Reward increased to $20,000 to help find missing Oconee County teen

OCONEE COUNTY, Ga. — There is now a $20,000 reward to help find a missing teenager.

Julia Mann, 17, was last seen on Feb. 20 at her home.

Mann recently moved to Watkinsville from Dunwoody.

Oconee County Sheriff Scott R. Berry told Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne earlier this week that he now fears this is not an ordinary runaway case and that someone may have harmed or exploited the teen.

Mann is described as being 5 feet 3 inches tall and 100 pounds.

"She most certainly has to be in danger by now," Berry said. "She didn't have any money."

Berry said his investigators have worked hard, issuing five search warrants and two subpoenas. They've searched with cadaver dogs and by helicopter. Now, the GBI is assisting.

"I'm just really afraid that maybe she trusted the wrong person," Berry said.

The reward was $10,000 but the sheriff’s office said Friday it was increased to $20,000.

Anyone with information should contact the sheriff’s department at 706-769-3945 or gsanders@oconeesheriff.org.

Anyone who wants to contribute to the reward fund should email sberry@oconeesheriff.org with their pledge.

© 2020 Cox Media Group