The daughter of a Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station chief has been missing since Jan. 4.
Authorities believe she might be with an older man who is in his 40s or 50s. They may have met online.
According to a missing person’s flyer, Christine Jelinek, 17, is immature for her age and may not realize she is in danger.
Her father, Chief Travis Mack, is one of the senior security personnel at the Seal Beach Navy base.
Jelinek was last seen in Carlsbad, where she lives with her mother and stepfather.
“On Jan. 3 at about 11 am, Christine Jelinek was seen at the Boxing Club located at 1691 Melrose Dr. Ste 180 in the city of Vista, just on the border of Vista and Carlsbad,” said Lt. Paul Mendes of the Carlsbad Police Department.
He spoke at a Jan. 11 press conference.
“She was there for her routine workout. She was only there for a short time, and then left to go to the Subway nearby, which has WIFI capabilities. She may have used the WIFI to make contact with the person of interest,” Mendes said.
The “person of interest” Lt. Mendes referred to is the older man who may or may not be with Jelinek.
Mendes said Jelinek was joined by a white man, 45-50 years old, who was described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds, with short hair that was lighter on the bottom and darker on top.
At the time, the unknown man was wearing jeans, and a blue or gray button down shirt.
“After meeting at the Subway, they went to Mariah’s Restaurant, also nearby. They spent about 45 minutes there together, then, Christine was driven home by this subject. The male is unknown to Christine’s parents, her associates and friends,” Mendes said.
“It is believed in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Jan. 4, that Christine left her home and has not been seen or has made contact with her family since,” Mendes said.
Jelinek apparently left home of her own free will.
“Christine took two pairs of jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt, so she may be wearing them. She also had in her possession seven or eight artists books and possible a Nintendo DS Play Station,” Mendes said.
According to news reports, Jelinek wasn’t allowed to have a cell phone or access the Internet. However, her mother and stepfather apparently bought her a game station without realizing it allowed Internet access.
Jelinek was described is 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds, has shoulder length dark brown hair and brown eyes.
“If you have immediate observation of Christine, please call the law enforcement authority in your jurisdiction and report her location to them immediately,” Mendes said.
