From the Huntley Police:
UPDATE: Missing Juveniles Located
UPDATE 5/22/25 4:15 pm
Both missing juveniles have been located and are safe.
With the help of the FBI and the Chicago Police Department, they were taken into protective custody by the Huntley Police Department.
The Crystal Lake Police Department and Metra Police were also instrumental in locating these juveniles.
We also thank the public for their assistance in sharing this information.
This investigation is still pending and no additional information will be released at this time.
Missing Juveniles
The Huntley Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating two missing juvenile females: –
- Emilia Rechsteiner, age 14, of Huntley, Illinois; and
- Elizabeth Ernst, age 15, of Crystal Lake, Illinois.
During the late afternoon hours of Tuesday, May 20, members of Rechsteiner’s family contacted the Huntley Police Department to report Emilia as missing when she did not return home after school.
She was reported to have been seen in the area of Ol’ Timers Park around 2:42 pm in the company of Ernst.
Shortly after, they were seen on Buck Dr.
Ernst’s family subsequently reported her missing as well.
Since the juveniles were reported missing, Huntley Police Detectives have been working diligently to locate them.
After identifying they may be traveling to Chicago, we acquired video evidence that they arrived at
Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago at 6 pm on Tuesday, May 20.
Huntley teens at Ogivie Center
It appears they dyed their hair and attempted to alter their appearance before boarding the train.
Updated photos of their appearance are included below.
Neither juvenile have a cell phone that is known to their family.
They may be in possession of an unidentified phone or device that is unknown to their families and not tied to any family account.
They have been in communication with friends but will not disclose their location.
Detectives are attempting to identify the device(s) being used and track social media accounts they may be accessing.
It appears they are in the company of an unidentified male subject.
Please view the picture below and contact the Huntley Police Department Tip Line if you are able to identify him.
Residents in the area of Ol’ Timers Park – please check your cameras for any footage of the juveniles or
vehicles picking them up on Tuesday, May 20, during the time frame of 2:40 pm – 4:30 pm.
If you have footage or saw them, please contact the Huntley Police Tip Line by calling 847-515-5333. Please include your name, contact information, and a brief description of your information in your message.
Anyone with current information on Emilia and Elizabeth’s whereabouts – please contact the Huntley
Police Department at 847-515-5311 or call 9-1-1 if an immediate response is needed.
Parents of kids who may know the missing juveniles – please talk to your kids about what they know about this case and reiterate the importance of being forthcoming with the police for the safety of Emilia and Elizabeth.
We appreciate any assistance the community can provide to help bring these juveniles home safely.
