmine has been reported missing.

Crews are conducting "exhaustive" searches in the area near Jasmine's home and school and near her father's home in Baltimore City, some with bloodhounds. Police have also checked White Marsh-area hotels and are reviewing surveillance footage from businesses.

The FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) are assisting with the case. NCMEC is assisting with a review of the girl's social media activity, according to police.

Armacost said she wasn't aware of any activity on the girl's social media accounts since she went missing.

The FBI says it is working to place billboards around the Baltimore metro area to help spread the word about the girl's disappearance, reports CBS Baltimore.

Jasmine is described as a white female, five feet, five inches tall and 175 pounds. She has blue eyes and long brown hair with blond and red streaks in it. She is believed to be wearing a brown jacket, according to police.

The disappearance is being investigated by the Baltimore County Police Crimes Against Children Unit, police say.

"Of course we're extremely concerned in this case - she told her mother she was leaving for school, and she did not appear at school," Armacost said. "She is a young girl that has a history of reaching out to other adults, and of course - we haven't found her."

Anyone with information on Jasmine Leighlin Baker is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or the Baltimore office of the FBI at 410-265-8080.