CHATSWORTH, IL — Community on High Alert as Search Intensifies for Missing 14-Year-Old Girl Enacence L. Knaack
CHATSWORTH, IL — June 9, 2025 — Authorities in Central Illinois are working around the clock in an urgent effort to locate Enacence L. Knaack, a 14-year-old girl who has been reported missing and was last seen over the weekend in areas surrounding Chatsworth, Forrest, and Fairbury. As days pass without contact, concern for her safety is rapidly intensifying, and law enforcement officials are appealing directly to the public for assistance.
According to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments, Enacence was last seen sometime during the weekend of June 7–8, though the exact time and circumstances of her disappearance remain unknown. Investigators have not ruled out any possibilities, including that she may have left voluntarily or could be in danger. They are actively working to establish a timeline and determine her last known location and potential destination.
Description and Current Status
Authorities have released a physical description of Enacence L. Knaack in the hopes that someone may recognize her:
- Age: 14
- Height/Weight: Approx. 5’3” / 110 lbs
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Hazel
- Clothing: Unknown at the time of disappearance
Law enforcement agencies in Livingston County and the surrounding region are coordinating with state and federal partners, including the Illinois State Police and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A missing persons alert has been circulated through official channels, and community volunteers have taken to social media to boost awareness and distribute flyers.
Community and Law Enforcement Join Forces
In the tight-knit communities of Chatsworth, Forrest, and Fairbury, the search has taken on a deeply emotional tone. Residents have formed volunteer search teams, canvassing neighborhoods, parks, wooded areas, and abandoned buildings in hopes of uncovering a lead.
“We are absolutely committed to finding this young girl and bringing her home safely,” said a spokesperson for the Chatsworth Police Department. “We ask all residents, especially in rural or wooded areas, to check their properties, sheds, barns, and outbuildings, and report anything unusual.”
Local schools have also been engaged, with administrators working to ensure students and staff are aware of the situation. Social workers and counselors have been made available to speak with classmates and friends of Enacence who may have information or be struggling to process her disappearance.
Family Pleads for Help
The family of Enacence L. Knaack is devastated and has issued a heartfelt plea to the public.
“We just want her home. If anyone has seen her or heard anything, please, please come forward,” said a family member during a brief public statement. “She’s only 14. We are begging for your help.”
They have asked for privacy during this difficult time but remain in close contact with investigators and search teams.
The Urgency of Time
In missing persons cases involving minors, time is a critical factor. The longer a child remains missing, the more complicated the search becomes. Law enforcement is working under the assumption that Enacence may still be in the local area, but they are not ruling out the possibility that she has left or been taken elsewhere.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, phone records, and social media activity, and are urging anyone who may have had contact with Enacence in the days or hours before her disappearance to come forward.
As of now, no foul play has been confirmed, but authorities stress that all leads are being investigated.
How You Can Help
If you have seen Enacence, know of her whereabouts, or have any relevant information, you are strongly urged to contact:
- Chatsworth Police Department: (815) 635-3182
- Livingston County Sheriff’s Office: (815) 844-0911
- Or dial 911 for immediate assistance.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously through local Crime Stoppers programs.
Additionally, residents are encouraged to share official missing person alerts on social media platforms and avoid spreading unverified rumors or speculation, which can hinder the investigation and cause further distress to the family.
A Community Holding Onto Hope
As the search continues, there is still hope that Enacence will be found safe and reunited with her loved ones. Vigils and prayer circles have already been organized in local churches and community centers, with residents lighting candles and expressing support for the Knaack family.
This case has touched many in Central Illinois, uniting neighbors, strangers, and law enforcement in a shared mission: to find a missing girl and bring her home.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.