Police seek whereabouts of missing Te Puke girl

Te Puke Police are urgently seeking the whereabouts of a 13 year old Te Puke girl, Sapphire Hema, who has been missing from her home since Saturday, June 19.

Sapphire was last seen in Papamoa, where she had been dropped off at a friend's house. She is described as a female Maori, 5ft 1, of slight build and weighing approximately 52kg. She has grey eyes, olive skin, with dark brown straight hair. She was last seen wearing a white singlet, black leather jacket and dark blue skinny jeans.

The officer in charge of Te Puke Police, Senior Sergeant Deidre Lack, says Sapphire may be in Hamilton, however, Police are keeping an open mind as to her location.

"Sapphire has a serious medical condition which requires her to have regular steroid tablets. If she does not receive this medication soon, she may lapse into a coma.

"If anyone knows where Sapphire is, or who she may be with, please contact any local Police station urgently."

Senior Sergeant Lack says Sapphire's condition means that she may appear drunk or disoriented due to her need for medication.

"If she is in this state, she needs urgent medication.

"If you have seen Sapphire, or if you have information about her whereabouts, please contact us urgently. She needs urgent medical attention and we want to ensure she gets this medical attention and is returned to her family."