Family Posts Missing Alert for Actress

Teen actress Scout Taylor-Compton has been missing from her Apple Valley home for nearly two weeks, though San Bernardino County authorities describe the case as “a typical juvenile runaway.”

Family members told authorities Aug. 12 that Taylor-Compton, 16, had left the family’s high desert home that morning.

“This is generating a lot of press, but we’re treating it like any other runaway case, contacting her friends and family, and doing follow-ups to try and locate her,” said Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Robin Haynal. “We think this is a teenager who doesn’t want to be found.”

In the comedy film “Sleepover,” Taylor-Compton played “Farrah,” a friend of the lead character in the film. She also had recurring roles in the television series “Gilmore Girls,” and on the Bravo channel’s “Hidden Howie.”

Investigators do not know what may have prompted Taylor-Compton to leave her home, said Cindy Beavers, another sheriff’s spokeswoman.

“It’s not uncommon to see a 16-year-old girl run away from home,” Beavers said. “It happens often that kids leave home for some reason, usually not liking the rules. But we don’t know the family issues. Nothing about her disappearance is considered suspicious by our investigators.”

Taylor-Compton’s family has posted a flier on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website, declaring her an “endangered runaway.”

That characterization is not accurate, sheriff’s officials said. Beavers said Taylor-Compton had “no serious medical problem or handicap that makes her a critical missing.”

The family’s flier says when the 5-foot-3 Taylor-Compton was last seen by family “her hair was dyed red, but it is naturally blond.” The flier used the actress’ real first name, Desariee, noting her pierced ears and “scars on her forehead.”

Laura Marks, Taylor-Compton’s publicist, said, “Her parents are completely distraught.”

Associated Press contributed to this report.