Police begin official search for missing 46-year-old Wylie woman
WYLIE, Texas - Search efforts continue for a missing Collin County woman who left her home and never came back.
Melonie Ballenger, 46, was last seen in her Wylie home on November 3 and left behind her vehicle and her phone.
Police are asking for the public's help but haven't released any potential circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Melonie was last seen Sunday at 10 p.m. when she went to bed at her Wylie home on Parkwood Drive. Her husband, Daniel Ballenger, says when he woke up, she was gone.
"We were scared, obviously. Worried for her," he said. "Just want her back."
Daniel called Wylie police around 6:30 a.m. Monday to report his wife missing. Police say she didn’t take her cell phone, car or critical medication.
"We don’t know where she is but could be anywhere," he said. "And we want everyone’s help out there."
Wylie police have conducted an extensive search of the area with K-9 units and helicopters.
And while police haven’t shared the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, they say they are pursuing any and all avenues in the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Wylie community has rallied around the family.
"A lot of love in our family right now," Daniel said. "We love Melonie, and we want to get her back home."
The family’s church, Gateway Community Church, has printed and distributed thousands of missing persons flyers. They also held a prayer vigil Tuesday night.
The support means the world Daniel and his two young daughters.
"It’s been unbelievably hard," he said. "I’ve got two young daughters who are missing their mom and go through like a month’s worth of emotions every day. It’s difficult."
Daniel says the searches haven't led to anything yet, and police are figuring out the next location to search.
Police asked family and friends not to do their own searches so the K-9s can better track her scent.
Ballenger is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing approximately 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Pollard at 972-429-8014.